How to Make A Suncatcher Using Kokomo Opalescent Glass

How to Make a Suncatcher Using Kokomo Opalescent Glass
Suncatchers are a great place for the beginner in stained-glass to develop their skills. One can start off with relatively small and simple designs and work up as their skill increases. The cost of getting started can be cut down by using a sheet glass variety pack from Kokomo Opalescent Glass.
Suncatchers can be made in all shapes and sizes, seasonal and holiday themes, animals, or anything else that strikes your fancy. They also make great gifts!
You will need a plan, though. Even something as small as a suncatcher starts off with a plan that is drawn out and becomes known as a pattern. When using a pattern, the finished product should end up looking like the pattern, only prettier.
So how do we transfer the pattern to the glass? There is more than one correct way to do this.
If you are working with cathedral glass, you can set the pattern on top of a light box, set the glass on top of the pattern, then trace the appropriate parts of the pattern onto the glass.
When you’re working with opalumes, opalescent combinations, or even with dark cathedrals this method doesn’t work very well.
Mark will almost always transfer the pattern onto pattern paper and then he will cut out the individual pieces from that. He can lay the pattern paper onto his KOG glass and trace around it.
Once all of the pieces are drawn onto the glass, you are ready to start cutting them out. Begin by separating one of the pieces from the rest and then just follow the lines previously drawn onto the glass.
For the next part, Mark moves to the grinder. A grinder like this is essential to getting the glass pieces to fit together.
While grinding the glass, Mark keeps a steady and even pressure as he turns the piece with precision. Because he was careful to make good cuts earlier, this piece only takes a few seconds on the grinder.
The next step is to foil the pieces. You will wrap the pieces in copper foil tape using a Fid’l Stik.
Mark lays the foiled pieces onto the pattern one at a time, using push pins to hold them in place as he goes. Next, he will brush a thin coat of flux onto the joints. Flux helps control the flow of the solder onto the foil and prevents the solder from sticking to the glass.
The idea is to put a few drops of solder onto the joints, so that the suncatcher will remain conjoined without need of the push pins. He is using Amerway Onyx 50/50 solder to accomplish this.
Now we connect the dots, so to speak.
Next, he applies flux to the outer edge of the suncatcher all the way around it and then solders.
Now it is time to scrape off the foil from the front side perimeter. Use a razor for this, carefully removing the copper foil and discarding it. Use lead dykes to cut the foil, being vigilant to not damage the solder on the joints.
Our suncatcher is now ready to be wrapped in lead came which will give it strength. A small dot of solder is used when starting the lead to help hold it in place and also in a couple of places around the suncatcher. He uses a small scratch awl to press the lead into the corners and crevices of the suncatcher.
All of the soldering for the lead came is done on the backside of the suncatcher. An X-Acto razor is used to trim off the excess came. The awl is used again to press the lead down tight and then another dot of solder is used on the finishing end of the lead.
We now apply flux to the back of the piece and solder the lead to the foil that was itself soldered earlier.
We refer back to our pattern, the thin lines on it represent the wirework we are now ready to add.
Cut off a small piece, about sixteen to eighteen inches long. Touch this to the lead with the soldering iron, then gently extend the wire to where it will attach at the other end. Use your lead dykes to snip it off and then solder it to existing solder work. Repeat this for the other two pieces of wire on the wing.
Next up, we prepare the leaves. Begin by scraping the foil off of the front side of the leaf, then wrap the leaf in lead came the same way the bird was done. A little wirework is added to the leaves to give them a more realistic look.
Lay the leaves onto the bird and arrange them to suit. A little flux and some spots of solder will be used to hold them on where the leaves touch the bird and one another.
Our chickadee needs some way to hang, so let’s add a ring to the back of it.
The chickadee is now ready for a trip to the bird bath!
Time for some hand painted details. If you’re not good with a paint brush, don’t worry. This part is easier than it sounds.
For the eye, put a small dot of white paint, once it is dry add a smaller dot of black onto that.
Our finished suncatcher looks true to the pattern, only prettier. Just what we wanted!
At Kokomo Opalescent Glass, our artists are proud of what they do and always sign their work. You should too!