Butterfly light catcher

by Jeanette
(Brighouse, UK)

I am making a butterfly light catcher. The butterfly wings are heavy and are not staying rigid. They are pulling the foil off of the body. I tried using wire to reinforce them, but it is not working. Is there any thing I can do other than frame the butterfly?

Answer

Without seeing the butterfly, it's difficult to give you an answer. However, copper restrip soldered along the edge of the body before you attach the wings should give it plenty of strength along with soldering copper wire around the entire perimeter of the butterfly once the wings are attached.

repairing a copper foil edge piece which is also where it is hung by

by Linda
(Derwood, MD)

I am repairing an unframed large glass butterfly piece for an elderly friend whose deceased son made for her. It was hung by 4 hooks which were attached at 4 positions at the top wings of the butterfly. My concern is that when I refoil / resolder these 2 glass pieces back in place that it may not be as strong as the original piece was in those areas. The piece was apparently pulled off the wall/window hook too quickly and just pulled the foil off the 2 contact/hook points.
what is the best way to refoil/resolder these pieces for the best support to be able to rehang?

Answer

Solder a wire around the perimeter of the butterfly. The wire will make it stable and will give you a secure place to apply the jump rings.

How do I Reinforce a Copper Foiled Cross?

by Cross has hinge joints
(St. Peter, MN,USA)

I made a cross out of about 12 pieces of stained glass and copper foil. How do I finish the project so that it doesn't fall apart as it is not solid as I had expected. When I pick it up it lacks the strength to remain rigid and I am not sure how to "frame it" . Help???

Answer

The cross has hinge joints and it will bend wherever there is a seam the runs from one edge to the other (hinge joint). The best way to make it solid is to solder a piece of 22 gauge copper wire on the edges of the cross wherever there is a hinge joint. The optimal way would be to solder the wire completely around the piece.

This tutorial will show you how to do that: Finish the Edges With copper Wire