There are many reasons why someone would want to enroll into a stained glass class. Of course, the obvious reason is so that you can be able to create a good stained glass project. You could also be planning to make one as a personal gift to a friend or relative. Other reasons
include the fact that it is much cheaper to create your own pieces than to buy the ready-made ones. Therefore, I have outlined a few tips below that could prove priceless to have if you are planning to join a stained glass class in the near future.
Choice of class
While the choice of glass is important once you already know the art, choice of a good stained glass class is important before you learn the art. Otherwise, you may end up quitting in your first lesson due to frustration. First of all, always avoid classes that have people attempting to sell you glasses and equipment. This could be a marketing gimmick in the name of an educational class. A good stained glass class is one that should be able to give you projects that are simple and affordable to begin with.
Choice of tools and glass
Once you have selected a good stained glass class, the next important thing is to be able to obtain good quality tools. A great idea is to avoid buying or using hobbyist tools. This is because, even though they are cheaper, they do not last for long. This is an important piece of information because experience has shown that some stained glass projects could become addictive. You definitely don’t want your tools to spoil all the fun. The other thing that you should be careful while shopping is the glass. It is advisable to find out exactly how much glass you need for your project to avoid wastage. Also, when selecting colors, you should remember that some colors look different depending on the light source illuminating them. Therefore, always hold up your glass piece to a good light source to avoid buying the wrong thing. Most preferably, daylight is advised.
Choice of patterns
While you may have enrolled into a great stained glass class and bought the best tools and even the correct colored glass pieces, a wrong choice of patterns could easily end up leaving you discouraged and giving up on the classes altogether. Therefore, it is advised that as a beginner, you should always try out patterns that have fewer but larger pieces. The reason for this is because cutting small pieces can be very difficult sometimes. Therefore, be aware that you are growing in your skill and it doesn’t hurt to begin simple.
Get these three things right and your stained glass class will simply be a breeze. Just remember that it takes a lot of time, practice and persistence to perfect the art. Therefore, a little positive attitude shouldn’t hurt and failure does not mean it is the end. You may just be on your way to becoming the next great stained glass artist in town. |
