In the Swing of Things

I have been creating Christmas gifts that are ready to order! I love it when a plan comes together. You should check it out on www.kijiji.ca under London, Ontario the "art" section. There you will find several of my stained glass items ready to be ordered for the holiday season. Tell me what kind of holiday decor in stained glass that you would like to see that maybe you haven't seen too often before!
Melanie Horton

Back to work

Hey Y'all

Back to work, I have taken pretty much the entire summer off, and now I am finding it extremely hard to get back into the swing of things. I am seriously considering teaching in my own studio as opposed to somewhere else so I can teach my classes on my own terms not to mention the amount of money I would make for these classes as well. Right now I teach students at an average of 10 to 12 people at a time; however, I would like to streamline this down to 4 people. This amount is much more manageable, and still gives the impression of a small private setting which alot of people really enjoy. Instead of a "beginner" type class, I am thinking about hosting an intermediate class for those who want to expand their knowledge, and also learn from the other students as well as being inspired by them and encouraged. Yes, I think this is the way to go...

Luck be a Lady Tonight...

I guess everyone is buying the lottery tickets tonight because of the 7-7-7, you know, July 7, 2007. Actually, it's July 8, as it is after midnight that I am writing this. Do you think that luck comes to you, or that you make your own luck? I think it's a little bit of both; however, I try to rely on my own luck to make things happen. I find that motivation, and the desire to keep challenging myself will always open more doors than sitting around and hoping that luck - or shall I say opportunities to present themselves. It's kind of scary though too, trying to succeed, exposing yourself in a way to the world and hoping the "world" will think of you as a "success story".

The most meaningful developments
in my work are those that occurred involuntarily
and blindly, without knowing what I was
going to do, when I had enough faith in my own
creative process to be willing to wait for
it to happen without my will demanding it.
- Milton Glaser

A Picture is work a Thousand Dollars!

Who said that? Whoever coined the phrase needs to tell me who their clients are. Anyone out there who is interested in purchasing stained glass perhaps for the first time from a true stained glass artisan must realize that:
1. It takes time to create - custom, original art pieces
2. IT TAKES MONEY
3. Refer to number two!

If you are creating, painting, sculpting,sketching etc. , be FIRM with your price. If you are worth it, then stand by your work! If you are confident in what you do; then ultimately the client will feel comfortable not only with you; but your fee as well...

Stained Glass Artisan

I have been a stained glass artisan for seven years, and have taught the copper foil and lead came techniques now for four years. I LOVE what I do, and I look forward to any and all questions from other artisans in my field or others who are willing to inspire and inquire about either stained glass or art in general. All beginner's out there interested in stained glass can ask me any questions concerning their projects! I look forward to talking to each and every one of you!

Mel