Stained glass is a popular art that artisans and even onlookers have enjoyed for centuries.
While it’s a process, you can easily start stained glass as a hobby if you are a crafter with passion and patience.
However, the concern for most people is the cost of starting this hobby.
So, How Expensive Is Stained Glass as A Hobby?
Stained glass making as a hobby can be a bit expensive due to the many different tools and supplies required to get started. More so, it can be challenging to keep track of everything you require, particularly as a beginner, and make a decision based on the brand and model of each item. There are various glass circle cutters, glass power saws, soldering irons, cutting boards, etc.
However, like any other hobby, you can spend the amount you want based on your budget. to be well equipped and realistic, you are looking to spend about $100 to $200 going up. As a beginner, you can begin the hobby of stained glass with less investment. You can purchase a starter kit for about $100, which will work well for learning purposes. Another cost of starting stained glass as a hobby is attending classes/ going to class. Fortunately, many online classes can educate you on stained glass art.
Although the stained-glass craft is expensive, it will be worth it if you put in your passion.
Many people are earning a good amount of income from the craft.
If you perfect the act, the expenditure cost will pay for themselves in what your family and friends want you to design for them.
How To Save On the Cost of Starting Stained Glass as A Hobby
While you can spend as low as $200 on the initial costs, for most people, the initial costs range at a minimum of $400.
This is relatively expensive, particularly if you are still unsure you will like the stained-glass art.
Therefore, you can consider other options of starting stained glass without spending your money on most equipment.
Most of the local studios provide classes where tools are offered along with the overall class fees.
You can also opt to start by renting the tools from the course instructor for lower fees.
It is recommendable to utilize the renting option, particularly if you are nervous about the required initial investment.
You can start buying the needed equipment once you are sure you want to get into stained glass as a hobby in the long run.
What Are the Steps of Making Stained Glass?
The different phases of stained glass making include;
1. Pattern Making And Planning
In this section, you most likely already have some of the tools required in your home, so you won’t need to spend on them.
This step involves cutting papers and drawing to prepare your project.
To start with, you will require to draw a glass pattern that you want your stained glass to look like.
This will serve as the reference guide to your project as you go along.
Next, you will need a project board that serves the purpose of holding the various pieces of your stained-glass project firmly together as you work on them.
However, getting the board is not a must, especially if you are not looking to make similar patterns.
Other essential equipment at this stage includes
- a ruler
- eraser
- printed pattern
- glass pattern scissors
- glass marker
- pencils
- glass handling gloves
- glass.
2. Glass Cutting
Immediately you are ready to start your project; the next step involves cutting the glass into the patterns and sheets of your choice.
The main tool needed here is the glass cutter.
There are different types of glass cutters available at different prices, and it is up to you to pick one depending on your budget and preference.
To ensure you cut your glass without breaking, you will also need to buy glass cutting oil to lubricate the glass.
To avoid the need to correct the glass shards constantly, you can choose to buy a waffle Grid to catch them.
Other essential tools on this stage include;
- eye protection gear
- a mask
- gloze pliers to make curved breaks
- running pliers.
3. Grinding
Because you are not a robot, you will most likely not make perfect cuts.
Grinding involves sanding the glass pieces to ensure they fit into each other properly.
You will hence require a grinder to sand off the pieces of glass.
You might also consider getting a grinder shield to prevent any glass from flying at you and finger protection to prevent your nails from also getting shaved off during the grinding process.
4. Foiling
This is the elegant and most enjoyable phase of making stained glass.
It involves tapping up the glass pieces to keep them ready for soldering.
Here you will use a copper foil that sticks on both sides to wrap the edges of every glass piece and ensure the foil is firmly flattened using a fid.
You can then stick them together using your glass pattern guide.
5. Soldering
This phase involves turning the copper-covered glass pieces onto a solid piece by melting liquid lead along the copper lines to stick the glass together.
Here, you will mainly need a soldering iron to melt the lead. It operates at a high temperature, so ensure you handle it carefully.
You will also need to purchase the lead, specifically meant for use on stained glass and flux, a substance to pint over the copper tape to promote the binding of copper and lead.
6. Finishing Touches
Once you have your finished stained-glass product, you can do some finishing touches to ensure it looks its best.
This can be simple as cleaning and polishing, glass waxing, installing a string for hanging purposes, etc.
What Are the Advantages of Stained-Glass Windows?
Glass windows are one of the main products you can make with stained glass. Some of the benefits of stained-glass windows include;
1. Adds A Sense Of Style To A Room
In the past, stained glass windows were desired by upper-class people because they were visually attractive.
They immediately cast fantastic light patterns in the room, brightening up and making the space more inviting.
These elegant patterns and colors make stained glass a powerful tool in setting the room tone and prompting certain emotions.
2. Increased Room Privacy
Stained glass windows provide more privacy than the standard ones.
The ornate textures, decorations, and bevels covering them make it harder to see through these glasses.
However, you can achieve this privacy with curtains of regular glass; you won’t have to sacrifice natural light getting into the house via the window in the case of stained glasses.
3. It Makes The Space Unique
Stained glass makes high-quality windows as well as a one-of-a-kind artwork.
They allow you to make and customize your product in a unique way far more memorable to the customers.
They give you a chance to express your creative personality by adding an artistic and unique touch to your final product.
Bottom Line
In general, stained glass as a hobby is a wonderful, fun, and creative outlet.
Anyone, whether old or young, can get into the hobby.
Stained glass is designed so that the cost of the material is a fraction of the value of the finished product.
Therefore, if you have a strong passion and like to see results for your efforts, you don’t require any more convincing.
Stained glass is a hobby for you!
Related
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References
How much does it cost to get started with a stained-glass hobby? – Quora.com
Stained glass as a hobby- Reddit
Start-up costs for stained glass- Houzz