Lamps from Tiffany - wealth and aristocracy embodied in stained glass and metal. Incredibly, these beautiful stained glass things are within the power of everyone.
The word itself Tiffany - A symbol of sophistication and style, elegance and grace, what about the lamps that bear this proud name? And they are really gorgeous! How much unique charm, cosiness and warmth in the house where these elegant chandeliers and sconces are lit, the real magic of light, magically filtered through multi-colored glass. Therefore, original products are expensive, while imitative stampings are much cheaper.
What if the innate sense of beauty rebels against buying cheap things (“cheap” not in terms of value, but in terms of aesthetic value), but to overpay for a brand seems unforgivable extravagance? After conferring, we ventured into the experiment. Having neither experience nor special education, we decided to independently make a stained-glass window using old technology Tiffany. But, thinking, they agreed that training should be on something small. So the idea came up to make a flashlight or a candlestick with your own hands.
This is a creative matter, therefore it brings a sea of pleasure, brings together spiritually and may very well become not only a family hobby, but also a business.In any case, the ability to do something with one’s own hands has always helped people to survive difficult times and find themselves.
The stained-glass window technique, of course, is not easy due to the presence of nuances not only not female, but also dangerous - work with a soldering iron and acid, a glass cutter and a file. But those who are used to doing needlework — to sew, to restore furniture, to invent all kinds of decorations — will not be afraid to try something new, very beautiful, fashionable, and simply extraordinary. The process is inspirational. First you study the essence of the issue, then you select the tools, prepare the working area, conjure over the sketch. It may take more than one day, but someone may have a month - and all this time you live in anticipation.
And here you are. You feel like a child playing with colorful glasses, and you don’t even let anyone close to yourself and your wealth while you are sketching.
Then the day comes when it is necessary to cut into glass, and I never held a glass cutter in my hands. It’s scary, but not to cut yourself, but to break a valuable part. And break a couple until the hand gets used to it.
And then you get angry, and the glass cutter becomes obedient-obedient. Grinding should also be done carefully, under a tap with water on, so as not to breathe glass dust.
Soldering is also very interesting! The main thing is to grab the parts first, so as not to fall apart, and then, without holding up your hand and not pushing hard, with one movement of the soldering iron, as it were, draw along a seam covered with wire (solder), then it will turn out beautiful and even.At this stage, there is a steady desire to seek help from a husband or children, and, as a rule, at this time they are already behind.
Stained glass workshop
In stained glass technology, you can make interior and wardrobe doors, sideboard or sideboard doors, screens, all kinds of panels, floor lamps, chandeliers, sconces, candelabra and candlesticks, lanterns and caskets, dishes and even necklaces and bracelets.
Together withEva Zhdanovskaya make a miracle flashlight.
He helped her - advised, watched, chuckled and controlled the process in every way - the artist Sergey Babanin. At first Eva ZHDANOVSKAYA I chose colored glass and picked up a mirror square for the base, thought up my flashlight and drew a detailed sketch.
You will need: • thick white paper; • tracing paper; • pencils - colored and simple; • marker; • eraser; • scissors; • stained glass (domestic will be cheaper); • mirror glass (for the base); • high-quality glass cutter; • grinder or file; • copper adhesive tape; • ruler; • brush, soldering acid (flux); • solder (tin wire with a diameter of 3-4 mm); • soldering iron; • rubber household gloves; • sponge; • patina; • soap.
Transfer the sketch with a marker to tracing paper and cut it, and cut off the traces of the marker, let there be a gap (photo 1).
Circle the details on the glass with a marker, and then with a glass cutter - like a pen, but the line leads from the bottom up (photo 2).
Use the glass cutter handle to tap on the finished contour from the back side, carefully break off the part (photo 3).
When all the parts are cut out, their edges must be sanded and wrapped around the perimeter with copper foil or copper tape (photo 4).
Lay out the details on the sketch. Prepare a soldering iron and solder. Place the joints of the parts with flux (photo 5).
We hold the solder just above the seam, the soldering iron - above the solder. First we grab the parts pointwise, then solder along the entire length of the seam (photo 6).
Finished walls are just as soldered together and with a mirror base. Do not forget to smear flux! (photo 7).
In gloves, use a sponge dipped in patina to wipe the seams. Without removing gloves, wash the miracle flashlight with soap (photo 8).
Turn off the electricity, the newborn light will flicker behind the stained glass. What figures dream in the dances of a small twinkle? Time to dream.
The article was published on the materials of the magazine "Good advice" 6/2013
Photo: Legion-Media (4); Alamy/Diomedia.com; Eva Zhdanovskaya
Material prepared by Julia Dekanova
