Welcome to the "Behind the Candlelight" Blog: A Journey into Stained Glass and Light
Welcome to the "Behind the Candlelight" Blog
Thanks for stopping by. I'm Mark, the creator behind Cathedral Candles and Martsolf Design. This blog is a space where I’ll share insights into the design, making, and sourcing process behind my handmade stained glass candleholders and other creations.
Whether you’re a customer, a fellow maker, or just curious about how things come together, I’ll be writing about the tools, techniques, and materials that go into each piece — especially the process of adhering glass to glass and selecting the right adhesives for beauty and longevity.
Expect behind-the-scenes photos, experiments, challenges, and ideas in progress. My goal is to keep things real, interesting, and maybe even helpful to others working with stained glass or handmade home decor.
You can explore my full line of work at martsolfdesign.com.
If you’ve ever been curious about the art of making stained glass candleholders, or if you just love handmade craftsmanship, you’re in the right place. In this blog, I’ll be covering topics like:
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How I Choose and Work with Stained Glass – The colors, textures, and techniques that bring each piece to life.
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The Science of Glass Adhesives – What works, what doesn’t, and why.
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The Grouting Process – How it adds contrast, durability, and character to the final piece.
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Behind-the-Scenes Looks at My Workshop – What goes into designing and making each candleholder.
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The Stories Behind My Candleholder Names – Because every piece has a story to tell.
Why a Blog?
I’ve sold my work for years, but I realized that part of the magic is in the process itself. Whether you’re a fellow artist, a customer, or just someone who appreciates handcrafted design, I hope you’ll find something interesting here.
If you’d like to follow along, be sure to check back for new posts or sign up for updates. And if you have any questions or topics you’d like me to cover, drop a comment—I’d love to hear from you!