Day 127: Silouettes - Patina them in black or leave them silver?

Day 127: Growth Idea: Standing my ground can pay off!

Day 126 Donations: $ .55

Donations Running Total: $189.6622

My History: A funny story about my old studio.  I inherited my moms organ.  I kept it in the front of my studio and it was fun to have kids come in after school and sit down to play it for a while.  One day, I heard noise coming from it but nobody was sitting there.  Then I realized it picked up the radio station 2 doors down.  Kind of spooky!

Today's Business:  Well, I am back on track.  Delivery of my first window for the Flint Bus Depot will be June 8th if all goes well. 

Today's Photo:   Women's Rights, silouette section.  The silouettes in this picture are in the top section. Tonight I was playing around with the patina on the lead, changing it to black on one of the silouettes. Think I'll do that with all of them. What do you think?

Pat Deere

Day 126: Thanks for your design idea Tyler!

Day 126: Growth Idea:  Teenagers are great inspiration!

Day 125 Donations: $

Donations Running Total: $181.1138

My History: It was really exciting to also have wonderful window display areas.  Underneath my 16' sign, were full windows that could be utilized day and night. 

Today's Business:   Was not fun... but the result was.  I have been fortunate that most of my business dealings work out well.  I had a recent situation where the customer I am working with for a large project has been very slow, the contract outdated, and I am ready to deliver and move on.  With the help of an attorney at Pre-Paid Legal, I was able to work out a reasonble compromise that will work out for both of us.  Finally, the black cloud over my head is moving away and I am getting my creative energy back.  I can't say enough about the help I get through Pre-Paid Legal for a very resonable cost.  In fact, I am putting a link at the bottom of this page for my representative whom I have known for years.  The insurance is very low cost and I have used them many, many times.  This one situation alone has paid for the premiums I have paid over the years.  Thanks Mickey!

Today's Photo: Tyler's Mask.  This is a drawing from my sisters grandson, Tyler.  He showed me this today and I couldn't help but think what a wonderful piece of glass this would make.  I am considering a fused glass piece.  I love the inspiration from teenagers.  This design has great lines, and color, and intrigue.  Can't wait to get some free time to play with it.

Today's Product: 

Fireplace Screen.  Due to the demand for budget priced stained glass, I started looking around for reputable suppliers of production stained glass items.  I found one I am very happy with.  I am beginning to put these pieces on my website with the understanding that what I do for my customers is custom stained glass.  The quality, uniqueness, and pricing will vary greatly from production glass. Take a look and tell me what you think. I only have 3 items on now but will be adding more tomorrow.

Pat Deere


LINK:
Pre-Paid Legal Link:  Coons & Associates
Today's Product Link:  Hamstead Standard Stained Glass Fireplace Screen.

Day 117: Time to paint!

Day 117 Growth Idea:  Don't forget to go back to the basics.  Time to get out the paints.

Day 116 Donations: $

Donations Running Total: $181.1138

My History: Taking my history back to where I left off a couple of days ago, still working non-stop trying to get the studio ready.  Then I realize that moving into this large space requires a large amount of stuff to fill it up.  So, I started drawing out where everything would go so when my customers walked in, they would see finished pieces, as they walked back they would find sheets of glass, and behind the glass bins was my work area.

Today's Business:  Constantly running the kiln, organized my crushed glass with a new bin and containers so they are stored by color with glass codes on each container (yes!), updated my web site (yes!), and started to paint out the idea that just wasn't coming together.  I have been commissioned to work on a piece of crushed glass for a cottage.  This customer has wonderful art pieces with colors I would like to capture in my glass.  The cottage is on Devil's Lake where perch, blue gill, and large mouth bass are sought after.  Because of the unusual dimensions, molding, and open window space for this project... the best solution in my mind was a crushed glass piece that will combine 4 separate panels into one.  I can now comfortably start to layer my glass (yes!).

Today's Photo:  Under The Sea at Devil's Lake in the beginning stages on my easel.

Today's Product:  Rose colored crushed glass nightlight with fused glass bowl set.

Pat Deere

LINK:  Night Light & Bowl Set

Day 116: Use my energy to capture ideas while they are hot... and give back where I can.

Day 116

Day 115 Donations: $

Donations Running Total: $181.1138

Today’s Growth Ideas:  Use my energy to capture my ideas while they are hot and... give back where I can.

My History:  Taking my history back to where I left off a couple of days ago,

Today's Business:   While biking today, my kiln was running for a project that is due on Friday.  My first couple of tries resulted in cracked glass, telling me I was pushing the heat to fast and had to slow down.  So, at 8am this morning I put it in the kiln and turned it on low.  When I got back at about 4pm, the kiln was at about 800 degrees, and I could turn up the heat until I reached about 1500, the desired doneness for this project before venting it and shutting it off.  While babysitting my kiln, I worked on the piece shown in todays photo.  This has only been cut, and the words painted.  It still needs to go in the kiln for firing prior to foiling and soldering.  I am considering some kind of welded steel frame... still thinking about that one.   A couple of pieces are cut stone I got from my computer guy.  They are the iridized pieces on the hill. I wrote down this thought a couple of days ago and how true it was today.  The last 30 miles of my 50 mile ride were against a pretty hefty wind.  Definitely pushed me to my limit.

Today's Photo:  I call this one, "Biking Downhill".  It will be posted on my website when finished.  It may be a couple of weeks because my kiln has been firing daily for other projects I have been commissioned for.

Pat Deere

LINKS:  Dawn Farm - Ride For Recovery  The ride was great and they offer 10 and 25 mile rides as well as the 50 mile I went on.  Dawn Farm is a recovery center in Ypsilanti.  They are a worthy cause.  Join me for the ride next year or at least check out their web site for more info.

Day 115:

Day 115

Day 114 Donations: $.7808

Donations Running Total: $181.1138

Today’s Growth Idea: Remembering the past but pushing on for today.

My History: Back tracking again... when I found this photo I had to post it.  My first studio was barely big enough for a 4'x8' work table, glass bins on one wall, a desk, and display units for a few items.  Hmmmm... where did I put my son.  I had Matthew at this time and was pregnant with my middle son, Travis.  What was I thinking?  Actually, what I was thinking was that following my passion would help me maintain my sanity in what was sometimes a pretty insane life.  I knew starting out would be difficult.  But, I also knew, eventually my boys would be grown and I could put the knowledge I was gaining from these experiences to good use.  That has proven to be true, but what a process to get there.

Today's Business: Lots of kiln work, glass crushing for future projects, and catching up today.  Getting a lot of items ready to add to my "Garage Sale Page" so Nicole can add them on Monday.  Now, it's time for a break so off for a bike ride on this beautifully sunny day.

Today's Photo:  This is pretty funny. My first studio in Tecumseh showing me teaching a class - I am on the far right.

Today's New Product:

 I often get asked to create stained glass pieces based on 12 step programs.  This is one of those pieces.  It is about 8" round, has some nice edge pieces making up the triangle, and "Free At Last!" painted on the bottom.

Pat Deere

LINKS:  Pictures In Glass web page for 12 Step items.

Day 114: There is nothing like riding down the hill with the wind to your back...

Day 114

Day 113 Donations: $7.9927

Donations Running Total: $180.333

Today’s Growth Idea:   There is nothing like riding down the hill with the wind to your back to make you feel like you are in shape... then the ride home against the wind tells me where I really am.  Getting my exercise through biking really is good for me in every way.  I feel healthier, it clears my brain for a more productive day, and it gets the creative juices flowing... the smell of lilacs was a bonus.   Gave me some ideas for new glass pieces.  I'll post photos when done.

My History:   This is a blast from the past.  While going through my files I found this photo.  It brought a lot of controversy at the time.  In this picture you can see two of my boys during the renovation process.  They obviously got tired of pulling up carpeting and decided to have some fun.  Travis took the caution tape and tied Casey to one of the poles... then decided to pretend to hit him with a hammer.  A potential customer called into the radio station and threatened them if they advertised my grand opening... and on and on. The add read:  HELP!  What's happening here?  Come find out when you visit Pictures In Glass ~Stained Glass Studio ~ in downtown Adrian.  These guys were busy working on the renovation of our new location and decided to take some much needed time out.    This was in the Exponent on May 25, 1999.  Guess you had to be there to appreciate the humor.

Today's Business:  Trying to keep up with my help.  I have things coming at me from all sides today and no time to think.  So, I let them take the rest of this sunny day off while I try to organize so their next day back at work will be productive.  I'll be posting my garage sale items soon (things I have had since the studio shown above burned about 9 years ago!).

Today's New Product: 

These are hand painted broaches I purchased from Judy Jaussaud years ago.  They are often floral patterns edged in gold like the one shown here.








Pat Deere


LINKS:
 Jewelry page showing this broach.
Judy Jaussaud info.

Day 111: Back to the blog and an update...

Day 111


Day 110 Donations: $

Donations Running Total: $180.333

Today’s Growth Idea:  Back to the blog and some kind of order. I get off track and think this blog takes too much time. I am finding, it actually keeps me on track and helps me put some kind of order into my day. So... a more concerted effort starts again.

My History: While renovating my new building, I had a lot of help.  My boys, although they were still young (in elementary school), came and helped every day.  They had a lot of energy and pulling up carpet and playing "carpenter" was fun for them... for periods of time.  In between, they would go up to the second floor and treasure hunt.  We had some unusual things left in the building.  One of them, which was actually left in the basement, was a foot xray that one of the previous businesses used to check the sizing of a persons foot before they sold them shoes.  Hmmmmmm.

Today's Business:  It is only Tuesday and already a busy week.  I am following up with paperwork and designs for a church I met with yesterday who wants new windows installed.  I also met with a

kitchen shop yesterday who will be displaying my crushed glass/beveled glass in one of their kitchen displays, and finally a residential customer who is looking for transom windows and sidelights for their entry way is something I need to finalize.  Brandi is in the back crushing glass and I am at the computer.  That will change in a minute.

Today's Photo's:  I have posted some of these photos here before or on Facebook, but this is a glimpse of 3 of the 5 sections for my Women's Right Window for the Flint Bus Depot.

Today's New Product:  Brandi is fast becoming my fused glass jewelry person of choice.  Here is one of the necklaces she created.  More are on my web site.  These are currently introductory products sold at introductory prices... they probably won't be able to stay at this price for long!

Pat Deere

LINKS:  Jewelry... earrings, necklaces, broaches.