Red Dragon Glass Art

People ask how I get inspiration. The truth is, it comes from all over, but it really starts to form in that space between being awake and sleep. When my mind is free to wander. The Bison Skull Mosaic came from that half awake state.

You may not know, but the makers of the original conversation hearts, Necco, went out of business in 2018. There were other candy hearts with messages, but not the original, chalky tasting ones that people love, but never eat. Then the conversation heart business was saved when Spangler swooped in. However, when they started production, there was a glitch in the system and most of the hearts were blank! Sweethearts Conversation Hearts Are Back, But They're Not Very Chatty

Lanterns are really popular with stained glass artists. If you look online you'll see hundreds of inspired and creative designs. It's a great example of how each artist responds to the same challenge in their own unique way.

The perameters I was given for this project were: Winter scene, peach and light blue.

Wind chimes are a wonderful way to memorialize a friend, relative or a cherished pet. I've had the honor of making several memorial wind chimes and each time it's a challenge to create something unique that represents the family member.

If you've been working with stained glass for any length of time, you know what flux can do to your favorite tools.

Flux corroded tools look oxidized and don't move freely, sometimes not at all. You don't want to buy new tools every time this happens.

I did a little research (so you wouldn't have to) and this is what worked for me.

1. Put your tools in a plastic container and fill it with white vinegar until it covers the tools.

Making glass nuggets for your stained glass projects is easy if you own your own kiln. Premade niggets come in a limited color range, don't let that limit your creativity! And you can make your own eyes as well! How many times have you wanted to make a project with an animal but worried how to make eyes?

Above are animal eyes, red berries, and miscelleanous nuggets.

I've been preparing to teach Beginning Stained Glass online for the great folks at CuriousMondo.com and I figured it might be nice to explain the "why" behind some of the things I choose to do.

One of the things I use most is 60/40 (tin-lead) solder. I didn't think "because I like it" would be a reasonable response if asked so I did what any reasonable person would do and asked Google.

The Challenge: Enhance a piece of metal wall decor with glass

That was the request, and this is the original piece of art:

It had a "lip" in the back that would be perfect to act as a frame to support the glass so I said I'd be happy to give it a try, and brought it home with me.

I had a vision of how the final piece would look so all I had to do was make that vision become a reality.

After much anticipation, and a quick onsite repair, the day finally arrived for the big reveal.

Prior the grand opening and ribbon cutting at The Quilter's Lodge these two panels were hidden from view with brown paper.

But when the paper came off and the crowd oooh'd and aaaah'd, all the months of work was paid off.

It's not something you want to think about but occasionally breakage happens. A glass artist knows the sound and no one wants to hear it.

Occasionally it happens when a piece is being installed. It was a lucky thing that the breakage was in a convenient spot and easy to fix. So I packed up my tools and made the repair on site.