Stained Glass Easter Suncatchers

Spring has sprung .. Time to do a little seasonal project to welcome the season.  Here I've made 3 suncatchers for Easter .. Two eggs and a carrot.  My dear hubby keeps questioning my decision to add a carrot to the mix, but I just though it fit.  Here goes ..

This is how all stained glass projects begin, with a Manila folder and carbon paper to create the patterns from which to cut the glass.  Here I've traced a carrot and egg onto the folder.

 

I traced a second egg a bit smaller than the first and added a couple of designs.

Here are the carrot patterns and the glass partially cut out.

When I cut the stripes on the eggs, I use stained glass pattern shears.  These leave a small channel between the blades so that there is room for the copper foil which will come later.

Now each of the suncatchers has been cut and is ready for grinding and foiling.

After the glass is cut, each piece gets the edges ground in the electric grinder.

 
 Then I press on 7/32" adhesive copper foil to the edges of each piece.

After the foil is on and hand-pressed to the edges and sides, I burnish it using a "fid" or flat plastic wand.

Now each suncatcher has been foiled and is pinned in place on the Homasote.  This is my cushiony work surface which is made from soundproofing material.  It has "give" to cut glass and it readily absorbs any chemical spills.

Here I'm applying liquid flux which is a catalyst which enables the solder to flow freely over the copper foil.

All three have now been soldered.  To strengthen each one, I added a wire reinforcement around the outer edge.  This is particularly important for the area where the greenery meets the carrot.  This is considered a "hinge" and is highly susceptible to separation.  The wrap-around wire will go a long way to preventing that through the years.  It will also strengthen the sides where the stripes on the eggs are located.

Here I'm wrapping 20 gauge wire around a metal brush and leaving about 3/4" for "legs".  These will become the hanging hooks.

I soldered the hooks along the lead lines, for invisibility and strength. Following the soldering process, each piece gets sprayed and washed thoroughly with a chemical neutralizer.

Next comes the black patina.  This is a blue chemical which turns the solder black instantly. Another cleaning follows.  Then the patina is allowed to dry and stained glass finishing compound is applied.  This is a light wax which protects the patina and gives a nice shine to the glass.

 And here they are!  For hanging on a window, I recommend Command Brand 1/2 lb hooks which are made specifically for glass.  They are more secure and reliable than the suction cup variety.
Happy Easter!

For more information on my other projects, please click here to visit my website.

If you're on FaceBook, please click here to "like" my BoehmStained Glass Studio page to keep up with all the latest projects.  Thank you!

Cardinal Sun Catcher

"So, what does it mean when you see a cardinal? Could it be bringing you a message from an ancestor or the gods? Well, the belief that Cardinals are spiritual messages has existed in several cultures and societies for a very long period now, and the belief continues to survive even in our modern world."
-http://thebigdeer.com/what-does-it-mean-when-you-see-a-cardinal/

With a rare gap in my work schedule, I finally had time to create a special gift for a friend for whom the Cardinal has great meaning.

I rendered the design from a photograph as shown below ..

Here's my color rendition.

Tracing the pattern onto a Manila folder, using carbon paper as shown.  

Pattern pieces are cut using specialized stained glass pattern shears.  They leave a thin strip between each piece which allows room for the copper foil which will follow later.

Tracing the patterns onto the glass ..

Using an oil-filled pistol grip glass cutter to cut the pieces.

Mid-project .. A bunch of pattern pieces and cut glass ready to be made into a beautiful bird.

A few of the cuts were too intricate to cut by hand, so I used my wet band saw.

All of the glass has been cut and laid on the pattern or "cartoon".

Applying adhesive 7/32" black back copper foil to the edges of each piece of glass.  Here I'm burnishing the edges with a "fid" or flat plastic wand.

Etching my name, month and date onto the back of the tail piece.  Since the front is textured glass, the engraving won't be visible.

In order to prepare for soldering, I've locked each piece in place by pressing pushpins into my Homasote work surface.

Applying liquid flux to the copper foil.  This is a catalyst which enables the solder to flow freely.

I've "tack soldered" the pieces together so that I can remove the push pins and slide out the "cartoon" or paper pattern.

Now the Cardinal is fully soldered, front and back and edges.

To improve the stability and strength of the sun catcher, I soldered a single length of thin copper wire completely around the border as shown.

Next I'm creating a hanging hook using 20 gauge copper wire which I wrap around a metal brush as shown.

I placed the "legs" of the hook onto one of the solder lines and extended the loop over the edge.  After all the soldering was completed, I gave the entire piece a good cleaning with a flux neutralizing spray.

Applying black patina to the solder.  It works instantly,  After it set for a bit, I washed off the excess.  No chemicals will remain by the end of the process.

And here is the finished Cardinal!  When I render any animal or bird in glass, I always make a transparent eye.  It gives the piece that spark of life when the light shines through.

Another view with his shadow.

This view shows the textures of the glass.

And here he is, proudly adorning the front window of my friend's home.  Thanks so much Marty, for your kind words when I surprised you with the Cardinal.  May you and your family enjoy him for years to come!

For more information on my other projects, please click here to visit my website.

If you're on FaceBook, please click here to "like" my BoehmStained Glass Studio page to keep up with all the latest projects.  Thank you!

Stained Glass Skier Sun Catcher Repair

Happy 2018 Everybody!
I'll start the new year off with a simple repair to an heirloom sun catcher.  This little gem was recently discovered while unpacking old Christmas decorations in my customer's attic.  This little skier may be 40 years old, purchased to represent her young daughter who was an avid skier.  My task was to repair it so that it could be presented as a Christmas present.  Here are the steps ..

Here's how it came to me.  The copper foil had separated along the shoulders and between the hand and the wrist.  Its a very lightweight, fragile piece.

As a first step, I detached the hand and head completely to prepare each piece for new foil and solder.

Now all the old solder and foil has been removed from the area.

This went quickly.  I added new foil from the left mitten, across the shoulders and around the right wrist and partway down the right arm.  I also added new foil to the hair and to the bottom of the face and to the edge of the mitten.  Then I brushed liquid flux onto the foil.  This helps the solder to flow freely.  In order to make a stronger repair, I opted to attach the hair to the shoulder.  Now there are two contact points, the hair and the head. This will greatly reduce the possibility of future breakage.  As I worked, the right hand mitten was not securely attached to the arm.  I opted to add short lengths of wire, top and bottom, at the wrist area.  It successfully anchored the mitten and proved to be a strong resolution to the issue.

After all the soldering is complete, I cleaned the area using a chemical-neutralizing spray.  After it dried, I applied black patina with a metal brush, as shown here.  It instantly turns the solder black.  After the patina set, I washed off the excess.  Then I waxed the suncatcher for shine and protection.

And here she is, ready to go down more slopes this winter!

For more information on my other projects, please click here to visit my website.

If you're on FaceBook, please click here to "like" my BoehmStained Glass Studio page to keep up with all the latest projects.  Thank you!

Stained Glass Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers

Here are some sun catchers I made a while back as a gift.  Just thought I'd post them today, after seeing the leaves in full color in Pennsylvania Delaware Valley region.  Quick, simple designs.

I found a few designs through Google.  Then I traced them onto a Manila folder, using carbon paper.

I used a variety of autumnal colored glass, all Cathedral (see through), some with textures for interest. Here all the glass has been cut.  I also ground the edges of the glass.

Applying adhesive silver back copper foil to the edges of each piece of glass.  Copper foil comes with the insides in three colors: copper, black and silver.  The inside of the foil should always match the color of the patina.  Since these leaves will be left silver, I'm using silver back foil.

Another view of the foiling process.

I've pinned the pieces of glass into the Homasote work surface to prevent them from shifting as I work.  Now I'm applying liquid flux to the copper foil.

I've soldered the fronts of the leaves and I've created a hook for each leaf.  I've done this by wrapping a length of wire around a metal brush.  The hooks can be seen in the center of the photo.

Now I've soldered on all the hooks and they're ready for hanging.

And here they are, ready for Fall and ready for the window.  I recommend using Command brand 1/2 lb hooks which are made specifically for adhering to glass.  They are much safer and long lasting for sun catchers than any of the suction cup holders.

For more information on my other projects, please click here to visit my website.

If you're on FaceBook, please click here to "like" my BoehmStained Glass Studio page to keep up with all the latest projects.  Thank you!