In working out the plans, I would design as many of the likes and “wow’s” into the project as feasible, but creative editing is a good thing. Sometimes, the compromise is actually better than the original desire – this is because the off the cuff idea may not really be what YOU want and is only a reaction to what your friend/neighbor/magazine photo/favorite star has, and not truly what or how you want to live or be.

This concept applies to how I approach all of my clients: I listen to what they are saying with an ear towards what they are also NOT saying to I can see the bigger picture and really work with them.

My approach could be seen as a compromise, but I see it as an expansion of your subconscious desires and I have never had a client unhappy with my designs or custom artwork. Limitations (budget, color, size, location, budget, time, etc…) are only another design tool. Some say that in a perfect world, you can get the perfect outcome, but who is to say that the perfect outcome isn’t the result of the creativity behind the limits?

Commission installed in Middleton, WI.

• It is great working with an unlimited budget; is this reality? Not so much, because budget always matters and I can almost always work you since there are tons of factors involved in the cost.
• I would love to pick out the color palette, but I actually find it more challenging and FUN working with color choices that goes hand in hand with your preferences.
• Size DOES matter; it is your window, and it really should fit.
• Time is also an issue, and sometimes, I won’t be able to get your custom window to you when you would like (like tomorrow). And as much as it pains me to admit it, I occasionally underestimate how long a project will take, how much time my shows will eat up or sh*t happen beyond my control and this affects all of my custom order timelines… but everything is always done, and I work extra hard when this happens to go above and beyond the contract minimum to make you something extra special. I always ask that you keep in mind that it is just me and the dog (and Piper does not have thumbs).
• Location, location, location – we have all heard this before – and where your window is makes a difference in the opacity of the glass, the desire for the window (that pesky window next to the front door, the bathroom, the nasty view out the kitchen, you get the idea) and even the inspiration. I can help make your space feel better with a simple shift in the view, color and ambiance felt in the room.

In essence, I love creating artwork that makes your home more colorful, might make your friends jealous, and makes you feel awesome!

Since it is finally snowing today... thought I'd share one of my recent windows.

My 3 goals for the year:

1. Blogging as a means to talk with my clients like I would if they were standing in the studio – so hello!
2. Spend more time developing relationships with new clients and deepening the existing ones; and be bolder about asking for referrals – know anyone I would like to meet?
3. And most importantly of all, to be more present: with my family, friends, and clients. This means that I will be taking time to focus independently on each task in front of me and not trying to multi-task my way through with a half-assed attention span.

Sounds simple right?

We’ll see. For now it seems to be working. I call my mom, aunt or text my daughter (she doesn’t always like to talk ) every day, and talk to my friends – this is easy, since I love them all! I contact at least one person every day that has been gracious enough to be interested in my artwork, and ask if there is anything I can do for them. And I make sure I am in the studio for part of the day (new work photos coming soon!), even if it is for only an hour.

What are you doing to make your goals a reality?

Copper Reflections

• empty out the email inbox & sent folders (keeping important ones of course) and resolve to not let my inbox become a huge to-do list; this usually last about 2 weeks.
• take the time to organize my receipts; the tax-man cometh way to soon.
• organize the studio and my files, including those on the computer, and try to figure how many photos I REALLY need to keep of the hundreds on my C:drive. Then I digitally “correct” and crop those photos (still working on this task!) so they can be uploaded to the website, and now I will be adding some of them to the blog as well
• and of course I clean the house – spring cleaning happens in the winter, don’t ya know? Of course, with the weather the last few weeks, it almost feels like spring anyway!

Gotta love the new year! 

1. upload issues (as in my old computer was not powerful enough to upload some of the images, and the software for the website was incompatible with Windows 7 on my current laptop)
2. outdated graphics (not totally, but the “look” was not consistent with my brand)
3. broken links (in-active websites, typos, and incomplete address info which was not able to be updated – see issue #1)
4. no blog (since I was hosting through Yahoo! and using their WYSIWYG software, ugh, blogging was not an option – again see #1)
5. and the cardinal sin in the website world – no easy way to contact me!

My business consultant, marketing guru and friend, Lauri Flaquer of Saltar Solutions (BTW, I will have a page for links to relevant sites coming soon) recommended Robert Dempsey of Dempsey Marketing to get me going with my new website. While Lauri has consistently given me fabulous advice, this was one of the best yet. You’re here, this is the new website (and blog) and it is already helping me showcase my artwork better (and even has a custom portfolio database), is optimized for SEO and better visibility, and guess what, you can fill out multiple handy forms on different pages to contact me…

Working with Robert was a dream (and no I am not a paid affiliate or being coerced into writing this testimonial). I approached him with a grocery list of absolute must-haves and wish list items. Robert worked patiently with me to design a new website that incorporated all of my absolutes and most of my wishes. He and his WordPress team went beyond the basics and developed a data base template that allows me to upload a single image and have it incorporated into multiple portfolios with a simple click of my mouse. And he did all of this quickly, accurately and in a no-nonsense manner. The coolest aspect of this; all of our meetings and logistical coordination was done via email and Skype.

Thank you, Robert for the dedicated and professional work and to Lauri for the fabulous referral. 

WOW! Let me say that again, WOW!  

Piper watching the studio and Shelby watching Piper... but really, they are wating for one of those grey furry creatures to jump from the pine tree. Then Piper leads the chase, with Shelby chasing Piper. Do you see the pattern here?

One of the best things about working from a home studio is being able to have a dog and not feel guilty about working long hours. As you can see, these two are working for their dinner protecting the studio; all without interruption from their real job – squirrel surveillance.

Fozzy, Piper, Shelby

The big white one is my monster Piper, while her best friends Shelby and Fozzy live next door and come over to play virtually every day.

Happy puppies!

And when you come visit the studio, the “doorbells” will announce your arrival - if they aren’t too busy stalking squirrels.

The west wall, panning towards the north wall, and finally the east wall with the glass racks and cutting tables... and all of the walls are simply GLOWING with fresh paint.

Soon.

Tomorrow, it is back to work as usual, then a long weekend hanging out with the family.

Have a wonderful time with family and friends this holiday season!

This is what the studio looked like this morning...

I actually built the garage in 1999 with a second floor thinking “some day when…” Then I began designing and creating stained glass windows in 2003, and I finished (and I use that term loosely) the studio with workbenches, lights (hindsight tells me I should have put in a lot more), a ceiling fan, insulation and above all HEAT.

The walls are OSB, so I don’t have to worry about putting a few nails in to hang things, and that has worked beautifully. On the other hand, the strange yellow color of the raw sheathing tends to skew the lighting so the glass does not read properly. But in the dead of winter, while the warm yellow color makes it seem warmer, it gets pretty dark – remember those extra lights I should have installed?

The studio this morning is on the left; and to the right, the studio as it looked this afternoon, with EVERYTHING piled on top of the workbenches to get ready for painting.

Even though I really would like more lights, painting ALL of the walls will go a long way towards making the studio brighter. So Tuesday the studio will be painted, and then everything needs to be put back into place on Wednesday; business as usual by Thursday.