In recent months, we've greatly expanded our catalogue of modular components. We're giving you more and more options to make exactly the frame you need for your stained glass patterns. That means you can set up more quickly, complete panels more easily, and get more professional-looking results, faster than ever!
Let's look at some of the new items we've recently released and how they can help you lay out many amazing stained glass pieces.
The Basics: Modular Rectangle Kits
Our first kits for glass making were our modular rectangle kits, both the standard kit and the super-sized kit. These kits include four corner pieces and a range of sides. With these kits, you don't need to measure your layout frame, or check and re-check the perfect angles on your corners. Whether it's a long, narrow rectangular panel or a small square suncatcher, these pieces give you a wide range of options.
While there are other rectangular kits out there on the market, none of them are as simple to set up as ours. Each piece is cut to the exact measurement - and with our spacers, you can get measurements down to the quarter inch.
If you know what size your pattern is, you can just lay out the pieces, with the jigsaw-style ends ensuring that your frame comes together in just minutes.
Turning the Corner: The Angles you Need
Right angles aren't the only angles! Knowing that our glass artists need to make shapes of various kinds - triangles, hexagons, octagons, and more - we released a set of corner pieces that make a range of different angles.
It's not easy to lay out an octagonal pattern! We have felt the pain and frustration of having just one angle slightly off. It can throw off the entire look of the piece. But with our modular corners, you can be sure that your sides and corners are exactly right. And you don't need a protractor to do it. If your glass pieces fit our corners, you know they make the precise angle you need.
Curves for Days
Most recently, we created a new kind of corner piece. They still make a 90-degree angle, but they include a quarter-circle. So now you can make beautifully curved corners, adding extra character to your panels.
And to add even more visual interest, we have both inside curves and outside curves! So if you want a square or rectangle with rounded corners, no problem.
And if you want lovely scalloped edges, that's just as easy!
At the Ends: Arches and Other Windows
Among our most popular frames since their release are our arched windows, both the rounded and pointed arch styles. The frame sets we released cover a good range of window sizes that make very attractive panels. Arched windows are also a classic shape for stained glass.
So we've made arched window components that you can use to make windows of any length! Making a window two feet long and six inches wide? Easy! Eight inches wide and six inches tall? Not a problem! Put our arched window components together with your modular layout kit, and you're good to go.
But arches aren't the only way to add interest to your windows. Inspired by Victorian aesthetics, we've also created three new "window tops" that you can add to your modular kits, adding great visual interest by evoking classic styles. Our iris, ogee, and draped windows can get you started on a whole new range of stained glass panels that you won't find anywhere else. And you can set them up just as quickly and easily as a square or circle.
One more thing - these aren't just for the top of your windows. Maybe you're looking for an oblong shape that's different from the shapes we make in our oblong frames kit. Now you can put two arched window components at either end, and voila! An oblong shape that's just as long and wide as you need.
With all these Glassola Tools modular components, the possibilities are nearly endless.
All Together: Unique shapes for your glass art
Glassola Tools products are used by hundreds of glassmakers around the world to lay out their glass art more quickly, more easily, and without hassle. And we're always working to find new ways to make stained glass making easier.
Our modular kits are a more and more popular way to create stained glass panels of almost any shape and size. And like all our tools, they're incredibly easy to set up and ensure that angles and curves are exactly right. Every time.
Look into Glassola Tools modular layout components, and level up your glass today!