Pattern Creation

Drawing patterns is fun and meditative for me. I try to go to a quite place mentally and physically to draw. All patterns are drawn on 8.5 x 11 piece of copy paper, if needed I enlarge my patterns at the local print shop. I use rulers and markers to create my designs. Most pattern ideas come from my outstanding customers and friends. Mandala designs are created starting with just a circle, sometimes that simple circle becomes 107 bits of glass to play with. All Agate patterns are free form drawn from the shape of the agate being used in the design. When asked to create custom work I will use stock or personal images of animals, plants or custom emblems and logos to make a special design. I tend to make 2 designs of each patterns for approval of the recipient. All stained glass patterns need break points to be aware of while drawing. These points are very thin internal pieces that would break under heat (the soldering process) or stress(polishing and cleaning). These breaks, if not given an avenue can snap the wrong way and ruin a design. This is especially true with numbers and letters. Another important thing to mention all designs with numbers and letters will be drawn backwards. Most glass has a front and a back, the front can be quite textured and can only be cut on the back surface. To ensure the image, words or number sequence is front facing the pattern will always be mirrored.