Does anyone else work with stained glass?

[arikara]

I used to do clay sculpture but don't have access to a studio anymore to fire and glaze my work. So I've taken up stained glass. I'm doing both the lead came and copper foil methods, and so far have made a few suncatcher type thingy's and am now working on centers for my kitchen cupboards (but I have to learn how to do the woodwork frames for them) and am just finishing up a kaliedoscope.

Its one of those activities where I totally lose track of time.

[wovenpaint]

1. I have!

Put it away tho when I decided to go back to school and FINALLY get my degree in Fiber Art.
I used to love working with glass-couldn't make any money off of it tho because the cheap stuff from China/Mexico was just coming in then..now, it's the same with textiles :shrug:
My favorite was copper foil and the best thing I made was a lampshade! At some point, I'll pick it up again, knowing me!

[arikara]

2. I've noticed quite a bit of the cheap painted-on fakey stuff

but I haven't noticed too much cheap-priced import real stained glass around.

What do you do with your Fiber Art? This area is good for raising wool bearing critters - sheep, llamas, so there are also a lot of weavers around. I picked up a loom at a garage sale but I haven't used it yet. That's where I got most of my stained glass supplies too.

[wovenpaint]

3. I'm a weaver

as well as artist...joined local guild and play around with yarns and weaves. I give away more than I sell-too much cheap stuff from China, not much of a market for handwovens due to the cost. Lately, I've gotten interested in painted warps and indigo dyeing.
Professionally, I've designed Jacquard upholstery (think those lovely Lazy Boy recliner sectionals) and currently work with color development. I also spin fiber.
Get that loom working-it looks trickier than it actually is! What kind is it? It's a great hobby and if you have lots of fiber animals where you are-learn to spin also..very relaxing. they are both very "Zen" activities.
I got out of stained glass pretty much because I had small children at the time and was nervous about the use of lead. Also, as you've pointed out, there's too much cheap crap out there-no one would pay me for the handcrafted stuff that I'd do, so not worth the energy. Used to enjoy it tho....

[cleofus1]

4. hi there

sounds like fun...the last thing i need is lots o glass with the kids a bustin into everything...
so what technique do they use on all those church windows?