Suncatchers Blog

So you’ve cut your pieces; nice puzzle. Then you grind to make your pieces fit. You’ve foiled all those lovely pieces and still it doesn’t look like much. Lots of work but nothing show for but all that work needs to be done.

Now you tack all your pieces together with a drop of solder and it’s starting to look like your project and every project is different. As much as you try to cut the same you will always have to grind a little here or there a little differently than the next.

Take Casey for example his ear is not as big as my drawing but I changed direction when I was assembly it together.

I find a lot of animals make good project, people love animals.

Once you’ve tacked your pieces together, you’ll now go and make nice solder seams from one end to the next, trying to not stop. You can always go back to repair as often as you want. But there comes a time when you have to say it’s good it look nice.

Dog Suncatchers are what I’m working on today for a co-worker.  I started with three subjects: Boomer, Casey and Bruce. I used one glass colour to do Boomer and added the eyes on top of the glass to add dimension and to give him more character.

Then I started Bruce. Now again he was one color but he was a challenge. With his black coat I had to use a white marker to make my marks to get him ready to cut and grind.  And now the last of my project was going to be Casey, this was to be my master piece, with his photo to guide me I wanted to do her justice. (I will post pictures next week)

She has character, so poise and elegant that I wished to capture.  I’ll let her mommy tell me if I did a good job.  I’m proud of all three but Casey we had to make our own pattern from her picture making her more unique. Well, I could say that about Bruce also since I had to manipulate the pattern I had to make him closer to the real Bruce. Look at my progress report that is enclosed thanks to my husband who just loves to see his wife so concentrated in her work as when she gets into a project like this and loses sense of time.

Suncatchers

Suncatchers come in all shapes and sizes.  So whether it is a small bird or a window panel if light shines through it’s a suncatcher.  Suncatchers can be purchased in all sizes as well as traditional subjects or abstract panels.

Suncatchers Pre-cut Kits

As easy as suncatchers can be purchased, you can also create your own by purchasing a suncatcher pre-cut kit.  If you want to go even further rather than purchasing a suncatcher pre-cut kit just buy the glass and make your own.  You can find many free patterns as well to start your next suncatcher.

Make Your Own

I love to incorporate other medium making my suncatchers originals like more of a collage.  But you can have fun with mosaic.

Finished Suncatchers

The finished product is always the most interesting, as much as a project can end up like what you had in mind it can take a turn.  If your glass breaks in two you may have to start over why not add a new seam that is not in the original pattern, making your suncatcher unique.  Try this with your next suncatchers add different dimensions.  If your project has a fish make the fin on an angle and solder it that way.  People will just think you’re a genius.

The best thing about suncatchers is the sunlight going through your glass giving it a magical quality.

One Time Project or Hobby Forever

At first look, the art of stained glass can seem very overwhelming. First, think of how long you want to do this for.  Will this be a hobby for a one time project or will you do this for years to come.  I myself knowing the crafter and hobbyist that I am I know that once I did one project I would continue?  Now, if you know you are a person that does one project and moves on to another hobby or if you know you get bored and never finish a project, think of another way of having a taste of stained glass art without all the expenses.

There are many ways to get a taste of stained glass without choosing a stained glass starter kit.  Although you can find stained glass starter kits that are not that expensive, why not take a class at a community center and get to use their equipment or find someone who already has all the equipments to show you how by using his or her tools.  It’s always nice to get helpful hints when first beginning a new hobby.

If you prefer to get going and purchase, again, think of getting the most for your money.  In most stained glass starter kit, you can find good quality tools. You may not need the most expensive soldering iron but try to get a fairly good quality one.  You may be able to find specials also try looking on suncatchersandmore.com and see the tools section.  A cutting knife is the least expensive and anyone will do the trick to begin, eventually you may want to get one with a better grip but that’s just when you’ve realized that the hobby is for you.  When looking for your grinder I found that you can find great specials most of the time.

Safety

Be sure to purchase safety glass, they don’t usually come in your starter kit but I firmly believe that they should.  After all we only have 2 eyes and they are meant to last us a life time.

Glass Kits

Glass can be purchased in bulk or in packages at a very reasonable price, you may want to start with less textured glass as it is easier to cut until you are ready to try your cutting experience with a more expensive and trickier glass.

Most of all have fun……….