My First Lead Project

[Malinda]

So I wanted to make something to match the lamps I just made. Using all the same glass plus some clear bevels and raindrop clear glass I came up with this.....I've got the rest of the pieces all cut and ready BUT of course I ran out of lead! Oh well....I have to get putty and whiting anyway so.

It's a little tedious going but I know the more you get used to it the better and faster you move. I only smashed one piece of glass with the hammer while hitting the nail lol.....that's also when I knew it was time to stop for the day :)

[Anne]

it's looking pretty good for being your first lead project Malinda!

[Kev]

I bet that will be real purdy in the light!

[JoanFrances]

creative use of your scrap Malinda.  Sure will be a pretty one.  Your home will have some pretty colors floating on the walls during the day from that and from your lamps at night. 

So, did you enjoy working with the lead?

[Malinda]

It's ok Joan I'll tell you for sure when the messy part is over lol. I'm sure I'll like it though :)

[Barbara]

That will compliment the lamps perfectly and a talent polish also.

[PiscesGlass]

Looking good Mal!  You're coming right along on this!  LOL..think of the messy part as if you were playing w/mud pies when you were a kid...at least we did up here in Maine's fifth season..mud.  I actually really liked forcing in the cement, the whiting process..well everything about it. 

Be interesting to hear if you enjoy the process too!  Can't wait to see it in the light. 

De

[Judy K]

Looking great! I am jealous. Doing a lead window is high on my priority list. Now you can help me when the time comes. 

[Graham]

Only one piece smashed with you hammer???
It's called "Creating smaller scrap".
Natural byproduct of the process.

[ct4mom]

very pretty and will look great  with the lamps

[Evelyn]

Good for you Malinda trying lead, its looking great.  How are your fingers feeling?  A little sore?  I had a terrible time doing lead, didn't have enough hands and everything kept slipping.  Glad to see you are persevering and I can't wait to see this done.

[Kev]

If I remember correctly Evelyn, you did a very nice Iris panel in lead some time ago.

[Malinda]

Thanks everyone...

@ Evelyn, the biggest problem I kept running across was the came turning under on me. The clear raindrop texture is too large for the came so I started beveling the edges to the fit in the came better. Before I realized this was the problem it was just driving me nuts. Fingers are ok though. I like to work with thin rubber gloves on and it's proven not possible with lead, at least not for me yet. It's ok....

Now I wish the fabric I bought for this rooms window was exactly the same...right now I'm a little unsure it will all go together to my liking. :)

[Audrey]

You are really on a roll lately learning all these new tricks and doing so well at them.

[Evelyn]

If I remember correctly Evelyn, you did a very nice Iris panel in lead some time ago.

Kev,
You remember correctly, and it was my first panel and I did one other lead window as a commission, but I still prefer foil, less frustration level for me.

[PiscesGlass]

Thanks everyone...

@ Evelyn, the biggest problem I kept running across was the came turning under on me. The clear raindrop texture is too large for the came so I started beveling the edges to the fit in the came better. Before I realized this was the problem it was just driving me nuts. Fingers are ok though. I like to work with thin rubber gloves on and it's proven not possible with lead, at least not for me yet. It's ok....

Now I wish the fabric I bought for this rooms window was exactly the same...right now I'm a little unsure it will all go together to my liking. :)

I've always taken a fid and spread the came open just a bit..is the glass too thick to do that for these pieces Mal? 
LOL. chuckling at the "thin glove" statement..the first lead project I did, I did with bare hands, then I thought of using the thin glove treatment..found out that the pressure I needed to put behind forcing the cement in usually always ripped holes in the gloves and I still had black fingers afterward.  It wears off eventually. But I wasn't going to be a hand model anytime soon after cementing. LOL.

De

[Malinda]

De, I am reopening the channel after stretching the lead but the glass is just a hair too thick. The beveling definatly helps loads.

[Glassic]

Are you s-t-r-e-t-c-h-ing the lead or just adding a little length when straightening it?

[Wayne]

I, too, us a fid to open the lead.
When I cement windows or grout mosaics, I wear latex gloves (which tear if you look at them wrong) with masking tape on the thumb and two fingers of the right hand.  The masking tape takes the punishment and it is possible to get used to the feel of tape on the finger tips.

[Malinda]

I am stretching the lead completly Yvonne lol. I am off to get the rest of the materials today so maybe later tonight (after the last class) I'll be able to show you all a finished project here.