Light and Glass

In 2024, I took a stained glass class as an escape from reality. It was a way for me to channel my energy into something new. The local shop in my town that had been open since 1971 was the perfect place to start. I remember going in to the shop to pick out my glass for the first time and rummaging through the different colors to pick out what I wanted for my design, even though I didn't know how to break glass yet.

I recall it feeling like being in Ollivander's wand shop where the glass chooses the artist like the wand chooses the wizard. The store owner and artist who began the shop 55 years ago was always behind the counter ready to help answer any questions, show off his process, or tell unique stories. He also collected antique railroad lanterns that adorned the shop on the walls and ceiling. I knew the space was a sacred church for creative minds.

After eight weeks, a lot of money invested, and many hand cuts later, I completed my first panel; a space-themed 27 piece panel that measured 20" lengthwise. The feeling of making something so substantial was awesome. Maybe it had something to do with my magpie-level obsession with color and light, the same obsession that hooked me to photography. Maybe it had something to do with connecting to a craft that has been around longer in human history than photography. Either way, I wanted to smash that glass again.

Having purchased all the tools, I decided to challenge myself for the second window, but not tell the glass shop what I was working on. I wanted to see if I could do it first and then go surprise the studio if I pulled it off. Being the raging Lord of the Rings fan that I am, I needed the White Tree of Gondor to be the next piece. I find that diving in the deep end with any new skill is the best way for me to learn how to do anything. Scaling up is hard for me, so I try to start at "up" and then scale down if needed.

This piece was over 160 pieces, significantly more than the 27 I had done before. The branches of the tree were so intricate and delicate. I did this all at home, soldered it together and then brought it into the shop to get help framing it. It was then that I was able to convince the owner that I was actually serious about stained glass and it was not a passing phase. He began to open up more to me about tips, his process, and knowledge about glass.

I spent 2025 grabbing coffee on the weekends and walking to the studio to chat with Mick and pick out a new beautiful piece of glass to add to my collection. It was one of the highlights of my week. I spent the year trying new techniques and new projects. Sun-catchers, straight geometric designs, 3D candle holders and terrariums. Many I made for the house I had just moved into, and many were made as gifts for friends and family.

Over the summer, my friend was in charge of a gallery exhibit in town that was retro-video game themed. He nudged me to design and create something, and I absolutely had to. Tetris seemed to be the perfect subject, and over the summer, I built this 2' tall window panel to hang in the gallery exhibit. Mick helped me at the last minute by supplying his last bit of zinc framing to me, knowing my deadline was up.

I was really proud of myself for learning something new and then less than a year later, displaying that skill in a gallery. I was so appreciative of all the feedback I got from the community, and I realized that this new skill isn't just for me, but I have to share it.

In October of 2025, I had some friends in town visiting and I was showing them around downtown. The one place I had to show them was the studio, and I dearly wanted them to meet Mick. I swept them into the shop and looked for Mick, but he wasn't there. I was informed that he had passed away earlier that week and his family was was shutting down the shop. To say that I am grateful that I got to learn this craft when I did, and get to know Mick, is an understatement. And in the months that followed, popping into the shop as it was closing down and meeting all the other artists that Mick inspired was so endearing. Mick wasn't just building stained glass, he was building a community.

This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life and hope to share with others along the way. In honor of Mick and his shop that I learned from, I decided to make my first YouTube video. It’s a bit vulnerable from what I’m used to creating, but I felt the need to share this skill. I still consider myself a beginner and my process isn’t perfect, but if you want to know what I learned or how to start, grab a cup of tea or coffee and watch the solder flow. If anything, you’ll learn something new about this magical craft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDO-gBiFTqQ

If you want to get started, I put a list of essential supplies in the description of the video. Let me know if you have any questions. Let’s keep making this world a beautiful place to live. - Elise