How I've Built My Glass Library

I have a lot of glass. In the beginning, it was easy to manage, mostly because it was all unmarked vintage glass from Grandpa Thomas. 

I used what I wanted without thought to replacing the glass or reproducing individual designs.  As I grew my collection, I lost control of it. When I started Thomas Critchlow Art Glass, and expanded my stained glass studio setup, the collection grew even more. So, I created a stained glass art library filled with samples of almost all the glass I've owned.

Read on to learn how to create your own glass library!

The System

When I unpack an order of art glass sheets,  I cut a sample for each new glass.  Using a permanent marker, I record the manufacturer, color code, texture, and date on the smoothest side. I add the same to the remaining larger pieces, too.  See the process on my YouTube channel for a quick art video tutorial - I hit the highlights in under 30 seconds!

If the glass is spendy or very small, I'll grab a piece as close to the 2x3" and save it.  

I store the sample "cards" in a divided bin that sits on my cutting table for quick reference.  Think old-fashioned library card catalogue meets Rolodex!  A quick flip thru lets me see colors and textures at a glance.  

I can pull out a few to check colors without having to drag out the full sheets, decreasing risk of cracks and breaks.  And, much easier to hold up to the sun that a 16x16 sheet ... or 3.

The Results

In a perfect world, I'd update the spreadsheet when I use the last of the sheet but Ill admit, I'm not great about that part.  

This system lets me compare colors, textures and thicknesses at a glass, leading to higher quality product for you!  Keeping my stained glass workshop somewhat organized reduced frustration and lost time.

Final Thoughts

Having my sample library allows me to check colors before I build. Think of it as an opportunity to pre-check the stained glass aesthetic or vibe.  If I'm making stained glass suncatchers, I can lay out the sample pieces to easily see how those colors work together across all types of lighting - hard to do with 12x12 or 16x16 sheets of glass.  

If I am working on stained glass ornaments, I can compare the thickness of each glass, too.  If there is significant variance in the thickness, I need to finish the edges in a slightly different way.   We're looking at you, stained glass Christmas ornaments!  

So, yes - I do lose a few square inches of each sheet, but it makes my stained glass crafts much easier to plan, test and create!  

Adding a sample library to your studio is one of many easy stained glass DIY projects that will make a huge difference in your practice.

Let me know how you're keeping your arts and crafts supplies organized!

You can check out the TCAG store here.  

Until next time,

Ailsa