Cow Skull Medicine Wheel

By: Diamond Tech

If you're looking to add some Native American flair to your home, check out this stained glass project for a Cow Skull Medicine Wheel from Diamond Tech. It works great as a dream catcher, and is perfect for intermediate crafters.

Materials:

Stained Glass – Color Suggestions:
Skull – off white
Horns – a lighter shade of off white
Background - coral
Wire 20 gauge silver
Studio Pro™ Soldering Iron
Studio Pro™ Foil Shears (optional)
Horseshoe nails or metal thumbtacks
Studio Pro™ Flux
Paint Brush (to apply flux)
Fid
Max Grinder
Studio Pro™ Glass Cutter or Band Saw
Assorted embellishments
Studio Pro™ Foil
Homosote board or heat resistant surface

Project Tips:

Before you begin find a place to work that has great ventilation where you can open a window and use a fan.
An area safe from children and pets is recommended.
The less you move an unfinished project, the less likely you are to have damage.
Please read and follow all directions carefully. When working with glass, protect your feet and legs by wearing pants and closed toe shoes. Eye protection is essential.

Instructions:

Make a duplicate copy of the pattern; this copy will be used later on in the project.
Number or code both patterns exactly the same.
Mark direction of glass onto pattern copy. The color or texture of your stained glass will determine the direction of your glass, which will enhance your panel if used correctly.
Using a sharp pair of foil shears carefully cut apart the pattern. Accuracy is important for proper fitting finished pieces. No foil shears? Then cut on the inside of the dark pattern outlines.
Separate pattern pieces according to color and store in a plastic bag or envelope until ready to glue to glass.
Clean glass and place smooth side up.
Using an opaque paint marker or permanent marker, trace the pattern pieces on the glass. Write the number from the pattern piece onto the glass. If you are using textured glass in your design, cut on the reverse (smooth side) of the glass, make sure the pattern is turned face down when cutting. This will ensure your cut pieces will be correct when turned back over.
Using a glass cutter or a band saw, cut pattern pieces from your glass. Some of the panels have pattern pieces with small inside curves. You will need a ¼” grinder head or band saw to cut these pieces.
Use a grinder to smooth glass edges if necessary.
Select proper foil and patina for the color and thickness of your glass. Burnish foil onto glass, easing foil into inside curves for consistent solder lines with a fid.
Place pattern on the heat resistant surface and position foiled cut on top. Carefully remove pattern and secure in place with horseshoe nails or layout blocks.
Preheat the soldering iron. Apply flux in small areas at a time with a little brush. Remember, if you make a mistake (using copper foil), you can re-flux and go over it again.
First, solder the corners to secure the glass, and hold it in place. Something to note throughout the process is to let the solder flow at it's own pace. You are the guide. It is best to start at the top of your pattern and solder down. This is so you don't accidentally hit the solder before it dries.
Place the solder close to the foil. With the soldering iron tip, slowly melt the solder onto the flux and foil to run a bead of solder along each joint.
Finish by soldering the balance of the foil. Remember to apply the flux a little at a time. Take your time. Patience is a virtue in any art form.
Solder the entire front side then turn over to solder the back- use same method as above. If you get a thick, bumpy appearance, you either need more flux or heat.
Solder both sides with equal accuracy and neatness using a minimum of flux. Soldering should be done in one day to prevent oxidation. Clean all solder thoroughly before applying patina. Apply glass polish, following directions on package.
Attach hanging hooks or framing as desired.
TIP: Use your imagination for the embellishments; feathers, beads, agate slices, shells, arrowheads, sheepskin, leather and old jewelry. To attach feathers to the stained glass piece, wrap the end of the feather and a piece of hooked wire with string.
Place a bead over the end and solder to the bottom of the medicine wheel.
For larger panels, increase panel pattern by the following percentages:
14 inch panel – 127% 20 inch panel – 182% 24 inch panel – 218%