10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Stained Glass

Thinking about getting into stained glass? Or maybe you're still in your first few projects and wondering why everything feels harder than it looked? You're not alone. In this video, I'm sharing 10 things I really wish someone had told me when I first started. Lessons that surprised me, challenged me, and made me fall in love with this craft even more. Whether you're new or still learning, I hope this helps you feel more prepared, more confident—and a little less alone. ✨ Timestamps 0:00 - Intro – Is Stained Glass What You Think It Is? 00:46 - Tip # 1: Starting with Less Can Be Better 02:11 - Tip # 2: It’s Not Just “Score and Snap” 04:14 - Tip # 3: That First Solder Line? Lower Your Expectations 😅 5:57 - Tip # 4: Foiling Is Trickier Than It Looks (Here’s Why) 7:06 - Tip # 5: Why Some Glass Is Harder to Cut 7:58 - Tip # 6: Learning from Mistakes (Even the Painful Ones) 8:55 - Tip # 7: Flux, Fumes, and Fresh Air 10:15 - Tip # 8: The Mess No One Warns You About 11:37 - Tip # 9: Why It Takes So Long at First 13:11 - Tip # 10: And Why You’ll Love It Anyway 💛 14:08 - Wrap-Up + Bloopers (Yep, I Left That In 😅) If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the next one! Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a video for 3 Tips to Smoother Solder! https://livingsunglass.com/subscribe/ ✨Learn, experiment, and create with me — stained glass made approachable! 🔧 RESOURCES & LINKS 🔥 Soldering Course: https://livingsunglass.com/product/so... Workshops & Tutorials: https://livingsunglass.com/product-ca... 🎧 Mentioned in this video: The Art Juice Podcast https://www.artjuicepodcast.com/ Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your continued support of my channel! ♡ Specific Tools & Supplies Mentioned in This Video Soldering Course: https://livingsunglass.com/product/so... Copper Foil Dispenser: https://amzn.to/4bJ6mxo Fume Extraction Alternatives to the Inland Fume Extractor: Hakko Fume Extractor: https://amzn.to/41QgfG3 Weller Fume Extractor: https://amzn.to/4lascOt Air Purifier: https://amzn.to/3FZwmZh Butler’s Broom: https://amzn.to/4cl2bIo Clean All Heavy Metal Hand & Body Soap available from: https://buycleanall.com/ Also found at many stained glass supply shops—check locally if you're in the U.S. or Canada! Studio Vacuum (Kiln & Fine Dust Cleanup) The vacuum I currently use isn’t being made anymore, but when the time comes to replace it, I’ll be looking for something like the Atrix HEPA vacuum. It’s designed to safely capture fine dust, including kiln residue and fiber particles—much better suited to studio use than a typical household vacuum. 🔗 https://atrix.com/product/express-vac... ♡ My Must-Have Stained Glass Tools (2026) Glass Cutter: https://amzn.to/41vIvfO Running Pliers: https://amzn.to/3DV68qj Grozing Pliers: https://amzn.to/3FGbIxh Grozing Pliers - Narrow: https://amzn.to/4c3Xd2h Fid: https://amzn.to/3DFnQy9 Gloves: https://amzn.to/3RhlBnE Flux: https://amzn.to/3FEcuuN Solder: https://amzn.to/2LkAwud Hakko Soldering Iron (North America version): https://amzn.to/4hgiO8Q ⚠️ Be sure to choose the right version for your country (North American models are 120V, international versions are 220–240V). Hakko Soldering Iron (International version – check voltage): https://amzn.to/3Y4r2Kn ♡ Favourite Supplies & Little Extras Copper Foil Dispenser: https://amzn.to/4bJ6mxo Copper Foil - Black Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W Copper Foil - Copper Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W Copper Foil - Silver Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/4iWpV7R Patina for Solder - Black: https://amzn.to/43ViKIs Patina for Solder - Copper: https://amzn.to/3E1uKh1 Cleaner - Neutralizer: https://amzn.to/4iFf429 Polish: https://amzn.to/4kBIzn0 Emery Cloth: https://amzn.to/3E0LUeI Silver Marker (To mark dark glass): https://amzn.to/4l2M3im 18 Gauge Wire: https://amzn.to/4kGYY9U Website: https://LivingSunGlass.com Facebook: / livingsunglass Facebook group: / makestainedglass Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/livingsungla... ⚠️ Disclaimer This video is based on my personal experience as a stained glass artist. I am not a licensed health or safety professional. Please do your own research and consult with qualified experts when setting up your workspace—especially when it comes to ventilation, fumes, or lead safety.