May 2023

Stained Glass Dragonfly with Celtic Inspirations


 

For years, I’ve been crafting stained glass art and wood art pieces—many for myself, our home, or as gifts for friends. When a colleague approached me with a request to create a unique piece for his wife, I couldn’t resist. With the freedom to design, I was only given a few key requirements: the focal point had to be a dragonfly, it needed to be in a round medallion format, and the design had to feature some kind of Celtic inspiration, all framed in wood.

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This piece features a variety of custom glass design elements, combining both textured glass and smooth pieces. The highlight is the iridescent glass, which adds a dynamic touch, changing colors based on the angle of light or viewing perspective. This detail really brings the dragonfly to life and adds an ever-changing visual element.

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The wooden cradle is a beautifully crafted, steam-bent 8-layer lamination made from African Mahogany, Red Cedar, and Yellow Cedar. The wood steam bending technique gives the cradle its smooth, rounded shape. It’s finished with 3 coats of Tung Oil and 2 coats of paste wax for protection and sheen, blending craftsmanship with a natural finish that complements the DIY wood art aesthetic.

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The cradle is suspended using 1/8" leather cording, attached with a Clove hitch knot, and bound with UV-resistant thread to ensure durability. I finished the thread with a coat of clear lacquer to prevent fraying.

 

The entire piece, including the wooden cradle, measures 15” in diameter and took about 36 hours to complete, using a combination of glass cutting, glass soldering, and woodworking techniques. This fusion of stained glass and wood creates a dynamic, handcrafted art piece that’s both elegant and timeless.