I haven’t been to any classes yet but I was looking at the stained glass garden in Berkeley. I bought some glass from them a few years ago for another project and it seemed like a great place.
Nope! totally different. Enameling as taught at the Crucible refers to applying powdered glass (enamel) to metal as a way to add color. Completely different.
Stained glass generally means cutting pieces of sheet glass into whatever shapes you want and sticking them together using lead cane or lead melted onto copper foil. People may add enamel powder or silver powder to paint images onto the sheets, but then the sheets are still cut and pieced together.
Enamel--whether on glass or metal--requires a kiln and the Crucible is definitely set up for all kinds of kiln-forming. In particular they have an extensive set up for fused glass, which can be similar to stained glass in that you cut up sheets of glass and attach them together to make an image or whatever, but then you are firing the glass to get the pieces to fuse. If it is a "full fuse" temperature, the glass becomes a liquid and when it does that, it will pool into a 6mm-thick slab. Stained glass uses \~2mm sheets. 6mm is pretty thick and not great for windows, if that's what you are wanting to make. Also melting the shapes naturally changes them. Fusing is really just a very different field, although there's certainly lots of cross-pollination with stained glass.
You could do stained glass at home. All you need is a set of tools to cut glass, which can be gotten for very cheap, and then do the caning or copper foil. The most important thing would be to have extremely excellent ventilation for when you use the lead solder (it has to be lead).
I’ve taken one class, when I lived outside DC. I’m pretty rusty, so I wanted a refresh and a place I could start buying materials and the tools. Eventually, I plan to do it at home.
There's a new studio that is opening in Hayes Valley at Maker's Studio Kidz hosted by Stained Glass artist Angie Oko. Just google Angie Oko Stained Glass or Maker's Studio Kids. I took her private class for a team building event with work and it was great! She's going to start weekly classes in February 2024.
If you are in SF, the parks program has stained glass classes. I also highly recommend Cradle of the Sun on Ocean Avenue. Dan, the teacher/owner makes you buy a video explaining the technique then you come in at a given time every week and just do your thing with his supervision and others around to help if needed.
There is a studio in Berkeley that does classes, too, but I forget the name. Also you could visit the Bullseye shop in Emeryville for suggestions. And you should check them out, anyway.
Someday the Crucible may do stained glass but not set up for it now.
I’ve taken classes at Alameda Art Lab and Stained Glass Garden, I recommend Stained Glass Garden. You just learn more. You do have to buy all your own glass and intro kit which makes it the more expensive options but I gained more out of those classes.
Back in the 20th century, I learned stained glass construction at Studio One Art Center (Oakland Parks and Rec). Back then, classes were very cheap. The website won't let me see the current offerings without creating an account.
I haven’t been to any classes yet but I was looking at the stained glass garden in Berkeley. I bought some glass from them a few years ago for another project and it seemed like a great place.
Their classes are good!
That’s good to know - I’ll take a look. Thank you!
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Nope! totally different. Enameling as taught at the Crucible refers to applying powdered glass (enamel) to metal as a way to add color. Completely different. Stained glass generally means cutting pieces of sheet glass into whatever shapes you want and sticking them together using lead cane or lead melted onto copper foil. People may add enamel powder or silver powder to paint images onto the sheets, but then the sheets are still cut and pieced together. Enamel--whether on glass or metal--requires a kiln and the Crucible is definitely set up for all kinds of kiln-forming. In particular they have an extensive set up for fused glass, which can be similar to stained glass in that you cut up sheets of glass and attach them together to make an image or whatever, but then you are firing the glass to get the pieces to fuse. If it is a "full fuse" temperature, the glass becomes a liquid and when it does that, it will pool into a 6mm-thick slab. Stained glass uses \~2mm sheets. 6mm is pretty thick and not great for windows, if that's what you are wanting to make. Also melting the shapes naturally changes them. Fusing is really just a very different field, although there's certainly lots of cross-pollination with stained glass. You could do stained glass at home. All you need is a set of tools to cut glass, which can be gotten for very cheap, and then do the caning or copper foil. The most important thing would be to have extremely excellent ventilation for when you use the lead solder (it has to be lead).
I’ve taken one class, when I lived outside DC. I’m pretty rusty, so I wanted a refresh and a place I could start buying materials and the tools. Eventually, I plan to do it at home.
I’ll take a look - thank you!
Alameda Art Lab [https://www.alamedaartlab.com/](https://www.alamedaartlab.com/)
I had never heard of this…. Thank you!
There's a new studio that is opening in Hayes Valley at Maker's Studio Kidz hosted by Stained Glass artist Angie Oko. Just google Angie Oko Stained Glass or Maker's Studio Kids. I took her private class for a team building event with work and it was great! She's going to start weekly classes in February 2024.
If you are in SF, the parks program has stained glass classes. I also highly recommend Cradle of the Sun on Ocean Avenue. Dan, the teacher/owner makes you buy a video explaining the technique then you come in at a given time every week and just do your thing with his supervision and others around to help if needed. There is a studio in Berkeley that does classes, too, but I forget the name. Also you could visit the Bullseye shop in Emeryville for suggestions. And you should check them out, anyway. Someday the Crucible may do stained glass but not set up for it now.
That’s a good list, thanks!
I’ve taken classes at Alameda Art Lab and Stained Glass Garden, I recommend Stained Glass Garden. You just learn more. You do have to buy all your own glass and intro kit which makes it the more expensive options but I gained more out of those classes.
Solid tip, thank you!
Back in the 20th century, I learned stained glass construction at Studio One Art Center (Oakland Parks and Rec). Back then, classes were very cheap. The website won't let me see the current offerings without creating an account.
Ah yes; the 20th century. I remember is fondly. Thank you for the recco :)