My Stained Glass Gallery Welcome

I decided that I needed a new hobby around the end of 2012 and a friend suggested Stained Glass.
I thought it would be interesting since I enjoy puzzles and am always game to try something new.

My husband got me everything I would need to get started in Stained Glass for Christmas of 2012. I read a few online tutorials and watched a few YouTube videos and thought "Ok, now I'm ready to get started."

Pat had included 5 different sheets of glass in my Christmas gift so I had to find a pattern that looked easy and that the glass colors would look ok in. I chose this pattern.

(If you want the pattern just right click on it and then click Save As. It's a free pattern.)

I quickly set to work cutting out all the pieces. (Do NOT do that) It is almost impossible to make the fit properly.

What you will want to do is to choose a spot, the top, bottom or side, cut a piece and then cut the adjoining piece, regardless of color, and make sure that they fit quite snugly against each other and then go on to the next adjoining piece. 

My stained glass rose did not turn out too badly in spite of my mistakes. But we must remember that this is my first ever attempt at stained glass. 

The rose itself was quite difficult to cut as well as the circle. ALWAYS cut the inside curve before the outside! 

Here is my first finished piece of stained glass. 

I think I will have to watch a couple of more videos on soldering so I can get a nice smooth beaded solder. this piece has taught me so much. 

The next stained glass piece that I am doing is a Lighthouse. It does not have the tiny pieces like the rose so I think that will make it easier plus after just 6 or 8 pieces cut and making sure they fit properly I know that it will be a much nicer piece.

Maybe after I do a couple more pieces I will come back and do another rose panel to compare the difference. I will share it with you.