Your Guide to Beautiful Stained Glass:

Learning about Stained Glass Windows, Tables, and Panels - When you are searching for stained glass, one of the first things you'll notice is their great beauty. This is quickly followed by the price. Stained glass windows, panels, tables, and other products can be quite pricy. For instance, a custom built Wisteria and Snowball Stained Glass Window, which measures 30 inches wide x 72 inches high and features a gorgeous mix of rich colors, is $2900. This Tiffany-style reproduction is undoubtedly stunning, but its price can be forbidding. It is available from ShopStainedGlassWindows (http://www.shopstainedglasswindows.com/ssgw98047my.html). The beautiful Tiffany Tree Of Life Stained Glass Window, which measures 29 inches wide x 48 inches high, is hand crafted by master artisans from Meyda Tiffany. This window is not mass-produced and is made with careful attention to detail and quality. It is made of 1,539 pieces of hand-cut glass individually wrapped in copper foil. The earth tones, great greens, and deep oranges are perfectly suited to the Tree of Life theme and will look amazing in your home. It costs a bit less than the Wisteria and Snowball model at $900. Stained glass panels and lamps offer a more affordable way to introduce this gorgeous medium into your home. You can find lamps for under $100 and panels as inexpensive as about $20. The Frank Lloyd Wright Saguaro Wood Framed Stained Glass, for instance, features one of Wright's most popular designs, a very contemporary and bright piece. Instead of being composed of individual pieces of glass, enamel colors are applied to a single sheet of glass and then kiln-fired. This produces a stained glass look for a bit less. This officially licensed Frank Lloyd Wright piece is $80. The Mission Style Stained Glass Panel is another great choice; this one is made of 50 individual pieces of beautifully colored glass that is perfect for your kitchen or living room window. It is $20. RECOMMENDED - We suggest checking out the best selling stained glass on Amazon.com here.

Making Your Own Stained Glass Art: Making your own stained glass can be very rewarding and every bit as beautiful as artisan-crafted pieces. You do need the right supplies, though, and the best way to get started is with a kit. You can find very simple kits for under $20 to make suncatchers (see all stained glass kits here). You can also find individual supplies, such as glass sets, copper foil, and cutters that vary greatly in price. A good way to go, though, is to use a beginner's kit that includes the supplies you'll need to get started. These will be basic, but you will learn the craft and be well on your way to making your own windows, panels, suncatchers, tables, and lampshades. It is helpful to become familiar with the stained glass process, which you can do with these videos on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=stained+glass&aq=f) and to look through great designs and patterns. You can buy these or browse through the extensive designs at Free-stainedglasspatterns.com and Freepatternsforstainedglass.com. Another option is to simply do a Google search for "free stained glass patterns" or "free stained glass designs." Now, on to the kits. AnythingStainedGlass has several beginner's kits, and their Cut Above kit is fully stocked with introduction and manual, glass marking pen, pistol grip oil-filled carbide cutter, 12-inch glass square, running pliers, breaker or grozor pliers, Gryphon Studio Grinder with eye shield, 7/32 inch copper foil, burnisher fid, Classic 100 Gel Flux, flux brush, 60/40 Victory solder, Inland Deluxe 100-watt soldering iron, Inland Mini Phaser Iron Control, soldering iron stand, and 9-piece 8 x 12 glass pack. This is $220 - $250 (http://www.anythinginstainedglass.com/misc/beginnerkits.html). Delphi Glass is a trusted source for stained glass supplies, and you can also find a beginner's kit here. It offers the tools, supplies, and know-how you need to get started. It includes: 8 piece Wissmach English Muffle 8 x 10 glass pack, Wiz CG glass grinder, an Inland soldering iron (100 watts) with a temperature control that is built in, Delphi Stained Glass Made Easy DVD, Supercutter dry wheel glass cutter, breaker/grozer pliers, running pliers, 60/40 Solder, copper foil, flux pen, marking pen, and safety glasses for about $270 (http://www.delphiglass.com). Considering the art you can create and the many hours of enjoyment you'll get from each of these sets, both represent a great deal for the consumer. If you are looking for stained glass supplies to replenish a kit or to assemble your own, you can find a limited amount of tools and equipment on Amazon (get stained glass supplies here), as well as other sources like Delphi Glass, Harmony Stained Glass, and Glass Mart, the Stained Glass Web-Mart (http://www.glassmart.com/). From deluxe diamond-tipped miter saws to kits for making unique glass beads and lampshades, Glass Mart has a great selection for the stained glass enthusiast. Why make your own stained glass panels, windows, tables, or artwork? Buying is a great option - no doubt, it's quicker! But making your own - and making unique, personal, and absolutely stunning gifts for friends and family - is a reward in its own right. Once you have the basic equipment, such as grinders and cutting tools, it becomes a much more affordable hobby. When the light hits the stained glass suncatcher you've made or you see the beautiful jewelry box you've made for a loved one on display, it is even more worthwhile and satisfying.