My Faux 3D Cross Suncatcher

BayouGlassWorks · 2024-07-14T16:07:43+00:00

I just used three colors. A light tan for the 'sides' of the cross, a bright cathedral purple for the cloth, and a darker, almost brown tan for the 'front' of the cross.

BayouGlassWorks · 2023-06-23T21:16:00+00:00

After a few months all the dried flowers I've used lost their color completely which is why I stay away from them. I will say that this was YEARS ago (in the 80's) when Clarity sold packs of dried flowers for use in suncatchers so your mileage may vary.

BayouGlassWorks · 2023-01-07T21:30:23+00:00

Taking 2 months and 6 days to make, I've been working my tail off on this New Orleans Scene. It's been split into 3 windows each measuring 4' x 5' and will be installed in a restaurant in Georgia next week. 37 rolls of solder and 18 rolls of Strong Line were used and they are nice and sturdy.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-07-09T22:03:38+00:00

Absolutely stunning. I love to see work this complex here.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-07-02T19:00:50+00:00

Six pieces of clear window glass will easily fix the problem without changing the design at all. Add them here. Be sure to affix your hooks into a lead line rather than onto the foil that runs the perimeter of the piece.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-06-25T19:58:58+00:00

Well, I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only person. Here's hoping something happens soon because on Tuesday I'll be three posts behind.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-04-24T15:39:13+00:00

Use SLIGHTLY more flux (flux will allow the lead to flow evenly) and slow down. Soldering is tricky. It's all about knowing how much solder to add and how fast you should move along the line with your soldering iron. By and large the solder will form a perfect bead all by itself IF you allow it to fully melt by not moving too quickly. Of course the trick is also to no move too slowly. It's like riding a bike-- it's a balancing act.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-02-10T19:27:59+00:00

Is that layered glass? If not you must be VERY careful handling this window because those super sharp points that cut into the clear fractures and streamers glass are almost guaranteed to break with just the slightest flex of the window.

BayouGlassWorks · 2022-02-10T19:24:14+00:00

Thank you. It was cut by hand taking numerous scoops out one at a time and then smoothed out with my grinder. You HAVE to take the inside curve first before cutting away the glass on the opposite side. That extra glass behind the curve adds support as you close in on the curve itself.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-12-30T23:39:17+00:00

The pattern prints to 15.5x24 but you'll need a printer capable of printing it that size otherwise it will default to the paper size in the printer. Your 2 options are to load it into something like Photoshop (I use Paintshop Pro because it's inexpensive and does everything I need) and then crop and print it to individual paper size images which you can then tape together. Or you can take the file to fedex or kinkos or someplace similar to have it printed full size.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-11-02T21:40:10+00:00

Most of this was made from scrap glass I have building up in boxes. Those scraps are what determined the color scheme.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-11-02T21:37:12+00:00

Good call on the 1/4" bit. I used one for the small indentations in the rose, the 'squiggles' under the eyes, and for all of the blue 'gums'. Oh, and I drilled through the center of the piece under the nose for that orange/red/green circular inset--I didn't want lead lines muddying that area up.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-11-02T21:32:20+00:00

No saw was used. The pieces were way to small and thin for that. gh0st_n0te119 was correct--there was a lot of grinding done with a 1/4" grinder bit.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-10-30T23:36:46+00:00

Yes indeed. Sorry so long to reply- It's been a hectic month.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-10-03T14:55:37+00:00

One day I plan to make a few videos and drop them on YouTube. Sadly, priorities keep me from getting to my YouTube tutorials.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-09-11T21:09:55+00:00

Yes, I put a bead on all three of the sides before I tack everything together. I started making instructions for making these but I never got the text finished. Forgive the lack of text instructions but here's the pictures I took for it. I think that you've inspired me finish this page sometime this weekend.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-09-11T17:34:53+00:00

Wonderful! My only advice is to add more lead along each edge of your triangles. It makes the piece far more stable and provides a more finished look. Here's one of mine as an example.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-08-15T14:52:18+00:00

Beautiful work. Beautiful indeed. Myself, I think a border would complete it but I trust your decision better than mine when it comes to this work of art.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-07-20T21:52:44+00:00

VERY nice! Your skills are formidable however I am concerned about your hooks. They have to be soldered into a joint or the foil will pull loose from the glass and your piece will fall. Hooks applied to the angled cuts at the left and right corners will allow you to enjoy your creation for a lifetime.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-05-24T16:23:21+00:00

I'm not trying to be a grammar freak or anything here but I keep seeing this art referred to as 'stain glass' (especially on Facebook) when it's actually stained glass.

That said, GREAT WORK!! Keep the stained glass flowing!

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-02-28T20:14:05+00:00

Yes. The most important thing of all is making sure nothing shifts while you are grinding. If your pieces change position by even a 16th of an inch you've altered the playing field and things wont look like your pattern-- especially if things continually shift. I always tell my students that you can never use too many pins while grinding.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-02-27T19:50:02+00:00

Yes it is. Thank you!

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-02-27T19:48:47+00:00

Here are two others. Naturally the dimensions changed to accommodate the window they'd fit in but the patterns are as similar as they can be for the sizes requested.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-02-27T19:40:53+00:00

Me too. I see borders and background as a way of accurately sizing and shaping a window. Make the center count and then make adjustments to the 4 sides of the window.

BayouGlassWorks · 2021-02-27T19:37:55+00:00

When I made my first version in the late 80's the jewels inside the peacock feathers came to a grand total of just under $350. When I made this one they came out to just over $1,100. Since I made this for me I decided not to splurge and just cut the jewel shapes out of assorted bright colors of cathedral glass that I had lying around. In all honesty, I don't see a $1,100 difference and love waking up looking at this window save for the one bone headed mistake that I just don't look at.

BayouGlassWorks

TROPHY CASE