From Peaches to Buffalo

The last few months have been spent building windows for Casa Del Sol. I love the family who have requested these fun designs. The assignment was to make 10 windows that depicted aspects from their farm in Mexico. The tricky part was I couldn't use any color, only clear textured glass. Challenge accepted! They already have some windows that they built in a class they attended in our studio and wanted these to match. The rotunda where the windows will hang has a beautiful black chandelier that we didn't want to  compete with. 

I started with juicy peaches on a branch. I tried to find glass that looked fuzzy.

Then we decided on a sun peeking over the hill.

While making the almond trees I was wishing I could see their beautiful ranch.

Every farm needs a tractor.

Long Horn cattle graze in their fields.

The Mesa Arizona temple is  a special place for the family.

Another splash of sunshine.

And then there were Buffalo.

An iconic windmill at the farm.

Don't forget the chili peppers.

The windows turned out great and I enjoyed the hunt for different textures of clear glass. I can't wait to get a photo of them installed. I have to admit, the next few windows I built after this project were saturated with color just to even things out. What designs are reminiscent of your home? Stained glass is a unique and meaningful design element to showcase your interests.Lets get together to design yours. 

Why You Need Stained Glass

During a class this afternoon, Shelly and I had a conversation about why we love stained glass class. We came up with a variety of reasons that I would like to share with you today. 

     1. Stress Relief

Shelly works in a high stress job with lots of responsibility. She volunteers at a veterinary clinic one day a week but still needs an outlet just for herself. Her passion is Disneyland and has visited there many times. It was perfect for her to spend a few hours a week in stained glass class making Disney windows for her own pleasure. "It gives me a focus apart from my hectic job where I can let go for a few hours."

2. Tap in to your creative side. 

Studies have been done recently that point to the benefits of spending time on a creative project. Learning something new fires different neurons we don't usually exercise. You may find a new talent you never know you had.

3. Time to interact

Shelly came with her daughter for 6 weeks of quality time. Relationships take effort. Sharing a class of creative activity where you also can laugh, talk and learn is a wonderful way to interact. Then every time you look at your project hanging in your home you remember the fun time you spent together.

4. Satisfaction

Completing a project feels good. After a class of cutting, grinding, fitting, foiling and soldering you go home with a glass panel to be proud of. This is why I teach stained glass classes and why I invite you to join me.

Swallow the failures and keep going

This past weekend was a wonderful retreat with a group of 16 amazing women. The venue was a big beautiful house in a rural setting just outside of Heber, Utah.
                                                                             

Snow was falling but we were cozy and warm inside. There were crafts, puzzles, movies with lots of talking and laughing. We ate the most delicious food and made some new friends.

Before the retreat I was asked to teach a stained glass star class. I planned ahead by packing my bin with tools, glass, star kits and equipment. I was ready and felt prepared. After all, I had done this numerous times in the past.

When the time came to teach I had the table set with everything we would need. The students cut and foiled their pieces. We were having a great time. Then it was time to solder so I reached into my bin for the roll of solder. Panic set in as I realized I had forgotten to pack the solder. The students conversed in anticipation of the next step as I began to sweat bullets. The feelings going through me in that short minute were : embarrassment, failure, panic, inadequacy, disappointment in myself, questioning my abilities as a teacher, discomfort, frozen limbs, fear, lack of control of the situation, uncertainty, difficulty swallowing and the possibility of a few tears. Yes, all of that.

I took a deep breath, turned to my class with a fake smile and hoped I wouldn't be flogged by angry stained glass students. Fortunately they expressed: sympathy, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness and willingness to let me make it up to them. Whew. I apologized and was left standing there in my vulnerability. I offered another class in my studio for no extra charge to finish their project. They agreed.

Here's the lesson. I explained the situation and was open to their response. They allowed the solution to happen and showed compassion. It doesn't always end up so well but this time, things worked out. Courage comes when we swallow our pride and do the hard thing. There was no one to blame but myself but I didn't fall apart. These lovely ladies are willing to give me another chance. The other lesson is to get a back-up check on my packing before another mobile class.