How Difficult Is It to Learn Stained Glass Art and How Expensive Is It to Get Started?
I added stained glass art and design to my bucket list a few years ago. I wasn’t certain what would be involved, how easy or difficult I would find it, or even how expensive it might be to get started. But I fell in love with contemporary stained glass design when we visited La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. There, the stained glass windows are magical and I could have visited for hours just watching the colors and patterns change with the time of day.
How Did I Get Started Stained Glass?
I enjoy the combination of creativity and challenge and thought stained glass would offer both. That said, even though it was on my bucket list, I didn’t have a plan for getting started. Getting started was a bit serendipitous.
My niece started the hobby during COVID-19 after purchasing a few cutting tools, a soldering iron, glass supplies, and eventually a used glass grinder. She learned the craft from YouTube videos. Over a phone call, she had commented that she didn’t have much glass selection at the shops near her home and buying online was tricky because she liked to hold the glass up to the light and see the texture first-hand before buying. So as part of a visit with me, we planned a trip to a studio/workshop near me that specializes in restoration, commissions, and custom designs.
When An Opportunity Presents Itself, Grab It!
I was hooked as soon as we walked into the studio! My niece found a nice selection of glass, and I scheduled a few private classes to learn all the basics of the trade (cutting, grinding, copper foiling, soldering, etc.)
I now have the training but need to improve my skill level. With a month under my belt, and a workspace set up for me with all the tools I’ll ever need, I’ve got a long way to go in developing a decent skill level. For me, that’s fun. I can set my own pace and pick projects that interest me. It’s challenging and I feel a great sense of accomplishment when a pattern lines up tightly after cutting.
I’ve found specialty glass harder to cut than basic clear or colored glass. Cutting curves has been more difficult than straight lines. After practicing a lot on standard clear glass, I tried my hand at a sea turtle design with lots of curved cuts using specialty glass. Getting a tight fit between pieces before copper foiling required lots of grinding. (Photo: Edie L Kramer)
Stained Glass Tools and Supplies
You can get started with the following items. I estimate your initial investment will be between $50-200 (new) and significantly less if you buy the pricier items as used.
Glass cutter (there are different styles out there)
Running pliers
Grozing/breaking pliers
Copper tape
Fib
Solder
Soldering iron
Flux
Grinder (Optional, but it makes life easier. My niece used a grindstone before she found her used glass grinder)
Cutter Starter Kits
Starter cutter kits make a lot of sense for the newbie and are available at Amazon.
Here’s one that has both a pistol and a pencil glass cutter (so you can try both types and see what works best for you). It also includes the main hand tools you’ll need.
Here’s one with a pencil glass cutter plus a layout block system. The layout block system is very helpful to use when you’re confirming that the pieces you’ve cut fit tightly together before soldering.
Find a Stained Glass Artist Who is De-Cluttering
I lucked out when it came to acquiring the tools needed. I had planned on buying a cutter starter kit at Amazon and my husband had a soldering iron. And, I was looking for a used grinder on Facebook Marketplace because I could not justify the cost of a new one as an early-stage adoptee of a new hobby.
Then I remembered that my husband’s cousin (and our close friend) had created stained glass artwork years ago but not recently. I sent her a text asking if she had the equipment (specifically a grinder) or if she had used a studio’s equipment. Her very fast response was:
“Don’t buy a thing. I have everything you need. But if you want the grinder, you need to take everything!”
I laughed at her response because I got it. At this stage of our lives, we’re trying to de-clutter that which we no longer need or use. She was very happy to give me all her equipment (and glass) and I was very happy to send her some spending money for her next hobby via Venmo. It was a ‘win-win’ for both of us.
If I hadn’t made the connection with my husband’s cousin, the workshop I took lessons at had ‘open studio’ hours every week for a small fee that included access to their tools. I would have done that for a while to make sure I was committed enough to the art before making any significant investment in tools.
Are You Interested In Trying Something New?
Is there a new hobby you’d like to try? Are you interested in learning something new? What are you waiting for? As we age it’s good to learn new things and develop new skills. It helps us stay young and keeps our minds and bodies active.
Plus, depending on your interests, you might end up with a few new power tools you can call your own. Doesn’t that sound fun and a bit empowering?
