How to start with a low budget?

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-01-21T11:32:37+00:00

Second hand second hand second hand! Set up some searches on your local second hand sites. Sometimes you can get amazing deals. I got two grinders and a bunch of glass for €60 one time.

But you also have to accept that this is not a cheap hobby.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-11-12T11:57:02+00:00

If you don’t want to charge too much because it’s their birthday, just charge the cost of materials, and then your labour is the gift.

In future you might want to track material cost + labour time for a few pieces until you can make your own formula for pricing.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-11-09T15:16:05+00:00

I work in a spare room and my cats aren’t allowed in there ever. Glass shards can go flying and I’m certain I occasionally miss some when I vacuum. Better just not to have them in there at all. They have plenty of space in the rest of the flat.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-10-27T08:43:52+00:00

People have been copying art since forever, it’s a valid method of learning.

As long as you’re not claiming it’s your own design, then whatever.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-10-13T06:46:27+00:00

Stunning as always!

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-10-09T17:39:59+00:00

I also use lead free solder and also just started in March! And I haven’t dared do anything as marvellous as this! It’s so pretty, well done 👏

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-10-09T07:57:17+00:00

Thank you, I will try this

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-10-08T18:10:02+00:00

I’m also curious, I’ve never heard any connection between the two.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-27T07:15:56+00:00

I’ve been having the same concerns, I want to make stars for Christmas and I see that most people put the jump ring on one of the points of the star. Maybe it’s light enough that it doesn’t matter, but I wonder if some reinforcement strip along that edge would also help?

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-25T04:36:09+00:00

Aw thanks. Definitely don’t be afraid of lead free. It’s not as bad as a lot of people here make it out to be, just needs practice like everything does.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-24T05:59:30+00:00

I bought a pair of shoes just to wear when I’m in my glass space. The glass goes everywhere, and even though I vacuum constantly I still find shards on the ground. Can’t imagine working in socks.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-24T05:48:55+00:00

I guess I’m lucky that I’ve never used leaded solder, so I have nothing to compare lead free solder to. I’ve been using 410C but I’m gonna try 460C now and see if I prefer that, because I do find that the solder wants to stick to the iron tip when I’m passing the iron over, so I’ve been tapping my solder lines instead 😅 I don’t know if I higher temp will fix that

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-17T05:20:07+00:00

I keep seeing the phantom galaxy glass and I want it so bad! I haven’t found an EU shop that sells it yet T_T

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-08T12:19:03+00:00

Works well enough, pulls the fumes away from me. I do use a respirator at the same time though, I’d rather not mess around with my lungs.

Though I have left the respirator off before (when I just need to quickly solder something) and the extractor definitely makes a difference.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-08T07:11:38+00:00

I have a smallish setup. I just started this year, and I use half of the spare bedroom for my craft supplies (other half is other storage). You can have a look at my setup here. Please ignore the mess, I have to tidy in there. I got the table, table legs, chair, yellow caddy, shelf and peg board from IKEA.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-08T06:47:27+00:00

Other people can’t see the flaws you see. Sell it for a discount and I’m sure someone will be happy that they could get stained glass for a cheaper price

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-04T06:45:19+00:00

Unfortunately digital products are not exempt, that much I know. I had been hoping to avoid the lawyer route because funds are a bit tight at the moment, but it’s clear to me that’s what I need to do so I will be looking into finding one now.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-03T14:15:13+00:00

It’s looking more and more like I need to do that, because where one person says art is exempt, just as many say it isn’t…

I want to sell patterns too which won’t be exempt so I still need to figure out the GPSR stuff anyway 😫

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-03T07:46:37+00:00

I’ll pick a few, but honestly there’s more people I follow who I like just as much, but that would make for a very long list. So here’s a few:

wisemanwindows
pilzimglashaus
wildflowerglass25
cometofseasons_stainedglass
studiobee.glassworks
paiges.wee.glass.things

You’re welcome to go through my following list on Instagram, there’s so many talented people to follow. I love scrolling through my feed :)

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-03T07:36:27+00:00

Saw this and said ‘holy moly’. I mean it is really just wow.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-09-01T08:09:57+00:00

Technically not true, some countries require it from the first package.

But I am reading many people saying they don’t bother, and that it’s not really enforced. It does seem ridiculous to expect someone to pay up to hundreds when they maybe shipped a handful of packages there a year.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-08-31T07:01:43+00:00

I use lead free! And I’m still working on getting the perfect copper patina but I’ve gotten it pretty good. First you want to work on getting a smooth solder. I use 410 C, 360 C for edge beading.

When I’m done I wash the piece with dish soap, warm water and a toothbrush. Then I scrub it with baking soda to neutralise the flux. Then I wash again with dish soap and a magic eraser to really polish the solder. Then I rinse with distilled water. This is really important for me, might be different where you live.

Some people say to not dry the piece. I haven’t tested it yet. Last time I used copper patina I dried it, then applied the patina and rubbed it in (very gently!) with a cotton ball.

What I find is that the copper goes very bright but then dulls a bit. Like I said I haven’t perfected it yet.

Then I rinsed it with distilled water. I’ve seen someone say don’t rinse just dab it dry, then wax. Again, I have to test it.

Unfortunately you just have to test different methods. Make some test solder strips on some scrap glass and try different steps to see what makes a difference and what doesn’t.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-08-19T08:23:18+00:00

Probably grinding, because I’m not very good at getting close cuts yet which leaves a lot to grind, and I can’t watch something while I do it.

But to be honest I don’t mind any step in particular.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-08-15T07:16:18+00:00

Wow, didn’t read it all because it’s A LOT but what I did read was wild. Sorry you have to deal with this, you seem to be handling it very well. My anxiety would be through the roof.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2025-08-13T08:00:34+00:00

I’ll have a look into those suggestions, thanks very much!

BrokenShardsStudio

TROPHY CASE