As I have been getting more comfortable with my stained glass equipment and basement “studio” setup, there have been some relatively simple things that have helped me complete projects more efficiently and with less emphasis on perfection.
Putting together a stained glass project is a multi-step process and different skills are needed to complete each step. So it takes a lot of practice to get it all down.
Lately, I have been working on several projects at once. At first thought, this seems like it would take longer (and maybe it technically is a longer process this way), but in practice, working on multiple projects at the same time allows me to linger on each step just a tad bit longer, making it worth setting up the grinder or getting situated to solder. And in the end, I have several projects completed! Regardless of the apparent increase in efficiency, working on many projects at the same time is very rewarding in the end.
I also realized that I could make multiples of a single design. I recently made a hamsa design, inspired by a Pinterest post. The design is pretty simple: there are only 5 pieces and you can use practically any color and texture of glass (although I have avoided red for obvious reasons). I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with all these hamsas, but the iteration was a helpful process.
It’s easy to let perfectionism take over while making stained glass art. For example, you can get pretty obsessed with making sure all the pieces fit perfectly together before you move on from the cutting stage. You can certainly recut a piece a million times to get it just right (sometimes recutting is necessary!) but for me, I’m always balancing the need for practice and the goal of conserving glass.
I’ve been using two main tricks that help me stay on track:
The first tip is a technical one: Fill the gaps! If there is a gap between pieces that you’re concerned about, just fold up some copper foil and stuff it in there before you solder! That way there is something for the solder to latch onto, rather than crossing your fingers and hoping it’ll all look ok when you try to fill it in with solder. It seems so simple, but once I started doing this, I was able to avoid getting stuck at the cutting stage unnecessarily.
The second is a mental one: Come back later! I can get frustrated when I get stuck on different steps. When this happens, it’s time to put down the tools and walk away. When I revisit something with fresh eyes, I am always surprised by how quickly and easily the problem seems to resolve itself (this is not just about stained glass!).
As a beginner, picking up simple tricks here and there has made such a difference in the end result of my projects. I’m excited to see what other tips I pick up along the way!
Kharrazi Glassworks 