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Spectrum Glass Samples
Highway 5 between
Lake Road 5-30 & 5-31
17753 N. State Hwy 5
Sunrise Beach
Lake of the Ozarks Missouri
(573) 374-9319
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866-263-9319
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What makes a
quality stained glass piece?
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Quality of
glass & materials? Does the piece contain "standard
run" glass or "T" (transitional/rejects) glass. Also,
did the artist use the appropriate foil/lead, etc. If it
is to be silver: silver-back foil should be used; when a black patina is
applied, black-back foil should be used (you should not see copper foil when
the solder is silver or has had a black patina applied to it). In other
words, the copper foil should not show through a different color in the
transparent glass sections. This means pre-planning and more expense
for the artist - but a must for a professional.
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Even solder
lines? Lines should be consistent throughout the piece no thick
vs. thin variations unless the artist incorporates them into the design.
Again, the foil lines should be straight and smooth - not torn or uneven.
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Smooth
soldering? Minimal bumps, no burps, etc. The solder lines should
be built up into a nice rounded hump along each solder line - not flat, no
air bubble holes, etc. And, again, the foiling must be straight and even
with no places where rips or overlaps are apparent.
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Finished
both front and back? We believe in finishing our pieces so it is just as
beautiful from the back as it is the front. After all, it is going
into a window - to be viewed from both sides. Many "stained glass
artists" cut time & expense by only finishing the front and flat
soldering the lines on the back.
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Good
design? Do the lines & colors compliment the piece? It
takes more than being a stained glass person - it takes a designer that
understands the glass medium as well as attention to detail.
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Is it
square? (yes even odd shapes should be square - or built out of square
to match the frame)
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Is it adequately
supported? Glass is very heavy and the piece will bow, sag and
break if not built with the correct amount of internal or external support.
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 Quality
framing? A high quality frame makes a world of difference. Is the
panel inset into a groove into the frame (and even) or is the back open with
glazing points showing? When we frame with wood, we use the best wood
available: Red Oak, Mahogany, Walnut, etc. and is created by a master
cabinetmaker. They are mitered in each corner, then put together with
bisquet joinery, screws, then plugged. They are none less than
perfect. After all, one of our motto's is: "If it's not
perfect - it's not right."
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!!! Are local building
codes followed in the construction and installation? You may be liable
if someone is injured!!!
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Experience
level of artist and length of time working at craft. It takes time and
dedication to fully understand the idiosyncrasies of the glass medium.
To be a glass craftsman, it takes more than a 4 week stained glass
class and a project or two.
Unfortunately
there are a lot of people that claim they are stained glass people that don't
produce the quality you & the stained glass piece deserve. If you are
unsure, don't hesitate to ask for references or to see an example of their work.
A
stained glass piece is an investment and (usually) a
one-of-a-kind work of art and should be treated as such.
For more information regarding glass, glass colors and the history of glass,
please check with the following manufacturers:
Associations:
I
tribute my success to my original stained glass teacher, Mrs. Beverly Akermark
from Des Moines, Iowa in 1996, for teaching me that the only way to create
a quality piece of stained glass is "perfection." When I thought
it was good enough, she pushed me back to the grinder saying, "it's not
good enough yet." She has changed my life and I will always thank her
for teaching me the importance of perfection. Sandy
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