Hi this is Jan, I’ve been working with stained glass since 2001. I find the art of working with stained glass (sometimes also referred to as Art Glass) very interesting and beautiful, it can look so different with direct sunlight coming thru a piece vs. frontal light. Next time you are looking at a church window take note of this, I’m sure you’ll discover the same thing.
Stained glass is a medium that I’ve always wanted to try working with, after I took my first class I was hooked!
My workshop is in our basement. I just about live down there thru the long cold Winter months, after I come in from working at my full time job.
Our house was soon filling up with stained glass pieces, I needed to do something with them other than give everyone a gift of a stained glass piece for every Birthday, Anniversary, or Christmas. 
I was encouraged to try outdoor Crafters Markets, and selling there went well. I’ve also been accepted into the juried Artisan’s Market at Elkhart Lake on Saturday mornings thru the Summer months.
With the help of my ever encouraging husband I now have this blog and a website as well. Here is the address for my website have a look come on out visit me at Elkhart Lake, check for dates that I’ll be there or other venues posted on this blog.
www.shardsandlight.com
Just a little more about my artsy background. In school I was always doodling, drawing, sketching, or creating something. Gifts I received were usually something art related, while growing up which was great! Always enrolled in every art class I could thru school years. After I was married my Dad had retired, and was ever so talented on a scroll saw, he was producing wood shapes and cut-outs for me. I did all the staining, and then, woodburning and painting plaques and pictures. Combining oil painting, acrylic painting, and india ink. At one point I had many woodburned/painted items out on consignment in 5 different shops, along with selling at shows, and working full time, and having 2 large gardens, and raising loads of differents animals (chickens, turkey ducks, geese, turkeys, cows, pigs, horses, goats, sheep) and raising 3 kids……WHEW……… Sometimes when I think about all that I wonder ‘how did I do it all?’ Now I get tired just thinking about all that! lol Glad to have been able though, to have given that environment to my kids. Now life is a bit less chaotic……..thank goodness!
I love to dabble in different types of mediums. I had also taken on the accomplishment of the Master Art Course thru ICS in Scranton, PA. I have taken classes of Calligraphy, several stained glass classes and workshops, drawing and painting classes throughout the years.
Thank you to all my customers, past, present and future. Because of all of you I have been able to keep enjoying creating and being creative thru my art, and various mediums thru the years. :)
