The glories of glass.  The colour selection is complete. I matt the surface of the glass with a black glaze or 'trace paint' and scratch back to discover the design that magically transfers itself from Jackie's words, through the visual images growing in my mind and into the surface of the paint, revealing the colours of the glass below.  The main elements of the design are decided before I cut the glass but the details are rough and sketchy, I develop them and research as I go along.

The painted pieces are fired in a kiln to about 660 degrees centigrade.  I then need to fit them together in the tradtional way using lead 'cames' which are soldered together at the joins.

After soldering the leads together I get my first look at the panel as a complete work against the light.

The panel then has to be 'cemented'.  That is glazing cement is pushed into all the lead work to ensure that the glass is secure, tightly fitted and waterproof.

Whiting, a chalk like substance, is spread over the panel to absorb the surplus cement and then brushed off.

Finally the leads are cleaned with wire wool and then a finish of grate polish is applied and buffed up.

And HURRAH! The panel is completed! I wonder how much of the story you can read in here?......

Keep an eye out for our next update with some exciting news about badges!

Go well, Wild Folk,

Tamsin x