Keeping Up With My Students

At a recent Summer Soiree' we visited with a few previous students. Their homes were decked out with gorgeous stained glass. Most of the pieces were built in out studio through the years. I was so proud of their work and the way they have decorated in art glass. It's fun to make sure I am keeping up with them. One of my favorite things is to see students creations installed in homes and businesses. As you scroll through these beautiful windows I hope you say to yourself, I bet I can do that, or , I bet Jeanne would build me a window like that. You know I would love to.

 Our soiree' started in the back yard. We enjoyed a lovely BBQ while surrounded by beautiful glass on the porch.

 Above the staircase is this amazing glass piece set in a found frame. 

 The theme of the home was rustic western and the animal windows were a perfect addition.

 This lamp wasn't hand made but I had to include it because it was so pretty.

 The sun was a piece of agate and the flowers were fused in our kiln. I appreciate the craftsmanship and imagination in DeeAnn's work.

 The bathroom had a water theme with old photos of Salt Air and family swimming trips. The window was made with bottles found in a Ghost town. It is so cleverly arranged. 

 Here is a close-up of the bottles. Cutting the bottoms off these bottles was no easy project. 

 More amazing nature windows.

 Close-up of the rustic frame around the majestic Elk. The frames were made by her talented husband.

 The front door welcomed us to the home gallery. At least it seemed like a gallery. 

 We then had desert at Susan's home where this window lives in the front door. I love the colors she chose. 

 The antique cupboard is the perfect place for these intricate cabinet windows. 

Close-up of the cabinet inserts.

I wanted to show you the front door as part of the entry.

 Even the laundry room is decked out in style.

 More of the laundry room window.

Thanks Dee Ann and Susan for the delicious dinner and amazing home tour of your glass projects. Be sure to check out the interview with these wonderful friends on our YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/betterstainedglass

Give It One More Push

Lately I have been trying to give it one more push at the end of the day. After I think I've put in a pretty good effort I tell myself "What if you finish super strong?" That might mean soldering for 10 more minutes, cutting out 5 more pieces, writing 3 more pages, designing one more pattern, entering one more post or preparing one more thank you card.
What ever it is, that extra push makes a big difference. I feel accomplished, strong and satisfied with my day. Just for fun I'd like to show you some final hour projects for your inspiration and enjoyment. 

This extra push was to clean and copper patina 35 Nova stars. It feels great to have a project complete so that the next day when I enter the studio I'm not finishing yesterday's work.

Just one more hour got this first side soldered. This week I will finish this window and hopefully get it installed in the client's home. I'm excited about that.

These note cards were made by my friend, Rene'. Writing a last minute thank you card on these beautiful cards is a pleasure.

Once in a while our artist friends get together for a fun evening of visiting and silliness.

After a busy day in the studio, I'm ready to turn out the lights, unplug the iron and say good night. It's time for family and friend time. Sometimes I would be fine to snuggle up on the couch with a good movie but taking time to visit and have a snack with those you love is, well, Hygge. I just learned that word which means cozy and comfortable. Taking that extra time to nurture relationships is such a blessing. I encourage you to finish each day with flair. Congratulate yourself for a job well done.

Small Windows For Small Spaces

It's a lot of fun to create big windows but that's not always feasible.  Here are some small places that are perfect for stained glass windows. This dispels any notion that there is no room in your home for stained glass. Any bathroom, closet window, corner of an existing window or cabinet is a perfect place for art glass. I hope you will find some inspiration from these samples.

Little libraries are cropping up all over. Many have glass doors that lend  themselves to lovely glass.

Our son has a tiny shed but not too tiny for a glass art piece that he designed and built. 

This project is over the hearth of our fireplace. The opportunities are endless. 

Over our glass grinder bench are these creation windows. David built the frame that hangs from the shelf above and the windows are snuggled in. 

This Indian Princess window is small enough to fit in a small transom or above the kitchen sink.

We have designed many cabinet doors in a variety of sizes. 

Let your imagination loose as you picture the perfect little space for a little sparkle and color. 

Our web-site is GSG-art.com or you can find us on instagram as jeannegomm or facebook as Gomm Stained Glass. Send me a sketch or photo of the tiny place you would love to decorate with glass. jeanne.gsglass@gmail.com

3 Ways to be mindful of the tools of your trade

There are certain implements that are used every day as you create. Of course a painter has brushes, a wood worker has saws and a chef has pots and pans. As a stained glass artist I have some favorite tools that serve me well. I realize that when I care for my tools, I have greater respect for them and they last longer.

For instance:
1. Put the tools you use a lot in a special place. It's like always putting your keys on the same hook so you won't lose them, or hanging your apron on the same peg so it will be clean a little longer than if it were tossed over the kitchen chair. It's fun to put your water mug on a lovely painted shelf for a few good reasons,
     * you always know where it is
     * everyone else knows it belongs to you
     * It makes you happy to see it waiting for you.
Putting my markers and cutter in a pretty pot helps me appreciate it as I put it away.

2. Arrange your materials. I recently visited a show home where there was an entire room devoted to quilting. It was beautiful. The fabrics were neatly arranged on shelves according to color. It was obvious that the owner took pride in caring for her material. I was inspired to organize my glass by color and size. I also noticed that art books were in the studio, the office and on my desk. When I brought them all together in one shelf or at least one room they were easier to access.

3. This last hint is more about taking care of yourself but after all, you are the most important investment in your company. Be sure to keep yourself well and healthy . Eat good food and get plenty of rest.  Keeping your mind creative is very important. One way to do this is to have clear spaces. A desk or work space with nothing on it invites creativity.
By following these three steps you will find that you are taking care of your tools and yourself and your studio will be a place you want to be.

Happy Creating

Living with Butterflies

In the Butterfly Pavilion at Thanksgiving Point we were living a moment in time with the butterflies. As I was marveling at their fluttering and fragility, I thought of lessons these illusive flying flowers could teach us.

1. Change is always in the air
The caterpillar  does a lot of changing, growing and struggling to emerge as a lovely butterfly. It's not easy work. We see the finished product and marvel at the result. Every worthwhile goal we make takes effort and hard work but in the end it's worth the time because we are smarter, more confident and courageous because of the metamorphosis of our struggle.

Here is where the chrysalis are growing. It's like a butterfly nursery.

2. Letting go
Stepping out of our comfort zone is a difficult thing. Butterflies have to transition, adapt and morph as they transform. We have learned so much from when we were young adults. By learning new techniques and skills we are better glass artists than we were even a few years ago. The great thing is that we can transform many times in our lives, unlike the butterfly. It's never too late to learn from our experiences, let go of unwanted habits and behaviors.

I never got a shot of the blue wings inside but they were magnificent as they flew around our heads.

3. Be approachable as well as mysterious

I saw some children at the pavilion trying to catch the butterflies but were never fast enough. Then once in a while one would land in their hair or on their shirt. If we were very gentle we could coax one to crawl on our finger. They would fly so close we could almost feel a butterfly kiss and then would dart away. When we film our videos we teach so many fun and informative tricks and tips yet there is something about taking a class that is so personal and intimate. 

I loved when they flew and landed together. Sometimes it seemed as though they were dancing.

4. Keep moving forward

The butterfly only lives 2 or 3 weeks after it is an adult, that's not much time for mating, laying eggs and flying around being beautiful. We have so much life within us and are capable of blessing others as we enjoy our sojourn on Earth. Difficult things happen and we find a way to move forward. Spending time in the pavilion reminded me to appreciate the magic and wonder of nature and of each other. There is so much good in the world. When a caterpillar dies, a butterfly is born. When hatred, jealousy and judgement die, love, hope and compassion can live. 

5. It's up to us

The environment of the pavilion was controlled to be the perfect temperature and humidity. If we want creativity to flourish we need to surround ourselves with inspirational people, places and things. If we want to have a better world we need to be kind, show love and forgive ourselves and others. Of all the things I learned from living with the butterflies for a short time my favorite lesson was this, Be gentle, be happy, enjoy the beauty around us and welcome the magic when it lands on our shoulder.