Stained Glass/Expert Profile


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Expertise

Copper Foil stained glass panels are our specialty. Both architectural and residential questions can be asked. We build windows and teach classes in our studio. We design custom patterns by hand and then draw tham using AutoCAD. We recently donated over 100 square feet of glass to the Covey Center For The Arts in Provo, Utah. I write a monthly newsletter that gives tips and tricks for the stained glass trade at www.betterstainedglass.com We also teach classes because the joy of new stained glass students rubs off on us and keeps the hobby fun.

Experience in the area

Started business in stained glass in 1983. We build and design architectural and residential stained glass and we write a monthly stained glass newsletter at www.betterstainedglass.com

Publications

Go Articles, Ideamarketers, and Ezine Articles. We also contribute to newspapers and ezines. Also have several videos on You Tube

Education/Credentials

Bachelor of Arts in Education, Missouri Southern State University. Taught college course at MSSU, currently teach classes in our studio. Write monthly newsletter.

What do you like about this subject?

We teach classes because the new students have an enthusiasm that is easy to lose after years of building windows. Those students keep our love for the craft alive!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

We study and thrill at the work of other accomplished glass artists. Their advances and achievements raise our vision up and push us to challenge ourselves.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Stained glass can be placed in windows, but there are so many more ways to use it. We place it in furniture and cabinets and lighting fixtures. False skylights can add to the openness and airiness in a room for very little expense. We have even built a table that has glass in the top to create the illusion that fish are swimming in the table. You can view it at www.gommstudios.com

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Copper foil construction is by far the stronger because the lead lines are composed of lead and of tin which is stronger than lead. The lines cover the glass more efficiently because the foil must be placed on each piece individually. This is more time consuming, and labor intense, but the finished product is superior in strength and allowance for detail. It is also much easier to repair.

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Lori10/20/0910101010Thank you so much for the expert .....
Marilyn08/24/0910101010 
Laura07/15/0910101010Thanks David, I will read those articles .....
Heather Jane03/01/0910101010Thanks! This helped me immensely! Quick, thorough .....
Betty11/06/0810101010Thank you for the link-up and illustrated .....

Recent Answers from David Gomm

2009-10-22 Extreme Cold Temps.:

Stained glass can develop stress cracks from expansion and contraction. Make sure that your glass pieces get ground smooth so you can avoid stress cracks in the window. If stress cracks do appear, they

2009-10-20 assembly of very large window:

This sounds like a daunting task, but you'll find that it is actually quite easy to build a window of the size that you describe. We only build copper foil windows in our studio for many reasons. I've

2009-10-17 lighting stained glass window:

This is an interesting subject. How best to light a window. I usually start at the home improvement store. And I look for the fixture and bulb that will suit my needs. Style and type of fixture is a personal

2009-10-10 stained glass and presed flowers:

I use 1/4" foil on each of the two pieces of glass. burnish them down and do my pressing , then add the second layer of foil using wider stuff, different sizes depending on the thickness of the glass and

2009-10-06 copper foil size?:

The thing that determines the width of the foil is the thickness of the glass you are using. I prefer to use 1/4" copper foil because it leaves abut 1/16" on each side of the glass and so provides a good

 

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