Confession: I’ve used Gallery Glass before. Once upon a time, about 15 years ago, our first home was in an old section of the city and our dining room window was thisclose to our neighbors- we could see right into their house, and vice versa. Back in the day, I made faux stained glass windows so that we could have a modicum of privacy. But then I donated all my Gallery Glass to an art therapy program and conveniently forgot all about it until recently, when I saw lovely exmples at CHA. High time to revisit Gallery Glass.
So the basic premise is this: you create lines with Liquid Leading or a product called Redi-Lead, and then fill in the shapes or designs you create using the various Window Color paints. Gallery Glass Liquid Leading andWindow Color the come in a squeeze bottle for easy application. All the products are completely lead-free and are non-toxic- safe enough for kids to use!
First I tried the Redi-Lead to make a design on some glass ornament blanks I bought in an after-Christmas clearance. The Redi-Lead is a solid, adhesive-backed strip that you can use in to make the designs. The website describes Redi-Lead like this:
Redi-Lead, a set of pre-formed press on strips, allows you to instantly add leading to your surfaces without having to wait for it to dry. Redi-Lead comes in thick and thin strips and circle shapes.
I pressed some Redi-Lead onto my clean surface, and follow the design on the package. I found you can cut Redi-Lead with an X-acto blade to make detailed cuts.
Then I applied some of the Window Color. Just an FYI, Window Color is the consistency of white glue, and like white glue, it goes on opaque but dries clear. I was excited to see that some colors of Window Color have glitter in them- you know I’m a sucker for sparkle!
Now, you’ll want to be careful- if you see any bubbles, you can poke them and pop them with a pin. Otherwise it will show up when it’s dry. Here’s how that piece looks dry and held up to the light:
For my next example, I used the Liquid Leading on a little plastic box. Liquid Leading comes in black, gold, and silver- and I used silver for this project. I’m sorry that I didn’t take pictures of all the steps- but I got so excited playing that I kinda forgot! Anyway, I free-handed my design in Liquid Leading, then let it dry overnight. In the morning, I added my Window Color (click here to see all the colors in the line) AND some micro-beads I had on hand.
As you can see, this project turned out super-cute. I love the fact that you can use Gallery Glass on plastics, too! I can imagine all kinds of ways to use Gallery Glass to upcycle/recycle things (like this trinket box) that might otherwise go in the bin.
Another way you can use Gallery Glass is to make designs on a plastic surface called a Leading Blank ….then peel them off when they are dried and use them where ever you want.(It’s like making your own window clings.)Â When I used it back in the day, I’d made fancy Fleur-de-Lis designs and then applied them to the window, then filled it in with a clear Window Color to give the appearance of antique glass. But you can also make small designs, like these hearts, and then peel them off and attach them to objects for a quick embellishment!
So now for a few more examples. Here’s another ornament I made with the Redi-Lead:
And here’s a piece that my friend made for me about 13 years ago using Gallery Glass, Liquid Leading in black, and micro beads (artwork by Jennifer Schwartz Wright.)
Now, I do have to say something about the longevity of these pieces. The companion to the one above was in storage in my basement for about 3 years, and the color/leading remains a little fluid and/or sticky. The frame next to it left an impression in the piece that I think is permanent. So, kinda like Mod Podge, you need to be aware that it might remain a little tacky and/or take on impressions.
Not that that should dissuade you from using Gallery Glass. For the price of $10.00 USD worth of materials (the Window Color retails for $2, Redi-Lead for about $6 USD, and Liquid Leading for $5) you can make a faux stained glass window for 1/10 of the cost of a real stained glass window. Now that’s a bargain!
Bottom line is that Gallery Glass gets a thumbs-up from me. It’s widely available in stores and online, and you can even find folks like the CreativeGoddess who find ways of using Krafty Bloks and Gallery Glass together that look almost high-end!
Have you used Gallery Glass? Have an opinion to share? I want to hear all about it!
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jengd says
I’ve actually been subscribed to their blog for a while but haven’t tried it yet. It’s high on my list of things to check out.
Jenna says
Jenny, I’m tickled to see the painting I made you all those years ago. I am still using this technique with my art therapy participants and it has a high success rate. We also work on round glass surfaces (jars, candle holders, and ball ornaments to name a few). Plaid has some nice examples on their website. One note I want to add about correcting “mistakes” or smushed/damaged sections: you can cut sections out with a small utility knife and peel them away. Then re-do that section. Lastly, I made my grandfather a similar piece the same year I made yours, and it has been hanging in a sunny California window all this time. The colors are still vibrant! So this product line gets a “thumbs-up” from me, too!
Rachel says
That looks nice (and kind of fun!)! I don’t think I have time to add yet another craft to my list, unfortunately!
Mod Podge Amy says
Gallery Glass is SUPER cool – a lot of people have never tried it, but it completely rocks! The effect is gorgeous. Love your projects!
Carol Smith says
Check out hundreds of Gallery Glass projects and window makeovers on . Patterns and color keys included.
Nanrz says
I’ve been painting glassware for about 8 years now and it’s been the most frustrating and rewarding thing I’ve ever done! I use the GG liquid leading directly on the glassware and fill in with GG paint. My biggest frustration is storing pieces (I make lots and sell them at craft shows). They don’t take prolonged heat well and even after MONTHS of storing them on open shelves, the paint will mar if they’re wrapped in something fuzzy or crinkly. I use butcher paper with the shiny surface against the paint. I’ve also been experimenting with heat setting them. I place the painted glassware in a cold oven and then bring the temp up to 180F. I “bake” at that temp for 15 mins and then turn off the oven, keeping the glass inside until the oven is cool. If you do this after the 72 hrs recommended for paint drying time and after the 24 hours recommended for paint sealant drying time, the finished product is very smooth and free of bubbles. I’m hoping it also helps with curing the paint better/faster. Anyone else tried this?
Jenny says
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Amy Y says
I wanted to paint a mason jar with cow splotches for my son’s drinks for his animal birthday party. I got the black onyx and just did a trial piece before I finish the other 9. Well I guess I should have gone to the site first because I’m confused as to the drying time. The site mentions 8 hours drying time but then 72 hours curing time. His party is Saturday afternoon (it’s 11:47 Thursday night now). So my question is: do you think it will be dry enough for little kids hands to be on it to pick them up to drink from them? Help is appreciated 🙂
Jenny says
Amy- Drying time usually refers to how long it takes for the paint to dry to the touch. “Curing” usually means how long it takes for the chemical conversion to happen so that you can wash it or handle it without damaging the paint. I’m not sure I would have used Gallery Glass- it stays sticky in warm weather- like plastic. At this point, ALL the paints I’m thinking of take 72 hours to cure. Why not just use a paint pen on the outside and then wash it off after the party?
elizabethlee says
Does anyone have a technique to “ungunk” the liquid lead when it gets old and starts thickening. I have bought several bottles and although they were new they must have been on the store shelves for a while. The liquid lead gets very thick and will not flow. It’s too expensive to just waste like this.
Jenny says
Elizabethlee- since this product is water-based, you could try adding a few drops of water and mixing it in to thin it out. I’d remove the cap, squeeze some into a little bowl, add a few drops of water, and mix. Better to try with a portion of the product rather than the whole bottle. You could also try warming the product slightly to see if that makes it easier to squeeze- maybe warm a pan of water and then place the bottle into it (much like warming a baby bottle.) Make sure you come back and let us know your results! Best, Jenny
Dee says
THINNING OLD GALLERY GLASS PAINTS -Don’t spend a fortune if you have a lot of old Gallery Glass paints: I used Gallary Glass leading & paints 15 yrs ago then completely forgot where they where they were stored until I moved for the 3rd time.
WELL! Needless to say, the paints turned to a globby, thick but still kinda wet goo at the bottom of the dispenser.. I invested a couple of hundred dollars in paints & leading from the company. I wasn’t about to give up trying to use them (ones I could remove) at my new homes!
I TRIED WATER TO REJUVENATE the OLDER CAPPED BOTTLES (these twist-off caps DO come off). It worked to thin at first. But when dried it had streaks in the finished product. So, unless you want streaky, hard to remove faux stained-glass designs, don’t use H2O or not too much. Oddly enough the paints CAN still BE USED but we’re not as translucent as a new paints. To my dismay however, the NEWER GALLERY GLASS BOTTLE DESIGN, while easier to squeeze, as the sides are flatter & ergonomic in the hand, if these dehydrate,you can’t untwist the cap; there is no cap! The way to make these newer type bottles liquid again, is to obtain a syringe with a needle to draw up thinner & inject a few drops until desired consistency. I guess, you could cut the bottle with a razor blade or sharp scissor to stir the bottom where the main pigment lay, but won’t be able to seal it again.
BTW:This is NOT SAFE NEAR KIDS FOLKS! Oh, I did try water & it did thin the paints a bit, I found there’s an “ACRYLIC PAINT REJUVINATOR” called either “VALLEJO THINNER MEDIUM” or “CITADEL EAVY METAL MEDIUM” (didn’t misspell it is called “EAVY”.) These thinning media used by painters, work much more effectively than water…(H2O molecules can separate depending on the water inclusions, such as Calcium a component in Soft-Water devices.
SUMMARY: USE ACRYLLIC PAINT THINNER FOR OLD GALLERY GLASS PAINTS- Don’t toss out old but expensive, gooey Gallary Glass paints. Also,stir the bottom where pigment is. Can use a long stick e.g., a Kabob stick or wooden pencil (sans lead) to mix the bottom of the plastic container. If you have the newer flatter paint containers, I suggest a needled syringe to inject the media, after drawing only, a few drops of thinner at first, and more until you find the paint flows as it should for a nice flat transparent finish. Anyone else have an easier recommendation, I’d sure appreciate it? The designs I made all around my old homes were wonderful & to this day, 15 yrs later, the only new I took off & stored, still gracing my windows. (Exception: at seashore locations, with salty air, the paints do fade but not the leading. So they too can be repainted. Love Gallery Glass but won’t spend a fortune again buying every color made, in spite of vendors selling lots of kits with color’s you may not care to use.