Supplies The Glass Act of Virginia Beach has a full range of glass and equipment for novices to the most experienced hobbyists. We also have all the little things that you always seem to need. Here is a partial list of what we have in stock: We carry colors, types and textures of glass from all the major manufacturers, like Spectrum, Youghiogheny, Bullseye, Pilkington, Armstrong, Wissmach, Kokomo, and Uroboros. We also carry Morrette Rod for torch work bead making. We will be happy to help you choose the best piece of glass for your projects. Grinders, band saws, came saws, glass cutters, and foilers A large selection of stock bevels Straight copper foil, scalloped copper foil, black-backed foil, silvered copper foil and silver-backed foil A large variety of glass cutters, running pliers, groziers, pattern shears, and rulers The Morton System and accessories Books and patterns for every project and for all occasions Lead came, brass came, zinc came, and a several types of solder Chemicals, such as flux, patinas, and flux removers Worden lamp forms, lamp parts, and bases Project kits, stepping stone molds, and patterns

Glass Wispy, streaky, cathedral, glue chip, ripple, iridized. What do all these things mean?!? All these terms can be very confusing. Maybe this will clear up some of your confusion. Stained glass is usually described with three terms: color, type, and texture. Color is pretty self explanatory, but what are type and texture? Type refers to how different colors of glass are mixed together in the factory. Texture refers to the bumps, ridges, dents, and patterns that are imprinted on the surface of the glass when it is made. Types of glass include: Cathedral Cathedral glass is transparent, which means that nothing has been added to make it opaque. Texture can be added to the surface to make it sparkle or keep people from seeing through it. Opalescent (Opal, for short) Opal glasses are made when clear glass is added to opaque white glass causing swirls to form. The ratio of opal glass and clear glass determines how opaque the final piece is. The most transparent opal glass is referred to as "wispy" and is ideal for things like clouds in the sky. Streaky This is created when two or more colors are mixed in a clear base. It give you the beautiful colors and swirls of opal glass, but because it is mixed in a clear base it is more transparent. Textures are even more varied then types. Some of the more popular textures include: Iridized This is created when the surface of the glass is specially treated to give it the look of oil floating on water Waterglass The surface of waterglass held against the light resembles shimmering water. Glue chip Glue chip glass is one of the most popular textures. It looks like the frost patterns that appear on your car windows on a brisk winter day.

Equipment Stained glass can be done with a minimal of equipment. The Glass Act of Virginia Beach offers all the items needed for the beginner (and classes) for those of you who want to see if this wonderful hobby is for them. We will also rent time on our equipment and work space if you have a special need or limited space. Like every hobby, however, the more involved you get with it the more sophisticated your needs become. We provide a large range of equipment from all the major manufacturers to support your needs. We have soldering irons from Weller, Mika, American Beauty and grinders from Glastar; grinders and band saws from Inland; and Taurus Ring Saws. We also carry a large selection of hand tools, including glass cutters from Toyo and Inland, breaking and grozing pliers from Mika, Fan Out, and Leponitt; zinc and brass rollers; came saws; and mosaic tile nips. And, for the ultimate aid in assembling your stained glass treasures, we carry a full line of accessories for The Morton System, one of the greatest innovations for stained glass hobbyists. Remember, if you don't see it here, we will gladly order it for you.