STAINED GLASS DANWindows
Think about what you want to let through. Transparent glass can keep light and a sense of the view; textured, opalescent and opaque glass can obscure the view, increase privacy and make colour itself the focus.
GLASS • TOOLS • MATERIALS
Suppliers.
Places I actually point learners towards — from a sensible first selection pack to specialist art glass, everyday practice glass and local expertise.
START HERE
Choosing your first glass.
A mixed selection pack is a sensible way to begin: enough different colours and textures to learn what you like without committing to full sheets. Creative Glass Guild has a dedicated range of stained-glass selection packs.
Creative Glass Guild selection packs ↗
Lamps
The light source sits behind the glass. Transparent glass may reveal the bulb and fittings; more opaque or strongly textured glass can hide them and soften or diffuse the light.
Don’t choose glass only by how it looks on the shelf. Hold it up to the light. The same sheet can behave very differently once it’s illuminated.
RECOMMENDED
Useful places.
Pearsons Glass Art Glass
A major specialist source for coloured glass, lead, solder, tools and materials. Pearsons describes its Art Glass department as the UK’s largest stockist and supplier of stained and art-glass supplies. If you want to see a lot of glass and equipment in one place, it’s worth making a day of it.
Visit Pearsons ↗St George Glass
A friendly local source for regular sheet glass and glazing. Our classes have used St George for horticultural glass — useful inexpensive material for cutting practice and some projects.
Visit St George Glass ↗The Stained Leaded Glass Company
A long-established Bolton specialist in stained and leaded glass, with substantial practical knowledge of design, manufacture, repair and restoration.
Visit the Stained Leaded Glass Company ↗Recommendations are here because they’re useful, not because they’re sponsored. Availability, ranges and prices can change, so check with the supplier before travelling.