I created the name Cityfreeglass when we moved from a bustling town of around six hundred thousand people, to a town with nearly one hundred.

Thank you, Mom, for giving me a beginners stained glass kit in 2002!

I work from morning til night from a little room in my humble home and from there I have had the opportunity to create some amazing pieces and work with some incredible people. My pieces can be found all over the U.S. and Abroad. Some pieces can even been seen on television and international podcasts!

The process starts with a single sheet of glass and a pattern.
The pattern is traced onto the glass and then scored with a hand-held glass scorer. This does not "cut" the glass, but separates the molecules making the glass break free following the scoreline. I break the pieces free using a few types of pliers.
The pieces are then ground smooth using a diamond head bit or lap wheel, until the pieces fit together perfectly.
I foil the edges of each piece of glass with sticky backed copper foil (usually 7/32" wide). The solder only sticks to the copper foil, not to the glass.
Then comes soldering the puzzle together. It's all about the solder lines!.....they should be raised and fluid (no pits or bumps). I can't always get them perfect, just pretty close :)
Finally, several major cleanings. A patina may be applied to create a copper or black solder line (silver is it's natural state). Then a coating of finishing compound, giving the glass and solder lines a sheen.
If the project is framed, I always tape off the window and paint and seal the frame. Sometimes an artist will spend 30 hours on an awesome piece and then leave the frame stained and dull. Make sure your artist goes all the way with their professional commitment!

FYI.....if you are purchasing a sun catcher please make sure that the loop it will be hanging from is soldered deep into another solder line. If it is soldered just by the copper foil lining, when the sun catcher gets hot the glue on the back of the copper foil could pull apart from the glass. I learned the hard way and it drives me crazy when I see the mistake in practice.

Stained glass will last many decades if taken care of. Indoors, or out, the color will never fade! Some hand made glass sheets can be $45.00 for an 8" x 8" piece! (I have never been brave enough to use it).

Please email me with any questions! As you can see, I am happy to chat.
Steph