Abstract: Substantially self supporting composites of glass pieces are made without having to cover the edges of the glass pieces with lead or copper tape that overlaps the sides of the glass pieces. The composites can be two or three dimensional assemblies. The method of making the composites comprises arranging a plurality of individual precut glass pieces with uncovered edges in a pattern with a flexible material adhering to surfaces of adjacent glass pieces, providing gaps between the glass pieces to expose edges of adjacent glass pieces, and applying a bonding agent in the gaps to rigidly bond the edges between the adjacent glass pieces but not to overlap onto the surfaces of the adjacent glass pieces.