HOW TO - Attaching Lead Hobby Came to a Stained Glass Suncatcher

Hi! A few of you have a asked for a video on attaching hobby came to suncatchers - so here you go! I hope it's helpful. =)
If you're curious about any of the tools or supplies that I use, here's a comprehensive list of just about everything I personally use in my studio.
samanthaashleyglass.bigcartel...

[@schmedrake]

Wow. Thank you so much. I have never used lead hobby came before. I'm a better than average edge solderer and actually enjoy it. But I'll be wanting to finish larger, freeform pieces at some point. This video made it look easy using the skills I already have. And now I know why people don't foil the outside pieces and I understand the challenges of knowing where to stop foiling.

[@hollylackey8562]

This was SO helpful. Thank you! I used hobby came yesterday for the first time and I can't wait to try again with these techniques.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I'm glad you found this helpful! I like to remind people that almost every step of the stained glass process has multiple ways to do it. There's rarely just one right way. 👍🏻

[@B30pt87]

That's pretty! I enjoy your voice - very clear, and easy to undersstnd.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thanks!

[@susanb8354]

I really like your solder lines. They never look thick and clumsy. Could you make a video sometime that shows your studio setup which I like from the glimpses I see? I love your glass cabinet and the smart place you found to attach your lead stretching base which could always get in the way. Yours is in a perfect place. I’m especially interested in your soldering ventilation system.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you so much, and that's a great idea, I didn't know it would be an interesting video. Once I finish my current collection, I'll do a little studio tour. 🙂

[@Snowisper]

Perfect! this is exactly what I needed help on! Thanks for your video!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

You're welcome! 🙂

[@susanbertoncini4761]

Thank you, this was a great lesson, your video was very helpful

[@suedonnenwirth3269]

Wow, I love your tutorial 🥰

[@sameianashef2262]

Very creative

[@loripeterson5403]

Excellent video!!

[@mohammedqadir6187]

Superb design work

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you! 🙂

[@Marie1119]

Got it - thanks!!

[@hemmerable]

Hi Samantha! Lovely piece! What temp do you like to solder the hoby came at? Thanks!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you - I solder at 410, but you can always turn down to 360 if you're worried about melting the came.

[@patricksisson3327]

Love this video! How do you clean the flux off your piece after the hobby came is on?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

You clean it just as you would any other piece - flux remover and water.

[@pamelac4434]

What do you set your heat setting to, and what size hobby came do you usually use? Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and tips.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I set my iron to 410°C and I use RU-01 or 5/64th hobby came

[@pamelac4434]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass thank you so much for your helpful reply.🤗

[@acoug]

Thank you so much for this! Also, I need that black and red glove! What is the description so I can find some to purchase. Thanks!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

You're welcome! It's a heat resistant glove for styling hair.

[@mohammedqadir6187]

I am working on 4mm glass, what do you recommend me to use lead came

[@MaisieStirfry]

Another awesome video--thank you! I've been a little nervous about trying to use came but this makes it look doable. May I ask, what kind of chain are you using here (or if you don't mind sharing where you purchased it that would be great)? Thank you, Samantha!

[@MaisieStirfry]

Sorry--I just realized you've got a handy materials list in the description--perfect :)

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you! I used 18 gauge jack chain. I personally like the look (and strength) of Jack chain, so I always keep 16, 18, and 20 gauge on hand in silver, black, and copper. 🙂

[@MaisieStirfry]

Excellent--thank you :) @@SamanthaAshleyGlass

[@Marie1119]

In the stained glass class I took, we added came around the edges of a rectangular picture. I assume this was to give it strength. But for a small piece, why would you use came vs regular foil for the borders? Thanks!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Great question! So for small suncatchers (like 4"-6") I like to just foil and edge bead, but for medium sized free-form suncatchers I like to use hobby came because it's quicker than edge-beading. Some people like to use came no matter the size of the project, because of the nice clean look of came (and because edge beading can be tedious). You'll also probably want to use a deeper came channel for even larger free-form suncatchers to add support. For rectangular pieces, I strictly use zinc came, no matter the size. Zinc is light-weight and rigid.

[@dragonfly3341]

love your way of instructing. thank you. Can you share where your purchased that beautiful gem in the center?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thanks! I got it from Etsy. Look up "iridescent German gem" and there should be a couple options.

[@dragonfly3341]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass thank you kindly!

[@theresevarney4715]

Leslye's Glass Hut, Etsy, she has all kinds of great supplies, including gems & glass!

[@MyPlaceIR]

Thank you. I haven’t tried hobby came yet. Your lesson was great. I do have a question. If I want to buy hobby came online… I see a couple of sizes. What do you use?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

So there are definitely a few options - I usually buy a 3lb spool called 5/64 hobby came (you can get it from Delphi, Ed Hoys, or other places), you can also get RU-01 (which is 6/64) or RU-100 (which is 4/64)

[@MyPlaceIR]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I’ll try the one you use, 5/64 to start out.

[@Lizzycreates]

I am new to stained glass and you make it look so easy thank you. Can i ask if you are selling the pattern for this or can point me in the right direction.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Hi! I do not sell this pattern, but you can try going to Etsy or Google and search for flower patterns if that's what you're interested in 🙂

[@dragonfly3341]

returned to watch your awesome video again and had a question regarding How do you know which size hobby came to use? Thank you.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

That's a difficult question to answer, because the size came that you choose depends on many factors. This is probably the largest piece that I would use 5/64th hobby came on. However, if I made a piece this size that was rectangular or round, I would use 1/8" or larger lead or zinc (it would be stronger and round/rectangular pieces are easier to frame with thicker came). The larger your piece/panel the larger your came should be. If you get to to say a 24"x24" panel, you'll want to use 1/2" zinc came, or a wooden frame. The size of came also depends on aesthetics, maybe you want large came on a small piece just for the looks.

[@dragonfly3341]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass thank you so much for such great information! Much appreciated! ♥️

[@thegratefulsteve]

Do you have any advice on getting patina to react on the hobby came? Specifically copper patina.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

A good scrubbing with steel wool will help get a more even black patina. Copper patina does not work on hobby came unless you tin the entire hobby came with solder. You could also try painting the came with a copper paint for metal

[@kristycannon7923]

Samantha, as always another BEAUTIFUL project! Two questions: Do you sell this pattern? And would you mind sharing the source for your AB jewel? I think that's the largest one I've seen...so pretty, maybe 50mm? I've used mirror backed AB jewels and cover the back (the mirrored side) completely with foil to get the same effect, but alas, you don't get the transparency you have here with your jewel. Very nice! :)

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Thank you so much! I'm doing a whole floral collection right now, and I won't be selling any of the larger flower patterns anytime soon, but I do have another project video coming for small irises, and I will be selling that pattern. (I'll also be adding more of my older patterns to Etsy - I just need to find the time to finesse them) As for the gems, I don't remember the shop name, but I found them in Etsy when searching for iridescent gems

[@kristycannon7923]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass I can appreciate that (with your patterns), you are very talented. No luck doing a search for the large AB jewels.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I just did a search for the gems, and I can't find them either

[@kristycannon7923]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass Thanks for looking! I love using jewels, they make everything so fun! Once I ordered some 2 inch faceted squares from a new vendor and they all came scratched up. I told him and he said,"Do you think anyone will see that scratch sitting in a church pew? They are used scratched all the time!" From then on I never purchased anything from him again! When I see a quality jewel, I usually ask the artist. Thank you for taking the time to look. Can't wait to see your next beautiful project! :)

[@theresevarney4715]

I know this is an old video but if it helps, I bought my gems on Etsy, Leslye's Glass Hut. She is wonderful for all your supplies including glass!

[@nm-bq6ye]

I have been teaching myself how to use hobby came and am having trouble with gaps around some areas. They seem like they could pull away over time. Do you have any tips for preventing this? Maybe just practice, practice, practice? Thank you!

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Unfortunately, without seeing your piece, I can't tell you what the issue is. You can send me a pic on Instagram if you'd like.

[@kathymanzo4061]

Great video! My question is will the hobby came take patina?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Hi, thanks! Lead came will take black patina no problem (just need to rough it up a bit with steel wool and/or magic eraser), it does NOT take copper patina.

[@kathymanzo4061]

@@SamanthaAshleyGlass Thanks for answering my question so fast! I'm going to try it 🙂

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Good luck! And just a note, if you're using the 5/64 hobby came, it stretches very easily, so don't over stretch, just stretch until it looks nice and straight and you feel some resistance when stretching.

[@debratryanowski620]

Do you suggest foiling the edges that are covered by came?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I do not, it's unnecessary

[@rowaneryn1]

Would it work the same way with copper came?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Copper came doesn't bend easily. If you use 1/8" copper came, you can only use it for straight edges, if you use 1/4" or larger, you can bend it into a circle with a came bender

[@megiab]

why did you foil some of the pieces' outer edge and not others?

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

Basically I was just being lazy. The petals where I didn't foil the outside you can easily see where the outer edge starts and stops, but all the pieces, where I foiled the outer edge, overlap with other glass, so I just didn't feel like figuring out where to start and stop the foil.

[@nancyburrowes8940]

What size are you using.

[@SamanthaAshleyGlass]

I used 5/64 here

[@nancyburrowes8940]

Thanks, awesome video. I'm making cute rabbits stakes for outside pots and didn't know if the caning would wrap around the edges, I'll try 5/64.