| Stained-Glass Sconce Shade |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-308 |
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Q: I've noticed some very pretty lamps and sconces that look like they're made of stained glass. Can you show me how to create this look? A: (from Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts expert) I sure can! This is a great project: easy to do, not too expensive and looks just like the more costly versions sold in specialty lighting stores. Materials: Standard sconce with glass shade
Spray paint (optional, for painting sconce base if desired)
Self-adhesive leading strips and circle outlines (available in craft centers and art-supply stores)
Liquid lead
Glass paint in the desired colors
Paintbrushes
Self-adhesive plastic jewel molds (optional)
Toothpick
Scissors
Pencil and paper (optional)
- To begin, you'll want to make sure the base of your sconce will complement the look of your shade once it's painted (figure A). Since the original chrome finish of this sconce didn't suit the arts and crafts look chosen for the shade, black spray paint was used to give the piece an elegant, iron-look finish (figure B).
Note: Faux copper, bronze, verdigris or antique gold finishes would also be great choices.
- Once your sconce base has the right look, you're ready to move on to the shade. Create a design using the self-adhesive lead strips and circles as shown in figure C. Carefully peel the backing off the first piece of leading and press it gently in place. Here, the edges along each side of the shade are accented with lines cut from the leading strips (figure D).
Tip: If you don't feel comfortable fashioning the design as you go, simply draw it out on a sheet of paper beforehand. In the event that you decide to change the design once it's on the glass, the strips can be easily removed and repositioned.
- After pressing each strip in place, carefully trim off any excess with sharp scissors (figure E).
- If your design features several elements and details like the one shown here, work in stages. For this design, the borders on each side of the shade are completed first, followed by a center circle (figure F).
- Next, a dot is placed inside the circle and connecting lines are placed from the outer edge of the circle to the perimeter lines (figure G). The final result is a simple yet elegant design that's easy to duplicate on all sides of the shade (figure H).
- After you've outlined your design with the leading pieces, you're ready to paint! The product you'll use is called "window color." It's sold in craft centers and art-supply stores in a variety of shades, but keep in mind that the color of the paint in the bottle is not the final color you'll see when it's dried.
To ensure that your finished shade looks just right, place small amounts of each color on a small piece of extra glass and allow to dry so you can see the final results. (You'll also notice that the paint is opaque when it's applied but translucent once it's dried.)
- Apply the paint carefully with the applicator tip of the bottle (figure I), pushing the color right up to the edges of your design. If you get paint on the top of the leading strips, simply wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
Continue filling in your design as desired; you may choose to fill in each area, or you may opt to use color for highlighting only certain parts of your design (figure J).
- For a slightly different approach, you can also purchase self-adhesive jewel molds that can be filled in with paint (figure K), then applied to the glass as design elements as shown in figure L. These are sold in the same section of your craft center as the leading strips.
Note: Consider using a combination of leading strips and jewel molds for an especially distinctive look. You may also decide to create a different design on each side of the shade instead of repeating the same pattern.
- A marbled paint technique is another option for adding extra detail to your shade. Simply fill in the desired area(s) with a clear glass color, which looks white when it's wet (figure M). Then add a small amount of the desired color running through the clear paint while it's still wet (figure N). Now pull the end of a toothpick (or the end of your paintbrush, if it's small enough) back and forth through the color two or three times to produce a marbled effect (figure O). Then just allow to dry as usual.
Tip: Be careful not to blend the color completely into the clear/white paint; a couple of short, quick strokes will do the trick.
- Once your shade has dried completely, apply small dots of liquid lead at each point where the strips of lead meet. This will give your shade a finished, authentic look.
- And -- last but not least -- attach the shade to the mounted fixture and illuminate your work of art for all to admire!
RESOURCES :
Delphi Stained Glass
Delphi Stained Glass
Lansing, MI 48910
Phone: 517-394-4631
Fax: 800-748-0374 or 517-
Email: delphigl@voyager.net
Website: www.delphiglass.com
Easy to Make Stained Glass Lampshades
Model: 0486239977
Author: Ed Sibbett
Dover Publications Inc.
Website: www.doverpublications.com
Stained Glass Basics : Techniques, Tools, Projects
Model: 0806948779
Author: Chris Rich
Introduction to Stained Glass : A Complete How-To-Do Stained Manual
Model: 0919985041
Author: Randy A. Wardell
The Art of Illumination: Residential Lighting Design
Model: 0070329591
Author: Glenn M. Johnson
$49.95
Paperback - 224 pages 70 edition (November 20, 1998)
McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing
Glass Art: The Easy Way to a Stained Glass Look
Model: 080698225X
Author: Plaid Design Staff
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website: www.plaidonline.com
Stained Glass for the First Time: Art Glass Originals
Model: 080696829X
Author: Art Glass Originals
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Stained Glass: How to Make Stunning Stained Glass Items Using Modern Materials. . .
Model: 0805042660
Author: Marc Saul Gerstein
Creating Stained Glass Lampshades
Model: 0486417476
Author: James H. Hepburn
The Lamp Shade Book: 80 Traditional and Innovative Projects to Create Exciting Lighting Effects
Model: 0806987006
Author: Dawn Cusick
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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