Best products from r/StainedGlass

Oh totally. I'm currently planning for such fairs & markets coming this spring and summer! I don't know if anything will come of it but I'm currently talking with a succulent shop out of San Fran who might possibly be interested in carrying my terrariums, someone who works there found my stuff here on Reddit! The internet is absolutely amazing and creates so many opportunities for us creators.

Hmm, tips.. well it's important you have an account on most social media platforms, as many as you can personally manage. Etsy, Instagram (use as many hashtags as you can!), Reddit, Snapchat, Facebook - when you create a Facebook page it allows you to turn your Instagram into an official business page too which gives you a LOT of useful data/analytics that will help you market you wouldn't otherwise have.

It's also important you're constantly putting out content - even if it's not completed pieces be posting behind the scenes photos.. pictures of your glass, pictures of your process, pictures of your to-do list, anything! People love to see new things and staying active is important in keeping an audience and expanding it as well.

Another reason it's important to be active on a variety of platforms is due to the fact that everyone has different go-to apps. Some people may only use Facebook (usually people 40+), some people may not be on Facebook but use Instagram and Snapchat religiously (usually teens - young adults) etc.

Working on photographing your products is also something some people overlook. You want to be sure you're finding the optimal backdrop & lighting that best show off your work & craftsmanship - I'm looking into getting one of those product photography set ups with the lights and white back drop that give you a really clean look - something similar to this, there are lots of options with these will give you photos like these

If you want to really get into it I suggest listening to Gary V, or sorting through his podcast episodes and YouTube videos to what you think would apply. He's an entrepreneur and what makes him stand out is he realizes how absolutely huge the internet is for people trying to make a living off of their craft - people don't realize how easy we have it if we're smart about connecting to others. The internet connects everyone in the world into one spot... and it's all at your finger tips :)

Edit 1: ooo that would be awesome!! I'm personally a fan of cold weather but I can totally see the appeal in those locations. Where are you at now?

Edit 2: Interact with your audience no matter how small or big it is!! That's huge and really important as well, we love giving our opinions and simply talking so have conversations when you can or even something as simple as creating small polls on your Instagram story: Hey guys!! I'm having a hard time deciding which of these colors I should use on my terrarium, which do you think would look best? Etc.

When people have a positive experience with you, when you're personable and kind and interact they're way more likely to spread positive word of mouth to their friends/family which will get you a bigger audience over time - not only bigger but equally important, your audience will be filled with wonderful people that are kind and happy <3

Edit 3: sorry, I'm scatter brained lol. Marketing your product is important but marketing yourself is equally as impacting & will affect your success just as much if not more.

This is what our studio has traditionally used, it is also our biggest seller (probably because we recomend it) I am putting the amazon link for ease but I highly recommend going in to your local stained glass supplier, they are there to help and love giving helpful advice and tips .... maybe it costs a couple bucks extra but you're supporting someone's passion and giving a boost to a drowning industry. btw yes as you get better you may work hotter I prefer a 900C tip but I go over my lines once and move on because yes your glass will definitely break lol

[ link] (http://www.amazon.com/Elecs-Watts-Soldering-Iron-listed/dp/B00UHGVS5S)

I've done this a few times, mostly with large pieces too big to finish quickly, so the back side starts to corrode, making it really tough to solder.

I recently found flux with some kind of detergent in it and it worked better. Not perfect, but it was certainly easier.

And as previously mentioned, steel wool. Or even a careful knife blade to scrape off the green stuff.

Good luck.

Thanks! Definitely helps.

#4 I havnt gotten the glass to crack from heat, but im sure at some point. For sure tons of foil unraveling though. And ya, you guessed right. By too thin I mean the copper foil not spread out on both sides.

#5 Paint Type, but I just kind of picked whatever was at the store that said for glass. Definitely let me know how the acrylics work out!

Hakko FX601-02 - This model is pretty popular for stained glass. I picked it up and am very happy with it. Heats up super fast and doesnt go cool too quickly which is good for this work. Wattage might seem low but it doesnt need as much wattage as a typical solder pen. Temp control is a good feature.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZPSX3G

Don't use a sharp pointed object, E6000 is more elasticish and will likely pull off fine. Otherwise get a flat razor scraper. If you don't have one already they are the best thing for removing anything sticky & icky off flat glass. Stickers are no match for one of these things. Follow it up with some denatured/high % rubbing alcohol to remove any of the residues leftover and should be good as the day you made it.


If you glue patterns on they are also super handy for peeling up dried pattern parts.

I work in an apartment. I open the window , put a fan on blowing air out the window, and wear a respirator mask. Like the linked one below.

I also make sure my pet is in a different room with the door closed, until I feel like the room has been properly ventilated.

Just make sure you are using the right filters. You need one for metal fumes. The 2091 P100 Particulate Filters are suitable.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Respirator-6191-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B008MCUVN4/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=3m+small+respirator+mask&qid=1565367931&s=gateway&sprefix=3m+small+res&sr=8-4

I have used copper channel for “framing” a copper foil project. It takes the solder and provides good support for mid-sized projects.copper channel

I was looking at stuff like this https://www.amazon.com/Krylon-9036-Stained-Glass-11-5oz-Cobalt/dp/B01HP2IG5G the were others but that’s a easy ish one to find? Just looked at videos of the painting ones, looks hard!

Oh, I didn't realize the grinders used water, but that makes sense now

I was looking at this one. Is it a good one?

This is what worked for me you can enlarge the hole a bit with the bit :-) DRILAX

4.2 out of 5 stars  255Reviews

30 pcs SET 10 pcs. 1mm 10pcs. 2mm 10 pcs. 3mm Diamond Drill Bit Cylindrical Burr Kit Jewelry Beach Sea Glass Shells Gemstones Lapidary 30pcs. 1 mm 2 mm 3mm (1/8")

Here is my shortened list, I put an asterisk next to items I can't do without

Items you buy once:

• breaking pliers*
  
• running pliers*
  
• glass cutter (i prefer a pistol grip one)*
  
• Solder Iron (get one that has temperature control!) + solder iron stand*
  
• safety glasses*
  
• fid*
  
• grinder (can be cheap! I have this one and I am very happy)*
  
  ​
  
  Supplies you replenish:
  
  
• Flux*
  
• solder*
  
• glass cutting fluid*
  
• foil*
  
• silver sharpie (those things write so good)
  
• glass cleaner (or isopropyl alcohol works too in a pinch)
  
• patina + rubber gloves

I've also had my Dremel create hairline fractures in the glass from matching harmonics when I tried to use mine for polishing came back in the day when I first started. I'd just get one that's meant for glass. One note, don't just let the motor run if you aren't actively grinding glass. If you're going back and forth from your work surface (like across the room or more than a step away), always turn the grinder off and then back on. If not, you'll burn out your motor quicker.

I've had two of these and I've never had a problem with them: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Grinder-4-Inch-1-Inch-Accessories/dp/B007UDTT16/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1485464041&sr=1-3&keywords=Glass+grinder.

Hello there!

I would say that it all depends on the project you're working on. Some projects require more tools and others require less. For a basic starter kit, though, it looks like you're on the right path! The only thing you're missing in your item list is a glass grinder and foil sheers! Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Grinder-Glastar-SuperStar-II/dp/B000L9C314/

https://www.amazon.com/StudioPRO-604-Studio-Foil-Shears/dp/B008EPVL1U/

I personally don't use a Grozer or an X-Acto knife in my projects, but it all depends on the project you're working on!

I use two of these clamps to protect my hands! https://www.amazon.com/ASG-Nicks-Grinder-Glass-Grinding/dp/B003ZZK1YC

Hmm... I have a gyphon gryphette grinder from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Gryphon-Corporation-GRYPHETTE-Gryphette-Grinder/dp/B003GF707M

... I think I'm already pretty aggressive putting probably too much force on it when I'm grinding and I get impatient. (This is not when I crack things... it's always when using grozer pliers to get off some excess glass). I do a combination of pushing forward and left to right, mostly just trying to figure out what's faster. Maybe I just need a new bit? But I've barely used the bit as it is... How often do you need to replace them?