Stained Glass, Copper Foil, Mistakes, Help, Advice, Patterns, Designs, Wall Lights, Art Deco, Granville
Wall Sconces
These pretty wall lights have to be one of the most pleasing things you can make in stained glass. They look stunning when lit and have a really practical purpose.
I’ve always loved art deco designs and chanced upon a book from the States full of similar designs to the ones you see here. The designs were meant to be produced as a single front panel for which you could then buy a custom made (and very expensive) metal base from the publishers of the book which allowed you to convert the panel into a free standing desk lamp. I reasoned that it should be possible to design an alternative fitting out of glass which allowed you to hang the panel on a wall, perhaps even turn it into a light fitting.
I’ve always loved art deco designs and chanced upon a book from the States full of similar designs to the ones you see here. The designs were meant to be produced as a single front panel for which you could then buy a custom made (and very expensive) metal base from the publishers of the book which allowed you to convert the panel into a free standing desk lamp. I reasoned that it should be possible to design an alternative fitting out of glass which allowed you to hang the panel on a wall, perhaps even turn it into a light fitting.
Note the difference between the metal 90 degree fitting and the plastic 45 degree fitting which wasn't suitable |
My biggest problem was finding a lamp bracket to hold a candle bulb vertically which also held the bulb close to the wall with minimal clearance. The width of the side panels determined the clearance I had available and I also had to consider the heat generated by the bulb (these were done prior to LED bulbs being so widely available).
Eventually I found a light fitting and worked out a way of hanging the glass panel onto the wall. It actually hangs on the glass cross piece at the back but I also added a chain for extra security. I have to admit that they are a little fragile. |
The sconces are all made using copper and there are dozens of websites offering instruction on the technique on the internet. To reduce costs I only leaded them fully on the front side. The intricate curved sections were done using a grinding machine but it would be possible to do the simplest designs or draw your own without the need for this specialist tool.
I’ve produced the sconces in pairs simply because we have two wall light fittings in our conservatory and I can rotate the designs every few months or so.
Several people have asked me if I would make them a set of these but in truth I don’t want the responsibility of supplying not only an electrical item but a fragile electrical item. These things wear well if they are hung on a wall but are a devil to store without breakage. I’ve had them hung on my walls several years without a problem but I have store the others very carefully when not in use.
This was the first panel I made and there are several things I learned which I modified in the most recent ones: The large black sections should have been split along the line of the side support. The sides put too much stress on the piece the way that I’ve made them and I have had one crack in use. The side panels should have extended right to the bottom of the design thereby including the loose triangle. This piece is far too fragile by itself. The side panels should have been in a lighter coloured glass. Selection of the side colours is an important decision since you have to reach a compromise between highlighting the front panel and illuminating the room. Dark side panels will produce an uplight effect. Similarly be careful about using too much black glass in your model. |
I wanted to be able to show these lights to friends and display them independently in other rooms so I made a hanging board which you might be interested in. In truth we don’t have room in our house to use this so it sits unused in the attic but you might pick up a few ideas from its design.
I would love to have produced more of these sconces. I have many more designs but there is a limit to how many wall lights you need since they all have to be stored away for the majority of the time.