Drawing The Pattern On Glass Pieces

by Carol
(California)

I like to do mosaics using stained glass and a diamond saw. How can I transfer a design onto the glass sheet in order to cut out my pieces? I cannot draw and would just like to trace or transfer a design onto the glass. The glass is colored and can't be seen through. Is my only option carbon paper??? I'm afraid because of the water from the saw, the carbon will fade while I'm cutting pieces. I'm sure there's a simple method! I'm very new to this as you can tell!

Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer
Hi Carol,

The easiest way, since you're using opaque glass, would be to make pattern pieces and trace around them with a paint pen. I have found the Zig Painty Pens to work very well when using a grinder or saw. They are available at most large craft stores like Michaels or AC Moore.

You can find instructions for making pattern pieces here.

I hope other readers will add their comments and tell you how they get the pattern on opaque glass.

I'm not here to change the way you cut glass, but I do wonder why you're using a glass saw rather then cutting the pieces with a glass cutter. Cutting the glass by hand takes far less time, is actually easier than using a saw (for any but the extremely difficult cuts), and a glass cutter is much cheaper than a saw, or even a new saw blade/ring.

No matter how you cut your glass, have fun with it.

Sue