| Project by James E McIntyre | posted 01-21-2022 11:13 PM | 1621 views | 7 times favorited | 43 comments |  |
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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.
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.
From this angle it looks like a flying alien robot bug.
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,
-- James E McIntyre
43 comments so far
Thedustydutchman
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267 posts in 368 days
#1 posted 01-21-2022 11:16 PM
That is a stunning light! Just beautiful! Did you do the stained glass as well?
-- Jerry H - Holland Michigan
Jim Jakosh
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#2 posted 01-21-2022 11:33 PM
That is a very sweet light!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers, Jim
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!
EarlS
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#3 posted 01-21-2022 11:35 PM
This is on my bucket list as well. Very nice work!!!
-- Earl "I'm a pessamist - generally that increases the chance that things will turn out better than expected"
splintergroup
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#4 posted 01-22-2022 12:03 AM
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^)
swirt
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#5 posted 01-22-2022 12:11 AM
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?
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
James E McIntyre
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1889 posts in 2752 days
#6 posted 01-22-2022 12:12 AM
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.
-- James E McIntyre
madburg
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#7 posted 01-22-2022 12:14 AM
Excellent and vbery different. Love the glasswork
-- Madburg WA
James E McIntyre
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1889 posts in 2752 days
#8 posted 01-22-2022 12:17 AM
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.
-- James E McIntyre
987Ron
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3816 posts in 777 days
#9 posted 01-22-2022 01:11 AM
Beautiful.
-- Ron
BB1
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#10 posted 01-22-2022 02:24 AM
This is an amazing project. I enjoyed your background story and then the progress pictures. One of a kind. Great job!!
bondogaposis
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#11 posted 01-22-2022 03:54 AM
That is truly impressive. Great craftsmanship.
-- Bondo Gaposis
oldrivers
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#12 posted 01-22-2022 04:00 AM
That is a Beautiful light, Good job!
-- Soli Deo gloria!
Mark Wilson
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#13 posted 01-22-2022 06:25 AM
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.
-- Mark
Eric
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#14 posted 01-22-2022 11:56 AM
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.
-- Eric, building the dream
TucsonTim
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127 posts in 1503 days
#15 posted 01-22-2022 11:57 AM
Wow. Absolutely beautiful. Gotta love those G&G inspired projects. This one goes right to my favorites list. Nice work…
-- Tim in Tucson
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