| Did you know that you can find stained glass | | | | be cheaper, but when combined with shipping |
| deals if you look hard enough? There are a | | | | costs the total transaction may cost more. |
| number of places to buy stained glass - let's | | | | |
| look at a few of them. | | | | Some glass manufacturers sell "sample sets." |
| | | | These are exactly what they sound like: |
| The easiest and least risky way to buy glass | | | | packages with a variety of glass types and |
| is in a kit. You can purchase kits online: | | | | colors enclosed. Many smaller sample sets |
| simply search for "stained glass kits" and | | | | cost less than $15 or $20 at online supply |
| you'll see dozens of online suppliers. Or | | | | stores. Typically larger craft stores like |
| you can buy kits at Michael's Arts and | | | | Ben Franklin carry very few glass sample |
| Crafts, Ben Franklin, or your local craft | | | | sets; if they do, their selection will be |
| store. Many smaller craft stores may not | | | | limited, but if you check they may have just |
| stock kits, but they will be glad to order | | | | what you need. In general the sheets of |
| what you want. | | | | glass are smaller than what you'd normally |
| | | | buy, so you're not stuck with a lot of glass |
| The kit will only include glass you need for | | | | you may never use. If you're new to the |
| the project; you don't have to worry about | | | | hobby, aren't sure what you want to make, and |
| leftovers. If you're new to the hobby, start | | | | are interested in experimenting, a sample set |
| with a kit or two - that way you won't invest | | | | can be an inexpensive way to try out |
| in glass inventory you may find you don't | | | | different colors and techniques. |
| need. | | | | |
| | | | If you stay alert you may find great deals |
| If you decide to buy glass in bulk, the first | | | | from local artisans or hobbyists. For |
| place to look is your local glass shop or | | | | instance, many hobbyists will sell glass if |
| craft shop. There are advantages and | | | | they're preparing to move - glass is hard to |
| disadvantages to dealing with your local | | | | pack up and move, and many people won't want |
| store. The advantages are clear: you can | | | | to bother. You may not find an opportunity |
| build up a business relationship with the | | | | like that often, but if you do, you can |
| store, you can inspect the glass before you | | | | usually pay twenty-five percent or less for |
| purchase it, and you can ask questions and | | | | glass compared to what you would have paid |
| get advice from a knowledgeable source. The | | | | retail. |
| disadvantage is their selection may be | | | | |
| limited and their prices may be higher than | | | | Sometimes glass shops will also sell partial |
| you can get from wholesale or discount glass | | | | sheets at a large discount. If the partial |
| companies. Of course, your local shop can | | | | sheet is large enough for your intended use, |
| order glass, but you lose the advantage of | | | | great! (Buying partial sheets is like buying |
| pre-inspecting the glass, and the price will | | | | carpet remnants.) Glass shops often also |
| probably be a little higher since the store | | | | have "For Sale" bulletin boards for hobbyists |
| will need to mark the glass up in order to | | | | to use to advertise leftover glass they want |
| make a profit. | | | | to sell - keep an eye out for pieces you can |
| | | | use. |
| If your store orders glass for you, ask if | | | | |
| you can inspect it before you actually make | | | | You can also find supplies and tools at yard |
| the purchase. The color or texture in the | | | | sales - make sure you have a wish list of |
| catalog may not be the same as the color or | | | | tools with you and you may find exactly what |
| texture you eventually receive. | | | | you're looking for. You can also buy used |
| | | | tools on "For Sale" bulletin boards at glass |
| There are a number of glass suppliers that | | | | shops; if a local craftsperson has upgraded |
| can be found online. Simply search for | | | | to a more expensive grinder, for instance, |
| "stained glass supplies" or "stained glass" | | | | they may be more than willing to sell you |
| and you'll see hundreds of possibilities. If | | | | their used grinder for a fraction of its |
| you decide to try an online supplier, make a | | | | original cost. |
| small purchase the first time so you can | | | | |
| evaluate their quality, professionalism, and | | | | There is much more to this story than written |
| service. When you're comparing price with | | | | here. Stained glass can be incredibly |
| your local shop, make sure you take into | | | | interesting once you learn all about it... |
| account shipping charges; the raw glass may | | | | |