How to Make a Mosaic Stained Glass Window

Choosing, Cutting and Attaching the Glass

Choose a clear, clean window pane. This pane will be the front of the mosaic that you will stick your pieces of glass onto. Any sized piece of glass will work for this activity; however, a smaller piece will be a lot quicker to complete. Pick a piece of glass that doesn't have any scratches or marks, as these will distract from your mosaic. Consider using an old window pane from home. Alternatively, purchase a pane of glass from a hardware store. If you want to display your window as a stand-alone piece, consider choosing a window pane that has a wooden frame, as this makes it easier to move around.

Use a glass cutter to cut panes of glass into your desired shapes. Choose pieces of coloured glass that are the same thickness, as this makes the back of your mosaic nice and smooth. Place your panes of glass onto a cutting board and then cut out your desired shapes with the glass cutter. Use the glass cutter in the same way that you would use a craft knife. Hold the glass firmly in position with 1 hand and use your other hand to press the blade of the knife along the glass to cut it. Purchase different coloured panes of glass from a craft store or from a hardware store. If you want a random mosaic, simply hit the glass with a hammer to break it into unique pieces. If you find it easier, draw your mosaic on a piece of paper and then use this as a guide to cut out each piece. You may choose to use a grinder to shape the glass if the pieces of glass don't fit exactly together.

Position the cut glass onto the window pane in your desired pattern. Place the pieces of glass onto the pane. It is best to wear gloves when doing this to prevent the glass from cutting you. If you have drawn your design, place this under the glass and then lay the piece on top. Alternatively, simply move the glass around to create a pattern, an image, or a random mosaic. If necessary, cut out extra pieces of glass to add to your mosaic. Fill the entire pane of glass with pieces of mosaic or simply place a few pieces of mosaic onto the glass to make an image or a pattern. A little blank space between each piece can look effective as it helps to create contrast between the pieces. Arrange the different coloured glass in a pattern or a colour scale. For example, use a series of different shades of purple to create a calming colour scale. Alternatively, opt for clashing colours, such as blue and red, to create a striking look. EXPERT TIP Douglass Brown Douglass Brown Glassblowing Expert Douglass Brown is a Glassblowing Expert based in Half Moon Bay, California. He has over 25 years of experience as a glass artist, and is the owner and operator of 2 glass blowing studios in the San Francisco Bay Area, Half Moon Bay Art Glass and Mare Island Art Glass. Douglass believes in sharing hot glass experiences with anyone who wants to learn about the processes of blowing and sculpting glass. When not teaching, Douglass creates glass art that is a mix of his takes on nature and functional glassware. He has also created the Glass Troubadours, which is a mobile glass blowing studio that hosts parties, events, and visits craft shows. Douglass Brown Douglass Brown Glassblowing Expert Stained glass is a beautiful and enduring form of art that demands exceptional skill and expertise from glass artists. It has been used for centuries to create intricate designs in churches' windows and other significant religious buildings.

Spread a thin layer of clear glue onto each piece and stick it to the glass. Pick up each piece of glass and paint a thin layer of glue over the bottom side. Then, press it down onto the glass. Don't worry if the glue squishes around the sides of the glass, as the glue will turn clear when it dries. Choose a glue that dries clear, as this won't obstruct the view of the mosaic. Both PVA and waterbased glue will work for this project.

Leave the glue to dry for 4 hours. This gives time for the glue to set and turn clear. Leave the mosaic stained glass window in a dry and dust-free area to ensure that the glue dries properly. If the glue feels tacky, leave it dry for another few hours or until it feels dry to touch.

Apply Grout and Sealer to the Window

Mix 1 cup (1 handful) of grout with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Choose your favourite coloured grout and place about 1 cup (1 handful) into a bowl. Then, mix in 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Continue to mix the grout mixture until it reaches a paste consistency. If necessary, add a little more water to achieve a thick paste texture. Wear gloves when mixing and touching the grout to avoid it staining your hands. Any type of grout works for this project. White, grey, and charcoal are popular grout colours, as they create contrast with the colours in the mosaic. Purchase grout from a hardware store.

Use a sponge to apply a thin layer of grout over your mosaic. Scoop up a little grout with your sponge and rub it over your mosaic using a circular motion. Use the the sponge to push the grout into the cracks between the pieces of glass to fill the blank space. Continue to pick up the grout with the sponge and wipe it over the mosaic until all the cracks between the mosaic pieces are filled with grout. Look at the front of the mosaic (through the glass pane) to check that all the gaps are covered in grout.

Wait for the grout to dry for 4 hours. This gives time for the grout to harden and attach to the glass. Avoid moving the mosaic while the grout is drying, as this can cause it to crack. Leave the grout to dry for 4 hours, or as directed on the grout package. Keep the grout away from pets and children, as it contains chemicals that can be dangerous if they are consumed.

Remove the sandy residue with a lightly damp sponge. Spray a light coating of water over a clean sponge to dampen it. Then, gently wipe the excess grout off the mosaic pieces using a circular wiping motion. Avoid wetting the sponge too much, as this can damage the grout.

Paint a sealer over the glass to keep the grout in place. Dip a 1 centimetre (0.39 in) art paintbrush into grout sealer and brush it over the mosaic pieces and the grout. This helps to stop the grout from coming loose and falling out over time. Brush a thin coat of sealer over the entire mosaic using up and down strokes. Make sure to cover the corners, cracks, and glass with the sealer to increase the life-span of your artwork. Any type of grout sealer can be used for this task. Purchase grout sealer in the tile section of a hardware store. Leave the sealer to dry for 4 hours. Face the smooth side of the glass pane outward to display your mosaic stained glass window.