A BUSY FEW MONTHS FOR THE LOOKING GLASS!

It's been a whirlwind few months for me here at The Looking Glass. My sales did slow down a pinch but on the family front I was blessed to be present for the birth of my beautiful first-born grandson, Pax. The following month my divorce was finalized and I am now officially Laurie Roskam.

My workshop is being fine-turned and I am now in the process of replenishing my inventory and starting on lots of repair work that has been piling up.


I admit I have a terrible case of cabin fever and have been battling a tough cold for the past couple of months on top of it all.

Life is never dull but a crazy-wonderful journey. Peace! Laurie R.

SECOND ELVIRA CHURCH PANEL IN PROGRESS

Good Afternoon friends! I am working this week on the second stained glass panel for Elvria Lutheran Church. This panel is coming together more smoothly than the first one which is nice. There is always a learning curve with newer and bigger commissions. Here is a photo of the window in progress. It shows the panel being ground and laid in the zinc channel. The jig is an invaluable tool when working on larger commissions. LIFT UP YOUR ART! With gratitude, Laurie B.

PROGRESS ON THE STAINED GLASS CHURCH WINDOWS: TAKE 2

 

It has been a productive day at The Looking Glass Studio. Here is the first panel prior to patina applied to the solder lines. I would have taken the picture in full sunlight but it has been HORRIBLY windy day. I didn't want to push my luck! At any rate you are sharing in the first sunlight this piece has seen. LIFT UP YOUR ART!!
LOOKING GLASS FACEBOOK PHOTOS

IOWA CHURCH WINDOW COMMISSION IS A GREEN LIGHT!

My trip to Elvira Lutheran Church was a smashing success! I will be traveling to Madison, WI to make the glass and supply purchases this weekend. Heat is being installed in my new studio and I couldn't be happier nor more grateful for all of the continued support I am receiving for my growing business. Here are a few photos of the trip and church for those that are interested. With Gratitude, Laurie (Lorelei) 

Year End Mad Rush for '09

Hello readers! I apologize for being absent for much of the tail end of '09 but when the end of the year requests came pouring in I was ecstatic! I've included a few photos below of commissioned items I completed for Christmas presents for people from as far as California, Texas and just across our timbers! I am thrilled that my orders have been picking up, my Facebook fan page is growing by leaps and bounds! Whoot! Here is to a healthy and prosperous new year for each of you. With gratitude, Laurie

2010....SWEET!

Time to solder away!

PEACE

Hello friends,

I have been incredibly busy with glass commissions and life in general. I've had some ups and downs the past month but wanted to stop in and let you know that my Dove And Cross has been featured on a wonderful Etsy Treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=49917

Here are a couple of pictures of the restoration I am working on for a woman in Iowa. She sent this lamp, well over 100 years old, to me via UPS and I was able to find glass to match. It's a tricky job as I've had to cut and clean up the solder joints prior to re-installing the glass. Deconstruction of stained glass work is always tougher than construction. As simple as this job seemed at first, it has proven to be quite the challenge. I continue to think of my blogging friends every day. With gratitude, Laurie B.

Third Time's A Charm!

Hello Friends! Happy Friday evening to each of you. It's been a very busy week here at the Olde Farmhouse. I have been working on some wonderful new orders and I can't wait to share them with you. I've also been working on helping my son and his wife settle into their new home and; as par for the course...I ended up back on Zpac at the end of this week due to another infection! Argh! At any rate, my BIG news for this week is that I was just contacted by vsilcoxdesigns, an amazing artist who's shop can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5695473    Vsilcoxdesigns has created a Treasury featuring my Hyde Park Panel! PLEASE VISIT THIS TREASURY AND LEAVE A COMMENT! This group of Etsy artists are among the finest I've seen to date! I'm stunned, thrilled and honored to be among them. Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=42532
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
With gratitude, Laurie B.

Dr. John Sweet Home New Orleans

Good day friends! We had a busy,busy weekend. My youngest son and his wife have moved into their first home! We had a wonderful time despite the weather. I am playing catch up with The Looking Glass and jumped on to check my messages. I have been featured in yet another Etsy Treasury! This one is an absolutely beautiful collection of colors, textures and artistic amazement! Please check this out at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=41049 and enjoy it! My Amber Fleur de Lys was featured in the top row!
Blest be to you! Laurie B.

Completion of my first Hyde Park design

Good Morning friends! I have completed my first Hyde Park design and whew it was a challenge! I am very pleased with it's completion and am very happy with all of my glass choices. I used English Muffle for it's highly reflective quality. I searched and searched for a piece of special glass for the vase and I think the effort really paid off.

I will be listing this piece on Esty. I hate to part with it but it is lovely and I would love to share it with someone.

Today I have a completely free day to work in my studio on my next piece! I have started digging in; creating some items for the speaking engagement I have in April. Hope everyone is doing well. Winter is almost behind us! With gratitude, Laurie B.

Etsy Treasury West feature!

Good Friday evening friends! One of my all-time favorite pieces, the Craftsman style Quilt Panel has been featured in an Etsy treasury! To see this lovely collection of art, hand picked by LoraCasil,  simply to go this link http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=43159 and enjoy! Thank you Lora! It's a very lovely grouping. With gratitude, Laurie B.

Faith Smiled At Destiny

I

first heard this song the day my niece Tendai was born. Although she isn't pictured here the song keeps her close to my heart) The year in review is such an amazing journey for me to take. I hit some real benchmarks with my business, tackled some serious health issues, rekindle so many friendships from (gulp) 30 years ago by embracing Facebook, and had both my sons married within 6 weeks of each other! The gabmit of emotions ran from fear to pure joy. Being a human on the face of this earth can be such a challenge. The political climate was a tough one for me and drove me inward towards my art. Some burdens were lifted while new ones took their places. I continue to reflect most days on my blessings, enjoying small wonders and celebrating even the hardest moments this life hands me. I tried my best to honor the past, and live in the present and create the future. Did I stumble and fall, of course, but I told myself that at least I fell. That means I'm moving forward. I remind myself that as with anything in nature, when we stop growing, we die. So my friends, here's to continued growth! With gratitude, Laurie B

gRain Ponchos (TM) stained glass feeder covers

Good Afternoon Readers! I'm trying out some different names for my bird feeder covers. I thought gRain Ponchos (TM) is a hoot! What do you think vs. Made In The Shade? Today I'm sharing photos of the beginning stages of the stained glass process as I create a medium size shade. I was contacted by a buyer recently and thought this would be a good example of a custom order request. I thought some of you may enjoy the educational process and/or be a bit curious as to just "how" these babies are made. The photos here include the pattern (which is duplicated six times for this particular cover), the glass that was chosen and the pattern pieces adhered to the glass . Then shown are the beginning stages of cutting each piece to size. From here, each individual piece will be cut to the exact size and then grinding the edges ensues. (NOT my favorite part of the creative process) I'll send updated pictures of that also but for now PLEASE send me a comment about my name idea. I think gRain Ponchos (TM) is such a fun play on words but would really love my readers input! With gratitude, Laurie B.

Made In The Shade (TM) stained glass birdfeeder covers

Good morning readers! I am very excited to be working on my newest project, Made In The Shade (TM) bird feeder covers. The photo above shows a lampshade that I had in my garage and through pure necessity put it on my feeder and voila, the idea was born! It sure looks better than the green/black plastic protectors and my birdseed is nice and dry!
I have since created custom ordered lampshades for clients in a smaller size. I have trademarked my concept and am now working on creating several different sizes and designs to add to my inventory on Etsy. As always, I welcome custom requests. I love working one-on-one with people from all around the United States and am very excited about this concept! Pam Hawk from Pass It On Plates and Plate It Forward http://passitonplatesblog.blogspot.com/  has, once again, fueled my imagination and given me incredible support. She pointed out that this will have great potential for the western states (she lives in Oregon) since they have lovely mild winters. These do seem to be very hardy to the winter we've had here in the Midwest thus far but I do think, with her help, people out west will really enjoy these. Sending you warm wishes on this stormy weekend here in the Midwest, with gratitude, Laurie B.
If you have already purchased one of my covers I would be thrilled to have a picture of it attached to your feeder to share here on my blog! Please submit photos to begginfarmhouse@yahoo.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello friends!

I am sending out best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas and New Years! This year has been filled with many blessings for myself and my family and we are filled with gratitude! Laurie B. (newest completed lampshade photo above)

Angels Among Us 2 and Gold Van Gogh Cross

Here are a couple of new listings to my inventory on Etsy..and yes, that is the SAME cross in different lighting...The Gold Van Gogh Glass ROCKS! With Gratitude, Laurie B.

An Artist I admire!

I can't say enough about my satisfaction with DaliDecals. They are a JOY to work with. I recently purchased several different patterns from them along with two from a different decal company within the Etsy stores. The difference in quality was amazing. DaliDecals won...hands down! They have a huge selection to choose from and will work quickly on commission ideas that the homeowner may have. My story.....I had a large brunch and was in a budget crunch. I needed wall art for several walls. We live in a smaller cottage style home where wall space is at a premium. I ordered the "signature" design, the branch limb featured in their logo above and put it up in my living room. I used the flowers for my very narrow staircase and used another paisley design for above my guest bedroom bed. I'm always leery of hanging things above a headboard, for fear it may fall on a guest! This LOVELY paisley design was large, the correct size, came in every color imaginable and was shipped very fast. So, if you're like me, and need some fresh, high quality wall art that lives up to its name, please visit DaliDecals. I have a custom order in at the moment so this will make my fourth or fifth purchase from them! Visit their shop for some beautiful eye candy! With gratitude, Laurie B. THE LINK! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5958100

In the Middle Of A Makeover!

Hi Friends!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, links, blog lists, etc. but I'm in the middle of a makeover....I'll have all of my bells and whistles back up by days-end tomorrow. Until then, Enjoy Prudence! I'll be adding an update on this six-toed wonder soon! PS> I have the Style FX sign done!!! Woohoo!!!!

With gratitude, Laurie B.

UPS STANDS BY THEIR WORD!

Hello dear friends!

As an update to my previous post, it appears UPS will stand by their word and reimburse my buyer for the damage to her mosaic. Thank the GOOD Lord! Whew. It was a lot of work and I really enjoyed creating this for Lea. So, cross fingers and toes that this gets taken care of toot-sweet. On the BRIGHT side, and believe me, Lea is a bright and sunny person, I am really hopeful that she'll allow me to re-create this window for her. I was happy all the while I made it and actually am anxious to get this done for her! Was this whole thing frustrating? You betcha, but with patience anything is possible! Gotta scoot for now but wanted to send out the happy news on this sad affair! (Still waiting for the Monarchs!) With gratitude, Laurie B.