Front door entry light

I made this octagonal entry light for our retirement home in South Dakota in 1998-99.  It consists of 25 separate 'flat panels' of stained glass:  each octagonal 'side' is made up of three panels each with a center circular panel at the bottom.  The 24 side panels are framed by H-came at top and bottom so each panel can 'lock' into its adjacent partner, bottom panel first, then middle, finally top.  The circular piece at the bottom lifts aside if the light bulbs inside (I used a 3-bulb circular fixture) need changing.  There are 1241 pieces of glass in the light. 

I used Youghiogheny 5006 SP (aqua), YOU 5009 (rust) and Wissmach PW 1058 VM (Victorian Mottle; background).  I adapted several pattern designs (the names of which are now lost to history) to get the full 8-sided/rounded design.  The metal frame into which the panels sit was purchased from a company in Tucson AZ.  It bolts directly to the reinforced ceiling studs. 

The light is easily seen (through the clear transom window above the front door) as you walk up the front walkway.  It continues to be a conversation piece with all our guests!

• Stained glass