Tecumseh's Art Bra Auction

A couple of photos from past events...

Tecumseh, MI puts on a really nice event that supports breast cancer research. It is called Tecumseh's Art Bra Auction and it is held at the Purple Pear Tree.

The photos here show two bras I donated in 2005 and 2006. The black one was made using glass frit, glass stringer, and embellished with brass filigree. The glass bra on the right was made with fused clear glass bottles and other found objects.

The following information is an excerpt from Tecumseh's Downtown Develpmont Authority's web site:

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a fact that does not go unnoticed in Tecumseh. Merchants throughout the city are planning events that will take place from October 18 through the 24. Mark your calendar for the Tecumseh Art Bra Auction. This entertaining evening takes place at The Purple Pear Tree in downtown Tecumseh. This year the date is Thursday,October 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Artists have been invited to create and submit their own interpretation of bra art. All entries are on display during the evening, and folks are encouraged to bid on their favorite pieces. Purchase your ticket for this unique event at The Purple Pear Tree or Evans Street Station. Tickets are $25.00 and include live music, delicious food, fantastic art and wine. All proceeds are donated to The Hickman Cancer Center. Call 517-424-6003 to find out more about Tecumseh’s Art Bra Auction.

I will be going. I don't have a donated item this year but I will enjoy the event. Hope to see you there!

Pat Deere

Links: Facebook Link for the Art Bra Auction

Tecumseh's Downtown Development Authority Info

Things To Do Before I Die

Wow. What an experience yesterday.

I have written before about Alden B. Dow but yesterday I got to "experience" him through his home and studio in Midland. I was only allowed into the lobby area, but I must have a hundred pictures of that room.

Have you ever walked into a place and left with a feeling that could not be described in words or photos? That is how I felt. Every time I took another step I could see another angle, another little hidden alcove, another set of stairs, how the water reflected on the ceiling if I sat here or on the floor if I sat there. The weight of the ceiling made you want to sit down in a chair and when sitting in the chair you were eye level with the water that came right up to the walls outside the room. The ceilings were pink and the carpet was green... I know, I know, I know it sounds awful but it was not at all. You really have to experience it yourself. This is one of those things that is on my "List of things to do before I die.". I really need to go back and tour the whole house, studio, and the grounds.

I was in Midland to give my proposal for a future project. They were using Dow as their inspiration and that was my reason for visiting in the first place. I have been going to Traverse City frequently since I was a kid to visit family. I don't know how many times we would just drive right by and not realize what a treasure is right in the middle of my own state.

Do me a favor and look up Alden B. Dow, read some of his work, look at photos... but you won't get the whole experience until you visit and see and feel all that he stood for.

If you get that opportunity... let me know what you felt!

Pat

Link: Alden B Dow Website

Another successful private lesson!

This isn't actually my student yesterday... but this is how they feel after a lesson. My recent student has taken stained glass before in a group setting. There were supposed to be 8 students maximum and their were 10. That is not a bad thing, a lot of people teach group lessons with that number of students, but what you learn with a large group decreases due to the lack of time the instructor has to help each student.

When Audrey came yesterday, she was having difficulty cutting glass, spending a lot of time grinding, and not at all feeling comfortable with her level of work. By the time she left my studio after a 2 hour private session, she had her project successfully cut out. She had to do very little grinding to make her piece fit. And... she was ready to take it home and foil the edges so she could solder when she comes back for her next two hour session.

At the rate she is progressing, I know we will finish soldering and framing the piece she started and have time to have me help her with some other projects she had started at home. That is the advantage of private lessons. You learn a whole lot more. What you learn is exactly what you are needing help with (not what the whole class needs to know). You are able to finish more quickly and work on other projects if you would like.

If you're looking to learn stained glass and are considering taking classes, call me to find out how we can work private lessons into your schedule. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Pat Deere

Link: Stained Glass Class Information

Finally - A Stained Glass Project for ME

This has been a long time coming. I live with an electrician and you know what they say... we could definitely use an upgrade in that department.

But, to keep things fair... we don't have much stained glass either. That is about to change. We are getting ready to log side our house. My studio and our offices got a face lift a few years back with the intention to do the same to our house. Our friend and contractor, Arnold, has been taking measurements of the windows, doors, etc. to get ready.

My part was to make sure our view was not interfered with - I don't want any lines breaking up the view. We have a beautiful field and woods across the street and I can still remember the day we looked at our house and I sat in their chair and just stared out the window. Not much has changed. Our road is still dirt - or gravel as the Realtors like to call it. We still don't have many neighbors. But, our house is in need of an upgrade. So our front door and windows will remain solid glass.

Now, this drawing is VERY sketchy I know. But I know in my mind what I am doing so it is good enough for me. The glass on the top of this page is what I will use on the sidelights on either side of the door. The sidelights and transom will actually not show through the interior of our house because of the way it is built. So, they will be back lit and the lights will be accessible from outside. The transoms below the porch roof will probably be solid sheets of multi-colored glass from Uroboros. I will choose a glass that shows the color whether it is back lit or not. And some of the same glass will be used in the transoms and sidelights to bring it all together. I was originally thinking I wanted beveled glass in the transoms below the porch, but now I am considering just solid sheets of the multi colored glass.

This is how the process works. Now the excitement comes in and the ideas will most likely change some as I move through the project. That is the fun of not locking myself into a detailed drawing of what I want. As I create the window, if something doesn't look right I can easily change it.

I'll keep you posted!

Pat Deere

Link: Thinking of custom glass for your home? Check out my web site for more photos.

Pictures In Glass & Great Ideas Interiors

I am so excited! Starting next week I will be renting space from Great Ideas in Tecumseh. Since my studio is in a rural area, and on a dirt road, it's not like I get a lot of walk in traffic. And, honestly, that's ok most days if I'm working on custom glass work. But this arrangement will give me an opportunity to have my finished work in a beautiful building, surrounded by beautiful things, and they are open regular hours!

Appleumpkin Festival is Friday thru Sunday the week-end of October 10th. I will be set up by then so... if you're in the area, stop by to see me and/or my work, Julie's new space at Burdicks across the street, Harold Roberts Antiques, and whatever other business are settled in by then.

Since Julie, Great Ideas owner, has moved her home interior design, home furnishings & drapery studio across the street to Burdicks, that leaves more space open for business like mine who want to get more exposure. If you have a business, or know of a business who could benefit from this kind of arrangement, contact Julie at Great Ideas. Her contact info can be found by clicking the link below. Although she has not been specific about what she is looking for to fill the space shared with Harold Roberts Antiques, she is open to the ideas you may bring and she will discuss whether she thinks it is a good situation for you and them.

I will be showcasing my new glass and copper garden sculpture, our wood furniture/stained glass line, great gift ideas from $15 on up, and of course, my custom glass work!

Pat Deere

Link: Great Ideas Interiors The photo shown above is one I created for one of Julie's customers. They have a wine cellar in their basement. This is one set of two windows that were placed on either side of the cellar door. The wine bottles were fused to fit in the window, the grapes were 3 dimensional, and the leaves were placed unevenly on the vine to give it some dimension. I wonder what we could do for you?

Jack Schmidt - Glass & Steel Sculptor

This is worth watching and his studio is worth visiting. He is a glass artist in Toledo whose works can be seen everywhere. Check it out.

He is a glass and steel artist I have admired for many years.


Pat Deere

Link: Jack Schmidt Video