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What do you give someone who has everything?  That's  one tough question to answer, as one who has everything couldn't possibly be excited with one more thing.  But try stained glass, and maybe, just maybe, his eyes will light up.  This is because stained glass is not only exquisitely beautiful, but timeless.  The great cathedrals of Europe are an eloquent testimony to the heights man can reach with stained glass.  So how do you go about buying one?
Step 1:

Know precisely what is it you want.  Okay, you want a lamp shade to be the piece d'resistance of your home décor.  But what kind?  Do you want a floor lamp?  A hanging lamp?  Or a table lamp?  Do you want a Tiffany?  Or a Frank Lloyd Wright?  Do you want one depicting butterflies?  Or flowers?  If flowers, what kind?  Irises?  Orchids?

Step 2:

Next, choose your artist.  And, believe me, spend more time choosing him than choosing your tropical wall art.  Use the Internet.  Ask friends.  Attend craft shows and gallery openings. 

Call your artist, and be ready with your answers to the Step 1 questions.  Having narrowed  your area of  interest, the artist will come to the meeting prepared with his sketches, design books, and examples of similar work. 

Step 3:

Arrange to meet the  artist.  A personal meeting right where the project will be installed is best. This is to enable the artist to spot important factors which you might miss.  But even if this were not possible, you should still be able to discuss the commission through e-mail.  The Internet makes this very easy.

Step 4:

Flesh-out  the artist with the nitty-gritty of the commission.  For example, you might want an intricate design for your window which would be best done using copper foil construction;  but, since it's going to be exposed to the elements, lead or zinc came construction will have to be used.  This meeting usually ends with an estimate of the project's cost.

Step 5:

Wait for the artist to come up with the final design.  In the design stage, the artist refines the design further.  Taking off from a clear statement of what precisely it is that the client wants,  the artist comes up with several  options that will secure all the elements needed.  Several preliminary drawings and further meetings or conferences will have to be made before the final design is ready. 

Step 6:

Wait for the artist to choose the materials.  Now comes the part which spells success or disaster:  choosing the materials.  With the final design at hand, the artist will now decide which type of glass will be used.  This is not very easy.  Certain designs require a certain color which may not be very easy to find in glass.  

There is also the question of which other materials should be used:  lead or zinc?  What to use for the framing?  How about the vase cap? 

Step 7:

Wait for the delivery of the finished product.  The artist starts actual work.  This is where real, arduous work begins, culminating in the delivery of the finished product.

About this Author:
Article provided by the authors at Walldecorandhomeaccents.com - visit the site for big discounts on hand painted canvas art and
metal wall art sculptures.
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