Learn the craft

Stained Glass Safety for Beginners: Goggles, Masks, and a Few Good Habits

The safety basics every stained glass beginner needs: safety glasses, ventilation for solder and flux fumes, lead hygiene, and heat safety, without the fearmongering.

Is Stained Glass Hard to Learn? What Beginners Should Expect

Is stained glass hard to learn? A realistic look at the learning curve, which steps beginners find hardest, and how fast it actually gets easier.

How Long Does It Take to Make Your First Stained Glass Piece

How long it takes to make your first stained glass piece, broken down by step, so you can realistically plan your first project's timeline.

Stained Glass vs. Glass Fusing: What's the Difference

Stained glass vs. glass fusing explained: different tools, different processes, and how to decide which craft fits what you want to make.

Essential Tools for Your First Stained Glass Project

The essential stained glass tools a beginner actually needs to start, what each one does, and which purchases can wait until later.

How Much Does It Cost to Start Stained Glass as a Hobby

A realistic breakdown of what it costs to start stained glass as a beginner, from core tools to glass, so you know what to budget before buying.

How to Read a Stained Glass Pattern

A beginner's guide to reading stained glass patterns: numbered pieces, color legends, and cut lists explained, so your first project makes sense.

How Stained Glass Is Made: The Complete Beginner Process

Learn the six core steps of making stained glass, from tracing your pattern to soldering your first suncatcher. A clear beginner overview from Sunlit Pane.

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.