Stained-Glass Mosaic Tile D.C. Flag

Sold at a neighborhood art show. Dimensions: Overall Height, 11 inches; Overall Width, 13.5 inches; Visible Glass is 10.75 x 8.25 inches; Thickness, 1 inch; Weight, 3 pounds. The relative heights of the horizontal stripes reflect the official design guidelines for the D.C. flag. Hanging this piece (or just setting it on a sill) in a window where abundant sunlight shines through would be a great way to show your D.C. pride. And it looks good even when not illuminated from behind. $150.

The Story

I found this frame (with clear glass) set out with a “free” sign in front of an apartment building in my Glover Park neighborhood of D.C. It was just what I like, simple and a bit rustic. But I didn’t like the orange tone. So, I hand-sanded the whole thing re-stained it with Minwax Jacobean for a dark, richer tone that also helps highlight the grain a bit more.

I had a bunch of leftover stained-glass tile from another project (which never came to fruition as originally envisioned) and two of the colors, Cream and Crimson, brought to mind our local flag. The tiles, from Mosaic Art Supply, were 7/8-inch squares. It took many, many hours to complete the project. Relatively few cuts were just purely random; a lot of custom cuts were required to produce the tight grout lines that produce a consistent look and allow lots of light to pass through. Each piece was glued into place, one at a time, with MAC Multi-Purpose Craft Glue, which dries clear. I used charcoal-colored non-sanded grout because it evokes the color and smoothness of lead in traditional stained-glass art.

Related Items: Colored Glass Tile Mosaic “Quilts;” Glass Tile Window Art with Transitional Color Design; Beautified Leaded Glass Window; Decorative Colored Glass Mosaic Tile Table Lamps; Old-Fashioned Radio Lamp; Pair of Stained Glass Candle Lanterns; D.C-Themed Organizers; Large and Small D.C. Flags; D.C. Flags in Steel Rings.