What tools & supplies do I need to make

Stained Glass Art?

There are a zillion and a half tools & supplies out there to help you make stained glass art, and it can be confusing to know what to get as a beginner stained glass artist.

Fortunately, you’ll only need a few to get started.

Essential Tools & Supplies for Stained Glass Art (Copper Foil Method)

  • Art Glass
  • Cutter
  • Cutting oil (mineral oil is cheap & effective)
  • Grozing Pliers
  • Running Pliers
  • Grinder (I’m a fan of the Gryphon Gryphette – it’s relatively inexpensive, small, and good quality)
  • Copper Foil
  • Fid
  • Xacto or other craft knife
  • Solder
  • Flux
  • Soldering Iron (I highly, very, very highly recommend the Hakko FX-601 02. The FX 601-02 fits U.S. outlets, the FX 601-01 is for Japan.)
  • Wax (Carnauba car wax works great)
  • Jump Rings (or make your own with copper wire, a wire cutters, and a pen or dowel)
  • Safety equipment (full list with links on my Stained Glass Safety page)

Can I just buy a Beginner Stained Glass Kit?

You sure can! If price isn’t as much of a concern, many supply stores have beginner stained glass kits available. I’d highly recommend purchasing one with a Hakko 601 soldering iron. It’s going to make your soldering life much smoother.

Where do I buy stained glass materials & supplies?

I’m starting the list with small businesses, since I prefer to support them whenever possible. In the event that they’re sold out, amazon is a solid back up.

Glass is expensive to ship, so I do recommend purchasing from suppliers that are close to you geographically. Not all suppliers carry the same glass or every tool you may need or want, so there are times when you’ll have to (or want to) pay a bit more for shipping.

I have not shopped with all of these suppliers. The ones I haven’t, I’m listing based on recommendations from other stained glass artists, or those that have good ratings or been in business for many years.

East Coast

Anything in Stained Glass – Maryland (has some of the best prices I’ve found & wonderful service)

Warner Art Glass – PA (another personal go-to shop with fantastic service every time)

Whittemore-Durgin – Massachusetts

Middle Chunk of the U.S.

Glass Supplies 41 – Colorado (great prices for tools & supplies-fast shipping & wonderful service)

Delphi Glass – Michigan – Ships Internationally

Franklin Art Glass – Ohio

Ed Hoy’s Art Glass Supplies – Illinois

West Coast & South West

Bullseye Glass – Oregon

SW Art Glass – Arizona ***They do flat rate shipping for $15 on some products in the continental U.S.***

Cavallini Glass – Texas

Harmony Glass – California

International

Most of the above do ship internationally. Will update as I find reputable recommendations outside the U.S.

Want to learn to make Stained Glass?

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