Glass Community

A year has gotten away from me-unusual family reasons pulled me from the glass table. I'm hoping to return to regular glass playtime soon. Life has evened out and I have plenty of glass sheets wanting attention.

Gardens and yard demand hours this time of year, but the good part is seeing the returning colors that can be translated to glass projects. Ideas are percolating and teaching beckons. Hope others are doing well.

Interesting knots, Celtic that is :) I've done six of the more simple ones and am gearing up to do a few difficult ones. I have to remember size limitations and cost, as bigger items don't always find buyers. Last few shows saw buyers ogling the bigger panel pieces but buying smaller items after longer consideration and several trips past the table. I was pleased that glass still draws buyers but this economy has affected traffic at sales and dollar amount that attendees finally buy. I enjoy doing bigger pieces but end up having them hang in my windows for a long time. But that's okay too as I don't have to sell, and sometimes refuse to part with a piece that particularly pleases my soul. 

In that stained glass is an avocation for me as a retired person, I don't have to balance purchases of supplies to equal out what is sold. I have the luxury of making things that please me, rather than working to please others. Tax lady told me my outgo/income from glass must show minimal profit next year to be considered a home business, but I'm about ready to stop teaching glass introduction classes anyhow. I will need to sell class tools and pull back from several locations. It's time to play, except when the MS throws me a curve. Husband has modified my work surfaces for ease in playing with glass and I enjoy glass more when I don't have a class or show deadline. I've been thinking of selling glass pieces with purchase fees going to Multiple Sclerosis Society-time to pay it forward. Wow, didn't realize direction of today's blog, but I like where it's lead me :) Thanks, guys. I needed to talk it out.

Finally got work area clean enough to cut two Celtic knots. Why cleaning? Unfortunate habit of mine of not putting things away, but stacking, while I move on to something else I want to do. This time things sliding included some glass, you know how it happened.... 

Thinking Plan B for the saved odd shaped hunks, as Plan A pattern no longer will fit within the remaining bits. However, glass karma rewarded me for cleaning/organizing/putting away unneeded tools-I found two missing Celtic knot patterns and glass sheets that cut easily. Tomorrow some grinding and foiling-good Sunday hours with glass.

Only way to preserve sanity with 24" plus 20 inches of snow in five days is to balance shoveling with glass table fun. Tulips and daffodils are done, and butterflies are nearly finished. I'm promising myself I will do Scottish Celtic knots as soon as I get Spring sun-catchers finished. For whatever reason, I'm intrigued by Celtic knots, just need the time to mark patterns and cut out complex designs. Time for knots will come between snowfalls as newspaper is calling for another 6-10" Monday.

Question: Anyone else get confused about pricing when it's family doing the requesting for specific glass projects? I figure time and materials for outsider pieces, but with family.... How do you price your work?

Making a stained glass piece just a bit prettier is common. I was making hearts, decided to omit the bevel center and add glue-chip square to add lacy effect. Then I thought heart needed ball chain edging soldered around the edge to enhance lacy look once heart is in the window. Time on the heart exceeded possible fair pricing for a Valentine heart. I liked the lacy appearance that dressed up the heart, but to get fair price, never will happen. Move on, did two tulips cutting/grinding/foiling yesterday, more suncatchers. This economy, buyers are looking for small things in under $20 range. They will look at/ponder the big pieces but only pay for smaller with bright saturated color. Pre-holiday sales were decent, but it was the smaller bits that sold the best. Thinking Spring flowers, butterflies, etc. now.