Stained glass birds underway

The Cardinal has been foiled, the Blue Jay is started and the Nuthatch will be up next.  I've decided to position the Nuthatch in the upper right corner of the window.  Therefore, I ran the design through software and flipped it to face the opposite direction.  Here they are ... (Click photo to enlarge, back arrow to return).

I'm doing these production-line style.  Here is the beautiful etched leaf glass used in the background.  Its called Clear Textured Autumn and its available here, from Delphi Art Glass Supplies.  Its thick glass and a bear to cut but it will be worth the effort.

Next up is fluxing, soldering, framing and installing.  Photo update on the way.  After these three are installed, I plan to work on the Chickadee and Goldfinch. Stay tuned. 

Click here for Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Stained glass bird windows

While I'm waiting for my next commission, I'm working on bird-themed windows for our 9-pane kitchen back door.  Each pane is about 6" x 11".  My inspiration for the theme are the many species of birds which visit our feeders all year, and of course, our little parakeet, BeeBee.

For this project, I've again chosen the patterns of Canadian stained glass artist Chantal Pare.  Click here to see/purchase her "Backyard Birds" patterns.  Here is one of the patterns, a Cardinal, before I modified the design.

With any stained glass window, you always have to consider the complexity of the design versus the size.  This design was far too busy for a small window.  I reduced the design from 58 pieces down to 28 while still maintaining the integrity of the subject. I removed the background, redesigned it into an oblong, and re-sized it to fit one of the 9 panels of the window.

Below is the design after I modified it, with the manila pattern underneath.  The pattern has been marked with numbers and colors and is ready to be cut.

As for cutting the manila folder pattern, we use double-bladed shears which provide some "breathing space" between the pieces which allows room for the copper foil which will be wrapped around the glass later.  Here's an illustration of the scissors with the strip that's removed when the pattern is being cut.  (Click on photo to enlarge and look for the shadow of the strip and the space it created).

Here is the Cardinal in the jig with some of the glass cut, and a few of Chantal Pare's other bird patterns which I modified and custom-sized ... a Goldfinch, Nuthatch, Chickadee and Blue Jay.  I will decide their final placement in the window panes later, based on the direction they are facing, their colors, and the overall esthetics.

I found an amazing clear glass which has leaves etched into it.  It will make the perfect background for each of these birds.  Stay tuned to see the glass and watch these birds transform our plain back door into a colorful entryway.

Click here for Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Our new custom stained glass windows ad

Welcome!  Here is our ad which appears in local papers in Midland Park, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Glen Rock and Ridgewood.  Do you have a cracked, copper-foiled stained glass piece that needs repairing?  Or an idea for a custom residential window?  They make unique, heirloom gifts.  Give me a call .. 201-600-1616 .. or send an email .. I'm always happy to answer questions or "talk glass".

Please scroll down to enjoy our recent Water Lily stained glass window .. or check the lower left side under "Labels" for examples of repairs as well as other stained glass windows, from design to installation. 

Click here for Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Water Lily window completed

Only three weeks after meeting with our customer, the Water Lily stained glass window is done!  It's 16" high by 28-3/4" wide and a real beauty.  My husband custom cut the zinc channel for the frame, which I soldered and joined to the lead lines at the back of the window for a neat, solid look.

One characteristic of stained glass is that it will look different under different lighting conditions.  The photo below (click to enlarge) shows off the textures of the different glass that my customer and I chose, in order to customize this window, including opals, waterglass, wispies, and rough rolled.

And here it is with natural light illuminating it from the front and back.

The solder and zinc channel frame (with hanging hooks) were waxed to maintain their silver color.  My customer made a great choice to do so .. It looks wonderful with the water!

To make it official, I etched my name and the date into a piece of light blue waterglass, near the bottom left.  It is unobtrusive and can't really be seen unless you look for it.

Thank you, Samantha and Paul! It was a pleasure creating your custom window to your specifications.  I know you will enjoy it for many years to come!

If you have an idea for a stained glass window for your home, or you have a cracked window in need of a repair, give me a call at 201-600-1616 and we'll get started.

Click here to see more stained glass at Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Water Lily soldered

And here is the Water Lily window taken out of the jig and soldered.  My customer requested that the solder remain silver.  It looks wonderful with the water!

Click here to see more stained glass at Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Water Lily glass foiled

 

The Water Lily window has now been foiled in copper. As each piece of glass was  removed for foiling, I verified the fit of each piece.  If they are too tight, its possible that they'll crack, so I'm careful that each piece has a bit of "wiggle room" without creating a thick lead line.  A fine balance, but time well spent.

This window will have silver lead lines, so I used silver-backed copper foil. This foil will blend in with the silver lead lines, in case any can be seen through the clear pieces of glass. 

The next step is soldering, then cleaning, and framing with zinc channel ... Stay tuned ... Almost done!

Click here to see more stained glass at Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Water Lily glass all cut

All of the glass for the water lily window has been cut!  The edges of each piece of glass will then be wrapped in adhesive copper foil, fluxed, soldered, and waxed so that the solder will remain silver.  

As is the case with all windows that are under construction, the true beauty of this one won't be seen until its in the sunlight.   It will be stunning!  The next update will show the window with all of the glass pieces foiled.  Its in the home stretch now.

Click here to see more stained glass at Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.

Water Lily glass cutting continues

Today I cut the glass for the leaves using medium and light greens with clear and/or white wispy glass.  We chose this glass because it adds a touch of realism and it mimics the look of brushstrokes that my customer requested.

(Click on photo to enlarge, use back arrow to return.)

I also cut the brighter whites for the blooming lily and the bud.  The whites will be trimmed soon after I cut the adjacent soft grays and pinks.  This window is coming along nicely!  I consider this the "potato chip phase" .. Once I start cutting glass, I can't stop!  Stay tuned ...

Click here to see more stained glass at Boehm Stained Glass Studio website.