Stained Glass - Foiling Glass Pieces

When you add dimension to a stained glass design it will become a lot more interesting and profound. To create this dimension you must add glass pieces, sea shells or jewels to your stained glass design.

 

 

When decided to add dimension to your project, first you have to create a pattern or choose one that already exists. The next step is to foil the

When you design the pattern you have to start with the dimensional objects. You must foil and fuse them if you’re planning to create groups or mixtures and then add surrounding glass.

 

By the way, have you thought about using a saw for your stained glass cutting?

 

If you choose foil to cover the 3D objects, you must choose if you’re going to use glaze on the finished design or not. For translucent objects you have to use a copper foil and flux, which will go well with your design. If you decided to use a black glaze for your design, than the foil should be black copper. For silver designs use silver foil. If the objects are not translucent, then you won’t have a problem with the copper foil.

 

The next thing you must consider is the width of the copper foil. Use 5/32 inches copper foil for very small pieces of glass or jewels. Other than that you can use 7/32 inches copper foil. The copper foil’s width range is between 5/32 inches to ½ inches.

 

The last important thing you need to know is the thickness of the foil. When you foil 3D objects, 1.0 mil. Copper foil is recommended. This foil is malleable and very easy to use. It doesn’t excessively increase the size of your design as a result of foil bending.

 

When you foil cut glass pieces and jewels, is recommended to enclose the copper foil around the dimension objects and press it with your fingers. Instead of making the 3D objects to shine you can just place them in a plastic pot and shake them. The glass pieces will run into each other and become shining.

 

If you want to foil other 3D objects you must wrap the copper foil next to the edge of the objects and then use a burnishing instrument to press the copper foil to the object.

 

Since your dimensional objects are now foiled and glossy you can place them on the pattern. If you want to create a group of 3D objects you need to fuse them together. In the end, you need to make the surrounding glass pieces, by cutting the pattern pieces.