Leadlighting

14/10/2024

I know Australia is not a Republic, but all the state leaders and the PrimeMonster are the rudest people in the world. They are all SHUNNING the Royal Visit by King Charles 111 and Queen Consort Camilla when they come this month.
I wonder, if Prince Harry and His wife came on a none official ‘royal tour’ would they still be this ignorant or would they go all out to welcome them as Nigeria and Columbia did.
I have been very disillusioned with both Labor and the coalition parties and their attitudes to our at this time Royal Family.
Hope you ignorant guys don’t expect to win the next election. It won’t happen with my vote

19/11/2022

25/04/2022

Closing down SALE.
All coloured, textured and clear glass 1/2 cost price.
Lead cames, ( I have a few different profiles to choose from.
also half cost price.
I have some bevel sets left all must go.
Any respectable offer for the lot will be considered

09/01/2022

As I mentioned in my previous post, Leadlighting is not a cheap hobby, but it is enthralling and when you have a few frustrations it is relaxing to hear the scrap glass smash as you throw it in the waste bin. A great stress reliever.
The first things you will require is a starter tool kit. This consists of a good quality oil filled glass cutter, a pair of grozing pliers. (These differ from normal pliers due to having curved jaws so you don’t crush the glass). You will also require a good quality electric soldering iron. An 80w iron is ideal for starters. Then a good straight edge or ruler with a non slip back preferably.
A pair of running pliers would be handy but not essential. And don’t forget the safety equipment. 1 pair safety glasses (you don’t need glass shards in your eyes), safety gloves (I use the fabric gloves with the nitrile palms. They don’t stop you getting cut altogether but they do protect you quite a bit.
Shoes are very important. Closed toed shoes are best as they stop you getting glass splinters in your feet. A heavy apron would also be a good thing to have. It keeps your clothes cleaner.
I’m sure I have left out necessary stuff and I hope you leadlighters out there will add them in for me. So until next time start thinking of a project you can do in Leadlighting and we can go through the do’s and don’ts of making the pattern workable in lead.
All for now
Andrew

02/01/2022

Let’s talk about Leadlighting also called stained glass.
Leadlighting is classified as a dying art nowadays due to companies who use laser techniques and other such modern technology to make panels that look like Leadlighting.
The issues with the modern stuff is that as it is added to the surface of the glass it can be scratched and damaged quite easily.
With real Leadlighting what you get is a panel of coloured or clear glass intersected with Lead strips or Calmes as is their correct name. These strips are soldered where they meet which gives them strength.
So in making a Leadlighting panel for a door or window there are several skills you would need to learn. Cutting glass, cutting lead calme to size ( choosing the style and profile of the calmes which come in 1m long strips ) choosing what types of glass work together, choosing colours of glass ( and there are many) so you learn designing as well. Plus many other processes to get to the finished product.
As you can see so far, Leadlighting is a labour intensive but extremely satisfying hobby/pastime/ business.

Keep an eye on this page for more about Leadlighting and all the other bits and bobs that go into this work.
Please feel free to add advise shortcuts or other ideas as we go along.
Ask questions and if I can’t answer them maybe someone else can or we can find out together
We can always learn from others as we go along.
I can’t guarantee a daily post but will try to add more as often as possible.

See you in the next post. Andrew

10/10/2021

Due to our getting less mobile as the years move on we have decided to close down the gardening, lawn mowing etc.
We are now relocated in Davoren Park SA 5113 and are now concentrating on the Leadlighting side of our hobby and will take on occasional basic picture/ handcraft framing work.
If you are interested please message me and we can go from there.
Please do not expect your commissioned panels to be made overnight as this work is very time consuming.
Regards
Andrew

01/06/2021

Installing leadlight windows we designed and built in a house in Millicent SA.