Want to learn lead came?

Nouveau, 2010
These are the patterns available to students in Beginning Lead Came. Top row: Cathedral and Sunrise. Middle: Deco. Bottom: Playhouse and Fleur. These windows are on display at Village Glass Works.
New class pattern introduced Fall, 2010.

Prepare to become addicted. Few crafts are as satisfying as creating a stained glass window using lead came.

Beginning Lead Came is open to adults (you have to be over 18 years of age) who have previous experience in cutting and grinding glass. This class is not for glass novices. We don't explain the different kinds of art glass, how to cut it, or how to grind it. Successful students are those who have worked in cooper foil, but want to expand their skills. If you want to get started in stained glass, you should first take the cooper foil class at Village Glass Works.

In Beginning Lead Came, we cover how to safely handle lead came, how to manipulate it, cut it, and fit it. We also teach soldering and weatherproofing.

Classes are held on Saturdays. We meet four times for three-hour sessions (10:30 am-1:30 pm). A total of 12 hours. Before the first class, students are expected to pick up their pattern (you can choose from several different designs - shown in the photo), buy their glass and have their glass pieces cut and ground to size. The cost of the came is included in the tuition fee - as are the soldering and weatherproofing supplies. Students are expected to have their own glass cutter. The Village Glass Works classroom has the other tools for your use.

If you want to take the class, talk to Susie at VGW. She'll put you on the list. When we have at least three students, we schedule a class. I do not take more than five students in any one class.

Lead came construction is not an easy 1-2-3 weekend craft. It takes determination and practice. Lots and lots of practice. Students who successfully complete Beginning Lead Came and go on to build several windows on their own are eligible to take Advanced Lead Came. In this class, students are encouraged to choose a pattern larger and more complex than they would tackle on their own. We cover special issues as they come up, but do include steel reinforcement and carving lead.

I'm also available for individual instruction.