first student

[JoanFrances]

Well I finally have my first student.   it didn't take but 5 minutes for me to find out that I have been out of teaching practice.

Doing glass has become such a natural thing for me, stopping to think of the steps of what you are doing an why is zip zip zip LOL

I gave the student some thin window glass to practice straight cuts to get used to the the glass cutter.  I showed her if you press to hard what will happen.  She did well scoring the glass.  I picked up my fave grouser and showed the breaking off of the glass.  Well that was my first mistake, didn't show her the proper placement and which way to hold the pliers.  Didn't realize that mistake till we moved on to the inside cuts.  Dah, then it hit me!!!!LOL  I told her mother, that didn't sound good, yup she had the pliers over the score line and upside down.  You get the picture,  bad break and me with a red face LOL

By the end of the night she was cuttin inside curves like a pro.  I figured if she can score that thin window glass properly she should be able to do a good job of the good glass, and not be putting to much pressure on the glass cutter

This student is the young woman I am mentoring, so she can live on her own once she turns 18.  She is borderline retarded, and wanted to make her adopted mom a gift, needless to say she is a non paying student, but she is helping me as much as I am helping her, because I surely needed to brush up on the teach glass rather than do glass, big difference, so I learned quickly. LOL

It has been a long time since I had to think about how to do it and why.  I taught ceramics for 7 years and don't remember having to think that hard LOL

[Malinda]

i'm sure you're still having fun sharing glass with her, that's a nice thing you are doing also Joan.

[Judy K]

This is a great story. I am glad she can handle cutting glass. It should be fun to help her make a gift she can be proud of.

[Kev]

Way to go Joan!

[Audrey]

Good for you Joan. Sounds like you will be a real blessing to her.

[Graham]

Joan-
Many of us here remember when you were as green as grass.
You've come a long way, baby!
Passing your love of glassing along is a good thing/

[Rebecca]

Yup, we are all proud of you! 

Be sure you use the right terminology for the tools.  There is a "runner," a "breaker," a "grozer," and a "breaker-grozer."  I had to practice before my first class (teaching) because I called them all the same thing.  Here is what I say to my classes now as I show them the breaking tools.

Runner is the one that you line up with the score and SQUEEZE to "run" and also break a straight cut.

Breaker has two straight jaws that only meet at the tips.  You line the tips of the jaws parallel to the score and pull the glass apart.

Grozer has two flat jaws that meet along the whole length of the jaws.  You use it to scrunch off small crumbs of glass from the edge.  That is called "grozing."

Breaker-grozer has one straight jaw and one curved jaw that meet only at the tip.  You can use it like both the breaker and the grozer.

There are pictures at http://www.inlandcraft.com/department.asp?department_id=54&site=Stained+Glass

Rebecca

[ct4mom]

What a wonderful experience for both of you.....Awesome Joan!!!!

[JoanFrances]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I so needed them today.  My wonderful Dh pulled something today that was like a kick in the gut, and proved to me that I am not a priority to him. He made plans to leave me alone on Christmas and go up to his son's house to send Christmas and New Years too. 

Anyway your kind words of encouragement brought tears to my eyes.  Hugs to all.

Graham your encourgement is especially dear to me because you and I have come so far in our understanding of each other.  st

I am so proud of this young woman and the strives she has made.  She actually got 1st honors this past quarter for the first time in her school life.  What a wonderful gift that was to me.  She gives me so much and doesn't even realize it.  To many young ones don't apply any effort when they could soar, while this young woman works hard for everything. 

[Judy K]

Sorry to hear you will be alone at Christmas this year. But you still have all of us. Sometimes we can even feel like a crowd.

So maybe it is time to start a big project. Glass or clay, or if the hands are tired how about a book series with a ton of hot choclate. :)

Look for the bright spot .....................   ...... you can take his present back , just kidding!

A quiet week can be nice if you look at it that way. Invite some friends from church over. Go see a Christmas play he would never go to. I am learning to call up my girlfriends and go play. It's way better than worrying about what isn't or feeling left. Live in denial it has it's advantages, pretend you sent him up there alone because you did not want to go. Then fill the hours with loud music and warm friends. The trick is to not think it in the obvious way. Good Luck. Can't wait too hear about the fun things you plan.

[Malinda]

Judy, I couldn't agree with you more on what you wrote to Joan, a very positive way of looking at things and I totally agree with your advice options.

Probably the only thing I'd do in addition is ask him if he wants to stay up there a bit longer....

[Kev]

Good advice Judy..and good suggestion Mal!

I'll be here Joan, as I am sure others will as well... your never alone when your among friends.

[Anne]

Judy, I couldn't agree with you more on what you wrote to Joan, a very positive way of looking at things and I totally agree with your advice options.

Probably the only thing I'd do in addition is ask him if he wants to stay up there a bit longer....

I totally agree, on both counts! And yes, we're always around!

[JoanFrances]

I have decided to see if I can find a church in my area, that feeds the homeless or needy people and help service dinner to them that day, if that doesn't pan out, there are a few nursing homes in the area where some of the shut in's may need company.  I am sure I will find something I can do that will make me forget me for the day.

I do have a huge project going on in the house, I am having the entire interior of my home painted right now.  The living area of the home is being done in shades of blue.  My accessories are shades of blue with chocolate.  Even the area rugs have the blue and chocolate in them.  The trim in the entire home will be done in gloss white.Very relaxing colors.  Will post pictures when it is all done Had my bathroom redone last month it is beautiful.

Thank you guys you are all the best, love ya all.  Hugs

[Audrey]

Joan, a church or ministry is a great idea. We often have nothing to do on a holiday, and spent one Thanksgiving helping serve at a mission. It was a very special time, and that way you wouldn't be alone.  Your home sounds like it will be lovely.

[ct4mom]

Even visiting the local hospital...there are many lonely patients and children looking for a friend...and yes I will be around, just give a shout!!!

[Wayne]

I have decided to see if I can find a church in my area, that feeds the homeless or needy people and help service dinner to them that day, if that doesn't pan out, there are a few nursing homes in the area where some of the shut in's may need company.  I am sure I will find something I can do that will make me forget me for the day.

I do have a huge project going on in the house, I am having the entire interior of my home painted right now.  The living area of the home is being done in shades of blue.  My accessories are shades of blue with chocolate.  Even the area rugs have the blue and chocolate in them.  The trim in the entire home will be done in gloss white.Very relaxing colors.  Will post pictures when it is all done Had my bathroom redone last month it is beautiful.

Thank you guys you are all the best, love ya all.  Hugs

I work with Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.  They have a volunteer training program which is required for most of the positions.  They sure do need a lot of help and a lot of food stuff.
http://www.metromin.org/

[Judy K]

Joan you are my hero! Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[JoanFrances]

Wanted to share an update.  Out of the blue today, Charlie called his son and told him that he would not be coming until the day after Christmas.

Honest, I did not argue with him, or give him the cold shoulder about this.  I continued to do my wifely duties like nothing had happened.  He did this all on his own.  I don't know if he had heard the extended weather forecast or not, becuase they are calling for snow, in our area for our area for Christmas day, or if God gave him a slap up side the head, but he did a 2 20 with his plans.

We will be sharing a nice rib roast dinner (that I had planned on cooking for myself on Christmas day.  He doesn't yet know that mid night Mass and going to serve dinner at a shelter is also in the plans.  Thought I would break that news to him a little at a time LOL

Thanks everyone for all you kindness and for reaching out to me.  Hugs to all

[ct4mom]

Its a Christmas Miracle!!!! Enjoy Joan!!