We want to get to know you

[Kev]

Welcome Dusty! We are happy to count you as part of the AOG family.

 I see you've been doing glass work for some time now. Is there any particular area that interests you the most?

Kev

[JoanFrances]

Hi ,
I Call myself "McCook Lake Stained Glass" in McCook Lake South Dakota.
I started doing stained glass in the 70s.
It has been a fun and sometimes profitable enterprise.
Recently it is mostly hobby.
Dusty

   to our glassing family.  So happy you decided to join us.  I wish I had found this wonderful art a lot earlier in my life.  How has your winter been out there?  We have be buried here with snow and cold almost none stop this year.

[TodB]

Hey, gang. I've been around a while and thought I'd share a little about myself, too.

I now live in south western Massachusetts. My current studio is in a 400 square foot out building and I feel ever so lucky to have it.

I started messing with stained glass in the very late 1960's and was very deeply involved for quite a few years. I made and repaired many windows, taught many classes thither & yon. I have also made numerous ornaments, of course, repaired quite a few lamps (but have only made a few panel types). While I was a "pro", I worked for a variety of clients and had a lot of fun. I finally got away from it (needed a better-paying job) for about 10 years. But, I still had most of my stuff, so I got back into it several years ago and am quite glad I did. With the internet, information is so much easier to find and share! Of course, you have to read with caution, but that teaches us wisdom or something equally useful, I'm sure.
I also collect books on stained glass - generally about history, philosophy and technique rather than about "patterns".
- Tod

[Anne]

Hey Tod!  Glad you joined us.  It's so interesting to hear about everyone.  We're getting to be such a diversified group and everyone is so willing to share.  And you have your own stand alone studio...ok now we're all drooling!
Welcome!!!

[JoanFrances]

Hey, gang. I've been around a while and thought I'd share a little about myself, too.

I now live in south western Massachusetts. My current studio is in a 400 square foot out building and I feel ever so lucky to have it.

I started messing with stained glass in the very late 1960's and was very deeply involved for quite a few years. I made and repaired many windows, taught many classes thither & yon. I have also made numerous ornaments, of course, repaired quite a few lamps (but have only made a few panel types). While I was a "pro", I worked for a variety of clients and had a lot of fun. I finally got away from it (needed a better-paying job) for about 10 years. But, I still had most of my stuff, so I got back into it several years ago and am quite glad I did. With the internet, information is so much easier to find and share! Of course, you have to read with caution, but that teaches us wisdom or something equally useful, I'm sure.
I also collect books on stained glass - generally about history, philosophy and technique rather than about "patterns".
- Tod

Hi Tod, good to see ya.  Wish I had found this wonderful art long ago.  It has been a passion to me since my very first score. 

[ct4mom]

Hey Tod, Glad to see ya and a great info. 

[Kev]

Hey Tod...Welcome aboard! So nice to see you here.

 It sure is nice having all these experienced people around, and yes, I too am drooling ....400 sq feet...wow..that would seem like a palace to me.

Kev

[TodB]

Thank you for the welcome.
Re 400 sf: It's never enough! Believe me, I've worked in a wide variety of spaces including the spare room, a 350 sf studio in Sturbridge (Mass) heated by a crappy wood stove, even a wet basement. I also rented 1000 sf in a nifty old mill building - did I mention it was wooden and finally burned down with quite a lot of my stuff inside? (No wood stove there.) So, as I've gotten older and persisted, I think I've finally earned this sweet spot for glassing. At least that's what I tell myself.

Let me know if you're in the area and stop in for a visit.
Great to meet you all, too. Many, I've seen on other boards, of course.
Have a great day and remember, Spring is just around the corner. I hope. - Tod

[BentPedals]

  Live in Southern Ontario - been doing glass for 30 years, self taught.

Primarily work with foil but can do lead.  Shades and panels are my
preference.  Glass painting is a project I hope to get into shortly, if
I can just tear myself away from panel making.  So many projects,
so little time.

Never owned a glass business, likely never will. Been my experience that
once you turn a hobby into a business, it's never as enjoyable as a hobby
any more.

Taught foil at a local glass shop several years ago, unpaid, as a favour to the
owner.  Unfortuately,  the owner didn't have the business sense god gave to
a roll of 60/40, and the shop closed 11 months after opening.  I learned a
lot about how not to run a store.

Have sold a fair number of custom made panels and shades, but don't
actively troll for business.  Friends and family have recieved goodly
amounts of glass gifts over the years, so much so that the gifts have lost
thier "specialness".  The number of panels and shades stored around the
house is bordering on a storage crisis situation. 

I've been retired for 5 years and most days see me breaking glass in
one form or another.

The retail shop I do business with sponsors an glass art show every
spring. Last three years have seen me pick up 1'st, 2'nd, and 1'st
place prizes.  It;s been pretty much "suggested" that I don't enter
this year,  let some of the other contestents reap some of the rewards.

Just to fill idle hours, I took a lead course this past fall at the shop
I usually deal with.  Was totally ticked off over teaching methods
and how much info was held back from the students.  Spent the
last three of seven classes doing as much teaching and helping as
the instructor. Was a favourite with the students, the instructor
wouldn't even talk to me the final evening. And, to sum up my
attitude to life, that evening will go down as a highlight.

Presently considering finding a new glass shop . . . .

[ct4mom]

Come on down into western NY and Id love to take a lead class with you. Will have tons of fun. 

[TodB]

Yes, this is interesting stuff. Thanks for your intro, BentPedals.
Maybe we can help you think of something to do with an abundance of panels...
As for that glass shop, may they'd let you show a piece without being in the competition- honor a past, multi-year winner - or even be a judge? If you want to remain in the "public eye". Just musing.....

Who's next?

PS: The next thing I'm gonna try to learn is from Dusty: brevity!

[Bleedy Pokes]

PS: The next thing I'm gonna try to learn is from Dusty: brevity!

I just can't do brevity!
Well, except now!
Dang, I just blew it! See?

[Brad_B]

Welcome BentPedals,

I am in SW Ontario myself. Near Kitchener. There is a great stained glass shop in Etobicoke Fantasy In Glass (FIG) www.fantasyinglass.com Mikey has an excellent selection of everything imaginable. If you ever go to TO stop in there.

Brad

[Kev]

Wow .....all this experience in our midst! This is great!

[BentPedals]

I am in SW Ontario myself. Near Kitchener.

Have you ever been to Artistry In Glass in London?  I've dealt with them online several times and
they seemed quite good to deal with.  Is the actual storefront as friendly?
One day I hope to be down that way and check out the shop.

There is a great stained glass shop in Etobicoke Fantasy In Glass (FIG) www.fantasyinglass.com
Mikey has an excellent selection of everything imaginable.
If you ever go to TO stop in there.

Been there twice Brad.  I'm east of Toronto, so I find getting to FIG a bit of a headache.
The first visit there was great, met Mike, got what I needed, and scored a free metric tape
measure. Second visit there someone else was running the shop and I felt like I was
imposing on thier 'quiet' time when I asked a question. 

As I stated elsewhere here, I am kinda in the market for a new glass shop to deal with,
and FIG is on the short list of candidates.  Hoping to pay them another visit in March.

Have a good one . . .

[BentPedals]

Maybe we can help you think of something to do with an abundance of panels...

Grin, know of someone who's looking for cheap landfill?

The father in law and I have argued/discussed this for years.  He says I should try selling the
panels at a reduced price, basically just to recoup my costs and continue on.  I take the slant
that after slaving for hours over a hot iron, I should be able to turn some sort of profit.  Grin,
I just can't face selling a 450 piece panel for the cost of 3 sq ft of glass and 3 lbs. of solder.
It almost feels sacreligious . . . .

As for that glass shop, may they'd let you show a piece without being in the competition- honor a past,
multi-year winner - or even be a judge? If you want to remain in the "public eye".

I don't think the establishment particularily likes my acerbic demeanour Tod.  I've applied for part time
job openings, I've asked about teaching positions, offered my services in a number situations, and keep
getting turned down.  The wife feels that they are nervous of me, in that I'm pretty much as capable
as they are, but while thier focus is 'selling' thier information and skills, I'm willing to share what little
I know for the mere pleasure of sharing.  We're kinda at cross purposes.

Year before last, I've got the recipiets,  I averaged almost $400 a month in purchases at this shop, yet
when I walk in it's almost like I'm not there.  Most times I'll call ahead and make sure they have what
I need,  and 90% of the time my minimum purchase is 4sq ft. of any given colour.  To me, that's just
the kind of customer you'd want to cultivate.  Either I've ticked them off, or they just take me for
granted after 10-12 years of patronage, I don't know, but I think it's time to shake the tree a little
and perhaps move on . . .

Have a good one . . . .

[Anne]

BentPedals:

I'm technically challenged so haven't figured out how to 'pick out' the pieces for a quote to reply to....anyway regarding the part of your post about the store not seeming to appreciate your $400 a month patronage!  The store I deal with in Vancouver (Kona Glass) would jump at that - AND _ with those kind of purchases in a year you would have qualified for a fairly good discount with them.  Surely there must be a store in Toronto that would want your business and reward you for it! I think you SHOULD be shaking that tree.  In these economic times they need you more than you need their attitude!

[Kev]

I totally agree Anne!

[Brad_B]

Have you ever been to Artistry In Glass in London?  I've dealt with them online several times and
they seemed quite good to deal with.  Is the actual storefront as friendly?
One day I hope to be down that way and check out the shop.

I have been to Artistry In Glass a couple times. Very friendly people. Nice store.

[BentPedals]

I'm technically challenged so haven't figured out how to 'pick out' the pieces for a quote to reply to....

Very easy to do Anne . . . use the quote button on the top right corner of the message.

Using square bracketts, lower case keys just to the right of your letter 'P' on the keyboard,  rather than the round ones
I've shown here as an example . . . you have two commands, (quote) to start the quote sequence, (/quote) to end the
quote sequence.  Cutting and pasting and copying via windows allows you to reformat and edit the text you're quoting. 
The quote above is formatted like this, but with square braketts rather than round

(quote author=Anne link=topic=117.msg1031#msg1031 date=1233945445)

I'm technically challenged so haven't figured out how to 'pick out' the pieces for a quote to reply to....

(/quote)

with those kind of purchases in a year you would have qualified for a fairly good discount with them. 

I do recieve a small discount, but it's not even enough to cover the 14% sales tax in Ontario.
And then, it doesn't cover all items.  But then, it's better than a kick in the butt. 

I think you SHOULD be shaking that tree.  In these economic times they need you more than you need their attitude!

Grin, you got me fired up now girl . . . . !  I think we'll give that tree a good shaking.  Just hope I don't get hit
on the head with falling apples . . . grin.

Take care Anne . . .