ASGLA BIOS Pat (SB) Anthony The "SB" is a college nickname that stuck, and when we know each other better, I'll tell you what it stands for. Born (in 1950) in Indiana and raised in Wisconsin (FLW country). Went to college (majored in studio art) and lived for 5 years in Minnesota, then moved to Maryland for "just one year" almost 20 years ago. Happily married for almost 25 years with 3 children: Chris,17; Becky,16; and Jaime,12. My husband is a professor of Mental Hygiene and Epidemiology at the School of Public Health of the Johns Hopkins University (and not nearly as stuffy as that makes him sound!) We live now in the rapidly-being-developed woods in northern Baltimore County, Maryland. I've made silver jewelry, done a lot of silk screen, and dabbled in a variety of crafts. I have always been fascinated by stained glass. About 5 years ago, I took an adult ed class in stained glass and have never looked back. I also took some classes and worked with a man who has a big studio nearby. I love glass for the effect of light coming through it, and make windows, window panels, lanterns, candle glasses, and, of course, lamps. I have made several original Prairie style designs and other panel lamps, and am looking forward to making some form lamps. Joan Bengtson I'm a new member and I thought you would like to know a little about me. My husband, John, and I live on the outskirts of Rochester, Minnesota. We have two adult children, three grandchildren, a horse and a cat. John is an electrician and loves building and making things in his spare time. His workshop is always buzzing (forgive the pun) with activity. He can do just about anything except fix televisions or do glasswork. ;-) All my life I have loved to sew and do just about any kind of needlework. If it is made with thread, cord, string, yarn, etc., I can probably do it. When our children left the nest and I was free to work at whatever I wanted, I chose to turn my then seven year hobby of stained glass into a business. Why not needlecrafts? I wanted to keep my needlecraft hobbies intact as no-pressure pastimes. And I love dragons. I collect dragon stuff and have them all over the house. Radiance Glass Studio was created in October 1982 as a home-based business. Yes, last month was my fifteen year business anniversary. A few years later I began doing abrasive etching and intaglio sculpture, also. I do primarily residential and some light commercial work, restaurants, beauty shop, country club, etc. As much as I love Tiffany lamps, I have made relatively few. Those I have made are usually custom designs on handmade forms. No, they are not Tiffany class but they fit my customers' needs and budgets while giving me the opportunity to learn and grow. For quite a few years I have been a member of the Tiffany Lamp Club in Minneapolis. Even though it is a 200 mile round trip I attend most of the meetings. Talking with and seeing the work of skilled glasscrafters is a most exhilarating experience. It's an indescribable high. We share tips and techniques and bring lamps to show. It's fascinating to see the same shade done by different members and hear their reasons for making glass type and color choices. Our chairperson is Brad Berglund, also an ASGLA member. I am delighted to be a member of ASGLA and look forward to getting to know all of you. Brad Beglund Greeting to everyone. My name is Brad Berglund. Yes, that is Scandinavian (Swedish 'fer sure'). I'm 43 & have been involved with glass for 3 yrs. It is becoming a wonderful part of my life. When I was growing up I was always fascinated by color, combinations of colors,shades & textures. It was great fun & I liked the feeling I got when they were 'just right'. My parents were very 'celebrative' of diversity in so many areas . Naturally from that I became an artist at age 18. Wrong ! Actually , I went on to receive my BA in Political Science. Minnesota- politics -Scandinavian... I had thought stained glass was so delicate and allusive. Then finally I said that I would take a beg. class at an old glass studio ( 1903) in Minneapolis. It is one of the best things I've done in my life! I have made 2 lamps. The first ,a panel type. The other was a 16 inch Poppy. It had to be just right! All kinds of people loved it, in & out of the business. I'm working on a woodbine & another poppy now. These awesome Lins, Schlitz... so hard to cut yet such a thrill ! I devote time to our Tiffany Lamp Club in Mpls. We have 30 members. It started In 1977. We take field trips: bronze casting, flat glass making(Schlitz, Chicago Art), hot- glass, & have discussions with full-time lamp artists. Mostly, we are a technically inclined group that is making an effort to showcase our interests to others. We would appreciate any ideas. The ASGLA calendar showed me there were others with a passion for the superb- the extraordinary. The busier I get , the more I make time for my glass friends. It's worth it! My father & I have an investment company that trades NASDAQ & NYSE equities. My 'glass spirit' & background helps me think creatively in investing/trading. I enjoy traveling all over especially seeing friends in the Netherlands & Belgium . I have a great wife, Mary & a yellow lab, Tilly( based on a Dutch name). I like my Nordic Track ( but not enough to use it regularly) Why doesn't that J - D - I - Principle sink in . Is it like Nike stock, s i n k i n g ? I read alot, alot, a lot. Yes , did I really almost forget the lot- the yard lot- work that is endless! I also enjoy cooking- 'wildly & passionately' (ask me) when I take time. Also, I volunteer in the chemical dependency area - a real joy. Well thats it ...heck it's 3am Walt Boepple I am Walt Boepple and for the record that is pronounced Bibley like in bibliography. For no real reason, but that is how we pronounce it. In the early 1970's I saw a sign in a window of Occidental Art Glass in Seattle that said, "Stained Glass Classes". It was a one night per week class for 6 weeks. That got me started. The only problem was that there was very little glass available and there were no lamp molds. We would get a call that Washington Glass just got a case of "carmel" or "red" or something in and we would race up there to get what we could. Most of my first lamps were panel lamps. Then someone pointed out that old metal street lamp shades were sometimes in the shape of a lamp mold. So I made a couple of lamps using an old street lamp shade as a mold. Then one day a man came into my office and asked if I was the one that worked in stained glass. I told him I was and he asked if he could show me an idea that he had. He went to his car and came back with a piece of styrofoam shaped like part of a mold. It was 1/6th of a mold with a pattern on it and a couple of pieces of glass pinned to it. His name was Howard Worden and he had heard about me from his daughter who was a friend of my receptionist. We have moved onto fiberglass molds but Howard made it much easier for me to do lamps. I still have a chunk of foam in my shop with about 3,000 glass headed pins in it from the way I used to make lamps. I am very fortunate to live in the Pacific Northwest and be close to many other glass enthusiasts. I know that some of you are very isolated from other glass friends. There are a few of us that go over to Carol and Don Contis' house on Friday nights. Recently I have been cutting out the pansy square and I have done just about all of the patterns in the "Here Comes Santa Claus" series of patterns. I stumbled onto the ASGLA when one of my glass suppliers gave me a 1993 Calendar. I was surprised to look at the address and see that the location for the ASGLA was 25 minutes away from me. I called Carol and went to visit them. I joined and had the honor of having the cover of the 1995 calendar with my Lotus Lamp. That lamp has 1660 pieces in it but was fun to do. That is where the 3,000 pins come from. I remember I had to keep going to my local fabric store and buying all the pins they had, each time thinking that this would be enough. Then having to go back in a week to get more. If I can count correctly in my mind I believe I have 12 lamps in my house and 3 over my workbench. You all know the 3 over the workbench don't you? Not your best work and would never really sell but good for lighting the work space. We don't even need to talk about the 3 in the attic from the "early years". At one of the meetings last year Carol had us all bring either the first lamp or one of the first lamps we ever made. It was really fun. Many had all the greens and oranges that were so "popular" years ago. Not to mention the 1/4" foil with the big gaps filled in with solder. One of my first hot tips that I learned was to cover the gaps with masking tap so the solder did not run through between the pieces. When I first started we had to "groze" to make any changes in a piece of glass that did not fit well. Then one day someone found a small flat "diamond chip" file that we used for a long time. It was Howard Worden that made my first grinder. An electric motor with a grit rock grinding wheel on the shaft of the motor. It worked great and I went through many wheels before the present grinders came along. As soon as I get done with all of the Santas' I am going to start another lamp project. Other hobbies include sea kayaking, bicycling and skiing. Our ski season is just a matter of a few weeks away. Living in the Pacific Northwest puts me only a matter of minutes away from the mountains and the water. Stephanie Braman Hi, I'm Stephanie Braman, and am a glass-aholic. Over 10 years ago, I was given an opportunity to explore our wide world of glass by working for Delphi Stained Glass in a secretarial capacity. Since this auspicious beginning, my involvement in glass has grown ten-fold and I have enjoyed the ride. There are no better people than those who enjoy stained glass; what a wonderful bunch you all are! Over the years, I have gained tons experienced many of the aspects of glass from conventional stained glass to hot glass, and most enjoy working in terms of 3D, thus my interest in lamps. I have built several lamps over the last few years (try to do 1 every winter) and am currently working on Odyssey's 18" Tulip Dome. Most of the glass has been selected, but I am waiting on our next shipment of Uroboros Uncat's to find another choice sheet or two to broaden my selection of pinks. To date, approximately 1/2 of my lamp has been cut and fit and is resting on a glass easel. The glass selection is mainly comprised of Uroboros and Bullseye. Someday, I hope to complete a lamp that I feel would be worthy of photographing and submitting to the selection committee of the ASGLA, but find that I am my own worst critic. Five years ago, receiving the first "Lamps for All Seasons" calendar was a real turning point for me. I'm really inspired and in awe of the artists who created all of the glorious lamps that were featured, and I am *darn proud* to be affiliated with this group! Good night all! Stephanie Braman Ken Briggs I have finally found some time to sit at the computer and write a bit. The fact that there is over a foot of snow on the ground here in North Seattle has much to do with it. I am now off work until the 6th of Jan. I guess I owe an introduction to the group. I started working with glass in October of 1993 when I took a class at Glass Expressions in Burien (shameless plug for Kathy, Lael and Richard). I took a lamp class from Carol in the spring of '94 and quickly found that it was very absorbing. I have finished 5 lamps and am now working on a Laburnum. I have built a workshop over my garage; and I spend many happy hours working out there. I am a Psychologist by training and my other interests include bagpiping (insert lots of laughter here) which I started at the age of 8 (in 1959 for those of you who enjoy guessing ages) and gardening. My spouse, Lori Kinnear, owns her own landscape design company and is trained in horticulture and journalism. We have been married 23 years. Lori doesn't do glass but, she gives me lots of feedback on what plants do and do not look like. I gave Carol and Don a Pansy square last month. I had just finished a Pansy lamp and "missed" the grid work in the square; so, I put them back in. The darn thing became nearly 90 pieces; but it was fun. Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year! Ken Briggs Jennifer Buckner: I am married (21 years), with no children. I am a retired stock broker (it really was interferring with my glass). Since my husband retired from his job as a professor of Sociology at Concordia University at the same time I did last summer, we sold our city house, and moved, lock, stock, barrel, 3 dogs and 2 cats to our country house which is a 100+ year old French Canadian farmhouse in a rural region south-east of Montreal called The Eastern Townships. After dabbling in other crafts such as needlepoint, sewing, and knitting, I discovered glass at a community school about 6 years ago. It's like a virus - there is no cure! I went on to take as many classes as my local glass retailer offered (lamps, lead came, painting on glass, sand-blasting and acid etching, lamination, and fusing). I now teach a beginners class at the same community school in which I started. I've also just started dabbling in hot glass but am not as keen on that as stained glass. I've done 2 lamps to date, the 16" tulip on a Worden mold, and a very small apple blossom, also on a Worden mold. I do a lot of panels, boxes, bowls etc. but recently bought Carol's Fuscia and Begonia patterns so I'll be back to lamps shortly. I like to incorporate nature and natural materials in my flat work whenever possible, so I put pressed flowers, agates, shells etc. that I collect all over the world into many of my pieces. I only have two regrets: 1. There aren't enough hours in the day to do all the glass I want, and 2. I consider myself a good technician but feel that I lack the creativity to call myself a "glass artist". Maybe in my next life! Carl Chapman I didn't know what would happen when I suggested to Carol that members include e-mail addresses with their "snail mail" addresses. I think it is great. I have enjoyed the personal introductions received so far. Yes, Peter, we may be cluttering up people's e-mail, so what :-) It is getting people familiar with what goes with the names. Incidently, I think the idea of an East Coast Chapter would be super. Don't know if the organization by-laws have anything to say about the possibility!? My wife is a quilter (we have all your interests covered, Deborah, but not in the same body) and she has several local clubs to join (not to mention the tremendous number of magazines available). I see the enthusiasm that her associations generate. I just wish glass folks had the same opportunities. A number of you have told of the experience of getting into glass working. For me, it started about 9 years ago. Both my parents were trained artists and I had looked for an outlet for that interest. I tried painting, but it always seemed that about the time I got everything set up to go, "supper's ready, dear." One day, we had lunch at a Bennigan's restaurant in Winston Salem, NC. They not only had a number of Tiffany Style lamps around, but they had a large stained glass medallion in the ceiling. My wife and I were (and still are) building and addition - and I mean WE are building it (20X28 ft, 2 stories, connected to the main house by a room 8X14 ft. with a 10X20 ft deck off the second story. We started the project 16 years ago (when we were younger and more foolish). We had planned the downstairs room as an old-time tavern room and thought that a stained glass panel in the ceiling would be a nice touch. I don't remember how I learned about it, but I signed up for a stained glass beginning class in Roanoke, VA. With the class meeting from 7-9PM each week with a 90!! mile drive home, I really had to want to be there. Most students did a fan lamp as their project. A student in an intermediate class (running concurrently) had a pattern for a blue jay. He gave me a copy which I modified it as a green jay (from south Texas). I might mention that we are avid birders (335 species for this year, so far). The project went well and I tried a few fan lamps. Soon the shop announced a Tiffany lamp class. I jumped on that right away. They wanted us to chose a small project, less than 300 pieces, which is wise. I looked through their Warden Catalog (neat story Walt) and chose the "Wine Connoiseur" which they list at 252 pieces. Unlike today's practice they started numbering two or three parts of the pattern at number 1. There are actually more like 360 pieces in the project. None-the-less, I finished it and then did the "Bamboo" and "Arrow-root". As with many of you, I am sure, I have several other projects in various stages of progress, including a lamp of my own design that will have over 800 pieces when finished. I have done a number of flat panel lamps including several of my own design. I have a design that I will be glad to share with the group. It makes a tear-drop shaped lamp that is very pleasing. It can be 6-sided (24 pieces) or 8-sided (32 pieces). I got so that I could turn them out fairly quickly and even displayed them in a craft shop at a nearby state park. One sold, but I was afraid of ruining a perfectly good hobby. I have actually not done much glass work in awhile. I teach Biology at a small state college here in southern WV and it keeps me very busy. I probably have half a ton of glass waiting for me when I get back into it. I live about 220 miles from Wissmach Glass Co. and 240 miles from Youghiougheny Glass. Both sell "scrap" at reasonable prices. For Wissmach, it is $.60/lb. For Youghiougheny, it is between $1.50 and $4.00/lb depending on type. Stipple is, of course, the most. Actually, these prices at Yough... (I'm not going to try typing that again) are for pieces ranging from about a foot square up to full sheets. I probably have in excess of 40 half sheets. Obscene, I know, but... This is my 30th year of teaching at this school and I am looking forward to retirement. I had a sabbatical leave last spring semester and learned that I could enjoy retirement - real well!!! That would certainly increase the time for glass. I also enjoy golf, travel (20,000 miles+ so far this year), and, as mentioned earlier, birding. My wife and I actually find our crafts to be very complimentary - both involving color and design. I don't mind helping her pick out fabric and she is willing to help me pick out glass. Neither is a threat to the other's craft. She has me in terms of square footage of fabric, but I have her on tonnage of glass :-) We are in the midst of a real blizzard. Yes I know we are in the south, but our elevation of 2600 ft. gives us decidedly northern weather. Thinking SPRING!!! Keep those cards and letters coming. I did try to respond to folks who have written, but found a few typos in the addresses. Hopefully those have been corrected. More later... Carl "Carl or Sherry Chapman"From reading the other bios from the group, I realize that not that many of us can easily sell our creations The family-room lamp I mentioned earlier is the only one of my projects I still have, that and one of those lead-body dragons with glass wings in my workroom. I think that's because among artisans there are *product* people and *process* people. *Product* people are eager to own that lamp (quilt, bookcase, etc.) and make it so that they can enjoy it. *Process* people enjoy the act of creating, picking out colors, cutting, assembling, so much that the enjoyment of the finished item is almost anticlimactic. I'm definitely one of the latter. I quilt too and find that quilting and glass have a lot in common. You're working with color and shape and texture, you're also working with certain restrictions when planning your designs. Except that you can take your quilt with you on long car trips! Yvonne Knipe I would like to introduce myself as a new member of the group. I can be contacted through the email address: groom@ozemail.com.au Reading through the previous introductions I realise that I am probabaly the most inexperienced of all the group. But I am full of enthusiasm if I lack experience. I have recently completed my first tiffany, an 18" waterlilly on a Worden mould, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It is proudly shown to anyone dragged in off the street to look at it, with a comment from me "HAVE YOU SEEN MY LAMP?" All the students at Sue's place thought it was lovely. So did I. I have been fiddling in glass for about *** ( like my age I'm not gonna tell ya.) years and I am presently designing my own tiffany. Other things I have made are: Australiana lamps and mirrors, suncatchers. Late last year I was very fortunate, with the other Wollongong chapter members, to meet the author and creator Jillian Sawyer from Western Australia. She is the author of Faerie Lights and many other unique Australiana books. I am now gonna do my bit, I'm gonna "piss in your pockets" ( I hope you understand this is Aussie slang for high praise),and tell you how grateful and honoured I feel to be a member of the group.....perhaps you can find an Aussie to translate this bit for you... haha... Glad to be on board. Hope to hear from you soon. Yvonne. Sue Knowles I 44 years old. I have been stuck on glass for approximately 16 years. I worked for a glass distribution firm for ll years. Hard not to get involved. I went to a local college and a few other private teaching facilities over a five year period. Then was expelled from College so they could employ me. Funny you can not attend classes and then teach them the next day. I loved my involvment with the Students so much that when they closed down the courses. I started my own Studio and have been teaching classes at home for 6 years now. I have five separate classes each week. We also go glass hunting together and attend galleries and shows together. Which is not very often as they are few and far between here in Australia. I envy all of you. Some of my former and present students Have also joined your ASGLA Pat Shepherd (not on the net) Lyn Huntsman ( on the net today...) Yvonne Knipe ( not on the net) They all make lamps and many other items. Lyn is one of my prize students and she will be checking in with you and introducing herself soon. I teach Tiffany Lampmaking, Lead Windows, gifts and Kaleidoscope making I have also Kiln Firing workshops throughout the year. I had the pleasure 3 years ago to travel to America ( the first time I saw dichroic glass ) Have been playing with it ever since. I purchased a griffon bandsaw and brought it home in my luggage, girls gotta get her priorities right. No jewellry or nik naks for me. Loved your Country. was there for three weeks. Went to both sides Florida, New Orleans Los Angeles San Fransisco Hawaii. I am coming back to attend the ASGLA picnic in 1998 and hopefully meet a lot of you. I have a friend in Queensland Aus who is organizing a small crew of us . Can not wait till then. I have just started designing my own Tiffany's and love it hard work though. You are all very lucky to be where all the glass is, we are decidedly handicapped by lack of good glass. But we try. We only receive 3-4 shipments of quality art glass each year. But hopefully this will improve and the craft is really taking off over here now. I have to fly to Queensland to see Schlitz glass, now tell me thats not hard yakka. Jan Barnard in Queensland is also endeavouring to organize all of us new members to participate in an ASGLA picnic in June 1997 in Queensland we are so keen we have already booked our accommodation.. Well I could prattle on all day. But enough Hope to hear from some of you soon. Sue Knowles The Glass Room 67 Timberi Avenue, Dapto N.S.W. 2530 Australia. Joan Luckhurst At the risk of being banished with a single keystroke, I decided it's high time I made myself known to the rest of you! However typing in this silly computer does eat up time one could be using to do glass. I am Joan Luckhurst, and I have been doing glass for years. I recently finished Odyssey's Apple Blossom Cobweb Lamp, and am almost finished with the 16"Hydrangea, and yes I have turned in the pansy panel. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, not far from Walt and Carol & Don. I have two dogs, (LLasha Upso). Two daughters (grown). Two grandchildren, a boy 4 and a girl 3,.and a Husband (Bill). I better mention this list is in reverse order of importance. In the Pacific Northwest we are fortunate to be very close to both the water and the mountains making it easy for all kinds of related sports. It is the middle of skii season and I love to skii, going at least once a week and more if possible. I also run, and hike, and am getting into biking, I like music, not hard rock, theater, musicals, and love to travel, and am so pleased the folks from Australia are coming for the '98 picnic. Enough for now. Joan Joyce Mattson Hi! I'm Joyce Mattson. My husband, Jim, & I live 1 week in Wichita, KS & the next in Shell Knob, MO year round. We have 4 grown sons with wives who have a boy & girl each (8 g-kds). I am a retired educator--taught grades k-3, then k-8 remedial reading, traveled as a developer demonstrator for National Diffusion Network, trouble-shot a local computer management system in the schools, assistant principal & summer school principal, downtown administrator for Chapter I, librarian, ad hoc instructor for K.U. & W.S.U. Have two Masters degrees (Education and Library Science) & am a doctoral dropout (ABD). Am currently semi-employed as an independent contractor (textbook rep) for Holt, Rinehart & Winston. Have an alter-life as a musician--voice/violin; have been a church soloist & did a nine summer stint with Music Theater. Enjoy many hobbies, chief among them doing stained glass. Have done the latter off & on since '92; joined ASGLA in '94. I've made 7 panel shades (most originals) and 4 molds (an art nouveau, 2 hydrangea variations & a water lily--none good enough to submit for the calendar, but my "babies" none-the-less). Have purchased 7-8 others. Am passionate about art glass & love the chat group. Jim McAdam I have been working with glass for about twenty years, off and on. About four years ago I got real serious about it. I made a lot of art object's, and have a lot of my art in galleries now. Here in the Midwest, sales have been slow, like the general economic climate for this area. I refuse to lower my prices for a sale. I consider time, material and a part of me goes into each item I make. I would rather keep it, than give it away. Do you agree? Is there anyone who is close to me? One of my suggestion was that some of us out here try to get together locally and work together to further develop techniques and get together for some buy's on glass which I have read about in the Daily Grind, which unfortunately are on the West coast. I am planning to go to Pittsburgh soon to the Youghiogheny Glass Co, as they tell me they have a lot of art glass that's in one of their local outlet store, next to their factory, which are pieces of sheets they can't ship. I have a bug with using true art glass. It isn't cheap, but the results, in lamps are stunning. I have never liked using "colored glass " I try to get as close to what I think is a true representation to what the old masters did. When I learned this art, I trained in the old ways and shied away from the modern techniques. That training is invaluable to me, now. I do restorations and freelance design. Look forward from hearing from anyone> Jim McAdam Cleveland, Ohio Kris Meseth I'm Kris Meseth and I am a friend of Barb Grollo. We met at Delta Stained Glass store in Wheeling IL. I have been doing stained glass for a little over 3 years. I took a glass for a paper I need to write for college creidt. Well I got hook on glass and have been making beautiful stained glass windows and glass items ever since. I work in foil and also lead came. I have only done one flat panel lamp in a Prairie style and the 9" pansy Worden system. I am picking out glass for the 18" Odessay tulip to be started when I finish an oval lead came flat panel I am working on now. I live in Des Plaines,IL which is in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Next to THE airport. (O'Hare) At this time I am working at the stained glass store 2 days a week. Fortunately Barb and I have access to a lot of art glass. We have been introduced to Lins, Schlitz, Old Chicago Art, Bulleye, Oceana, Uroboros, Youghiogheny and Kokomo glass. We have a great teacher and mentor that has introduced us to great glass and also to other aspects of glass. Such as fusing and slumping. Kris Meseth Des Plaines, IL Marie-Jo Murray I am your new member from Great Falls, Montana! I lived in U.S for many years, most of the time in Montana,but I retained my French citizenship. I cannot get used to cold weather and I still miss the big city, but it has been a good place to raise our only child. Great Falls Schools are highly rated. Our son graduated from Carroll college and he is now attending U of W medical school. Now I have an excuse to visit the big city. I started with framing classes which I enjoy very much, took advanced classes in Cal., taught it also. Stained glass attracted me for some reason , lamps mostly. Took two or three stained glass classes .I met Father Dan Hillen at Carroll college, watched one of his classes. He was my best inspiration. I gained a lot of confidence with him. Most of you may be acquainted with Fr Dan Hillen through the stained glass magazine .Fr. Dan is a master in stained glass, photography ......at the same time a great Priest. I started lamps with the Morton system, I was not very pleased with their system of making lamps in sections. I found out about the Odyssey System. It's then I started to make lamps. In sewing, I learned to use the best materials.So I knew I had To use Very good glass. A lamp is not made overnight . My first stained glass teacher did'nt not give me a very solid foundation. So, I went out on my own - beyond the frontieres of Great Falls. Sean Scarry of Youghiogheny glass Co., the only person was very nice to me, answered my questions very courteously. Youghiogheny Stipple glass was relatively new at that time. I couldn't find stipple glass out West. Sean made sure I found out to obtain some. I "fell in love " with it. It is the only glass I use to make my lamps. Great Falls has a nationly renouned Western art auction annualy - the Charles Russell western art auction. Visitors come from around the world. There is a long waiting list for artists to be able to expose their work.Jay Contway, a well known bronze artist, invited me to expose my lamps at the Jay Contway and Friends Western Art Show which takes place at the same time as the Russell Art Auction. I was the only one to expose a none Western art form. I think I was good advertising for Odyssey and youghiogheny .After my exposition, many people mimic my Tyffany glass reproductions - Made me feel good!!! I started to go to the yearly stained glass shows where I met many manufacturers and some very nice people... I made other lamps inspired by Frank LLoid Wright. I am currently cutting the Trumpet Vine patern. I plan to make it all white using stipple Y., and black foil, this will give my lamp a light grey affect.Sean Scarry encouraged me to join ASGLA club. I called Sean today to tell him I was joining your club. He was happy to hear that .I will be happy to answer question on your stained glass, picture framing and sewing (I went to a French sewing school.) Don't ask me about fishing or hunting in Montana.I am French, Corsican and Basque.English is not my language and I am learning how to type. A bientot Marie-Jo. Jan Randa I, Jan Randa, live in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, just outside Milwaukee, with my hubby Charlie ( that's the other oldsmell ). We have 2 fast food restaurents specializing in frozen custard, and a hot little cocktail lounge in downtown Milwaukee, all of which our nephew ( and partner ) oversee. That means we are retired. I became a glass nut 23 years ago, the feeling never left. Charlie will not let me sell any of my lamps, claiming all are his. I joined ASGLA in 1992 and have been exceedingly greatful to all the members for there enthusiastic encourgement and information. Carol is an astonishing lady, always willing to give her all. Thanks to my "Support Group". Susan Slack I am Susan Slack, the newest member to the on line group. I live in Green Oaks,Illinois, which is 15 miles from the Wisconsin state line. I am also 1 mile from Barb Grollo. I have been married to Doug for 28 years . We are one of those 60's teenage marriages that no one thought would make it. We have 2 grown children. Jenifer(and yes this is spelled correctly) is 27. She is married to a police dectective named Jim. They have 2 fabulous girls. Sarah Anne is 3 and Caitlin Mary is 1. My son Ivan, is the family free spirit. He lives on the island of Kawaii in a tent. He makes and sells jewelry of kneheehow (spelling?) shells. They are indiginous to the island. I have been involved with glass of some sort my whole adult life. I have been a dispensing optician since 1968. It started as a part-time job when I was in college the first time. I began doing stained glass after I finally finished college in 1992. I took my beginning class at Delta Stained Glass when it was owned by Cindly Jenkins. I came back a couple of years later and took classes from the new owner, Pat Pecora. I have been working part-time for Pat for 2 1/2 years. I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned from her. She is a wonderful teacher as well as great person and good friend. One day shortly before I began working in the shop, I noticed a bin of dicro. Pat explained that it was for fusing. I took a beginning fusing class, rented a rapid fire and have been hooked ever since. After taking classes at Hot Glass Horizons in 96, Pat let me start teaching the beginning fusing class at Delta. I really enjoy it. I have a studio in my home. My business is called Farmhouse Creations. Yes, I do live in an old farmhouse. We have spent the last 6 years restoring it. We just finished gutting and redoing the downstairs bathroom. The kitchen was last year and the upstairs bathroom 3 years ago. Now that we have finished gutting the last room that we planned to, the company that Doug works for has decided to transfer us to Southern California. I am not sure when we will move, it all depends on the house. This is a whole story in itself. I have tried just about every craft there is. I have finally settled on glass and knitting, at least for the time being. I have made a number of flat panel lamps both stained and fused. I just started my first Tiffany reproduction (Peony). I am, however, having trouble consentrating on cutting all those little tiny pieces, so much going on at home. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you. If anyone out there has any information on Southern California, I would love to hear from you. I am extremely interested in the glass life of California. I believe we will be living in the southern part of Orange County. Deb Sossi Hi....I'm Deb Sossi from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We are lucky enough to have our home in a small cottage on the shores of Lake Superior in what is called the Keweenaw Peninsula. I am a bookkeeper in a local oil company and my husband Joe is a mechanic at the local GM dealership. We have one 29 year old son. He and his family live in Florida and have given us 2 granddaughters Amber 7 and Lindsey who is 3. I started glass about 3 years ago. Took a copper foil class at a local consignment shop and couldn't put in an order fast enough for the grinder, soldering iron, etc. I did some small window catcher type projects at home at first but quickly realized I needed a project that would keep me busy longer, so I taught myself (with the help of the front of the pattern book) how to make panel lamps. I've done 9 panel lamps with the largest being a 490 piece, 10-sided lamp called Grape Vine Trellis. My husband Joe helps when it comes to the assembly. He holds and keeps everything straight while I do all the soldering. I could never assemble these lamps without him by my side! He has just finished designing and building a Lamp Positioner and Light Table for my Shop. I am lucky enough to have my work space in a building on side of our house that is about 12' x 20'. I've only done one project in lead, a 23" x 26" window for my Shop. I have just started my very first form lamp...the 18" Peony Turban from Odyssey. I heard about the ASGLA when I posted a question to the rec:glass newsgroup about the Odyssey & Worden systems of lamp building and Walt was kind enough to respond to my question. I just love belonging to this Chat Group. We are getting to feel that we almost know some of you and have struck up one very good friendship. Maybe someday some of us can meet in person. Sandy Stringfellow Some personal history: I'm old enough to remember when but young enough to still remember. I started out in southwest Michigan, married a navy man and ended up in Fairfield California. My husband is now retired and going to college. He is going to be a very rich computer scientist someday. So, he is the computer artist in the family and all correspondence goes through him. He loves getting my messages on his computer. I sat behind a computer for 20 years so have "been there, done that", now its on to the creative stage of my life. My hobbies are stained glass, refinishing old furniture and stitchery. I believe in reincarnation, I have enough projects lined up to come back at least 3 more times! Stained Glass History: 11 years ago my husband and I visited England. While in an antique barn, I spotted 2 very old, broken down, stained glass panels, about 7 X 31 (inches). I just had to have them. When I got them home, I didn't have the slightest clue as to what to do with them so ----- Took a class at my local community college. Now I have 2 beautifully ( ? ) restored stained glass panels in my family room. I have done sun-catchers, small and large window hangings, little and big lamp shades. A Tiffany Rose Bush being the largest. Restoration's and commission's in small amounts help me pay for the fun stuff. Some of my glass has been for sale, some as barter and some as gifts Sandy Stringfellow in Fairfield CA Frank Stryczek, Jr. I sincerely appreciate Walt Boepple steering me to you. I've only been a member of ASGLA for about 2 months, so I'm still a bit "wet behind the ears" . I was happy to hear that ASGLA has an e-mail group! I've been doing stained glass as a hobby for about the last 15 years. About 5 years ago I ran out of windows to decorate in my house, so I started making simple panel lamps, a Worden lamp, and then a cone-shaped lamp of my own design. Because lamps are so useful and decorative, I was hooked. I've now been working on a 22" Wisteria-Laburnum (Odyessey form) for about the last three years, and am trying to duplicate as closely as possible the lamp shown on pages 68-69 of the book "The Lamps of Tiffany Studios" by Duncan. Finding the right glass has been the hardest part. The same (or even similar) background glass that Tiffany used is impossible to find, so I settled on Uroboros #1135 on the recommendation of Paul Crist (He gave a seminar in my area last September). Also, I've been using Youghiougheny Stipple # 6314, # 6347, and #6637 for the Blue flower pedals, but their sheets are so inconsistent in color and density that I have had to buy quite a few sheets of them to satisfy my need for just the right shades and gradations of blue. (Can our group suggest better consistency to Youghiougheny?) I'm now only 45 pieces away from finishing the cutting, and about to embark on the foiling stage. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Frank Stryczek, Jr. Des Plaines, Illinois FStryczek@juno.com Annette Tamm I was born in Brooklyn to parents from Estonia and Poland. I was always interested in art and won a scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York City (which I declined because I thought that if I HAD to "do art" for a living, I might not enjoy it?!? Who knows...) So, naturally, I majored in Chemistry instead and taught it at the high school level for 28 years (2 in California and 26 in Maryland). Somewhere in there I started working with glass. Just before moving to Washington I visited the Corning Museum and found the first ASGLA calendar - and I knew I was moving to the right part of the world! I think Carol and Don have done a truly outstanding job in bringing us all together and making this group the wonderful support and encouragement it's been for me and for all of us. I'm trying to do more of my own lamp designs (as in the "Halloween" lamp in October of this year's calendar, and the fairies next year), and have lots of places in my home to hang the windows I do. Speaking of our home, my husband and I flunked retirement due to its remodeling, so he now works as a Nuclear Safety Advisor in Richland and I am the Office Manager of the Anacortes Community Theatre. (We hope to try retirement again in a few years!) In my "spare time", I act in a couple of plays each year and sing (not particularly well, but happily) with the Harmonaires here. I love most music, including doo-wop and rock 'n roll, and was sorry to witness the demise of disco (in my mind, I can still do all the steps - I'm just not sure my legs would cooperate...). My husband and I met at a country-western dancing club and need to get back to more. My son and I share a passion for movies. He has another year (?) at UW (in Communications), and he dances with the Vela Luka Croatian dance group. (Are there "dancing genes?) I wish I lived closer to the ASGLA hub in Gig Harbor, but this is a nice way to at least keep in touch a little more often. Delighted to be here!