What will you do?
You cut, shape and decorate glass, paint it with fired enamel and set glass in lead. You then assemble the panels and install them in their final place. Maintaining your tools and equipment is part of the craft as well.
- Define the production steps of the craft
- Cut, shape and decorate glass
- Paint glass with fired enamel and set glass in lead
- Install glass and stained glass windows in their final place
- Maintain your tools and equipment
- Work safely with hot and sharp materials
Skills to develop
- A steady hand and extreme precision
- Creativity and a feel for colour and composition
- Technical insight into glass and lead setting
- Patience for long, detailed commissions
- Comfort with standing work and lifting panels
Your foundation for this occupation
Look for workshop training that takes a small glass panel from design to completion. Learn glass selection, measurement, cutting and assembly together. Glass painting, leaded panels and restoration require their own practice. Ask which finishes you will actually use and how the workshop manages sharp edges, heat and materials.
From preparation to your first day
Develop the practical skills
Start with a simple sample and compare it with your pattern. Allow for joints: individually accurate pieces do not automatically form a correctly sized panel. Record the work sequence and sort offcuts carefully. For painted glass, use samples to assess colour and effect through the workshop's procedure.
Check your work
Check fit, line quality and the overall image against light. Document existing work before intervention. Restoration involves more than replacing broken glass: original material and earlier repairs may be significant. A portfolio should show design, intermediate stages and the finished piece.
How can you grow?
Specialise in new windows, decorative glass, painting or restoration. Site installation requires different preparation from workshop work and follows assigned responsibilities. Discuss whether you design, make or restore, and how quotations allow for material selection, lead time and samples.
Frequently asked questions
Is repairing a crack simply replacing the glass?
Not always. The approach depends on the panel, its function and the value of existing material. Historic work requires discussion of preservation and documentation before removal. An invisible repair is not automatically the most appropriate restoration.