I attempted my first project by using a free pattern that I found at Vijon Stained Glass Studios in Old Saybrook Ct. I really had no idea that suncatchers can be even more difficult to make because there is no frame. You have to solder all the way around the edges which means that the hot bead of solder that you melted can fall right off onto your hand! Affixing the little whiskers was a challenge as well, but I got it done. It was the perfect first project. I learned a lot!
I love to be inspired by what other people want to see. My friend Brian Corey, a fly fisherman, suggested I make a legal size bass for my first original project, so I did! It was fun to research photographs of fish and draw this out by pencil. I always loved to draw and this was a renewed opportunity. Figuring out the lines to make it all work for stained glass was another fun, challenging aspect. The lure is handmade by Brian Corey and a fun finishing touch.
Who doesn’t love a kaliedescope? Two spinning wheels create various combinations of visual excitement. I loved making this peice. Attaching the beads took fine application and adding the texture around the eyepiece by tapping the soldering gun was especially fun.
This is an original design I created by request: a catboat to fit this antique porthole. The diameter is just about 9″ and the peices are rather small. I enjoy the movement of the water and how the orange glass looks perfectly like a sunset.