Hobbies And Interests
Identification
"Stained glass" refers to glass that has been chemically mixed or treated to add color to the glass itself. It does not include glass panes with surface color painted on.
Manufacture
Stained glass can gain its color through the addition of metallic salts during production. Alternately, chemical color can be brushed onto glass after its forging, and heated in a kiln to bond the color.
History
The ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans both manufactured stained glass. They used the glass to create cups, bowls and small trinkets.
Stained-Glass Windows
The most famous use of stained glass is for stained-glass windows, which adorn numerous cathedrals and churches. These elaborate windows often tell Bible stories or related religious tales.
Colors
Stained-glass color can be achieved through additives such as copper oxide (green) and cobalt (blue). Red was originally achieved by adding gold to the glass, though in modern times other less-expensive chemicals have been discovered.
Other Uses
In addition to church windows, stained glass has been used to create doors and windows for private residences, as well as art hanging in museums and galleries.
Arts &Crafts
Today, creating stained-glass crafts has become a popular hobby. Craft artists grind glass beads into powder form, then fill metal frames and kiln-bake the work. They create window-hangers, suncatchers and other artwork this way.