Hello everyone. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed time with friends, family and restored yourself by taking the opportunity to be thankful for what we have.

November 30th I participated in my first ever public show. It was the “Handmade Market at City Star”. City Star is one of our local breweries, and they are huge supporters of other local businesses. This was their second, hopefully of many to come, of these Handmade Markets where they allow local small businesses come and showcase their products. As I was a bit of a late add, I had a small space in the brew room near a homeopathic vendor and another new artist who made really lovely BIG barn wood trees. These trees were both a boon and a bane. On one hand, they brought a lot of traffic in, so I did get a couple sales from folks who were waiting to buy a tree. On the other hand, with so many people coming in to see them and buy, i was frequently obscured by the crowd and folks tended to look in the brew room, grimace and walk on.

Learnings? Location. Location. Location! I still sold several items, was able to ensure my payment taking system worked as expected and get some orders for future works. I’m looking forward to participating in this show next year, now that I know to engage early! I think my glass would do well by a window spot, which is possible in the future.

On to show number 2! This was so much fun! Held at our local arts center, Wildfire Arts, on Friday, December 6th we had set up and reception. I shared a booth with my dear friend Brenda Gallegos, who owns Ruby Starfish Arts. (www.rubystarfish.com) Take a moment and check out her work, she creates some fabulous pottery items including mugs, steins, goblets, vases, bowls, chargers…you name it, she can make it! We both had our son’s helping us with unloading and set it. They were awesome, and we really appreciate their support! We were doing some last minute pricing and tweaking, (adding clappers to bells and stuff) fast and furious prior to the reception start. Being a not for profit the art center had gotten grants to have live music and catering. The catering was from the local high school home economics class that also does catering, again keeping it local! Unfortunately there was an incident at the school that day, so the center had to go grab various munchies from the local grocer. All good though! No one complained. The music was provided by “The Wilsons” a local couple who were just lovely to both listen to and talk to! The center also had an open bar for the reception.

Now for this show we had a PRIME location! we were in their “U Create” studio, where they had crafts for kids and snacks all day - so everyone came through there! We also had extra space, and no other booths around, which was good, because we stood out, but also kind of a bummer, as we didn’t get to socialize as much with the other artists. Saturday was the big sale day, and thanks to the marketing Brenda and I did on social media, we had a great deal of traffic to our booth! To be clear, mostly Brenda’s family and friends, but hey, it got me some sales, so I am trying to be adopted by her now! Brenda had far more product than me, but I think if you work on %’s I think we sold about the same % of our overall inventory. I had a blast helping merchandise and sell the products, it took me back to my days in retail. Trying to draw peoples eye’s to the products and helping them find the right piece for them! I did discount my ornaments towards the end of the day, to try to move them out since they are seasonal. Pack up and load out was much easier thanks to all the sales! We then headed over to City Star to toast our success and divide up the cash sales!

Learnings? It really helps to have 2 people! While one person is checking a customer out, the other can be answering questions and engaging our customers. We are looking for shows where the 2 of us can work together in the future. It helps with load in and load out and all during the show, when we need breaks, or just during busy times!

That’s it for now! Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season, and I look forward to updating you in the New year!

Welcome! You are one of the very first people to see this website. I would very much appreciate your feedback!

So how did I get here? As noted in the “About” section, I have been creating in stained glass for 36 years. It all started when I was in high school. Sophomore year (this is WAY back when elementary was K -6, Junior high was 7-9 and High school was 10-12) and I wanted to take an art class. The rule for the school was that you HAD to take the drawing class first. Well, I absolutely detested drawing. I knew it was not for me, I wasn’t good at it, and struggled immensely. Having had 6 older brothers and sisters who had attended this same school, i knew the other art teachers would surely remember one of them, hopefully liked them, and would sympathize with my plight, take pity and let me transfer to a different class. Sure enough Roger Mathews, who taught mixed media art, was my savior and worked with Mr. Terry to allow me to transfer into his class.

In Mr Mathews class, he first exposed us to metallurgy and I made a few pieces of both jewelry and sculpture. Then, because he himself was an accomplished glass artist and owned Hallelujah Stained Glass in Wichita, KS, he introduced us to Glass. I. Was. Hooked. I think there was something about taking a piece of glass, deconstructing it and then reconstructing it into something completely different and amazing that just clicked with me. You literally get to break stuff to make stuff! I did venture out periodically into other media’s. I was introduced to metal casting and even built an entire lantern, metal and glass that was displayed at the Wichita Public Library. And created a balsam wood saloon front that was displayed in a city wide art show. I still have the lantern, but the saloon front did not survive.

My work in glass has ebbed and flowed over the years depending on means, relationships, location and family situation. Having now settled in Northern Colorado, and in a home that allows me to have a studio space, I am excited to kick my glass work up a notch and begin offering it for sale on a regular basis. I have been taking requests and selling or sometimes trading pieces over the years, so you will see that some people comment that they already own some of these works.

I also hope to offer classes on a more regular basis. I have been working with a local art center, so keep an eye out there! I fully believe everyone should try EVERYTHING until they find that one art media, wether it may be glass, pottery, fabric, fiber, sewing, jewelry, beading, music etc.. until they find that thing that brings them joy, and sparks their passion.

With that I will close this, my first blog post EVER, and hope everyone has a great weekend!