To commission a window, you will need to contact the artist, with details of the size of the window, and an idea of the fixing - stone masonry, wood etc. If possible an idea of the subject matter will be of help, as well as an outline of the nature of the window; will it be for a church group or community? Is it a memorial or celebration?

It will be necessary for the artist to visit the site, to take measurements and to view where the window physically is, how much light is available, whether it faces north, west, south or east - all these things have an enormous bearing on the eventual window. Design stages follow, and Clare will tend to provide watercolour projections of the final window. These watercolours represent the whole thought process of the window, taking scale, colour, light, and client requirements into account.

When the design is accepted, the window will go into production, firstly a full size design, called the "cartoon" is drawn up, then the glass is selected, and cut to the cartoon. Each piece of glass is then painted and fired, sometimes only once, more often twice or more. Occasionally a piece of glass has multiple firings, (the most ever to date being 11, in a window for St Andrews Church, Taunton).

When all the painting and firing has been completed, the window is constructed using the traditional method of leading, soldering and cementing. Where a window is of larger proportions several windows will be made which fit together upon installation. For installation the artist will arrange to be on site, with professional glaziers or stone masons, dependant upon the fixing requirements of the window.

If you would like Clare to make a window for your home, place of work or local church please telephone or email.

Somerset Guild of Craftsmen
www.somersetguild.co.uk

UK Stained Glass News (on-line)
www.stainedglassnews.co.uk

Craftsman craft&design Magazine
www.craftanddesign.net