In a broad sense, there are two basic types of glass: cathedrals and opalescents, sometimes called opals. You will want to work a little differently with each when using them in stained glass stepping stones.
Cathedral glass, while colored or colorless, is transparent. In other words, you can see your hand through it. You can read a book through it, and you can see concrete through it. So, when using this type of glass in stepping stones, it is necessary, in my opinion, to back the glass with wide Venture Tape. More on that later.
Opalescent glass is more opaque. It comes as a solid color but also with several colors or shades mixed together to produce a beautiful pattern of waves and swirls.
Within each of these two categories are several sub-categories. In alphabetical order they are antique, Baroque, collage, crackle, dichroic, drapery, Flemish, foxtail, globs, glue chip, fibroid, granite textured, hammered, honeycomb, iridized, noogie, pinnacle, ring mottle, ripple, rondels, rough cast, rough rolled, seedy, slush, machine rolled smooth, smooth ripple, stipple, streakies, trapunto, wispy, and more. Some of these terms are used exclusively by one company or another, but the majority are fairly common to most.
When making stained glass stepping stones, smooth glass is preferred. I find Spectrum brand to be good for many reasons.
• It has a nice smooth texture which is particularly suited to stepping stones.
• It is reasonably priced.
• It cuts easily.
• There is a wide variety of pretty colors and types available.
• It’s made in the USA.
• It is easily accessible because it’s the brand that Hobby Lobby carries.
Unless you’ve got a wholesale account with a stained glass supplier, craft stores are a great source for manageable amounts of glass that won’t break the bank. Go to Hobby Lobby's website and sign up for a weekly email notification of their internet coupons. Or, if you prefer, click here to see what’s offered for the week. Sometimes, the week’s special is 50% off stained glass. Just print that coupon and take it to Hobby Lobby for a great deal. Buy one piece or buy 100. There’s no limit. Other times, a coupon for 40% off one item is offered. Also not a bad deal.
Next up: Brands of Glass for Your Stepping Stones
