Your passion projects
Amy Cole’s love for stained glass
Our volunteers are amazing and have lots of interesting hobbies. We want to hear all about them, so each issue we’re meeting a Girlguiding member with a special talent or interest.
Today we're chatting to Rainbow leader Amy Cole, who makes stained glass decorations.
Illustrations: Stella Isaac/stellaisaac.co.uk
Stained glass has been used for thousands of years to add decoration to windows and buildings. Stained glass designs are made using a metal framework, usually lead, to make the outline, and then filled in using coloured pieces of glass. The practice of using stained glass to create pictures or tell a story has been around for centuries, and many old windows are still standing today.
The Ancient Romans and Egyptians made small objects made from coloured glass and stained glass windows in the UK can be traced back to the seventh century. Using stained glass became really popular in Medieval times and during the Renaissance. But during the Reformation in the 1600s lots of stained glass windows were destroyed and replaced with plain glass.
In the 1800s stained glass windows became popular again and in the 1900s new techniques made it even easier for more people to create their own designs. Now, lots of people create stained glass pieces to decorate their homes as a hobby.
Hi Amy! What do you do in Girlguiding and how long have you been a part of the organisation?
I currently volunteer as the leader of a Rainbow unit. I’ve been unit leader for three years now. I am hoping to set up a Rangers unit after Easter too! I’ve been a member of Girlguiding for 19 years.
I volunteer for Girlguiding for lots of reasons but mainly I love how rewarding it is - seeing kids come out of their shell or the joy of earning a badge is truly wonderful. The support network you create as leaders is really nice and I love the opportunities I get and the opportunities I can provide too.
How did you get into making stained glass art?
I’ve only been making stained glass for a year. I first got interested in making stained glass by watching stained glass artists' content online. I love creating and trying new crafts, so my parents got me a starter kit for Christmas.
What do you enjoy most about making stained glass?
I love transforming a sketch into glass. Every piece of glass differs slightly and is so beautiful when you hold it up to the light. I love the satisfaction of finally being able to hold a piece to the light to see how it comes to life as a finished piece.
How do you make each piece?
1.
Each piece starts as a drawing on card. I number and cut out all the pieces, gluing them to the glass. Once the glue has set, I score round the shape and use grozing pliers and running pliers, tools to break the glass, along the score line. This doesn't always go to plan!
2.
Once I have all my pieces cut out, I use the glass grinder to make sure the pieces are the same shape and size as the card, so they’ll fit together perfectly. The grinder is an electrical machine that takes rough cut glass and grinds it into smoother pieces and makes them fit together.
3.
After this, each piece is washed to remove the card and glue. I usually hand dry each piece and re-label the glass with a permanent marker.
4.
Each piece is then foiled, wrapping copper foil tape round the edges. Then the foil is burnished, this is done using something called a fid. The fid is a plastic or wooden tool that you use to press the foil onto the glass.
5.
Masking tape is used to fix all the pieces together on one side once this is done, and I turn the piece over and solder it. The solder is made of lead and tin, this sticks the copper with the use of a stained glass acid called flux. During soldering it's important to have the area well ventilated and to wear PPE.
6.
When the front is complete, I flip the piece, remove the masking tape and repeat the soldering process, adding any loops or hooks.
7.
Once the piece is fully soldered it needs cleaning to remove all traces of flux. Washing up liquid and a Brillo pad works wonders!
8.
I dry the piece and then colour the solder. It can be left as silver, but I prefer to colour mine. There are two options: black or copper. Copper is much harder to master and needs a lot of buffing. If you want the glass to stand out black is best. The piece then is washed and dried again before being polished with car wax.
9.
The piece is then finally finished!
What's your favourite piece you've made so far?
My favourite piece was my fox based on artist Vali Myers’ Foxy, but it fell off the window so I'm hoping to remake it! My other favourite is another Vali Myers-inspired piece which is a whale based on her painting Moby Dick.
Do you have any words of wisdom for someone getting started making stained glass pieces?
My key piece of advice is research the craft thoroughly and follow all health and safety advice. And I would encourage anyone to try new crafts and be patient with yourself. My first piece did not fit together at all!
If you want to have a go at Amy’s hobby, check out our stained glass activity. We’ve included instructions and templates for you to use in your own colourful creations. Don’t worry, there’s no soldering involved!
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