Haven’t been writing lately, too busy finishing up projects in the studio.  While I wasn’t making Christmas presents, I did have a couple of projects that I promised would be completed by the 25th.  Nothing like delivering an installing the morning of Christmas Eve to beat the deadline!  Anyway, I did manage to make a couple of people happy, first with the delivery of stained/fused glass awards for an endurance riding group - I hear one is going to stay in Wisconsin and one is going to Illinois.  Been doing these for a few years and it’s always a challenge to get them just right.

Next, was a set of 4 stained glass cabinet doors for a local home.  I hadn’t worked with lead came for a while, so it took a bit to get things figured out again.  Once the first one was done the rest came together much easier.  These were the Christmas Eve installations.  Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.  The challenge here was getting glass that looked great without much light coming through (the client did have lights put into the cabinets, but the light level is pretty low).  As you can see from the single door image photographed in a window, the glass is really different and wonderful with transmitted light as well. 

This project and the re-learning curve I had to go through to get it done has led to my New Year’s Resolution:  design and fabricate at least one new stained glass panel a month using both lead came and copper foil.  And this is in addition to the other commission pieces I have to work on.  Should help keep me ready to go on any traditional projects that come my way.   I also want to do at least one new glass “painting” a month.  Maybe I won’t be going crazy the month before the Studio Tour if I can keep this up!

Well, 2010 is close to being a memory, and 2011 is almost here to start new.  I wish everyone a Happy, Safe, Healthy New Year!

                                                  Our winter wonderland