Window of the Month ... Yay Luthuanians!

Since my fathers side was Lithuanian... this kind of interested me. The full article about the glass and artwork at Divine Providence Lithuanian Catholic Church in Southfield, MI can be found on the web site for the Michigan Stained Glass Census (see the link on this page).

Throughout its 100-year history, Divine Providence Lithuanian Parish has had a strong commitment to preserving the Lithuanian language and traditions through weekly language classes for its children and various organizations for all of its parishioners. Since I didn't even know my dad didn't speak any English until he attended kindergarden, I find their willingness to help preserve the language wonderful.

There is a camp in Manchester, Camp Dainava that some of the kids from our family attended. They help to keep the Lithuanian Heritage alive and kids from quite a few different states would attend: www.lithuanian-heritage-camp.org .

And back to glass... be sure to check out these Windows of the Month!

Pat

This has nothing to do with art, but you may be interested...

This came from an insurance man I know. Feel free to let people you know who qualify...

To all,

I wanted to let you know that Mass Mutual has started an initiative to provide 20,000 life insurance to those who qualify for free. They are $50,000 in value and are for a 10 year term, no catch, no gimmicks but you have to meet the following criteria:

Between the ages of 19 and 42
Parent or legal guardian of child under 18
Permanent resident of the US
currently employed full or part time
Total family income between 10,000 and 40,000

Some that I have included may not fit this criteria but I have selected you due to you possibly knowing someone that may benefit from this program. The basis for this program is to provide education expenses for lower income families in the event of a parent passing.

What's in it for me?- Nothing, I do not receive any commission on these types of accounts however I feel it is my duty to pass this sort of information on to you.

If anyone should be interested please contact me via email only with your contact information and I will have a Mass Mutual rep contact you shortly. Thank you.

Ryan
Ryan Timiney- Agent
Knabusch Insurance Services
2922 Lewis Ave.
Ida, MI 48140
734-269-3670
734-269-6200-fax
rtiminey@knabusch.com

Another wedding gift idea!

A customer of mine has a daughter getting married Saturday. She wanted something special for her wedding gift and asked me to make a glass keepsake box similar to one she got as a wedding gift years back.

So, I took bits and pieces from her wedding invitation along with pieces of her shower and bachelorette party invitations and incorporated them into the box lid. Since they like peacock feathers, that is the central part of the box. And the glass that makes up the bottom of the box has all of the beautiful colors from the feather.

The sides and top of the back were made with beveled glass. This is a gift they will always remember... and always remember who it came from.

NOTE: Whether you do stained glass yourself or would rather have it made for you, we can help you accomplish the task of providing a very special wedding gift.

Pat

Tis the season of weddings!

I have been getting a lot of requests lately for wedding invitations framed in glass. This is one that is being picked up today so I thought I'd show it off.

The lettering on the invite is gold, and the embossed paper mimics the clear glass I placed the invitation on. There are gold leaf "leaves" with a pink pressed flower in the corner. Pink is the color of the wedding party. The whole thing is framed in beveled glass and finished off with a brass filigree border.

Each frame that I do is unique because it matches the invitation I am given. Prices vary - from $30 for a single sheet of textured glass that encases the invitation, on up depending on the complexity of the design and glass chosen.

If you or a friend are getting married, these make great gifts and keepsakes.

Pat

Transoms about done...

Works in progress...

This is a sneak photo of a project in the process. The drawing at the right shows what the customer will ultimately end up with (although the glass is laying on brown paper with no light coming through). They have two transom windows in their dining room with dividers where the lines in the drawing show up. One window will have a set of corner pieces, similar to the photo shown. The other window will be a full leaded glass window with amber glass between both corners. I used No Days Glaze instead of traditional putty in between the lead on this piece. The blue glass was chosen because of the interior colors in this customers home as well as the collection of art glass they have. The bevels are part of a bevel cluster that has been divided into two sections.

I will be installing this on Monday and should be able to post finished pictures then.

Reminder: If you are working on new window treatments for your home... consider glass. Whether you want to "do it yourself", or call a professional to help you, Pictures In Glass can be of service to you.

Pat

Chapel at Lenawee Medical Facility - Almost Ready

I had a customer who came to me after her husband passed away. She wanted to have a set of stained glass windows installed in the chapel at the Lenawee Medical Facility in his honor. Bev designed the window with the help of artistic family and friends. I tweaked it to work better into a stained glass design and chose the glass that would best fit the design.

What you see here is one section of a four panel set. The plan is to take them to the chapel this week or next to check on fit and prepare for installation, with final installation to be done next week.

Photos of the finished installation will be posted shortly.

Most of the glass used in this window is Youghiogheny Stipple Glass. It is a wonderful glass with or without light. This photo was taken as it was leaning up against a board in my studio so it is darker than it will be once it is installed into the window framing.

More information about the facility can be found at: http://www.lenaweemedicalcarefacility.org/index.html . I find it to be a very comforting place to go. It always looks fresh and inviting. The children interact with the older residents. There is even a visual tour if you want to see what it is like.

These windows will be a wonderful addition to the facilities chapel. Right now it is nice but very plain. The windows, along with other possible improvements, will only improve the feeling when somebody enters and needs a place to pray or reflect.

That's it for now, Patty

LCVA Spotlight Show Tonight

Tonight is the reception for the LCVA Spotlight Show featuring 5 artists. The Spotlight artists besides myself are Christine Marsh, Dan Newland, Jill Shaffer and Debra Irvine. The reception is at the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts Gallery in downtown Adrian, 112 W. Maumee St. from 5-8pm.

Friday night is also downtown Adrian's Funky First Friday so there'll be a lot happening downtown.

One of the pieces I am exhitibing is Beethoven and me, as seen in the photo on this blog. I will also be bringing Tara, my mosaic mannequin, who is now complete!

Hope to see you there!

Pat Deere

Internet Issues In The Country

Finally, I am up and running again. I am OK with the computer and learning more every day... I was able to get on to face book, manage to get a few friends, update my profile, and add a few pictures. I feel good about that.

My studio, shown here, is a wonderful place. If you haven't visited, stop by. The downfall is, I am in the country and our internet service is limited. It worked great for a couple of years until a piece of equipment failed. It took about 6 weeks, and as many trips to Ann Arbor, two trips from our computer guru, and a lot of patience (that some people may not have called patient a few times), to finally get up and running like we were before.

So, I am back and will be updating this blog again. I have had a lot going on in my studio... I have recently been approved for a fifth window at the Flint Bus Depot, have gained customers from Georgia, Virginia, and Rhode Island, have given several private lessons (a new thing for me), made a business trip to New York, and have been busier than ever in my studio.

But updating this site helps me to focus and it is good to be in a position where I can do it with relative ease. My new newsletter should be out shortly!

Enjoy the day,

Pat