As mentioned in the Inception of a Bookcase Project post, you can see from the stained glass project pages on the Glass Art Designs-Colorado website that I generally do not create traditional designs. I also typically do a copper foil technique in which each individual piece is wrapped with the foil, then through the additional flux, solder will adhere directly to the foil and connect all of the pieces together. The other technique in stained glass is to place lead strips between each of the pieces of glass, solder the connection points and then cement the pieces of glass to the lead strips.

I started playing with different styles of bevels clusters; see center section of the stained glass example photo. This is most often easier to use with the copper foil technique depending on the number of pieces within the cluster. As, I reviewed the options, I decided that a more simple cluster option might lend itself well to using the lead technique. The next step was to determine the exact size of the window. I took the opening of the top bookcase shelving, added the framing that I would like to surround the window with, then calculated the amount of space I’d need to place the window inside the frame. These windows will likely be over 5 and 1/2 feet long, so that also requires the consideration of how to prevent the window from bending as that would promote the breaking of glass. We don’t want that! More about this process as we move more deeply into the project.

I thought it might be fun to share an emerging project as part of the website. I’m planning to build a large bookcase in my home that will incorporate natural woods and one of a kind glass designs to demonstrate yet another way that stained and fused glass can be used to beautiful a home, office or place or of worship. I’ll be adding design ideas as I go and I’m happy to have feedback or answer questions as I work through this project. This is yet another collaboration with my brother who is an architect by trade and is always happy to offer design ideas, both practical and aesthetic. The top two shelves with the V shape in the design will be stained glass panels that are on hinges. They will be back lit and also offer additional storage.

At the start of every project many aspects need to be taken into consideration. Most importantly is what the goal of your design is and the space that you have to work with. Often customers think that they are limited in their options to be creative based only on what they have previously viewed for stained glass projects. As mentioned in other areas of the website, the options are only limited by our collective imaginations! For this project, part of my goal was to create more space for books and objects I’ve collected from my travels as an international psychologist. I have a tremendous love for books and have never quite acclimated to electronic versions of reading material. As a result, I have quite a large collection. I also had a goal to incorporate a traditional stained-glass design (which I normally don’t do). So, off we go!

Fused glass or “warm” glass are objects or designs that are cut from compatible coefficient glass and pieced together much like you would do with a puzzle or in traditional stained glass. The difference is that the end goal is take the glass to a high enough temperature for it all to fuse (melt) into one cohesive object. For the purposes of my work I will often incorporate fused glass pieces into stained glass windows giving them a one of a kind look and a technique not used by other glass artists. I learned this technique as I stated on another page from Steph Brady at Greencat studios in Salida, CO. She deserves the credit for enhancing my interest in this process and encouraging me to create projects of my own. More about this process as we get up and going!

Rob

I’m very excited to restart this journey from my business in Chicago that I sold 6 years ago. The ability to recreate my studio, knowing what was great about the space in Chicago and what could now be improved upon is a great way to begin again. Keep an eye out for updates and product availability; I’m hoping we can get the eCommerce rolling in time for Christmas purchases.

I’ve got a number of projects in the works for stained glass windows and fused glass designs!

Feel free to drop a note or add a comment.

Rob Cleve