Enjoy the Everlasting Beauty of Glass Art  in Your Home                    

As you can see by making color changes or simple changes to the original pattern submitted for approval, the design can change dramatically. My goal is to always have my customers completely satisfied with the chosen cartoon before beginning to construct it.

To understand the pricing of Stained Glass, it is important to have a basic knowledge of how a stained glass panel is made.

There are two distinct methods commonly used for assembling a panel. The first step in both methods to create a pattern or "cartoon" from which to cut the glass from.

The oldest method for assembling glass uses "H" & "U" shaped lead came.  With this method the glass is cut and fits into the lead channels, each junction of lead came is spot soldered with lead solder, then cement is forced into the channel edges with a brush to make the panel water tight and to secure the glass from warbling. Excess cement is removed over the course of a couple days and the cement is allowed to dry.  Finally, the panel is cleaned and polished.

The newer method is commonly called Tiffany style, or the copper foiled technique. Tiffany developed this technique so that detailed glass work could be accomplished. He felt too limited by the lack of flexibility of the lead came. However, these panels are not water tight nor as strong as the cemented lead came panels. There are more time consuming steps in making a Tiffany style panel but the beautiful details make these extra steps worthwhile. With this method, after each piece of glass is cut, it is necessary to grind and clean all the edges so that thin ribbon-like strips of copper foil can be applied around each piece and  burnished onto the glass for a tight seal.  Every seam is lead soldered taking care to leave a "bead" of solder so that the piece will be strong. After the solder is applied to both sides of the panel, it forms the "H" channel of lead that holds the glass in. You will notice that on most mass produced (inexpensive) stained glass panels and lamps that the solder lines are flat.  Without a good bead on front and back these pieces will eventually fall apart. The finished panel is framed with zinc came or other harder metals. Then is is cleaned and polished. Various patinas can be added to give the panel a distinctive look before polishing.

Formulas are used based on the square footage and the complexity of the design.

A 12" x 12" panel or "suncatcher" (1 square foot) piece can vary in price considerably.

Many factors are taken into consideration before a price is formulated.

A Lead Came panel will cost less than a Tiffany style panel because there are less steps involved and generally less pieces. Clear glass costs less than colored Stained Glass. Red, orange, yellow, pink, and iridescent glass is more expensive. Bevels and bevel clusters add to the cost as do other additions such as rondels, jewels, wire overlays, plating (layering of glass), etching, painting, fused or specialty glass, bronze or copper overlays, type of frame, decorative soldering, fancy panel hangers, patinas, number of individual glass pieces...etc.

The variations, as you see, are limited only by your imagination or mine.

With this in mind, a beautiful glass piece can be made simple or complex and still be beautiful if made correctly.

Glass panels can be used in sidelights, doors, transoms, cabinet doors, room dividers, and fireplace screens. They can be free standing for tabletop use, or hung in windows or on walls.  

I design all my own patterns and will design patterns for other glass artists.