Story:by Madison Mossop

For the last 15 years, Luc Huyghebaert has been learning the art of creating various types of stained glass pieces. His work ranges from small ornaments and picture frames, to stepping stones, and large window pieces.

Huyghebaert spent 10 years at an art academy in Belgium and said he became interested in stained glass because of his mother, “My mom she got into it and told me I would like it.”

He then spent about three years learning how to work with the glass and create pieces, and says his favourite part is “making my own patterns, they can be quite unique. I don't mind the rest of it [the creation process] it's just so hard to make a penny out of it,” he explained.

Creating even what may look like the simplest of pieces can take over an hour to create. A pattern must be drawn, then cut out in cardboard, then drawn on the glass which must then be cut with a glass cutter and smoothed out with a grinder so that it fits perfectly with the other pieces. Copper foil is placed around each piece so that they stick together and it is then soldered together. Huyghebaert noted that, “every four pieces is about an hour of work” as long as there are no breaks in the glass along the way.

Custom pieces are some of his favourite things to create, “I know they will buy it, they give me measurements and a general idea of what they would like and I draw out a sketch for them [the customer].” Some of his custom creations include windows for churches, and pieces for homes.

“Supplies are expensive, especially when glass can break so easily while cutting it,” he commented. He is currently using an old stained glass piece and turning it into new ones for a customer.

Huyghebaert has taught some children at a summer camp how to make pieces, and says he has considered in the future teaching some type of class to the public.

With a large display of already made work at his shop, Luc's Style Hair and Glass Studio, at 219 Nelson St. W. in Virden, there is sure to be something to please everyone, or stop in and ask about a custom piece.