My Addiction

My love for stained glass began many years ago when my sister-in-law, Chris, began learning the craft. She offered to teach me many times throughout the years, but I was working and juggling so much with my three children's activities, I knew I didn't have the time to devote to it.


When we were building our new home, my grandmother insisted I take a monetary gift from her to put toward something we needed. I just couldn't see spending it on drywall, flooring, or paint, but I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it. I asked grandma what her favorite flower was, and I commissioned Chris to make a window for our home, featuring her favorite, the Iris. That was back in 1991, and though grandma is sadly no longer with us, I think of her every day as I look at that window, still beautifully displayed in our dining room.


In August of 2002, I finally took Chris up on her offer for a lesson in stained-glass. I can not tell you the satisfaction I felt when I held that first finished piece in my hands and saw the light glimmering through it. It was like this fire just lit right under me, and Chris just knowingly smiled...... From there, I immediately enrolled in an adult-education class and attended for roughly four years! It was an open workshop, with a teacher around who could lend a hand and/or give advice along the way if needed. It was there that I ventured into leaded-glass and mosaics as well.

Yes, I freely and proudly admit, I became a glass-addict. Luckily my husband was as excited as me with my new-found addiction and became my biggest supporter and fan. What an amazing man he is, my Rey. He so willingly helped me collect the tools, and set up a space in the garage to work at. Need help framing something? "No problem," he’d say. “Let me get my tools.”



After a few years, we moved my studio into one of our spare bedrooms. I would've been happy just having my work-space indoors, but he insisted he paint it first and redo the floor...then we hung all the art work I had been saving for just such a space. I have to admit, it came out nice!


Having my studio has made my glass-working so much more enjoyable and productive, and I love being in my peaceful little space where I can dream, plan, and yes, feed my addiction.