Foiling glass seems like such a mundane, boring part of making stained glass, but if you do a poor, uneven job of foiling your pieces, the final outcome can be less desirable then what you would like. Don't underestimate this important step, all of the best pattern making and cutting can be ruined by a sloppy foiling job.

Here are a few tips I have picked up along the way that will help make your project look its best:

• Make "finger fids" or crimping thimbles, with surgical tape. You can purchase this tape at most drug stores as it is commonly used in first aid. Make sure to get tape that is made of cloth so it is textured and avoid the smooth plastic type. You will want to wrap each finger tip with one piece going front to back over the tip of the finger, then another going from one side, also over the tip to the other side. Then use a third piece of tape to wrap around the circumference of the finger covering the first two. This will hold everything together. Put these on your thumb and first two fingers to protect them from cuts when you apply foil to glass.
  
  
• For cleaner solder lines, place the foil offset from the center a bit so that the front of the glass has less foil on it.
  
  
• If you have many pieces to foil, first place the foil on all of the pieces. then go back to each piece and crimp and smooth with a fid. This saves time by allowing you to concentrate on one process at a time.
  
  
• If you have very wavy glass, like drapery glass, you should foil it twice. The first time concentrate on the front of the glass, the second time concentrate on the back.
  
  
• Try using a CD box to hold copper foil. Cut a small slot on the bottom and place the foil inside, and then you have a case for your foil, that doesn't unravel.
  
  
• When your done using your foil, put it in a zipper type bag, to keep it from oxidizing.
  
  
• If you have to put a project away when it's been only partially foiled, take a small piece of the foil and tape it to your piece as a reference for when you come back to finish it.
  
  
• Remember, warm, clean and dry glass foils easily, so be sure to remove any grinding residue from your pieces before foiling.