Stained glass is something that is facinating and mystical. The beauty of it is almost unparalleled in the art world. Today we see stained glass everywhere. In our homes, businesses and offices, it is no longer something soley for the church. If you are interested in adding to the beauty around you with a custom piece of stained glass the information below will help you get started.
The first question you might want to answer is what is the purpose or function of this art work. Is this piece of art work meant to be completely esthetic or is it meant to be functional as well? Will I be having this made because I have always wanted a piece of stained glass? Am I having it made because I am tired of the ugly amber glass next to my front door? Do I need privacy so that when my neighbors walk by they don't see me in the shower? Do I a need a visual barrier between two rooms? Are you wanting to add a look of elegance to your kitchen cabinets? Do I want my front entrance to make a statement about who we are? Am I trying to match glass that is already in an existing location?
The next thing to think about is where your stained glass will be located or installed. There are a number of
questions you should answer. What kind of light will it receive? Does it get sun in the morning, afternoon, evening
or does it receive very little light? Will it be lit with light from another room? Will you have back lighting
made especially for it? Are there times of the day when the light is very bright or very dim?
Is the location going to be a permanent installation or will it be "free hanging"? If the stained glass is
installed in a permanent place is it going to be a location that moves, such as a door or window? Is the location a
place that would require the stained glass to be protected from impacts or vandelism? Examples of this might be a
sidelight by your front door where a paperperson might be tossing a newspaper or a religious building in a
controversial neighborhood.
Once you have the answers to the above questions, then it is time to decided what it is you would like to have us make.
Below are some examples of types of stained glass art we have done in the past. Perhaps they will inspire and excite you about a project for your own home. The project ideas you see below are just a few of the stained glass projects that can be done.
Doors |
Transom |
sidelight |
Window Valance |
Room Divider |
Cabinet Doors |
Free Hanging Panel |
Boxes |
Other Things |
Once you know the location and purpose of the stained glass art work you are wanting, the design process will be
much easier. A design can come from a number of different sources. I have over 300 pattern books that can be used
as a source for designs. I can also draw a design from a picture or some other source. The Herron window on my
home page is an example of a stained glass design created from another source. My client had a pattern for a cross
stitch pattern she was working on and wanted the window for her sidelight to be similar to that cross stitch
pattern. I have designed windows from photographs, postcards, fabric, almost anything can be used as a design
source.
If possible, I like to see the location where the glass work will be placed. By seeing the location, it gives me a
better idea about your style or taste. It also helps to know what kind of light is availible which helps to decide
what glass would work best for your particular application.
Some other things to keep in mind when it comes to design. If you are wanting something made to go into a location
that is primarily vertical, then a horizonal image may be more difficult to have look correct (though not
impossible). If you look at the herron window on my home page, you can see that the image of a herron lends itself
to a vertical application, just as the mountain picture on my home page works well with a horizontal application.
Often I can incorporate a number of different design elements all into the same art work. If you aren't sure what
you would like, design wise, let's talk and together we can come up with the perfect design!
The cost to build stained glass art work can vary a great deal. The factors that dictate the cost are the size of
the project, the glass used, the actual number of pieces of glass that must be cut to construct the project and any
special reinforcing or construction techniques that may be required.
In order to estimate a cost I would need to have the measurements of the piece to be made and some idea of what
kind of design you were looking for and if there is some time frame that this would need to be made within. From
this information I can give you a "ball park" cost.
If installation is to be required and you are not planning on doing it yourself, then you will need to obtain the services of a contractor. In Oregon a licensed contractor is required to do any installation of glass that is considered permanent. While I'm not licensed to install your glass art, I am more than happy to work with your contractor or be on site when the installation is done.
If you would like to proceed, then the next step would be for me to make a design drawing for your approval. Once
the design is approved a final cost and projected completion date will be given. A 50% deposit is required to
begin work and the balance is do upon completion.
If you are ready to get started or have more questions, Contact us.
315 Riggs St NW
Salem, Oregon 97304
503 551-5850
e-mail:Lynda@BarrettArtGlass.com
last updated July 21, 2010
All glass images are the property of Lynda Barrett. They cannot be used without permission.