Stained glass assembles pieces of colored glass into windows, panels, and lampshades. The glass is cut to shape, then joined with lead came or copper foil. Lead came is a channel-shaped strip that holds the glass edges. Copper foil wraps each piece, and solder bridges the gaps. Both methods produce a strong panel that can hang in a window or sit in a frame.

The craft is old. Medieval cathedrals used stained glass to tell stories to congregations that could not read. The glass was thick, bubbly, and full of imperfections that scattered light. Modern glass comes in smooth sheets, but art glass makers still produce textured and opalescent varieties. The design process starts with a full-size cartoon, a drawing that shows every piece. The glass is cut to match, then ground smooth on a grinder before assembly.

Two main assembly methods

• Lead came — traditional, strong, suited to large panels
• Copper foil — thinner lines, good for small and intricate work

Safety matters. Lead is toxic. Cut glass is sharp. Wear gloves when handling lead came, wash hands after soldering, and sweep up glass slivers with a wet paper towel, not bare hands.