The art of stained glass is a pleasant skill and technique. For many it is a hobby and for few it is an artwork. Stained glass is commonly used in making windows, lampshades, window hangings and other decorative items but it is more useful for boxes, clocks, cabinet doors, picture frames and other 3D projects. The stained glasses are mainly used for enhancing the appearance of windows having pictures and portraits on it. These types of windows can be easily seen in churches, significant buildings etc. In market, there are many manufacturers and artists who provide stained glass windows at reasonable prices along with other decorative items made of stained glass. One can also make stained glass windows on their own by following some simple directions.

One can take help of an artist to learn skills and methods or can search online for the brief description and information to make stained glass windows. Following things are required to make stained glass windows - paper, pencil, washable or dry erasable marker, sheets of glass, and glasscutters; other things required are breaking pliers, running pliers, glass grinder, copper foil, soldering iron and solder. One can make stained glass windows easily by following given directions.

First, one should make an image of desired window, which one would like to transform into glass. Draw an image of window on a paper of same size as the window. Each design used in image should be simple and should not have thin lines. If one does not want to draw an image then he/she can find a pattern according to his/her choice. Print out two copies of the selected pattern, one for cutting and one for reference. Now cut out the pieces of image or pattern into separate sections and give numbering to each piece. Note down the same numbers of the pieces on second or reference copy so that each piece of window is placed together at correct position.

Then select glass colors suitable for the image and allot numbers to each piece of glass. Trace these cutouts on the glass with the help of washable or dry erasable marker. Make sure to leave enough space between shapes to make a straight line from corner to corner for avoiding cutting problems. Cut the glass on straight lines drawn between the shapes to separate them. Cut out shapes and determine whether the cut pieces fit together same as they are shown in image. To reshape them with perfection, use glass grinder. This will reshape the glass cutout.

Now cover the edges of glass with cover foil and arrange them onto a solid surface. Fix or assemble these glass pieces by soldering them together. Then wash pieces of glasses to get off the excess dust and marker. One can also connect a chain with it if he/she would like to hang it on a window. Making a stained glass window is a beautiful and complicated art form. Although it takes some time to complete a stained glass window, this creation will remain for years and can enhance the beauty of any home.