The Design Cycle

Inspiration

Maybe you've seen a piece you like and you'd like one of your own.  Maybe you've always loved a particular quilt and wonder what the pattern would look like if light shined through.  Maybe when you sit in your home office you wish you could see your garden.  "Maybe" is different for each of us, and that is what will make your piece unique.  Share your vision and we will build it together.

Pattern Making

Your vision will become a pattern, often drawn on grid paper, sized to match the completed project.

Glass Selection

Glass can be clear or opaque, the texture can be heavy, light, uniform, random or have no texture at all.  The colors and textures selected bring your project to life.

Glass Cutting and Grinding

Pieces are cut and then ground to shape.

The Copper Foil Method

Each piece is wrapped in copper foil which gives the solder a surface to adhere to.

Soldering

Solder is melted between the seams, covering the foil and filling the small gaps between pieces which provides the piece strength.  The finished project is soldered into a zinc frame.

Patina

In most cases, black patina is applied to the metal to give it a uniform appearance over time.  The look of the black patina can be very solid or give a more antiqued look; either will add in different ways to the character of the piece.

Framing

Hooks can be attached to the zinc frame and be unobtrusive or decorative.  There are times when the weight of the piece or your vision for the finished design may lead to wood framing.  The wood frame will have a channel into which the zinc frame is placed.  A small amount of the zinc will show on the inside of the frame which gives a look similar to that of a matted picture.

Installation

Regardless if the zinc is fully exposed or you've selected wood framing, for window installations it is common to install the piece using eye hooks into a solid surface and chain or fishing line. 

For wall installations I typically recommend mirror brackets to hold the piece tightly against the wall.  Pieces can also be hung from chains off of curtain rods installed on the wall which is particularly dramatic if you are able to back-light the area.