On my workbench now is this commissioned window for a family in a neighboring town. Because the window is over four feet high, I knew I would construct it using lead came. When I first learned how to make stained glass windows, I learned the "Tiffany style" technique which requires wrapping all the individual piece of glass with copper foil, then melting solder which adheres to the foil and holds it all together. It's a great technique for small, intricate pieces but larger construction requires more strength. Came looks like a capital letter "I" and the glass pieces slot into the sides of the metal. Because it comes in varying widths, I decided to employ that as a design element as well. Often I like to have the lead lines blend into the background so your eye focuses on the beauty of the glass. But for this piece, with all the vines that wrap around the lattice and the delicate elements of the flowers and leaves, I am using the different thicknesses of came to enhance the design. The "horseshoe" nails hold everything in place temporarily while I cut, shape, and slot the glass into the metal. Then I heat up solder and apply it to the joint to hold it permanently. Although the solder joints looks brighter and shinier than the came now, when the whole piece is finished, all the metal will be painted with a black patina. It's a painstaking process but I am really excited about the way it's coming together. If all goes well, it should be completed in a few weeks and I will post photos of the finished window. Stay tuned!