The first step is to decide on a design and draw to scale.
Each piece of glass making up the panel is carefully selected for effects of colour and texture and cut to the pattern guidelines.
Each piece of glass cut is ground for smooth edges and assistance for foil adhesion before it is foiled.
This is a long and labourious process but important in the perfection of the panel, if anything is ever perfect. Generally I use a black backed 7/32 foil.
It is then time to put the puzzle together: the pieces are soldered to each other in a particular order to ensure maximum strength.
Soldering can also be used to create special effects in a piece.
The panel is then cleaned and dried ready for the patina which colours the solder, perhaps gold, black or it may be left silver. It is then washed again thoroughly, left to dry completely and then coated in a finishing polish which prevents oxidisation.
And voilá ... a new piece is born!