Stained Glass Creations

Stained glass creations are more often seen in windows where the interplay between light and shadows enhance the creative effect. In fact, this was the original purpose when first introduced in the thirteenth century. None of the magnificent gothic cathedrals which stand today -- Chartres Cathedral in France as one example -- would be quite as magnificent without the interplay of light and shadows upon the brilliant lead outlined stained glass.

 

 

Other art objects, not quite as useful and less functional, are lamp shades, figurines and table top art. And yet, as before, the best use of stained glass is for window panels and other improvisations in windows where light makes them forever new.

 

Colored glass is made by injecting metallic oxides into the molten -- hot liquid -- glass. All glass is colored this way, but in the beginning, sheets of colored glass were made and then cut into shapes and welded together with lead. Of course before this happened, a template, or glass pattern, had to be drawn.

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Picture this: A pattern, not totally unlike a page from a child’s coloring book, where the pictures are cut out and then traced onto a sheet of glass. The next step would be to carefully score the glass with special tools and then cut or break into the desired shapes. After that, the puzzle pieces would be assembled into a brilliant, awe-inspiring work of art.

Today that could be lamp shades. Made with stained glass they are impressive additions to traditional home settings and are much sought after items. Tiffany lamps by a French designer, L.C Tiffany, are the most well known. His Art Nouveau lamps were sought after items during the Victorian period. Another stained glass artist, M. Chagall is well known for his artistic creations.

 

Stained glass, in effect, can be simply stained glass and does not have to be the stained glass with the lead outlining, although that comes to mind when those words are spoken or written. Especially since the art world moved on from strictly religious art. Where once religion sought to tell their bible stories in glass and lead, modern innovators whatever they want to make out of stained glass art.

 

Needless to say, these lesser stained glass creations are functional and useful, and due to modern technology, lends itself to all kinds of artistic endeavor. It is not unusual to see modern homes with artful insets of stained glass in various shapes, door panels, skylights, and lamps of all descriptions.

 

Even do-it-your-self kits are available to those who want to dabble in stained glass art. Yet be forewarned, working in stain glass, unless they know something about it, is not advised. It has advanced to such an extent that anyone interested in making it into a hobby, should first learn the different methods and techniques.

 

As for other minor stained glass creations available, there are no limits as to what can be bought or crafted. Picture frames, bowls, plates, sculpture, paper weights, sun catchers, are all available. Yet, none of these can compare to what the early stained glass windows artisans created with far less technology, and much more back breaking work. Maybe the prophets of old, who stand in the windows of the old European churches directing the sunlight, still know something we don’t.