About Milly Frances

Milly Frances November 25, 2013 About Milly Frances2017-03-09T10:29:27+00:00 16 Comments

In case you're wondering who I am, I'm Milly Frances. I've been working with stained glass for over - yikes - 20 years now, both as a professional artist and as a trained teacher. I also play 5-aside football (badly).

My biggest love is working alongside people early in their stained glass journey and giving them the confidence to find their own artistic direction. I love the excitement when students realise making stained glass is not as hard as they thought and that they CAN make the vision in their minds come to life. I feel as if I've given them wings to fly.

Stained glass has enriched my own life in so many different ways. On a professional level I earned an income from teaching and lecturing, success with my company 'Striking Glass', recognition from fellow glass artists worldwide and kudos from editing a glossy magazine, 'Glass Network'.

But it's the personal benefits that underpin my life. Stained glass gives me self-confidence, keeps my vital creative spark alive, provides me with a much-needed escape from the digital world and makes me proud of myself and my 'makers hands'.

I can honestly say that without stained glass my life would be very different. In a bad way!

6 years ago I set up Everything Stained Glass to share my skills in a way that opened similar doors for other people. The site started as a couple of free tutorials and grew into a whole online school with Foundation Courses and all sorts, including videos, eBooks and easy to follow 'how to' instruction. I'm based in Bristol, UK but teach people from all over the world. Stained glass travels well!

My teaching philosophy

I'm not interested in 'I know best' or 'This is the ONLY way to do it'. I'm interested in guiding you through the essential skills, step by careful step, so that your belief in your ability grows. I want you to be confident walking along your own artistic path. And (there's more!) I want you to experience those moments of quiet joy when it's just you, your hands and your precious creative spark coming together to make beautiful stained glass. This is what I strive for.

If you're finding your feet with stained glass and need a knowledgeable and encouraging hand, I'm here to help. A big welcome to Everything Stained Glass.

P.S. Although I am a professional stained glass artist with advanced techniques, my focus here is on introducing and nurturing those new to stained glass. If you're already an experienced expert, feel free to browse and share your secret tips - there's always something new for us all to learn!

16 Comments Already

Sam Hutsell - January 23rd, 2019 at 12:13 am none Comment author #6482 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Hi Milly,
Just found your site tonight while researching something I wanted to try on a sidelight that I am doing for my daughter.

She wanted bevels in the window, no problem. But she didn’t want people to be able to see thru them. I tried etching compound on the back of 2″x6″ diamond bevels, but that was a dismal failure. I then had the idea of layering an obscured glass to the beveled diamond. I have cut pieces that match the size and shape of the bevels and my thought is to thoroughly clean both then use a 1/4″ foil to bind the two pieces together. The added thickness of the layered glass should make the 1/4″ foil match the foil of the adjoining pieces. This will also elevate the diamond bevels which I think will be a nice affect.

My questions are:

1. Is my reasoning sound?
2. Have you done anything like this, if so, any suggestions?

Thanks so much,

Sam

Reply
- Milly Frances - January 31st, 2019 at 2:23 pm none Comment author #6597 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  You can plate glass together like this Sam, yes. I haven’t done it with bevels but can’t foresee any problems. You must make sure they are totally dry as you don’t want any condensation trapped in between the layers. Soldering around them may be a little trickier as – depending on the thickness of your obscuring glass – there might an angle to negotiate. If so, solder from the top. Good luck.
  
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Sandra E Kunkle - January 6th, 2019 at 3:54 pm none Comment author #6106 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Hi Milly
I have been doing stained glass, have my own home workshop, for over 30 years. A couple of yrs ago, I learned, have no idea where, to use “Mother’s Carnuba Was”, Walmart. After washing your item, dry; apply light coat on item with a sponge; let dry about 5 min. Use paper towel to wipe off; very shiny. At this point, apply patina, black or copper if wanted; re-apply another lighter coat of the was; shine; done. You can see the “black” come off on the paper towel; when you don’t see any more black after rubbing, you are done. I am partial to copper patina, however, this year I made 21 Christmas trees and they were so pretty in silver, I left them; decorated with them with Dollar Tree jewels; turned out very nice.

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- Milly Frances - January 9th, 2019 at 3:56 pm none Comment author #6213 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  Thank you Sandra for sharing how you achieve a nice black patina. I’m interested in the use of wax first, before patina. I polish mine first, then patina, then wax as a final process. I’ll have a go at your method.
  21 Christmas trees!!! That was a sterling effort, well done you 🙂
  
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PERROUX Raymond - November 15th, 2018 at 7:09 pm none Comment author #4945 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Google Translate says:
I have been a fan of stained glass for about fifteen years. I did a lot of projects, especially in Tiffany and some lead. I love the work in 3D boxes terrariums birds. Pinterest is an inexhaustible source. We even find our dream projects !!! And that’s where I got to know you. I hope we will exchange to continue to improve our results.
Original from Raymond:
Je suis un adepte du vitrail depuis une quinzaine d’années. J’ai réalisé pas mal de projets, surtout en Tiffany et quelques uns au plomb. J’aime beaucoup le travail en 3D boîtes terrariums oiseaux. Pinterest est une source inépuisable. On y trouve même nos projets en rêve !!! Et c’est la que j’ai fait votre connaissance. J’espère que nous échangerons afin de continuer à améliorer nos résultats.

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- Milly Frances - November 20th, 2018 at 12:32 pm none Comment author #4982 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  Absolutely Raymond! I’m always open to other people’s ideas and ways of making stained glass. There’s always something new to learn. Good luck with your future projects.
  Google Translate says:
  Absolument Raymond! Je suis toujours ouvert aux idées des autres et aux façons de faire du vitrail. Il y a toujours quelque chose de nouveau à apprendre. Bonne chance dans vos projets futurs.
  
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Donna Hanson - May 15th, 2018 at 7:54 pm none Comment author #2500 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Hi Millie, I tried to make stain glass many eons ago. I liked it but with a toddler running around it just wasn’t the right time for making stained glass. I have been making beaded jewelry for 4 years and am fascinated by sun catchers. I have bought sun catchers that had beads only and then some with stained glass. I’ve decided it is time to break out my stained glass tools and try again. I see so many lovely items on Pinterest and that is where I found you. I am looking forward to your tips, tutorials, and your lovely work. Thanks for the inspiration. -Donna H.

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- Milly Frances - May 23rd, 2018 at 1:53 pm none Comment author #2521 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  It’s so good to hear that you’re back in the Stained Glass fold Donna. I’m happy to hear that the tools are coming out and you are gearing up for some new projects. Let us know how you get on with your new-found inspiration.
  
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Tanya - April 2nd, 2018 at 3:34 pm none Comment author #2268 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Hi Milly- I’m NEW, NEW, NEW to stained glass but have always always thought loved and admired it! Haven’t tried it before because it looks like only an artistic person does, which I am not. Everything I’ve read says anyone can do so I am going to try so I am going to really going to be reading your post, websites, and watching your utube videos. Thank you for putting your passion online and helping everyone that needs as much help as I don’t!!!!

Tanya 🌺

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- Milly Frances - April 3rd, 2018 at 11:26 am none Comment author #2272 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  What a lovely enthusiastic comment Tanya, thanks so much 🙂 You can find stained glass patterns to make until you feel more confident so stained glass is DEFINITELY something you can do without making your own designs.
  I’m happy that you’re enjoying my site and finding it useful.
  
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Stan - January 13th, 2018 at 7:02 pm none Comment author #1622 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Milly,
You sound like a glass artist “kindred spirit”. The UK is a LONG journey from Dallas, Texas in the U.S. BUMMER! I’d love meet you and learn from you. I have taken a couple basic stained glass sessions learning from a local stained glass artist, Nan Phillips, but she is always away displaying her art out-of-town. I believe I will learn a lot more about various stained glass techniques from your well done website. Thanks for being around from us fledgling beginners.

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- Milly Frances - January 16th, 2018 at 4:27 pm none Comment author #1640 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  This made me laugh Stan 🙂 Luckily for us we have the Internet to connect us and we can all learn from one another through that. Of course I have my classes online too if you prefer to learn in a structured way – Stained Glass Made Perfect for copper foil and Leaded Stained Glass Artistry for… lead 😉
  Good luck with your next project.
  
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Sharan - May 21st, 2017 at 4:32 pm none Comment author #554 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Hi Millie,
Thanks for all your advice and tips. I’d like to subscribe to your new class. Can’t find the link though. Am I being extra thick or just short-sighted?
Have looked at some of the pics on your site. I think I met one of your students at an event I did last November, Sarah?
Small world isn’t it?
Kind regards
Sharan

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- Milly Frances - May 21st, 2017 at 5:24 pm none Comment author #555 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  Hi Sharan, thanks for your interest in the Stained Glass Made Perfect course. You’re not thick (extra or otherwise!) or short-sighted – the course will be available on Wednesday 24 May. You’ll hear about it via my newsletter and it will be on the website.
  Yes, you met Sarah Davies I think? Stained glass IS a very small world indeed – and a very nice one in my experience!
  
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Jackie M - May 19th, 2017 at 1:40 pm none Comment author #529 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass

Love reading your tips, instructions, videos. Best for new or returning students.

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- Milly Frances - May 19th, 2017 at 2:48 pm none Comment author #530 on About Milly Frances by Everything Stained Glass
  
  Thank you Jackie! You’re spot on with the level – those are the students I love the most 🙂
  
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