This TikToker Took The Trendy Checkerboard Look To A Whole Other Level With This DIY Glass Vase
Arts and crafts that involve glass are always popular. Whether it's something as basic as repurposing an old jar or a project that's more creative, like creating faux stained glass art without breaking the bank, it's a material that offers luminosity and reflection unlike anything else. TikToker Philippe Labelle takes things a stage further, using real stained glass techniques to create a beautiful vase with an intricate checkerboard pattern. It's probably not something for a complete beginner — you would need some experience with the tools to be successful, but we can look at simplifying it a little later.
The first task is to cut the checkerboard squares. Glass isn't cut all the way through — it is scored and then snapped. The scoring motion is away from the artist, not towards them. Large sheets are broken by hand, but pliers are used for smaller pieces. Philippe Labelle makes the process look simple, but those edges are very sharp, so a lot of care is required.
Next comes assembly. What may not be obvious from the video is that each square has special copper foil stuck around the edges to provide a base for soldering. There are various types available, so it's a good idea to check out the tips you need to source the best quality craft supplies, as knowledgeable staff should be able to give expert advice. A product called flux is also brushed onto the copper to help the solder flow smoothly.
Aligning the checkerboard panels and putting the vase together
To line up the squares, the artist uses L-shaped layout blocks pinned into a corkboard. Once the flat panels are soldered together, they can then be formed into the rectangular shape. Philippe Labelle has a jig made from plywood to hold the sides at 90 degrees. It shouldn't be difficult to make something similar, or, alternatively, you could perhaps cut the corner off of a sturdy wooden box. Finally, a single piece is cut, foiled, and soldered in place for the bottom.
@philippelabelle_ 🫶 #philgoodz #stainedglassart #stainedglass #handcraft #smallbusinesscheck
The equipment required for stained glass is not the kind of thing you'll find in lists of tools and supplies every DIYer needs to own, but everything is widely available. A basic cutter, like this Jiouxip Glass Cutter Kit, can be found at Amazon for under $20. The soldering iron should be specifically intended for stained glass because electrical models may not provide sufficient heat or have a large enough tip. Weller and Hakko are leading brands. If you can't find glass locally, there are plenty of suppliers online.
As a stained glass beginner, you could make a simplified version of the trendy checkerboard glass vase by using larger squares. Make it two rows wide and four rows tall, for example. This would give you the opportunity to practice with pieces that weren't quite so fiddly. To simplify it even more, start with a square glass vase, and paint the checkboard pattern using a product like Magicdo Transparent Glass Paint. It won't look exactly like the inspiration project, but you'll get a customized checkboard vase without risking burns from soldering irons and cuts from shards of glass.