Essential Stained Glass Materials for Contemporary Designs

Create new color and light in your home: explore the materials you need to make Tiffany-style, copper foil stained glass art

What do you think of when you imagine stained glass? Perhaps you picture a church, or some other centuries-old, grand building. Perhaps it feels unattainable that you could inject such bold light and color into your home. But with the constant innovation of new methods and tools, it is more and more accessible to create small-scale yet beautiful glass pieces.

Jarod Crews (@cellardoortrades) is a contemporary glass artist with a focus on landscapes and botanicals. His bold and abstract style developed from childhood, inspired by Catholic churches, and the work of artist Ted Harrison. Jarod founded Cellar Door Trades with his husband, initially as a small local venture: but now their striking pieces sell out quickly online, and they have turned their designs into ornaments, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Here, Jarod shares a comprehensive list of the materials you need to make your own Tiffany-inspired stained glass art piece to brighten your interior decor. But first, let’s explore the technique in more detail.

What is copper foil stained glass art?

Especially for smaller projects, the copper foil method is an accessible and affordable way to wrap the edges of your cut glass pieces. The adhesive copper tape is applied all around the shard, before you use a soldering iron to solder the pieces together. This tape can come with a range of backings, including black and silver. Jarod suggests using black, as it can peek through the soldering and add dynamism and depth to the glass.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, an American artist and designer, made this technique famous in the US. His art nouveau pieces were inspired by trips to Europe, where he discovered global techniques for glass production and became convinced that he could make glass with striking details by leaving in impurities—which actually added beautiful effects to the glass. He opened a studio and foundry making opalescent (translucent, often "swirly") glass and other styles, and his use of the copper foil technique meant more intricate and detailed designs were possible.

So, what do you need to get started making your own beautiful image of a landscape with delicate details? Jarod breaks down each section of the process…

Which glass should I use for stained glass art?

Cathedral glass is completely see-through, crystal-clear, and often has bold colors. However, as mentioned you can also use opalescent glass, which lets only some light through. This can allow for more subtle colors, as well as mixtures and marbling effects. You can also consider texture—glass can come with stripes and strands of color, bumpy textures, and other options. It all depends on the image you wish to create.

Materials to design your stained glass layout

For the initial design of your piece, you’ll produce sketches and then cut out a template from paper. You’ll need:

- Watercolor paper for designing your template (Jarod recommends the Canson brand due to the density of the paper)
- Drafting pencil
- Straight edges, or rulers with right angles
- Compass
- X-acto blade for cutting out your paper template
- Paint pen to draw around the paper onto your glass

Materials to craft your stained glass

Tools to cut and grind the glass

Next, it’s time to cut and grind (smooth off) your glass pieces. You will need:

- Waffle grid for cutting on
- Toyo glass cutter, with cutting oil for the cleanest break
- Grozer for breaking glass apart, and cleaning the cut afterward
- Running pliers for long, straight breaks
- Techniglass grinder, to neaten and prepare the glass

Tools to place and fix your glass in place

Copper foil attaches the glass together, links the solder, and acts as a sort of frame to each piece of glass. You’ll need:

- Copper foil in a couple of sizes
- Foil fit to smooth down the foil and ensure it’s cleanly attached
- Flux brush and flux—this cleans the foil
- Tip cleaner for the soldering iron
- Soldering iron (Jarod recommends the brand Hakko)
- Solder (Jarod suggests Amerway brand)

Safety: be aware that the lead solder is toxic, so wear protective gear and wash your hands well after working with it! Throughout the process, you’ll want to wear goggles or a face shield, and gloves.

Materials to finish your stained glass piece

When your piece is soldered, you’ll be ready to add the finishing touches and frame the piece. You’ll need:

- Steel wool to clean and smooth
- Wax
- Lead framing
- Wire pliers for details, and wire cutters
- Tin copper wire
- To hang: velvet, ribbon, or anything that suits your style

Ready to start your own stained glass project? If you want expert help to guide you through the process, don’t forget to sign up for Jarod’s course, Contemporary Stained Glass Design, to make decorative stained glass pieces with modern overlays using the copper foil technique and create your own colorful landscape.

For more inspiration, check out our wide range of craft courses and interior decoration courses.

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