Friday, August 22, 2008

Show and Tell


Kelli's Show and Tell is always so interesting. If you have not checked it out you certainly should. Kelli is one of the most talented gals out in the cyber world these days and she is so generous with all of her ideas.


Since I have amazingly not taken any pictures this week, I thought that I would share a picture of a leaded glass window that I made years ago. This was made in the 70s and was made for a great aunt, Agnes, who was an avid hunter.
Agnes was a character. She had moved from the lush farmlands of Iowa and settled in a harsh Californian desert town near Blythe. She was a wicked Cribbage player and could shoot pool better than anyone I've ever known. Agnes definitely lived off the land and we were always amazed at what we were served at mealtimes. Thanks to Agnes I have eaten beaver, turtle, rattlesnake, quail, wild boar and pickled eggs.
She loved this glass piece and when she went into a nursing home for the last few months of her 94 years she insisted that I take the piece back home with me. It now hangs in our office window.
At the time that I made this window, I was working with several contractors and making windows for different homes and restaurants. The hobby that I loved turned into a job for me and I was thrilled. I had to eventually get a partner and together we worked on one 12,000 sq. ft. home that required one hundred and eighty six windows. It was HUGE! The house was a showpiece and was featured on a television show demonstrating various artists working together. The talented people that I worked beside on the project were amazing. One was a Dis*ney animator, one a tile artist, one a painter who painted an incredible picture of an English village on the garage wall complete with dogs yapping at the car wheels. It was just a wonderful yearlong project.
Leaded glass fascination died off somewhat and I now work on smaller projects just for fun. I do not miss the hectic pace of production, but I do miss the interaction of all the wonderfully talented people who I was blessed to meet.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.

18 comments:

  1. Oh Mary, that piece is stunning! I'd love to see that house you worked on for a year - I can't imagine how beautiful it must be.

    You do incredibly creative work of ALL kinds, my friend!

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  2. Oh, your work is beautiful! I've always wanted to try that.
    Kathy

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  3. That is a beautiful piece, just gorgeous!!
    Diane

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  4. I have 2 pieces of stained glass I have shown in past Show & Tells. I love it. This one is beautiful.
    Susan

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  5. Wow, you have a great talent! That piece is beautiful.

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  6. That looks like a perfect piece for Agnes and a wonderful way to remember her!
    Your lead glass profession sounded awesome!

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  7. How beautiful-I find stained glass work amazing! What a neat piece for what seems like a neat lady!

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  8. This is absolutely beautiful! I had to bring Bill in to see it because he does stained glass too and could fully appreciate the amount of work that went into this.
    I'd love to see the house you worked on too!
    xo

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  9. Hi Mary, I love your stained glass project! I also do stained glass and I really enjoyed looking at it! I know how much time you put into it, it is truly lovely.

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  10. What a talent, Mary! I would love to see more of your work!

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  11. What a beautiful piece of stained glass, Mary! I enjoyed hearing about your great Aunt, too!
    ~Kelli

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  12. I'm sure you could sale the smaller pieces. I have always loved stained glass. I take photos of it in older homes. Some that are delapidated and condemed but have these beautiful windows in them. I have though of trying my hand at it sometime. If I did everything I think of doing, I'd never get any housework or cooking done. Ha!
    I loved reading about your Aunt.
    Mama Bear

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  13. That is beautiful! I have a friend who does stained glass and it is just so pretty!

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  14. Wow - talk about talented! That is beautiful, and I'd love to see others that you did!

    Thanks for your kind comments this week for S&T.

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  15. I forgot to answer your question - I am staying as far away from Denver and the madness as possible!

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  16. That is beautiful! I am learning more about you and your talents all the time! I too would love to see that big house that you worked on, can't you sneak by and snap a few pics using a long lens?! ha!

    It's gorgeous here this weekend. We had a great day at the lake yesterday and today is beautiful. Didn't go back to the lake today as DIL is getting baptized tonight and joining the church. We are all pretty excited about that!

    Just had brunch with old neighbors that have retired to Florida. It was good to see them and get caught up on what's going on with them. I can't imagine leaving Maine for all that heat but they love it so that's good.

    Hope you are having a great weekend my dear friend!!!! xoxox

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  17. Wow! What a fascinating bit of info on you! Lovely piece! I would love some stain glass in my home! DH has been fascinated with that hobby! He may just pick it up one day. Thanks for sharing!

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  18. what a lovely piece! I enjoyed hearing about your aunt, too!

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