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For the background and bottom I used a clear wavy glass. Viewing the light from the bottom It appears that your under water in a pond, looking up at the birds.




This project was on my bucket list for a long time. It's made from African Mahogany with 36, 3/8"² Gaboon Ebony screw plug covers. I wanted my design to be different than any other G & G style light.

Growing up in Northeastern Pennsylvania I would watch Red-winged Blackbirds clinging to cattails catching flies and mosquitos over marshes and ponds. These beautiful birds were the inspiration for my drawings and design of the stained glass in this light fixture.

Here are some of my process photos below.

The drawings look like they have a taper in the fixture. The drawings are large and I photographed them from an angle distorting the drawings.







Full scale drawings of the light fixture.





Here are the full scale drawings I drew for the Stained Glass with a color guide for the glass.
It took me almost 2 hours to pick out the glass for this project at the glass shop.














I routed a grove for the wires in the ceiling plate.



Gluing on a ledge on the inside bottom of the frame for the leaded glass to rest on. After the glue dried I also put 23 gauge pin nails in the ledge for added strength.




Here I'm attaching the wooden brackets I made to hold the glass in place.



The bulbs can be changed from an opening on the top or by lifting the glass on either side of the bottom of the light.


The four plugs that hide the screws for the drywall anchors that fasten the ceiling plate to the ceiling were made a little long so I could drill a hole that allows a small allen wrench to pry them out if I need to remove or move the light. These are fitted with a tight friction fit.


I designed this ceiling plate. It is much lighter than the traditional style.


The bulbs are 3000K LED with a retro look. From some angles they appear to be a sunset.

I didn't put a description under each photo so if you have any questions fire away.

Thanks for visiting.

Best Regards,

Gallery

Comments

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That is a stunning light! Just beautiful! Did you do the stained glass as well?
 

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That is a very sweet light!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers, Jim
 

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This is on my bucket list as well. Very nice work!!!
 

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Outta the park James!

Gorgeous work, the glass detail with the open area really gives it an "airy" appearance. Light placement and intensity looks spot on in the photos. Must have been a challenge to hang, no bottom to rest on your head while trying to get the hooks in place.

Same question as Jerry, you do the glass?

Nice shop, you could build a boat in their 8^)
 

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Gahh… sorry I am at a loss for something sensible to say. This light is incredible. Great work on the stained glass and the overall design. I like the light that comes out the top too.

Any second thoughts on opting for the clear glass rather than frosted?
 

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Thanks Dusty, Jim, Earl and Splinter.

Dusty and Splinter, I didn't build the leaded glass. I did design and draw it. I had Beveldine Stained Glass in Stanton Ca. make it for me.

Splinter the bulbs are 3000K. I find them more pleasing than the 5000K for living areas.

It was a challenge to hang. I had our hot water heater replaced and had the big strong plumber hold up the light while I put the hooks in the loops.

I do some work in leaded glass but they are better than I am so I let the experts take care of it. That's all they do.

They do most of my glass work and we have a great working relationship.
 

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Excellent and vbery different. Love the glasswork
 

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Gahh… sorry I am at a loss for something sensible to say. This light is incredible. Great work on the stained glass and the overall design. I like the light that comes out the top too.

Any second thoughts on opting for the clear glass rather than frosted?

- swirt
Nope on the frosted. To me it is more eloquent than frosted glass, and lets so much more light through.
It looks so much nicer in person. It's so hard to photograph this type of light. Thanks for the kind words.
 

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This is an amazing project. I enjoyed your background story and then the progress pictures. One of a kind. Great job!!
 

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That is a Beautiful light, Good job!
 

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That's so wonderful, James, I want one. How does the wire get from the lamp to the junction box? You seem to have concealed it perfectly.
 

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That is beautiful James, wonderful Craftsmanship on the frame and the hanger at the ceiling. The design of the glass is great and looks amazing. With the light choice and in the photo it does appear to give you a beautiful sunset, mixing with the colors in the glass work. Overall an Amazing Job.
 

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Wow. Absolutely beautiful. Gotta love those G&G inspired projects. This one goes right to my favorites list. Nice work…
 

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Beautiful design and craftsmanship. I love the old school drafting drawings, brings back memories of when I learned that in Middle School and college.
 

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Love the stained glass work.
 

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Great job.
Beautiful work.

On first view, I didn't notice who posted this.
Now, it makes perfect sense.

James is this generation's High Priest of G&G
 

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Thanks For the kind words
Madburg
987Ron
BB1-Barbara
Bondogaposis
Oldrivers
Mark W
Eric
Tucson Tim
Redoak49
Jim Young
Galmdgeon
& Gary
 
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