August 9th, 2011

Norwell studio artisans work wonders with stained glass



(This is the first of our “Old School Skills” summer series. Written and reported by Jack Encarnacao.) In the hands of Zoe Schofield and Jane Cragin Walsh, who with illustrator MaryEllen Sinatra work in a studio on Route 53 in Norwell, glass can become anything: wall hangings, windows, bathroom tiles, even murals depicting a deceased pet. Though art glass has centuries-old roots, it is a versatile medium. “It’s been around for centuries, but it’s still vibrant,” Walsh said. “It changes all time. It’s only limited by your imagination.” Canisters of different shapes, textures and colors litter the studio shelves. Nothing goes to waste. Scraps of colored glass are used to fashion ceiling light shades for the studio. Some glass is ground to a coarse sand in a conventional kitchen blender. Schofield sprinkles some lavender-colored grains onto her sink design like a pizza chef would spread mozzarella onto dough. At the other end of the studio, Walsh works on a front door design. Beside her is a window displaying some of her trademark pieces. On sunny days, light shines through in various colors and splashes against the walls, ceiling and floor. Walsh slices and chips glass for a front door panel. She sketches a design on cardboard, numbering where she wants each colored piece to go. She melts the glass pieces in place with a tool that reaches 1000 degrees. Pieces are sometimes melted in a kiln, then fused to thin lead framing that holds them in place. Retail traffic is slow in …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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25 Responses to “Norwell studio artisans work wonders with stained glass”

  1. caparason, on August 9th, 2011 at 2:40 pm Said:

    cool video..its a good idea..i do something similar.Have a look at my website www

  2. caparason, on August 9th, 2011 at 3:02 pm Said:

    cool video..its a good idea..i do something similar.Have a look at my website bottlealleyglass.co.uk

  3. caparason, on August 9th, 2011 at 3:03 pm Said:

    cool video..its a good idea..i do something similar.Have a look at my website

  4. suzyQicu1, on August 9th, 2011 at 3:23 pm Said:

    Love your ideas and sink! awesome! Thanks for sharing!

  5. suzyQicu1, on August 9th, 2011 at 4:11 pm Said:

    Love your ideas and sink! awesomre thanks for sharing!

  6. MosaicMaiden, on August 9th, 2011 at 4:32 pm Said:

    Brilliant creations! I would love to get more info on what you did with the glass in the blender. Is it a form of tumbling?

  7. ocenapothik, on August 9th, 2011 at 5:25 pm Said:

    hi also i m a worker stained glass.i like ur work.now i m looking job stained glass.do u have job for me.pls inform me.my email maxnuman@yahoo.com

  8. cartoonage, on August 9th, 2011 at 5:52 pm Said:

    cool!

  9. moe354sa, on August 9th, 2011 at 6:09 pm Said:

    very beautiful art form!!

  10. EmbracingHaight, on August 9th, 2011 at 7:05 pm Said:

    You guys are amazing. I am dying to get involved with projects such as these. I am overflowing with ideas and designs, but I have no idea how to get started, or where to go. I live just north of Seattle. I recently purchased (don’t laugh) The microwave kiln, being that it is all I can afford at the time. Been making glass pendants. This has been my first real exposure to this element, and I absolutely love it. My main medium is colored pencil drawing, and sculpture with recycled materials.

  11. adamgc73, on August 9th, 2011 at 7:38 pm Said:

    love the use of the blender :) some nice pieces indeed. Love the basin at the beginning I have been leadlighting for 16 years

  12. listglass, on August 9th, 2011 at 7:44 pm Said:

    Excellent informative video

  13. orlandomacistt, on August 9th, 2011 at 8:34 pm Said:

    I am me orlando of Brazil and there is little interest by the time I love the glass and made a video where “the vessel sink,” but did not identify how it was done to the finish, or was used resin, glue, or some other technique, if possible please let me know, congratulations for a nice video. São Paulo, 08:01:09.

  14. katecragin, on August 9th, 2011 at 9:13 pm Said:

    HarryandWessex…
    Let me just say that I work in the media, so I know (and I assumed the rest of the world knew since everyone criticizes the media) that things are often times taken VERY much out of context. So, unless you are naive enough to believe that the media and a video camera are completely objective and that NOTHING can be taken out of context, I suggest that you consider your criticisms more carefully as Jane has been in the stained glass trade for “over 30 years”.

  15. lawrencedemello, on August 9th, 2011 at 9:35 pm Said:

    How can I view the full Video

  16. pattersclan, on August 9th, 2011 at 10:33 pm Said:

    Makes my stained glass look so small time

  17. Louellamarierose, on August 9th, 2011 at 11:08 pm Said:

    I have come back to see this again, I agree with what she was saying, when you do a piece you know every piece of glass, from cutting it to piecing, buffing, sodering, etc, you KNOW that piece of glass and you KNOW ALL your pieces. Ha! Love it all!!!!!!!!!!

  18. claymoma, on August 9th, 2011 at 11:39 pm Said:

    What is the mold you are using for your glass?? The sink is beautiful. Are you in Massachusetts???

    Warm regards from Debbie in Florida

  19. chris2z, on August 9th, 2011 at 11:59 pm Said:

    thast cool! you know, whenever i tell someone i’m from norwell there like “norwell? wheres that?” but yeah, thats cool!

  20. sqlator, on August 10th, 2011 at 12:54 am Said:

    HarryandWessex….
    You were not paying attention. She was talking about the “cementing” process used when lead is used but the video was showing a copper foil piece being worked on. This is an understandable mistke someone could make who isn’t capable of walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time. I have some of Jane’s work installed in my home (Lead) and I can assure you that she knows exactly what she is doing and talking about.

  21. Louellamarierose, on August 10th, 2011 at 1:21 am Said:

    Oh how I wish I was there with you in person, I am a mosaic artist, and I just love what you are doing, I should take some classes, anyways, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!

  22. tc25d, on August 10th, 2011 at 2:16 am Said:

    These stained glass “windows” will last a very long time and are indeed sealed from the weather. Usual problems are related to G forces beyond their design – such as slamming a door. Also, if person or object hits it or even leans against it too hard they might break. Thanks for sharing your video but I agree that you should narrate it.

    Good job – your work is amazing! :)

  23. HarryandWessex, on August 10th, 2011 at 2:18 am Said:

    For one she isn’t working with lead but rather with copper adhesive tape. Moreover a foil piece is far from being sturdy enough to act as a door window….lastly copperfoil does not provide a water tight barrier capable of sustaining more that a few years of wear as it’s bond is entierly reliant on solder and glue adhesive.

  24. HarryandWessex, on August 10th, 2011 at 2:53 am Said:

    I am very disapointed by the missinformation in this piece. The woman working on the panel states that she is forcing the solder “in between all the lead” and that this will “water proof the window.” This is positivly untrue.

  25. Leopardman33, on August 10th, 2011 at 3:41 am Said:

    Would love some on techniques. Your work is beautiful, I’ve done some ambitious designs myself, but just for me not commission. Thanks for sharing! :) )))))

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