Thursday, August 9, 2007

Swiss Alps Stained Glass Panel







Now, you are viewing the progress shots of the Swiss Alps Stained Glass panel.

The first photo shows all of the glass pieces which have been cut and placed on top of the pattern. This is a rough idea of what the finished piece will look like.

In the second photo you can see how each piece of glass is ground with a diamond-bit grinder in order to shave off the sharp edges and make each piece fit nicely with the other pieces of glass. In addition, grinding the edges of the glass allows the copper tape a better hold onto the sides of each piece.

Photo number three shows how the copper tape is carefully wound around all edges of each glass piece. By surrounding each piece of glass with copper tape - this allows the solder to adhere to the adjoining piece of glass. This panel required 24 feet of copper tape.

In the fourth photo - you can see that all of the pieces of glass are taped and fit nicely together on top of the initial pattern. Now solder is heated and floated on top of the copper tape which holds all of the pieces of glass together.

The last photo shows the completed piece. The silver-colored solder and zinc frame has been coated with a dark patina finish in order to show the lines within the mountain range. If you look closely you can see the tan, grey and blue tones within the glass.

5 comments:

Richard said...

wow.


amazing.


that is beautiful. i can't wait to see it with sunlight shining through it!

should i frame it somehow--for structural reasons? suggestions are welcome.

richard

Victor McCay said...

Amazingly beautiful, Vicki!

I know Richard and Wendy are thrilled.
You've knocked another one out of the park.

I had a great time hanging out with you and your lovely family. Can't wait to do it again.

Victor

Victor McCay said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
belindadelpesco.com said...

Shah-Zammmm! That is totally awesome! I *love* seeing your work in process shots. This is a beautiful piece, and the way you altered the matrix of the glass in the mountains is very cool. Bravo!

Planet Janet said...

It's lovely. Good job, Vicki!