Terminology and what's in a name?
Moulton Glass is not a spelling mistake for ‘molten glass’ but is named after the village where we live – we do not do carry out hot processes such as fusing or slumping glass.
Well, my definition is that leadlight windows are made from small pieces of glass – often with different colours and textures – held together with ‘H’ shaped lead bars called lead ‘cames’ which are soldered together. The cames are filled with a glazing cement that gives the window strength and makes it waterproof.
Leadlight windows are often found in Victorian / Edwardian properties in windows, or above doors as fan-lights (semi circular) or transom-lights (square/rectangular). Leadlights are decorative, strong and have some impact resistance as they have some flexibility, however whilst solid lead and glass can be heavy.
Stained glass windows are effectively leadlight windows, but the glass has been ‘stained’ or painted with a dye that is then baked in an oven to give a permanents image. This can allow for detailed images to be created, the lead cames can be incorporated in the design to emphasise an outline or border. So it is stained glass windows that can be found in abundance in places of worship.
Stained glass windows are a generic terminology to include lead light windows; although at Moulton Glass we only make the latter.
Tiffany lampshades are the ones with the unique floral or other stunning designs which incorporate pieces of glass and various sized blobs of glass (called nuggets or beads). Louis Tiffany perfected the method of joining glass and glass beads/nuggets together by sticking copper foil to the edges and carefully soldering the pieces together.
Copper foiling is the terminology that refers to the light catchers or other decorative product Moulton Glass makes. Copper foiling allows for small detailed shapes to be formed and weighs much less than lead came. Copper foil and the solder can have a patina added to give a copper or black finish
Workshop FAQs
Our workshops are held in our workshop in Moulton. 2a Regent Street, CW9 8NY. Click here to find us on google maps.
We are more than happy to run extra workshops at different times as well as private sessions just for your group – just get in touch and we’ll see what we can do!
We like to keep our classes to no more than 4 attendees so you can be rest assured you’re in very safe hands and can ask as many questions as you like.
Yes we can, and have run workshops for large groups before in external venues. Groups include local Guides, WI and workshops at other large craft centres. Get in touch for a no obligation chat!
Yourself! We provide all equipment, glass and safety gear that you will need. We do recommend you wear an apron or an old jacket of some sort that can be washed as soon as you get home as tiny glass shards do sometimes fly around.
As part of our workshop, we go through the health and safety of the glass cutting environment, providing you with goggles and gloves. Andy will show you how to use each tool letting you have a hold of everything with demonstrations along the way. We like to say if you can snap a bar of chocolate – you can snap glass!
Unfortunately our studio is up a flight of stairs with no lift access. We do have a toilet and plenty of seating and refreshments inside.
Either get in touch with us and we will happily book you in manually and you can pay on the door, or click here to go to our Eventbrite page.