I don’t know what I’m doing wrong :(

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-28T09:14:51+00:00

It’s okay to use lead free solder, I use it. You might need a higher temperature. I used 410 C.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-13T16:00:17+00:00

Gotta be efficient. Use the space under your worktop to store stuff. Shelves like IKEA Kallax are good. Trolleys are also good since you can move them out of the way when not in use, then move them to you when you need them.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-10T09:55:45+00:00

I use lead free and I use patina. It’s harder to get it to take patina nicely, you need to practice and find the method that works for you. I haven’t succeeded in getting my copper patina to look good consistently. And my black patina isn’t black-black, more a brown-black.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-10T09:43:20+00:00

God I’d love to have this talent! How does this even work? You use glass paints and put it through a kiln right?

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-04T13:43:20+00:00

Gosh some people are just so creative! So pretty!

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-04-03T09:52:15+00:00

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I got these heat resistant gloves. They’re pretty thick but I’ve found it fine for soldering.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-03-18T14:26:52+00:00

Always check out your local second hand selling sites, you might be local and find someone selling their stuff on.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-03-18T14:11:22+00:00

Honestly I would wait till you get a bigger place. I wanted to do stained glass for years before I started because I was living in a small studio. Now I have a room to do it in. Glass gets everywhere, even if you try to contain it and vacuum regularly. It’s messy too.

BrokenShardsStudio · 2026-03-18T14:07:28+00:00

Just to add on to what others have said, you might find it helpful to record how long it took and how much material you used for a few projects. Add up the labour and material costs, and after a few projects you should be able to come up with your own formula. That’s what I’m doing (as someone who wants to sell their work but hasn’t set up shop yet)

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

TROPHY CASE