The art of stained-glass is easy to learn

Local resident Jim Weed does not rely on ads to get the word out about his art.

“It is mostly just by word of mouth,” said Weed. “I’ll get a call. They might say ‘I am so-and-so’s cousin and you did this, or that, for them.’”

Weed began working with stained-glass about 23 years ago. He saw an advertisement for adult education classes in Jefferson County and one class in particular caught his eye as it piqued his interest. The class was working with stained-glass.

Weed said he found great enjoyment in making art as a hobby and now does etching in glass as well. Weed does residential doors, stepping stones, windows, and side lights.

“Anybody can do it, they just have to learn to do it,” said Weed.

Recently, Weed has been having some trouble doing this art as he has arthritis in his hand which makes the precision cutting of the glass difficult.

But, to keep the art available to area residents, Weed said he would give lessons to those interested in learning the skill.

“Just come by the house and use my saw,” said Weed. “I’d be glad to teach anyone to do it.”

Weed said he has about 38 patterns of stepping stones from frogs and birds to seashells and dragon flies.

Whether it be for a handmade and special Christmas gift for that person who is hard to by for, or to learn a new craft, Weed is the man to spread his talent.

According to Weed, it would take only one class, six hours long, and the student would be taking a completed project with them when they were finished. Students would learn foil and soldering and may also work with lead.

“It is all about trial and error,” said Weed. “Not more than two students at a time though.” Adding, he wouldn’t be able to give them the attention they would need if there were more students than that.

The cost for a class is $65 and, again, each student will go home with a finished project to show off to family and friends.

Paul Hieb, of Normandy Ct., recently had a large insulated glass door damaged. Weed was able to make the door better by using a process called glue chip glass. He placed a diamond shaped glass in the middle of the door which was the only part of the glass door that could be seen through. The rest of the stained-glass acts like a prism, when the sunlight hits it, “the many colors are amazing,” said Weed.

“I just think people should know about this [art],” said Hieb, who lives on the same street as Weed’s daughter-in-law and saw first hand the stained-glass art in her home.

Weed, a retired milk man having delivered milk to 17 counties over a span of 34 years, said he was looking for something new to try when he came upon stained-glass cutting.

“Now, you don’t cut your fingers every time,” said Weed, when talking about the precision cutting of glass and use of saws. “But you can’t do it with gloves. You have to feel the glass.”

Those interested in having stained-glass art in their home, or learning and producing their own art, contact Weed at his home at 477-0904.