How Do You Buy Glass For Stained Glass Patterns?
Stained glass, blown (made by hand) or rolled in sheets (machine-made), comes in an infinite variety, making glass one of the most exciting media in which to work. While no one should tell you what stained glass to buy, a basic knowledge of the types of stained glass will help you buy stained glass that will make your projects really stand out. Know the different types of glass, beginning with the basic division: cathedral and opalescent. Cathedrals are transparent, while opalescent, or opals, are translucent. Put your hand on the other side of the glass. If you can see your hand, the glass is a cathedral. If you see a shadow, the glass is an opal. Most stained glass by far is cathedral glass. Online supply studios such as The Oak Tree provide starter kits of mostly cathedral glass. Buy small amounts of specially treated glass for its dramatic effects. Coating with metallic salts produces iridescent glass that shimmers like the scales of a fish. Partial sandblasting produces the patter
