The Art of Stained Glass

by Nancy of DesignsStainedGlass

I have always admired the beauty of stained glass, the beautiful colors, and the wonderful textures. I never thought it was something that I could make in my own home. I’d like to share with you some of the steps that are involved in making a simple stained glass panel.

First you need to start with a pattern. There are many available on-line, at the library, or if you are feeling creative you can design your own pattern.

Once you find the pattern that you would like to use, the next step is to purchase the glass. Glass is sold by the square foot or by the pound. Choose the colors and textures that you like and you feel will complement each other in the pattern you are working with.

For most patterns you will need two copies – one you will use to trace your pieces on the glass and the other will be for placement. I number each piece in the pattern which makes it easier to identify each one after they have been cut.  To transfer the pattern to the glass, if it is transparent, you can lay the glass on top of the pattern and trace it with a special marking pen. If your glass is opaque and you cannot see the pattern through the glass, then you need to cut out your pieces from your second copy of the pattern, place them on top of the glass and trace around the edges. After each piece has been copied onto all the glass it is time to cut.

There are different types of cutting tools. I prefer a brass handled carbide cutter. With this style you place the tip on the glass and pull the cutter towards you. Starting at one end of a drawn line on your glass, position the cutter and pull it towards you. You can hear the scratching cutting noise – this is a good score. Do not go over the line again – only one cut is all you need. The next step will be to use breaking pliers or running pliers to separate the piece from the sheet of glass. Align the pliers with the scored line and carefully pull down on the pliers and the glass will break off. After you have scored and cut all around the lines of one piece it is time to use the glass grinder.

An electric glass grinder has a diamond bit and a tray of water underneath. It pumps water up to a sponge that keeps the glass dust down and the glass cool so it doesn’t break. You need to grind around all of the edges of each piece.  After each piece is done, place it on top of the first copy of the pattern – very much like making a puzzle. You also need to keep your pattern from moving and make sure it is squared. There are squaring bars and pegs to use to secure the pattern on to a work board.

The next step is to apply copper foil onto each piece. I take out one piece at a time and clean it to remove any powder from the grinder. The copper foil comes in various widths, depending on how thick your glass is and how you want your piece to look will depend on what size foil you use. The foil has one smooth side and one sticky side. The sticky side is wrapped around each piece of glass making sure it overhangs each side of the glass equally. Then you use a burnishing tool to smooth and press it against the glass all around the edges, top and bottom. Return that one piece to the work board and repeat this process until each piece of your pattern has been done. You may find that you need to grind a few more pieces in order for them to have a nice tight fit against each other.

Next and most important is the soldering. This is the one step that takes a lot of practice and patience. Using flux, which is a cleaner that prepares the copper foil to accept the solder, apply it with a brush onto the copper foil. With your soldering iron and solder you will join each piece by melting the solder into the joints and on top of all the copper foil. Reapplying the flux, adding more solder to build up a nice smooth line.

Turn your piece over and repeat this process – again this takes a lot of practice to get the back side looking as smooth as the front side.

Framing your piece will be the next step. It can be placed into a window, wood frame, or lead or zinc channel. For most of my panels I use zinc channel.  After measuring and cutting the channel it is soldered into place around the edges of the panel. Hooks and chain for hanging are attached at this time.

Almost done – but it needs to be cleaned. Washing is very important and there are different chemicals that can be used.  Some artists use special glass cleaning solvent others use dish washing liquid. I have a secret for cleaning my panels.  After cleaning and drying the panel, you have a choice to leave the solder lines in their natural silver state, rubbing them with steel wool to give them a pewter look, or apply black or copper patina. This is done with a brush and then washed off.  Apply stained glass wax and buff it until it shines.

Hang it in your favorite window, stand back and enjoy its beauty for many years.

Garden Harvest Recipes, part 2

Have you tried last week's roasted radishes yet?  Nancy of NancyEllenStudios and DesignsStainedGlass has passed along another yummy recipe to use that produce fresh from your garden!

I love this time of year when I can go into my gardens, pick some fresh herbs and fresh veggies and make a light side salad like this one:

SHAVED CUCUMBER SALAD

 3 English cucumbers
2 stalks celery
1/2 medium white onion
1/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. fresh cilantro
2/1/2 tsp. champagne vinegar
salt and pepper to taste


With a vegetable peeler, shave cucumbers into wide ribbons, stopping when you reach seed; reserve 1 center. Thinly slice celery and onion: place in a large bowl along with cucumber ribbons. In a blender, puree reserved cucumber center, mayonnaise, cilantro, and champagne vinegar, season with salt and pepper and add to bowl. Toss to combine and refrigerate for an hour or so.


From Robin's kitchen (and Nancy's) to yours, enjoy!

Garden Harvest Recipes

It's just about time for those backyard gardens to start delivering their wonderful fresh produce.  I thought we might enjoy some great recipe ideas to use all those fresh veggies.

This yummy recipe comes from Nancy of NancyEllenStudios and DesignsStainedGlass.

Roasted Radishes and Cauliflower
Last night I picked a huge amount of radishes from our garden. I can only eat so many radishes tossed into a garden salad, so tonight I am roasting them. Here is how I did it:

1 bunch of radishes, I used about 20 to 25 big radishes
1 head of cauliflower
¼ cup of olive oil
A couple pinches of kosher salt
A dash of thyme leaves
Preheat oven to 400
Spray bottom of roasting pan with Pam or other cooking spray
Cut up radishes in half or fourths if they are really large.
Toss them in a bowl with half of the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place them in one end of your roasting pan.
Cut up cauliflower into florets. Toss them in a bowl with remaining olive oil and another pinch of salt. Place them in the other end of roasting pan. Sprinkle thyme over all the veggies.
I left them separated in case the red from the radishes blended into the cauliflower. You can toss them all together if you wish.
Roast for 35 minutes, mixing them around about half way through cooking time.

The radishes have a very mild flavor to them. Our radishes from our garden are very hot this year. By roasting them it takes some of the spicy flavor out. Together with the cauliflower they made a great combination.
I served the veggies with  stuffed pork chops.

From Robin's kitchen (and Nancy's) to yours, enjoy!

Fish for Friday, part 4

With 3 weeks yet til Easter, we have plenty of time for more seafood recipes! This week, another yummy one from the kitchen of Nancy of NancyEllenStudios and DesignsStainedGlass!


Seafood Chowder

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon dried dill weed, crushed
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can (10 ¾ oz) Campbell’s condensed cream of celery soup
1 can (10 ¾ oz.) Campbell’s condensed cream of potato soup
1 ½ soup cans milk
½ pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
½ pound firm white fish fillets, cut into 2-inch pieces
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

1. In 3-qt saucepan over medium heat, in hot oil, cook onion, garlic and dill until onion is tender, stirring constantly.
2. Place diced potatoes in microwave safe bowl. Cover with water. Microwave for 5 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Drain and set aside.
3. Add the soups and milk to the onion mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring often. Cook 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
4. Add shrimp and fish. Cook 5 minutes more until shrimp turn pink and opaque and fish flakes easily when tested with fork, stirring occasionally.
5. Add potatoes and heat through.
6. To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with parsley, if desired.


Call for Recipes!

We want your recipes for our blog! With Easter and the related spring holidays coming up, we'd love to know what your special holiday dish is! Email entries, with a picture of your dish if possible and any family or cultural story that goes with it, to heartsandhandsunited@gmail.com with the title "Easter recipes". Entries must be received by Sunday, April 1.

From Robin's kitchen to yours, enjoy!

Fish for Friday, Part 2

Here's our second seafood dish for this Lenten season, this time courtesy of Nancy of NancyEllenStudios and DesignsStainedGlass. This easy dish is sure to please!

TUNA STUFFED SHELLS

1- 10 oz. can Campbell’s condensed cream of celery soup
½ tsp. lemon juice
¼ tsp. oregano
1- 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and drained
½ cup chopped tomatoes
2- 7 oz. cans tuna in water, drained, and flaked
Jumbo macaroni shells, about 24 to 32, cooked and drained
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Combine soup, lemon juice, oregano, broccoli, tomatoes and tuna. Mix well. Stuff each shell. Arrange in a buttered baking dish, 9 x 13.
2. Bake at 400* F for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake about 5 more minutes until cheese is melted.

Call for Recipes!

We want your recipes for our blog! With Easter and the related spring holidays coming up, we'd love to know what your special holiday dish is! Email entries, with a picture of your dish if possible and any family or cultural story that goes with it, to heartsandhandsunited@gmail.com with the title "Easter recipes".

From Robin's kitchen to yours, enjoy!

Warm Me Up dinner ideas

Although the weather has been rather crazy in many parts of the United States, it's still January, and winter calls for some nice warming meal ideas. Nancy of NancyEllenStudios and DesignsStainedGlass and I have come up with some family favorites we'd like to share with you.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili, from Betty Crocker

6 skinless chicken thighs (1 1/2 lb)
1 large onion, chopped (1 c.)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. dried oregano leaves
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. red pepper sauce
2 cans (15.5 oz each) great northern beans, rinsed
1 can (11 oz) white shoepeg corn
3 T. lime juice
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1. Remove excess fat from chicken. In 3 1/2-4 qt. slow cooker, mix onion, garlic, broth, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper sauce. Add chicken.
2. Cover. Cook on low setting 4-5 hr.
3. Remove chicken from slow cooker. Use 2 forks to remove bones and shred chicken into pieces. Discard bones; return chicken to slow cooker. Stir in beans, corn, lime juice and cilantro. Cover; cook on low setting 15-20 min. or until beans and corn are hot.

Yield: 8 servings


This next recipe is also a chili, but is great for those nights when you're short on time!

30 Minute Chili

1/2 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (15.5 oz) chili beans
1 can (14.5 oz) chili ready diced tomatoes
1 t. ground cumin
chili powder to taste

1. In large pot, brown meat and onion. Drain.
2. Return meat and onions to pot. Add beans and tomatoes, 1/2 can of water, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, lower heat. Simmer 15-30 min.
3. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and corn muffins (opt.)

Yield: 3-4 servings.
This recipe is great to double, even triple if you have a big enough pot. I've also played with adding corn, peppers, or other veggies, or replacing the ground meat with diced sausage links.


Everyone has a recipe that reminds them of home. For me, it's my mom's beef stew.

Mom's Beef Stew

2 lb. stew beef
3 T. flour
1 t. salt
2 T. vegetable oil
3-4 large potatoes, cut into pieces
1 large onion, chopped
4 carrots, cut into chunks
1 large (28 oz) can stewed or diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1/4 c. minute tapioca

1. In a bag, shake beef, flour, salt, and a dash of pepper. Heat oil in a dutch oven on large pot. Add beef and brown.
2. Add potatoes, onion, carrots, tomatoes and bay leaf. Mix well. Sprinkle tapioca over the top of mixture. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat and simmer 2 hr. or until meat is very tender.

Yield: 4-6 servings


This last recipe is a favorite in my house, making both kids and adults excited for dinner!

30 minute mini-meatloaves

3/4 lb. ground beef or turkey
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1 T. onion flakes or powder (if using onions salt, omit salt listed above)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 c. (for beef) or 1 c. (for turkey) bread crumbs
1/2 c. tomato or spaghetti sauce

1. Combine all ingredients. Shape into 4 loaves. Place in a shallow baking dish. Bake at 350*F 20 min.
2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine the following:
1/2 c. tomato or spaghetti sauce
2 t. dried parsley flakes
1 T. brown sugar
1 t. worchestershire sauce
3. Spoon sauce over meatloaves, return to oven and bake 10 min.

Yield: 4 loaves


Stay warm and enjoy!

Posted by Robin of RobinsFlight.

Mission Treasury! A trip to the Farmer's Market!

Mission Treasury is all about getting you, our readers, in on the treasury making fun! We also hope that you will find a shop or two to introduce us to that is fun and exciting!

So, we will be posting a theme and 4 shops each Monday - and challenging you to create a treasury that fits the theme and contains at least one item from one of the 4 featured shops.

You will have one week to create your treasury, and come back to the blog post and leave your treasury as a comment.

The best treasury will be featured, and all treasuries submitted will be mentioned!



The results of this weeks Mission Treasury will be posted on June 15th 2011!

Mission: Create a Treasury full of the colors of your favorite fruits and veggies!

Shops to choose from (you must include at least one item from one of these shops)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsStainedGlass

http://www.etsy.com/shop/teeheeproductions

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NouveauxRetro

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Creativelycarole

April Challenge (No. 13, Part 1)

I can't believe the beautiful month of May is finally here! With the arrival of May, it is time to post the entries from our April challenge. This month's challenge was "Circles" and how you interpreted that was up to you.






Designs in Stained Glass made this beautiful stained glass panel titled "Raindrops and Circles".












Fabric Greetings made this fun quilted postcard for any HAPPY occasion.

















Finally, check out these great geometric earrings by EarJeans!










See you next week with more circles! In the meantime, get cracking on your May challenge
http://heartsandhandsunited.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-team-challenge-open-to-everyone.html

Mission Treasury! Create a Spring Green treasury

Mission Treasury is all about getting you, our readers, in on the treasury making fun! We also hope that you will find a shop or two to introduce us to that is fun and exciting!

So, we will be posting a theme and 4 shops each Monday - and challenging you to create a treasury that fits the theme and contains at least one item from one of the 4 featured shops.

You will have one week to create your treasury, and come back to the blog post and leave your treasury as a comment.

The best treasury will be featured, and all treasuries submitted will be mentioned!



The results of this weeks Mission Treasury will be posted on April 6th 2011!

Mission: Create a Spring Green treasury!

Shops to choose from (you must include at least one item from one of these shops)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsStainedGlass

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpossumHollowRoad

http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodlandnature

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GirlsNCurls

Thanks to Sewsouk and Woodlandnature for coming up with these great themes!