Learn the craft

How to Fix a Bubbled or Lumpy Solder Line

How to fix a bubbled, lumpy, or uneven stained glass solder line, including reflow technique and when it's fine to leave as-is.

Lead-Free vs. Traditional Solder: What Beginners Should Know

Lead-free vs. traditional solder for stained glass: how they differ in handling, cost, and safety, and which is the better choice for beginners.

Best Soldering Iron Temperature for Stained Glass

The best soldering iron temperature for stained glass, why it matters for seam quality, and how to adjust it as you solder.

Copper Foiling for Beginners: Step-by-Step

A step-by-step guide to copper foiling stained glass for beginners, including foil width, wrapping technique, and burnishing tips.

How to Solder Your First Stained Glass Seams

Learn how to solder stained glass seams as a beginner, from applying flux to tacking pieces together and running a smooth finished bead.

While the videos are cooking

Where to learn, in the meantime

I'm working on a set of my own how-to videos for this page. Until they're ready, these YouTube channels are wonderful, generous teachers: the same calm, no-gatekeeping spirit we aim for here. (Sunlit Pane isn't affiliated with any of them; we just think they're worth your time.)

Video thumbnail: how I start a new stained glass piece: my process

Amaya Jade

Gentle, beginner-focused tutorials on the copper foil method: suncatchers, small panels, and the kind of calm, encouraging pacing that makes a first project feel doable.

Stained Glass DIY

Practical how-to videos covering the fundamentals: scoring and breaking glass, grinding a clean edge, foiling, and soldering. Great for filling in the steps between articles.

Art Glass Studio

Process videos and walkthroughs spanning both lead came and copper foil: helpful once you want to see how a whole piece comes together from cartoon to finished panel.

Video thumbnail: 2 Tips for Speedy Stained Glass Cutting

Milly Frances

Clear, cheering instruction from the Everything Stained Glass school: cutting technique, glass choice, and finishing touches, all explained with real beginners in mind.