Stained Glass Fish Tutorial for Beginners
Make Stained Glass
8,797 views
Learn how to make a stained glass fish suncatcher in this beginner-friendly tutorial — complete with wire overlay, a simplified tail option, and tips for working with tricky glass! Whether you’re new to stained glass or just looking for a fun small project, this goldfish is a great way to practice cutting, foiling, and soldering — with a decorative wire twist.
I also walk through how to modify the tail to make it easier for beginners, share the full design process (from sketch to glass), and explain why this is the first piece I’ve designed where wire overlay is the only decorative element — no foil overlays or fancy soldering.
🐟 You can get the pattern for this project here:
https://livingsunglass.etsy.com/ca/li...
🛠 Check out my full collection of stained glass workshops and tutorials:
https://livingsunglass.com/store/stai...
00:00 Introduction + Procreate Design
00:53 Choosing Glass & Letting Go of the “Perfect” Plan
6:40 Simplifying the Tail for Beginners
7:11 Cutting the Glass
10:30 Grinding & Tail-Specific Tips
12:35 Using a 1/4" Grinding Bit
14:03 Choosing Foil Colour
14:37 Foiling (Including Deep Curve Technique)
17:12 Soldering Basic Seams
18:51 Reinforcing the Top Fin
22:55 “Errors Were Made” – Reinforcement Mistake + Fix
24:19 Adding Wire Overlay
26:45 Adding the Hanging Hook
27:05 Finishing Touches – Painted Eye
28:12 Final Reveal & Where to Get the Pattern
Subscribe for more stained glass tips, projects, and tutorials. Thanks for watching! 🌟
If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the next one!
Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a video for 3 Tips to Smoother Solder!
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✨Learn, experiment, and create with me — stained glass made approachable!
🔧 RESOURCES & LINKS
• Learn how to apply black patina properly: Stained Glass Tutorial: How to Apply Black...
• Workshops & Tutorials: https://livingsunglass.com/product-ca...
Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your continued support of my channel!
♡ Specific Tools & Supplies Used in This Video
🐟 Fish Pattern: https://livingsunglass.etsy.com/ca/li...
Running Pliers: https://amzn.to/3DV68qj
Grozing Pliers: https://amzn.to/3FGbIxh
Morton Surface (Waffle Grid): https://amzn.to/42MT2DP
Morton Safety Break: https://amzn.to/3Gtw9xZ
Toyo Custom Grip Supercutter: https://amzn.to/3Grj9Zv
1/4" Grinding Bit: https://amzn.to/3Fap9FS
Copper Foil - Black Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
18 Gauge Pre-Tinned Wire: https://amzn.to/3SBGOJD
Folk Art Enamels Paint - White: https://amzn.to/3YNRwQN
Folk Art Enamels Paint - Black: https://amzn.to/3YN42A6
♡ My Must-Have Stained Glass Tools (2026)
Glass Cutter: https://amzn.to/3Grj9Zv
Running Pliers: https://amzn.to/3DV68qj
Grozing Pliers: https://amzn.to/3FGbIxh
Grozing Pliers - Narrow: https://amzn.to/4c3Xd2h
Fid: https://amzn.to/3DFnQy9
Gloves: https://amzn.to/3RhlBnE
Flux: https://amzn.to/3FEcuuN
Solder: https://amzn.to/2LkAwud
Hakko Soldering Iron (North America version): https://amzn.to/4hgiO8Q
⚠️ Be sure to choose the right version for your country (North American models are 120V, international versions are 220–240V). Hakko Soldering Iron (International version – check voltage): https://amzn.to/3Y4r2Kn
♡ Favourite Supplies & Little Extras
Copper Foil Dispenser: https://amzn.to/4bJ6mxo
Copper Foil - Black Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
Copper Foil - Copper Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
Copper Foil - Silver Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/4iWpV7R
Patina for Solder - Black: https://amzn.to/43ViKIs
Patina for Solder - Copper: https://amzn.to/3E1uKh1
Cleaner - Neutralizer: https://amzn.to/4iFf429
Polish: https://amzn.to/4kBIzn0
Emery Cloth: https://amzn.to/3E0LUeI
Silver Marker (To mark dark glass): https://amzn.to/4l2M3im
18 Gauge Wire: https://amzn.to/4kGYY9U
Website: https://LivingSunGlass.com
Facebook: / livingsunglass
Facebook group: / makestainedglass
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/livingsunglasss
20 Comments
Stained Glass Fish Tutorial for Beginners
Make Stained Glass
8,797 views
Learn how to make a stained glass fish suncatcher in this beginner-friendly tutorial — complete with wire overlay, a simplified tail option, and tips for working with tricky glass! Whether you’re new to stained glass or just looking for a fun small project, this goldfish is a great way to practice cutting, foiling, and soldering — with a decorative wire twist.
I also walk through how to modify the tail to make it easier for beginners, share the full design process (from sketch to glass), and explain why this is the first piece I’ve designed where wire overlay is the only decorative element — no foil overlays or fancy soldering.
🐟 You can get the pattern for this project here:
https://livingsunglass.etsy.com/ca/li...
🛠 Check out my full collection of stained glass workshops and tutorials:
https://livingsunglass.com/store/stai...
00:00 Introduction + Procreate Design
00:53 Choosing Glass & Letting Go of the “Perfect” Plan
6:40 Simplifying the Tail for Beginners
7:11 Cutting the Glass
10:30 Grinding & Tail-Specific Tips
12:35 Using a 1/4" Grinding Bit
14:03 Choosing Foil Colour
14:37 Foiling (Including Deep Curve Technique)
17:12 Soldering Basic Seams
18:51 Reinforcing the Top Fin
22:55 “Errors Were Made” – Reinforcement Mistake + Fix
24:19 Adding Wire Overlay
26:45 Adding the Hanging Hook
27:05 Finishing Touches – Painted Eye
28:12 Final Reveal & Where to Get the Pattern
Subscribe for more stained glass tips, projects, and tutorials. Thanks for watching! 🌟
If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the next one!
Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a video for 3 Tips to Smoother Solder!
https://livingsunglass.com/subscribe/
✨Learn, experiment, and create with me — stained glass made approachable!
🔧 RESOURCES & LINKS
• Learn how to apply black patina properly: Stained Glass Tutorial: How to Apply Black...
• Workshops & Tutorials: https://livingsunglass.com/product-ca...
Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your continued support of my channel!
♡ Specific Tools & Supplies Used in This Video
🐟 Fish Pattern: https://livingsunglass.etsy.com/ca/li...
Running Pliers: https://amzn.to/3DV68qj
Grozing Pliers: https://amzn.to/3FGbIxh
Morton Surface (Waffle Grid): https://amzn.to/42MT2DP
Morton Safety Break: https://amzn.to/3Gtw9xZ
Toyo Custom Grip Supercutter: https://amzn.to/3Grj9Zv
1/4" Grinding Bit: https://amzn.to/3Fap9FS
Copper Foil - Black Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
18 Gauge Pre-Tinned Wire: https://amzn.to/3SBGOJD
Folk Art Enamels Paint - White: https://amzn.to/3YNRwQN
Folk Art Enamels Paint - Black: https://amzn.to/3YN42A6
♡ My Must-Have Stained Glass Tools (2026)
Glass Cutter: https://amzn.to/3Grj9Zv
Running Pliers: https://amzn.to/3DV68qj
Grozing Pliers: https://amzn.to/3FGbIxh
Grozing Pliers - Narrow: https://amzn.to/4c3Xd2h
Fid: https://amzn.to/3DFnQy9
Gloves: https://amzn.to/3RhlBnE
Flux: https://amzn.to/3FEcuuN
Solder: https://amzn.to/2LkAwud
Hakko Soldering Iron (North America version): https://amzn.to/4hgiO8Q
⚠️ Be sure to choose the right version for your country (North American models are 120V, international versions are 220–240V). Hakko Soldering Iron (International version – check voltage): https://amzn.to/3Y4r2Kn
♡ Favourite Supplies & Little Extras
Copper Foil Dispenser: https://amzn.to/4bJ6mxo
Copper Foil - Black Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
Copper Foil - Copper Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/3Rlfb6W
Copper Foil - Silver Back(7/32): https://amzn.to/4iWpV7R
Patina for Solder - Black: https://amzn.to/43ViKIs
Patina for Solder - Copper: https://amzn.to/3E1uKh1
Cleaner - Neutralizer: https://amzn.to/4iFf429
Polish: https://amzn.to/4kBIzn0
Emery Cloth: https://amzn.to/3E0LUeI
Silver Marker (To mark dark glass): https://amzn.to/4l2M3im
18 Gauge Wire: https://amzn.to/4kGYY9U
Website: https://LivingSunGlass.com
Facebook: / livingsunglass
Facebook group: / makestainedglass
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/livingsunglasss