Faux vs. Leaded Stained Glass Panels As A Hobby

Many potential hobbyists see stained glass panels and think it would be wonderful to make pieces of art in glass and color. But creating these stained glass windows can be expensive as well as dangerous. This is a turn off to many who consider taking up the hobby. Authentic stained glass panels require lots of specialized tools, a fairly large workspace, and working with exposed glass edges. All of these are enough to discourage all but the hardiest of artisans. If the cost does not get them the potential fir injury does.

But for those who want to work with color and glass without the hassle, there is faux stained glass. Those who make these stained glass panels in the faux style instead of using leaded pieces of pieces of colored glass follow many of the same steps but with a solid sheet of glass. A pattern is used on the glass but instead of creating each piece out of that opalescent glass, paint is used to create the design on the clear sheet.

While the time required for a project takes almost as long as it does with leaded glass, depending on the pattern, the learning curve is not nearly as steep though to get started making beautiful panels. For those looking for a relaxing hobby that gives them the ability of having plenty of artistic expression faux stained glass panels may be just what they are looking for.

The Jewelry Of Louis C. Tiffany

At the turn of the 20th century jewelry around the world was made almost exclusively for the elite and featured precious stones. More often than not that precious stone was the diamond and Tiffany & Co had stocked up on these stones during a downturn in the market just a few decades earlier.

During this same time Louis C. Tiffany began taking a deeper interest in his fathers company. He was instrumental in creating a more artistic approach to jewelry that was also more affordable. By combining gold with semi-precious stones Tiffany was able to bring jewelry to the common man. Tiffany was a true artist who used many mediums from jewelry to glass to create masterpieces for both the elite as well as the middle class. His commissioned works were in demand with the whose who of the young country. While is studio also produced fine stained glass panels and Tiffany lamps, which were the style in homes all across the country.

The Blown Glass Of the Tiffany Studios

Louis Comfort Tiffany was a true master of glass turning beautiful pieces of the colored material into everything from tiles to stained glass panels to lamps. It does not seem to matter how he had to work in the material he could turn it into an artistic masterpiece.

While preparing the chapel for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Tiffany felt the addition of blown glass would be just the right touch. He took the experience he already had with other forms of glass such as tile and art glass windows and partnered up with Arthur J. Nash to begin glass blowing.

For the collaboration Tiffany was the designer, Nash the plant manager, and there were many artisans who carried out the work under the supervision of the duo. None of the early works in blown glass seem to have survived to modern times. The earliest reliably documented piece is a green marbleized rose bowl which was purchased on June 2, 1894.

Once the Tiffany Studio has the process down they were producing 30,000 blown glass items a year at their peak. Pieces ranged from tableware to vases and bowls. The sheer abundance produced makes collecting these glass items difficult since it can be hard to tell if you are truly getting a piece from the Tiffany Studio.

Avoiding Damage To Stained Glass Panels From Frame Rot

Many older structures have beautiful stained glass panels in place that despite the appearance that they are in good shape are actually in serious danger of being broken. The windows themselves may be in perfect condition but the frame that the glass is built into may be rotting and leaving the glass to potential breaking from sagging or failure.

In cases such as this it is best if the framing can be reinforced without removing the stained glass window since anytime you move the glass you are subjecting it to all kinds of potential disasters. An experienced carpenter should be able to reinforce the frame for you while leaving the stained glass panel in place to minimize the risk to the piece of art.

Protecting Stained Glass Panels from the Elements

If you purchase a beautiful stained glass panel for your home you want it to continue to look its best for a very long time. Sadly there are elements that will take their toll on your window that will mar its appearance.

Excess sun can fade the bright colors of your window if exposed to too much direct light. Hopefully when you decided where to place your panel you can placed it in a place where light could come through the glass to bring out its beauty yet not shine directly on it for long periods to fade the color.

Moisture is the biggest enemy of ant stained glass window though whether it is in the glass or the support structure the panel is mounted in. Care should be taken that the window frame remains strong. If moisture can make its way into the wood structure the deterioration can sag and bulge possibly resulting in a broken glass.

Moisture can also build within stained glass panels where it can damage the lead that binds the glass pieces together. The warming and cooling of this moisture will cause the lead to expand and contract and once this occurs it will remain stretched and will not be able to effectively hold the pieces of glass together.

Of course it is impossible to completely keep a stained glass panel away from harmful elements but by limiting them and with proper care your window can last as long as the home that it is installed in.

Louis Tiffany: The First American Antiques Collector

For many who love antiques, finding Tiffany lamps to display in their home as auctions and flea markets is a wonderful hobby. To these collectors finding a unique table lamp or Tiffany floor lamp to complete a set is a great accomplishment.

Of course one of the ironies that the lamps and stained glass panels of Louis Comfort Tiffany are highly sought by collectors is that he was one of the first and most prolific collectors in America.

Louis Tiffany loved decorative items that he valued as having qualities that he saw as beautiful and well crafted. This made him one of the first collectors of antiques in the United States. This collection also included one of the largest collections of Japanese swords in any collection in the country as well as Chinese textiles.

It was this love of antiques that made Louis Tiffany want his fine stained glass panels and Tiffany lamps to become highly sought home decorations as well.

Repairing Stained Glass Panels

There are many homeowners out there who have beautiful stained glass panels in their homes. These windows add a unique touch of style as well as more lighting to any room that attracts the attention of all the guests who come into the home. But what do you do if that window has a chip or a crack in it? What can you do to repair that glass before the problem gets worse?

If you find yourself in the position where your stained glass window is in need of repair do to a crack or a chip the best advice possible is to call a professional who specializes in the repair and restoration of stained glass. Handling stained glass can be tricky and sometimes removing the panel in order to repair it can in the end cause more damage than it repairs. Many times a repair job can be done on a stained glass panel while it is still in place, and this includes the worst of cracks. In general you can do more harm than good by trying to repair stained glass by yourself, so always consult a professional who specializes in these delicate windows and keeping them looking their best.

Getting Started In Creating Stained Glass Panels

The increase of stained glass studios in the US is creating renewed interest by many others in participating in this fun and interesting art form. Unlike other forms of art even those who may not be as talented in drawing and using art supplies can successfully make stained glass panels to display in their home, give as gifts, and even sell for extra money.

Stained glass artisans can opt to make their own designs for their glass windows or use templates, which are available for free all over the internet. From there it is a matter of getting the stained glass colors that you want and need for your window and cutting and fitting them into a window.

For a more detailed description of what goes into making these panels here is a great article on Creating Stained Glass Panels.

The Rise In The Interest Of Stained Glass Panels

Recently there has been a resurgence of stained glass studios in the United States as more people search for a hobby that is not only rewarding but relaxing as well. The trend for more free time in the US over the past couple of decades has also made more individuals begin to consider taking their hobbies and making them into small side businesses. The art of making stained glass windows is one of these hobbies, which are gaining in popularity, and more of these artists are starting to sell their custom pieces to earn extra money on the side.

Stained glass panels can seem extremely complicated but simple designs can be done right away with a first time panel maker. This is one of the points that make this hobby such a hit with so many. The fact you can start making beautiful stained glass windows right away and then begin to progress to more complicated pieces at your own pace makes this a very appealing hobby.

Opting To Not Sell Your Home & Add Style Instead

More families are opting to not put their home on the real estate market for sale and choosing to continue living in them instead. One way to make that home new again is to remodel. Of course remodels can get expensive so maybe just small changes are what you need to renew your love of your home.
One simple home makeover tip is to use stained glass panels to more light and color to a room. Whether you remove a drab window and replace it with a large stained glass window or if you simply place small stained glass panels into your kitchen cabinet doors it can really breath new life into most any room.
Make your home a place you love again by adding the beauty of a stained glass panel or even just some new lighting such as wall scones or Tiffany lamps.