Stained glass workshop

– classes are conducted by an occupational therapy instructor
Monika Popławska, MA
(graduate of postgraduate studies in the field of
art therapy with elements of pedagogical therapy,
Academy of Special Education, Warsaw)

Stained glass as a decorative method has been known since the Middle Ages.
However, only the technique created by Tiffany allows for unlimited use of glass. It allows you to use glass not only as a decoration for large religious buildings, but also for the production of small stained glass forms - lamps, pendants and jewelry.

CLASSES help improve manual skills, develop imagination, and improve cognitive functions. Participants also acquire skills such as regularity and punctuality, maintaining safety, maintaining order, preparing the workplace, taking care of equipment and tools, and independently carrying out planned work. Working in a group improves social skills, allows you to develop the ability to cooperate with others, help yourself in difficult situations and share responsibilities.

MATERIALS used in the stained glass studio
Stained glass, tin, copper wire, self-adhesive copper tape, flux, metal chains

STAGES OF WORK in the stained glass studio:
Theoretical part

• occupational health and safety rules in stained glass, occupational health and safety rules when working with chemicals
• outline of information about glass and stained glass
• Tiffany's stained glass technique
• getting acquainted with the available literature on stained glass
• overview of available projects
• tools and equipment and mechanical devices, chemicals and auxiliary materials
• a visit to a professional stained glass workshop
• visiting places where stained glass was used (churches, galleries)

Practical part

• preparation of a stained glass table and necessary tools
• designing flat and spatial forms
• design of glass mosaics, lampshades, glass jewelry
• using ready-made patterns, preparing templates and numbering elements
• glass cutting (stripes, rectangles, curves, circles)
• grinding, use of a grinder, maintenance of cutting and grinding equipment
• selecting the appropriate tape and methods of wrapping the tape
• soldering using a soldering station, types of tips, use of fuses
• spot soldering, full soldering
• coloring solders, patina, polishing
• maintenance of soldering equipment
• use of grout and silicone (mosaic)
• mounting additional elements (chains, handles, lead profiles, tees, pendants)
• installation of electrical components (in lamps)
• glues, UV lamp
• finishing, checking the quality of the product
• tidying up the workstation and studio