There are a number of different types of stained glass supplies, though in general a few basic supplies are all that is needed to begin working with stained glass. A glass cutter is one of the most important types of supplies necessary to work with stained glass and there are a few different types of cutters available. Foil is important for creating stained glass artwork and several different colors can be found. A soldering iron and some soldering wire are also typically necessary, as are markers and pliers. While patterns are not absolutely necessary, they are often important stained glass supplies, especially for a beginner.
Stained glass supplies are tools and items used in working with stained glass to create works of art. One of the most important tools used is a glass cutter, since the glass usually comes in small sheets and must be cut down to smaller sizes. There are generally two types of glass cutters that are popularly used: “pencil-grip” cutters that are similar in size and shape to a pencil used for writing and “pistol-grip” cutters that have a larger handle similar to the grip of a handgun.
Foil is also important when considering stained glass supplies. The foil used for stained glass will typically be available in a number of metallic colors, though gold and silver are both quite popular. A glass grinder is also often found among stained glass supplies, and this is used on the edges of the pieces of glass after cutting and before foil is applied to those edges.
Other important stained glass supplies include a soldering iron and solder, markers for drawing on the glass, and pliers. The soldering iron is typically used after the pieces of glass have been cut and the edges ground and covered in foil. Soldering is done to connect the edges of the separate pieces of glass together to create the final image. A marker for writing on the glass is also important, and one should be used that can be easily cleaned off. Pliers are typically found in stained glass supplies and are used for trimming small pieces of glass and gripping the glass while breaking.
While patterns are not always essential stained glass supplies, they can be quite useful and helpful. A pattern will typically indicate the shapes that will be necessary to create a certain final image, providing a guide for scoring and breaking the glass. Many artists create their own patterns on paper to use when designing a stained glass image, but beginners often find it easier to work from a pattern that has already been created and tested.
