I was in a couple of Book Clubs during the beginning of the COVID pandemic. In the Creative Cult, we did The Artist's Way, and have done many books since. This year we did The Creative Habit by Twyla Twirp, Die Empty by Todd Henry and Keep Going by Austin Kleon. Sometimes we chat more about life than the book!  We are still together 3 years later!!!

​The other book club I was in was DelArts Book Club, part of the Delaware Art Museum. We did a different book each month. They included March by John Lewis, Georgia by Dawn Tripp, Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund DeWaal and Lizzie Siddal by Lucinda Hawksby. When the museum opened back up the Book Club started meeting in person and I could not drive up to Delaware to join them :(

Right now I am reading From Chaos to Creativity by Jessie L. Kwak. The Creative Cult started the book, when one of our members, Jeremy, died we stopped reading it as it was too emotional as he was the leader of the book. I decided I wanted to finish the book for Jeremy. Yes it is hard but I believe he wanted me to finish it. When the Creative Cult decides to finish it I will read along with them, Till then... it is basically a book about systems for artists. There is more to it but that is the nutshell. I am enjoying it as there are activities to do to implement along the way. I recommend this book. There is a workbook also but you really do not need it. 

Are you in any Book Clubs? Or are you a Rogue Reader? What books have you read this past year? What books do you want to read? Let me know if you have any book suggestions. 

Thank you and Happy Reading!

I am always looking for storage solutions for my studios. Yes you read that correctly, I have my stained glass studio in Historic Downtown Wilson and I have my jewelry and mixed media studio at my home. Why? Because I love to be creating every chance I get.

Storage is always and issue for artists. I used to think I wanted matching storage or all clear storage containers but as time has gone on I have changed my mind. Now I am on the look out for vintage storage, like metal card files and metal map files and wooden boxes.

These are photos of my home studio, I have changed out the desk for a mid-century office desk.
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The studio Downtown is over 1900 square feet, and it is great. Lots of room and lots of light. 

Here are some of my storage ideas:
vintage furniture
vintage dress form to display jewelry
vintage bobbins to hold wire
vintage silver- trays, candy bowls
wooden tool box
tin cans from grocery store to store brushes, pens, pencils in
printer's trays for beads and finished jewelry
odd drawers just to put stuff in and display
vintage floral frog as a brush holder
silverware trays
wooden boxes
vintage suitcases with tags on handle letting you know what is inside
28 oz tin cans painted with enamel paint

Do you have any storage ideas you would like to share?

Now that I have talked about storage it might be time to do a little tidy up in my studio!

​Thank you for dropping by!

I am grateful for all the people that have come into my life. I always think about how you walked in and became part of my story that I will carry with me. Friends, family, students, customers and just regular people. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for being part of my story. Without you it would be incomplete.

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It is a new week!

Have you read 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman? It has been a real eye opener for me. I have changed my mindset due to this book and feel better about my choices, goals and life. Check it out.

Have you thought about what you want to accomplish in the coming week? Have you set your intentions?

I get focused by:
: writing down what I want to accomplish. Writing it down makes it real and helps keep you accountable.
: envision  yourself at the end of the week- how do you feel after accomplishing your goals? Do you feel confident?
: make goals achievable by breaking them down into smaller tasks that you can tick off. I love crossing out done tasks!
: share your intentions with someone- this will make you more accountable. I have an accountability buddy, Megan and she keeps me on task.

You can do this. You have the tools you need and if you need new tools they are out there for you- just ask.

My intentions for the week are:
- work on Smith repair
-have a GIDD (Get It Done Day) to knock out all the looming tasks that are on my to do list
-teach wonderful classes Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday!
-FB & IG posts for the week scheduled
-post December classes on community calendar
-take an artist date
-get ready for after Thanksgiving sales and events
-take lots of walks with Fred

What are your intentions for the week? Let me know in the comments.

Have a great week!

When I was little my Dad made a Gypsy Caravan into a playhouse for me. Her name was Shangri La. Many hours and overnights were spent in this playhouse with friends and family. The outside terrace is where the grown ups would have cocktails while we played. Memories for me to cherish.

When I was in high school and Shangri La was sitting my Dad made her into a ice fishing shanty and took her to lakes all over New York and Canada. Sometimes my Mom would go but I know she was not a fan of sitting on ice all day. There was always a whiskey bottle in Shangri La during this time, to take the chill away! Memories for my parents to cherish.

After my Dad died and my Mom sold the big house my sister Jane took Shangri La to her house in Esperance and she became a garden shed. Jane is an amazing gardener and she carries memories of her own to cherish.

Shangri La is still in New York but I am building a Shangri La for me in my yard in Wilson. She will be a place to create art, hang out with friends and family and to make new memories. I will share the building process as we go along. 

I am so excited to be having Shangri La back in my life!

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Thinking about starting  to create stained glass art? 

Welcome to the wonderful world of stained glass. I have been working with stained glass for 40 years. What? How is that possible? Time has flown by. 

I would like to share some of my experience and knowledge with you before you embark on your journey.  First thing first- DO NOT BUY ANY EQUIPMENT YET!  There are steps you should go through to be sure this is for you and your creativity.

​Step 1- Look for a class. You can check at your local arts council or stained glass supply store.
Step 2- Check out the instructor- you can ask questions before you sign up- how long have you taught? Do they sell their work? Can you get student references? What does the classroom look like? Do they require you to purchase all the tools up front? Not everyone is meant to be a teacher. I have found out I am a better teacher than sales person- not good when you have a storefront!
Step 3- What are the class policies? Can you make up missed classes? What if an emergency comes up, can you reschedule to a future class?
Step 4- Read the book "How to Work in Stained Glass" by Anita and Seymour Isenberg. This is an amazing book and was required reading when I took my first class. It is ageless and like the Bible of Stained Glass.

Take you class and remember you are just starting, do not beat yourself up if things don't go perfectly. Biggest tip: cut your glass as close to pattern as possible. If you don't you will be on the grinder forever. In my classes those students that leave 1/8" all the way around the piece end up getting the title "Grinder Girl" or "Grinder Boy"- jokingly of course!

If you were not required to purchase tools, while taking your class look online- Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. There are people who take a class and buy everything only to give up the craft. You can find deals out there. But be sure you know what you are looking for and check new prices so you do not over spend. I have bought out five people that had whole studios set up and came away with everything you could ever use.

You can reach out to me if you want more information or need help finding someone in your area. If you are in the Wilson NC surrounding area you can always check the calendar on the website for upcoming classes or schedule a class on your own.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

So you are cutting your glass with a traditional glass cutter and you wonder to yourself "do I need a glass saw?". Maybe you do or maybe you don't.

I bought a band saw years ago. I had it for years and never used it because I was afraid it would kick the glass back at me and cut me. I know, big weenie!. I sold it to one of my students and within months I was commissioned to make a piece with stars- not many pieces of glass stars but one piece of glass stars! Ugh! I was kicking myself.

I ended up buying another saw. I lost money on the first and then paid more again for the second. Live and learn seems to be my motto.

Using the new saw was a breeze to cut the stars, after I got over the learning curve! Man did I mess up selling saw #1. I love the band saw. It cuts shapes and a faster cut, it goes back and forth but not side by side. You can do gradual curves.

I have used Ring Saws also. owned one for a minute. You can go side by side and back and forth. The Ring can break easily if push too hard on it or try to do tight curves too quickly. The ring assembly is all plastic parts that can break if not installed correctly.

I just acquired a Wire Saw, which the blade goes up and down not around like the Band and Ring. It is fine for delicate work.

Things you need to know:
-blades are not cheap
-must watch water level
-Sharpie lines will disappear when they get wet, cover them with Chapstick or Vaseline to make them waterproof.

Any questions or information you have on use, I would love to hear from you.

Will stained glass ever rule the world? According to Google: Why is stained glass so important? Basically, stained glass windows developed as a theologically important art form– a way to convey to the masses things the church wanted them to see, think about, and understand, including Christ's death on the cross, His resurrection and then some.

Is stained glass art or craft? According to Google: Insofar as stained glass may be considered an art of painting, it must be considered an art of painting with light. Whatever techniques or materials it may employ, its own most unique and indispensable effects are always the product of coloring, refracting, obscuring, and fragmenting light.
 
I do believe that stained glass will rule the world one day. I can hear you saying that is not possible, a girl can dream though. I know fine artists do not believe that stained glass is not an art form but a craft. Glass artists of cold glass, warm glass and hot glass do consider their work to be artwork, I am one of them. 

​What is you take on this, is stained glass art or craft? 

According to the dictionary, a blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

According to Truelist: 77% of internet users read blog posts.
The digital population worldwide is estimated at 4.54 billion people. And more than one source mentions that 77% of these people enjoy reading blogs.

How many people read my blog? I do not know. No one has ever "liked" any of my posts. It is stated that 30% of blogs are successful.

According to Neal Schaffer: Blogging is absolutely still relevant in 2022. In fact, roughly 409 million internet users read about 20 billion blog pages monthly. This is why 53% of marketers prioritize blogging as their primary content marketing strategy. Furthermore, blogging continues to flourish with a 12% increase in the last 5 years.

How many people comment on my blog? Zero, I have never had a comment. 

Why do I keep writing posts? Because one day someone will "like" it or someone will comment. I am here writing and posting.

I ask myself that question all the time. I need a get away! It has been five years since I have been anywhere except the home.

So I made plans to go to the mountains, found a place that would allow me to bring Fred, found a cat sitter and...

Then it all hit the fan! Meetings planned by others, artwork accepted at a new gallery, volunteer hours need to be done, repairs picked up. Ugh! I mean I should be thankful I am so needed but really people!

Lessons learned: do not plan on anything, do not over-commit and most of all put yourself first! I wish I had the  guts to tell everyone that I was already committed and could not help. I would feel guilty for backing on them but wait I am backing out on myself. Why? I matter and I should stand up for myself across the board. 

Updated plans: still pretend I am on vacation and do stuff for me and take a day trip or two. I will complete my commitments and remember this for the future. Next time I will not back down!

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