Intro Courses
Come to the home of Blue Kite Stained Glass near Pewsey in rural Wiltshire and learn how to make stained glass. In an Intro course you will learn the basic skills of the craft in a day (or two evenings).
Stained Glass or Copper Foiling courses are available. In both, by the end of the day you will have completed a simple square panel from a provided template, to take away with you. In the process you will learn glass-cutting, soldering, leading & cementing (or copper foiling) and finishing.
You will also learn something of the history behind these beautiful crafts, and some of the design principles - and with a maximum of three people to a course, you are guaranteed plenty of hands-on help.
All tools and materials are provided, just bring your enthusiasm (and a packed lunch for whole day courses). Hot or cold drinks and snacks are provided during the day. Closed shoes must be worn, and clothes you don’t mind getting messy, or an apron. Due to the use of lead, the course is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Stained glass? Copper foil??
Can't decide which course? Don't know the difference? This might help you make the right choice:
Stained glass is the technique you see in many front doors, hallways, and churches, with lead strips forming the join between different pieces of glass. If you want eventually to make a front door panel or window, or just a nice small panel on the day that can hang inside a window, this is the course for you.
Copper Foiling (or Tiffany technique) is an alternative to leading which allows for more intricate designs, with finer joins between glass pieces. It also allows for varied 3d shapes such as lampshades. However it isn’t weatherproof, and hence isn’t used in front doors and exterior windows. If you'd eventually like to make more detailed smaller pieces, or maybe 3d objects, choose this course.
