Custom Made Stained Glass
SHAGBARK ART GLASS Waukesha, WI
Presented by Bill Griffith
since 1988
New Work
Barrel Barn Hometead
Detail of window with many fused glass components, fabricated with lead came.
Finished window in bright sunlight.
Leaded/Fused glass window 53 x 40" installed in client's home.
Details of fused glass components incorporated into the lead came.
Photo of client's home in New Berlin, WI.
Dining Room Bay Window designed and fabricated By Shagbark Art Glass for a home in Wilmette, IL
Karl & Dottie Korff---pencil drawing by Bill Griffith
SHAGBARK ART GLASS HISTORY
Shagbark Art Glass was formed in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1988, by Bill Griffith and his parents, Dottie & Karl Korff. Bill spent a lot of time drawing since childhood. At age 13, he began oil painting lessons until 18. He continued with drawing classes at the University of Iowa. His mother, Dottie, influenced him with all the crafts that she enjoyed, especially stained glass. In May of 1988, Bill's parents helped him open a stained glass studio, named, Shagbark, after his parents" acreage in Blairstown, IA. Eventually, Bill moved the business to the Chicago area in 2000. Bill now enjoys working in Waukesha, WI where he is surrounded by the peacefulness of nature, yet enjoys the opportunities of nearby Milwaukee and north suburbs of Chicago. Bill works with homeowners, business owners and religious groups to create custom made architectural glass art.
Shagbark Art Glass Services
Bringing your vision to life
Bill Griffith specializes in the designing and creating of architectural art glass. With more than a quarter century of listening to and observing the needs and wishes of his clients, Bill has created hundreds of glass art environments, each, specific to the clients, personality and sensitivity to the existing architecture. Bill will meet you or interact with you virtually to help you reach your vision.
His specialties are classical leaded glass, fused glass, stained glass and Tiffany style art glass. Thank-you for looking at this website. Scroll down to see many examples of Bill's work to help inspire you.
Shagbark Hickory Tree
Another view of the window prior to installation.
Traditional designing incorporates clear, colorless glass, sometimes with beveled motifs. Glass pieces are constructed with lead came, the oldest technique still used today to compose separate pieces of glass. Different types of glass may be used allowing a clear elegant view, heavily textured or opalescent glass to lend a sense of privacy. Great for entryways, dining rooms, cabinetry, office doors and bathroom windows.
Tiffany style refers to the technique of selective cutting opalescent (opaque) glass, then wrapping each piece with copper tape. All of the seams are soldered, thus joining the glass together. The technique lends itself to organic designs and lampshades. The photo to the left is a detail of a set of doors made in the Tiffany style by Shagbark Art Glass. The opalescent glass is generally not painted because the colors in the glass are part of the chemical/mineral composition of the glass.The colors are vibrant and look great with or without light. It is ideal in settings where privacy is a concern.
Fused glass is the art of combining pieces of compatible glass and powders, composing them, and firing in the kiln, melting them together. Glass fusing actually began centuries ago, but more recently the movement started up in the late 1960's. the fused glass elements add a more modern look to a leaded glass window. Fused glass or kiln-formed glass may also be created as stand-up or wall hung pieces with no lead work at all.
Stained glass literally means painting the glass with a brush mixed with powders and/or enamels that are suspended in liquid. The glass is then placed into a kiln, usually with multiple firings, which makes the paint become one with the glass. To the left is a portrait Bill painted of his mother, Dottie, on glass. Many of the traditional churches incorporate stained glass to tell visual stories. A high level of detail can be used in a 'stained glass' window without 'cluttering' the design with so many lead lines. Ask Bill, at Shagbark Art Glass how he can help you with his glass painting skills.
Naturally, leaded glass will need attention after years of exposure to deterioration and damage. Shagbark does small scale restorations on specific projects. Please inquire if your art glass needs help.
GALLERY
Great Places For Art Glass
Click a button below to find a location for art glass or just browse down the gallery.
Architectural art glass added to your environment has many benefits. One of the strongest, is adding architectural flavor to your home, office, public building or place of worship. It can be utilized to enhance a view, create sparkle, add privacy, or filter strong sunlight, as well as adding security from would be intruder
Other great places for stained, leaded, fused or glass include:
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Entryways, sidelights and transoms
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Kitchen and bar room cabinetry
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Bathroom windows
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Partitions to divide a room
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Office doors with business name
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Restaurant wall art and lampshades
Be sure to click the facebook and Instagram logos at the bottom of this page to see more works by Shagbark.
Please contact Bill Griffith for more information on how he can help you achieve a one-of-a-kind glass creation for your environment.
By appointment only.
Call: 262-3991139
email: shagbarkartglass@aol.com
Different Styles
Click the buttons below to see various styles of glass created at Shagbark Art Glass or just browse down the gallery.
What's Your Style?
Here are a few different examples of glasswork designed specifically to each client's architecture and personality.
Art Nouveau/Nature
A pair of distinct Art Nouveau Windows created for a home in Libertyville, IL
18" Tiffany Reproduction Lampshade----Autumn Theme. Naperville, IL.
18" Tiffany Reproduction Lampshade----Cranberry Color Theme. Cedar Rapids, IA.
A Man Contemplates-- Created for a family to memorialize the Father in the family that passed away. Libertyville, IL
Tryptich Dining Room Doors---Iowa City, IA.
Detail of Bay windows as seen at top of page.
6ft. x 9ft. Floral Ceiling Dome---Lauderdale Lake, WI.
Family of Geese Entryway---Image was drawn from photos that were taken from the entryway. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Clear/Grey Glass Wreath--- with several hundred pieces of jewels, chunks and kiln-formed glass. North Barringtin, IL.
Echo and Narcissus----Top- Two windows depicting the Greek mythological story. Echo fades into the trees. Narcissus becomes a flower. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Bottom-smaller version of Echo, using dichroic glass. Autonomous panel. Click the link to read the story of Echo and Narcissus.
Drawing detail for stained glass proposal..
Details of finished stained glass window for a church, using the copper-foil method.
Art Nouveau Lady--- Bathroom window 48" x 24" Husband and Wife requested an Alphonse Mucha Style window which, the wife provided the pose. The window panel was created using kiln-formed glass. Molds were made to shape the glass for the figure. The glass was draped over the molds and heated which gives the figure a 3-D effect. The dark lines you see are lead lines created with both copper-foil and lead came. Bartlett, IL.
Bill's First Commission Window 1988
Top--- Client poses for Art Nouveau Lady window.
Bottom---Molds made, ready for the glass to be draped over and heated in the kiln.
Southwest
Client poses next to leaded glass panel in his
horse stable. The window depicts the client's Grandfather with his horse. Solon, IA
![image[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/410310_c3fd903697374506aa1e2a345e441abc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_560,h_372,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_auto/image%5B1%5D.jpg)
Cowboys Lassoing---These are bar room cabinet doors installed in a ranch home near Albia, IA.
On this ranch the hired hand are actually old fashioned cowboys. The cattle are free to roam the huge pasture, and when it is time to give them their shots, they are rounded up and lassoed.
It was the invention of the barbed wire fence that ended the cowboy era in the 1860's.
Kitchen Cabinetry Southwest Theme---With details of lizards and pottery' mimicked from client's collection as you see. Solon, IA.
Above you see windows in southwest trees theme in a prairie style home. 17 leaded glass windows were made for this parade home.
Cedar Rapids, IA.
Entryways
Autonomous Prairie--- fabricated with classic copper came and brass perimeter. Waukesha, WI.
Prairie
White Egret---by Dottie Korff. Blairstown, IA.
Good Morning!
James Kennedy Public Library Dyersville, IA---Main Entryway. Leaded Glass Sidelights and Transom. Doors were sandblasted. The transom was flipped around with photoshop to make a better photograph.
Ceiling Light Fixture---In the entryway next to the doors that you see above in the James Kennedy Public Library. Dyersville, IA.
FLW Style Lampshade---Originally designed and fabricated by Dottie Korff of the shagbark studio.
Frank Lloyd Wright Reminiscent--- Marion, IA.
Frank Lloyd Wright Reminiscent---Primary/Secondary colors with clear textures. Iowa City, IA.
Prairie Doors With Circles---Designed by Akar Architecture. Iowa City, IA.
FLW style in shelving unit. Iowa City, IA.
Prairie/ Organic Windows in Living Room---Wilmette,
Acorns Autonomous Stand-up Piece--- Winnetka, IL
Two versions of prairie style leaded glass one has clear textures, the other mostly opalescent glass.
This window is near the window you see above it in a home in Iowa City.
Triptych Prairie Organic Windows---before installation.
Arts & Crafts
Entryway in New Arts & Crafts Home---This family wanted a lot of color and privacy in their entryway.
Double House
This is a very common leaded glass configuration known as a "Double House Design". Many homes in England of the late 1880's, and eventually in the states, would incorporate a leaded glass window like this above the entryway.
This family in Wilmette, IL wanted as much light in the entryway as possible, while still maintaining privacy.
Glen Ellyn, IL
Shutter doors with antique glass in a home in Glen Ellyn, IL.
3 autonomous leaded glass panels hung by hooks above this fireplace in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Library room in residence. Wilmette, IL
Look at all those fun textures!
Stairway Landing---Iowa City, IA
Bar Room Wall Panel---72" x 36" Hinsdale, IL.
Tudor/Celtic
Heraldry
Segments of leaded glass windows with Celtic knots
Irish Claddagh---Installed in a front door in Cedar Rapids, IA. The Claddagh ring represents love {heart}, Loyalty {crown} and friendship {hands}.
Shagbark Art Glass created over 50 leaded glass panels in this upscale home in Marion, IA. The client was very satisfied with the craftsmanship and service.
Beveled Mirror with Gold-Leaf Insignia---This mirror was created for the same residence as you see above. Bill Griffith is very attentive to the architecture which will embrace his work. The beveled mirror pieces were bonded onto wood. The letter 'N' is the client's last name initial. The mirror was sandblasted from the back with the letter painted black. Gold-leaf was applied to the front. The frame was made in collaboration with a local woodworker.
Victorian/French
Classic Beveled Bathroom Window---Fabricated with brass came, installed on a crank-out sash so that the window may still be opened. Lake Forest, IL.
Regina Corona Disc Music Player---This is a curved leaded glass piece made for this restored antique music player. The Regina Corona company started in the late 1880's. This was the first form of entertainment in the home. Shagbark Art Glass has created several of these glass panels over the years. Bannockburn, IL.
Residential Library Window---Burr Ridge, IL.
Closet Leaded Glass window---Springfield, IL.
Art Deco
Game Room leaded glass. A very unique architecture.
Garage leaded glass. Same configuration in the game room of this same residence
Modern
Fish Bath window and Fish entryway---along with these six kitchen windows were created in collaboration with Akar Architecture. Iowa City, IA.
Lady in the Water---with fused glass detail. Bathroom Window.
Northern Lights
Row Away From The Rocks---Colorado white water rafting. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Entire Family Room Surrounded by Glass Art---The honey comb was the basis for this organic inspired design. The various birds are particular favorites of each member of the family.
Surreal Tree and Landscape---4ft. x 4ft. backlit living room.
Glass Boxes hung near ceiling---Created with glass junks, jewels and kiln-formed glass shapes. Lauderdale Lake, WI.
Surreal kitchen windows
Kiln-Forming/Fusing
Fused White Egret---with copper came. Waterford, WI.
Breakfast Nook Fused glass Animals---This breakfast nook in a modern log home near Delhi, Iowa contains animals for a family that loves nature. These panels are fully fused, the largest 3 are14" x 62". The dragonfly panel you see was ordered later by new owners for a different location in the home.
You can see a different kind of poetry going on here with the fused glass in these nature scenes. Layers of sheet glass, powders and strings of glass are layered. The glass is fired to around 1450 degrees a couple of times, still allowing for a textural surface.
Fused glass elements are incorporated into a leaded glass panel, seen here in a meditation room. The client wanted elephants and sunflowers in her windows. Glencoe, IL.
Apple Blossoms---The delicate detail was achieved by adding pieces of fused glass to the leaded design. Northbrook, IL:.
Bathroom interior window panel---This family loved orchids. Fusing the glass was the answer for soft flowers.
"American Flag In an Iowa Corn Field"---is what the client requested. Photos show process of slumping the glass by heating it in the kiln. the shaped glass pieces, are then, constructed with lead came. Solon, IA.
Fused Glass army Tank Treasure Box---After fusing pieces of glass with decorative elements, the pieces of glass were assembled with copper-foil. Other copper elements are soldered in as well. Libertyville, IL.
Bald Eagle---Fused glass eagle with copper-foiled border. Bristol, WI.
Fused glass 3-D wall piece, copper-foil fabrication. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Ballerina cast glass---with mortar. Waukesha, WI.
Nude in Moonlight---This is not fused glass...copper-foiled with sandblasted elements.
Bathroom tub windows---Fused glass nude figure in water. Bath tub windows. Palatine, IL.
3-D kiln-formed glass Rose wrapped in glass. approx. length 22".
Scorpion Cast glass--- Stand-up award piece.
Earth Movement---Transom window with fused glass and copper-foil.
Moses [front side]
Moses [back side}
Xavier High School Chapel section---Various types of glass were fused together in this chapel you will see more of in the section---Religious. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Stevie Wonder---This was the first glass panel Bill created with fused glass elements, copper-foil and lead came. 1989.
Africa---Even the smallest fused elements make a difference in this copper foiled Africa map.
Art Glass will enhance your home, office or place of worship. The following are more examples of Shagbark Art Glasses creations for hundreds of clients. As you see, leaded, stained and fused glass can be found in many locations. Entryways, transoms, kitchen cabinetry and bathrooms, not to mention your place of worship or signage and brand images for your business. Shagbark's goal is to create a glass environment that you will be pleased with for many years to come. The craftsmanship is also built for sustainability. The techniques used at Shagbark are old world, yet include newer technologies. What area of your environment can you picture some art glass?
Entryways
Be sure to look in "What's your style?" above for more examples of great locations.
Great places for art glass
Parade home----Cedar Rapids, IA.
Chalet style home near North liberty, IA. Glass panels are installed into Pella doors.
Fused glass with lead came----reflected and transmitted light.
Inspired by Pikes Peak, Colorado.
"Is it getting warm in here, or is it just me?"
Sidelights
"Nope, Just You"
Transoms
Cabinetry
Brass came cabinetry.
Kitchen
Bath
Bath Ceiling---panel suspended above bath tub. Cedar Rapids, IA.
Photo taken prior to installing center window. Hot tub. Springfield, IL
Dichroic Glass Bath Window--- 4ft. x 4ft. Lincolnshire, IL.
Bedroom
Glen Ellyn, IL.
Living Room
Bar room transom panel. Beveled glass clusters with stained glass {painted} center. North Barrington, IL.
Wine cellar detail
Vino
Wine Cellar---Lake Forest, IL.
I'Polena's butcher shop--Cedar Rapids, IA.m a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Pool table lampshade made for a home in Lake Forest, IL.
Light box made for a home bar in Iowa City, IA.
Shagbark logo stained glass sign, transmitted light, with dichroic glass.
Shagbark logo stained glass sign, reflected light, with dichroic glass
Potentate---fused symbols and lettering with lead came.
First Presbyterian Church---Vinton, IA.
Solon United Methodist Church---Solon, IA.
Photo: Mark Tade
Mark & Bill Griffith installing the 6ft. diameter window in the Solon Church.
Solon United Methodist Church---Solon, IA. This 6 ft. diameter window was created with all opalescent glass. The congregation needed a filter from the blazing morning sun shining in their eyes. The window was paid for by six women in the church who raised the money selling quilts they made. Bill's design reflects something reminiscent of a warm quilt, in collaboration with Neumann Monson Architects, Iowa City, IA.
St. Stephen's Catholic Church--- Holy Spirit. Central City, IA.
6ft. diameter window installed in the sanctuary of the church.
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church---Vinton, IA. The Star of Bethlehem. This photo was taken inside the church at night while there is a massive floodlight light outside---shining the refractions from the beveled glass and blue antique glass all across the ceiling. There are chunks of yellow and orange glass fused into the rays of light.
Xavier High School---Monsignor Sodawasser Chapel---Cedar Rapids, IA. photo: Mark Tade.
Bill came up with the concept of this design with discussions from the school priest and art teacher. The symbolisms depicted represent the travels and gospel teachings of St. Francis Xavier. The earth shows the eastern hemisphere where Xavier spent most of his time. The design mimics the surrounding architecture which evolve into pieces of paper [bible teachings] blowing in the wind, which become Jesus and the holy spirit. You can see much of the glass is fused and leaded. The center was sandblasted.
Zion Lutheran Church---Dysart, IA. photo: Mark Tade
This wall of the church originally contained variations of brown and grey handblown antique glass. The wall was deteriorating. The church committee called on Shagbark Art Glass to re-create a new wall with the intent of salvaging the original glass. Bill gave suggestions on the configuration of the window columns. Other glasses were added to the new design, including beveled glass. The church members joined Bill with the installation of the panels into their new Pella frames.
St. Luke's Hospital Chapel---.Cedar Rapids, IA. photo: Mark Tade.
These six windows are 2ft. x 6ft. each. The softness of the water theme and the deep saturation of blue near the bottom was achieved by creating fused glass. The multiple layers of color stacked onto each other and fused, makes the color much darker. The pieces were fabricated with lead came with reinforcement bars soldered on the exterior.
Ft. Dodge Trinity Medical Hospital---Hospital Chapel. Ft. Dodge, IA. The four windows represent the four seasons in the most subtle way. Notice the variations of wide and narrow lead lines. Shagbark is known to carve the lead to create an undulating line, such as a paint brush.
