April 2019, 22nd Edition

Hello to All of You!

Well, it has been quite the test of endurance the last three months.  First the record of winter weather and second the ongoing construction in our downtown area.

All of us at the shop so appreciate your ongoing support and business, so we would like to celebrate that support by having a customer appreciation day.

The Customer Appreciation Day will take place on Saturday, May 18th from 10am to 3pm.  Come join us for refreshments and conversation; enter to win a FREE girlfriend’s night out class.  On that day, we will also have 20% off all sheet glass and 15% off all lay-out frames. Pattern books will be B1G1 at 40% off!

Look forward to seeing you soon!

--Judy Shumway, Owner

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, Let’s party!”

— Robin Williams

Life’s Little Frustrations

*You can never put anything back in a box the way it came

*The child proof medicine cap serves to remind you that you are still a child

*You pull all the mozzarella off your pizza with the first bite

Just a few—there are plenty more!

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Upcoming Monthly Specials

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

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Our Person of Interest

Please meet this quarter’s person of interest, Nicole Yoss.  She is a regular at our Wednesday night class and has been doing stained glass for 4 years.  Here she is posing with her own design of copper and stained glass.

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Wordfind

Click here for our quarterly WORD FIND!

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January 2019, 21st Edition

Welcome To The New Year!

““My favorite outdoor activity is going back inside”.”

— Source Unknown

A new year, and we’re excited about bringing you more stained glass adventures!

On January 19th we are offering a first time Vitrigraph Bowl class.  This technique calls for pulling shards of colored glass from a kiln overhead. As it melts, it comes out of the kiln and you pull it into thin strings-then take those strings of glass and fuse it into a bowl of your design.  Check out a video of Sonja demonstrating this technique here: https://youtu.be/2QHrha_r9Ds. You do not want to miss this class—it’s just too cool!

Our one-day “Fusing Fun” classes have new projects that are too cute to pass up. Go to our website at eglassgarden.com/all-classes to view all our upcoming classes and sign up online.

Thinking ahead…we have scheduled a Lead Came class in April.  Some of you have been asking for this, and we have not offered it for a very long time, so we are bringing it back to you.  

Enjoy the wonders of winter!

Judy Shumway

Owner

Why Do We Say It

Cheshire Cat.

Where did we get the expression “grin like a Cheshire Cat”?  From Ireland!

Cheeses once sold in Cheshire County, Ireland, were molded to look like cats—and these “cheese cats” had very broad grins.

OUR FEATURED ARTIST

We have decided to highlight artists quarterly who have done glass with us through the years.  

This quarter it’s Charity Sullivan. She has been coming to our workshop for around 8 years. The projects she likes to do are sometimes outside the box but this time it IS an actual box—a present box, that is!

Thanks for the great idea!

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Current Specials

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

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Upcoming Classes

To check out ALL of our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Just for fun, here is a fun WORD FIND!

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October 2018, 20th Edition

Welcome! Fall is here, and I have some great things to share with you.

First of all, we are having our yearly Storewide Sale on October 5th & 6th. There will be 20% off most everything in the store with just a few exceptions.

Stock up on supplies (who doesn’t need solder?!) and get new items for your future projects.

I am also excited to bring in a guest instructor from Ohio this month, Sharon Carothers.  She will be teaching “Unique Mud Sculpting with Alcohol Ink.” Ms. Carothers has worked in this medium for many years, and we are thrilled to have her expertise at our disposal!

--Judy Shumway, Owner

Why Do We Say It?

Free Lance

Why is an independent writer, photographer, etc called a “FREE Lancer”?

A medieval mercenary soldier who was free of any continuing loyalties was known as a “free companion.”  Sir Walter Scott in his novel “Ivanhoe” coined a more descriptive term for such a soldier “free lancer.”

Spotlight Project

Dye Sublimation

This is a process in which a picture image is infused onto a tile or glass.  You still retain your original picture. We provide this service at our shop, and then you can frame it with glass or inlay it into a wooden box which is also available here.  

We have several different sizes and samples available at the front counter. Stop and take a look at the samples when you come into the store for our annual sale!

Current Specials

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Just for fun, here is a fun WORD FIND!

--Submitted by Renae Ehle

Use copper patina on zinc and it will give you more solid black coverage.

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July 2018, 19th Edition

Happy Summer!

We are excited about our upcoming 20th Anniversary party on Friday, July 13th!  (See below for more details)

It has been great fun bringing the art of stained glass to all of you over the last 20 years.  Having the business has had and does bring us challenges, but we are dedicated to doing our best!  Please share with us your needs, wishes or desires for services in the future.

Speaking of challenges, we have had some parking changes this summer with construction and the removal of the parking lot across from the store.  For your convenience, here is a map you can reference with parking options: https://bit.ly/2IULh3W.

As always, if you have large items or a lot of items to bring, let us know. We can assist you in dropping them off before parking.  

Thank you all for the support you bring our shop.  We enjoy your business and inspirations.  --Judy Shumway

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Anniversary party on
Friday, July 13th

• 40% off all pendants, One day only!

• FREE Make & Take greeting card from 11am-2pm (stained glass theme)

• Walk-In Millefiori Pendant Class for only $25 from 10am-4pm

• Ribbon Cutting by Forward Janesville at Noon

• We'll be handing out $5 coupons, good towards any August or September class

• And FOOD of course! :-)

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Why are watermelon seeds different colors?

It’s time for some serious consciousness raising. And Gary W. Elmstrom, professor of horticulture at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, is just the man to do it!

Different varieties of watermelons have an array of different colored seeds. The color of a mature seed can vary from almost white to black, depending upon variety.

The  watermelon variety named “Congo” has white seeds, while “Jubilee” has black seeds.

There are also genes for red-colored seeds in watermelons, such as in a variety called red-seeded citron.

Seed color in watermelons is genetically determined, just as eye color is in humans.

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What are Layout Frames?

Here's a WORD FIND for you, just for fun!

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Current Specials

July

August

September

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Upcoming Classes

Here's a sneak peak--to check out all of our upcoming classes, CLICK HERE!

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April 2018, 18th Edition

Happy Spring!  Spring is the perfect time to start planning your summer fun!  Check out all of the new classes we just added!

Also remember to check out our monthly specials for savings on upcoming projects.

Now I would like to hear from all of you.  We at the shop are starting to come up with classes for the next quarter.  In that effort I am asking for your input.

Have there been classes in the past that you would like to have scheduled again?  Perhaps you couldn't make that date for some reason or you just enjoyed it and would like to attend again this time with a friend.  Comment below, or send me an e-mail at judy@eglassgarden.com.

Enjoy the upcoming spring and all that it brings!

--Judy Shumway, Owner

Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things

Worcestershire Sauce

In the mid 1800's, British nobleman Sir Marcus Sandys returned to his native England from service in India where he had acquired a recipe for a tangy sauce--a secret blend of spices and seasonings which was doused liberally on many Indian dishes.

From his estate in Worcester, England, Sandys commissioned two chemists, John Lea and William Perrins, to prepare bottles of the sauce for private use in his household and as gifts for friends.  

Its popularity prompted Lea and Perrins, with Sandys permission, to manufacture it under the name "Worcester Sauce."

It debuted in America, though, as "Worcestershire Sauce"-- Shire being the British equivalent to county, and Worcestershire being the county seat of Worcester.  Americans took readily to the condiment!

Community News:

The Spring Rock River Wine Walk in downtown Janesville is May 19th from 1pm to 5pm, and The Glass Garden will be a tasting location!

We will have special event pricing on many items!

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UPCOMING MONTHLY Specials

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Wordfind

Click here for our quarterly WORD FIND!

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January 2018, 17th Edition

Happy New Year To Everyone:

We have over 1,000 different kinds of glass available at The Glass Garden.  When Spectrum Glass closed, we purchased ahead as much as possible, not knowing how long it would be until those varieties would be available again. 

Oceanside Glass (Previously Spectrum) has finally started shipping glass, which will allow us to fully restock our supplies!  At this point it is mostly clears, but we are expecting more in the months to come.  It's exciting for me to be able to offer these glasses to you again!

I wanted to mention once again we are having a glass cutting class on January 15th at 6:30 pm.  Taking this one night glass will open up so much more to those who enjoy taking our specialty classes.  Learning the simple techniques of glass cutting can add unique touches to your projects.  Learning glass cutting will also give you an advantage in fusing classes.  In general, you will have more fun and who doesn't like that idea!

My final note for this newsletter---Snowflake season has just begun, so stop in and make your own flake!  

--Judy Shumway, Owner

Snowflake Facts

A cloud is made from countless microscopic water droplets.  When a cloud freezes, snowflakes result.

A symmetrical snowflake is not a frozen raindrop, but rather a single crystal of ice that grows directly from water vapor in the air.  The process takes about fifteen minutes, as the snowflake slowly drifts to earth.

Just a note*****Our snowflakes at the Glass Garden may take more than fifteen minutes to make, but they never melt!

Community News:

We are participating in a pet food drive sponsored by the Janesville Veterinary Clinic.  Please join us in helping needy animals in Rock County by bringing in pet food items to our store through January 31st.

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Current Specials

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Click here for our quarterly WORD FIND!

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October 2017, 16th Edition

Fall is here and opening the door to winter!  It's a kind of nesting season for us all.  We bond with family and friends over bonfires and hot cider.

At the Glass Garden, we also have our way of bonding with friends and family.  We have "Girlfriends Night Out" on the 1st Thursday of the month where you can get together and enjoy a cozy night of fun with friends (and meet some new friends too!)  And here's a little secret...guys can come too!

The class includes all the materials needed for the project, as well as wine and sweets.  Our current project is a wind chime and no experience is needed--just a desire to have fun. 

Also...a wine bottle makes a great gift, so if you would like to bring in a favorite empty wine bottle (or any empty bottle) we are able to slump it into a cheese tray! 

I look forward to seeing you over the next quarter and being a part of your fun creations.

Enjoy the upcoming fall colors--nature has the best box of crayons!

--Judy Shumway, Owner

Why Do We Say It?

Fiasco

How did a complete failure come to be called a "fiasco"??

The making of a fine Venetian glass bottle is a difficult process-for it must be perfect.  If, in glowing, the slightest flaw is detected the glassblower turns the bottle into a common flask-called in Italian, fiasco.

Fit as a Fiddle  

What is the reason we say someone is 'fit as a fiddle"??

The phase originally was "fit as a fiddler" and referred to the stamina of fiddlers-who could play for a dance all night long without ever getting tired.

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Current Specials

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Just for fun, here is a fun WORD FIND!

--Submitted by Renae Ehle

Use copper patina on zinc and it will give you more solid black coverage.

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Subscribe

July 2017, 15th Edition

Hello Everyone!

Summer is well under way, and with that our lives change slightly.  Kids are home from school, yard work needs to be done.  It's also a busy time for camping, grilling out, and enjoying water activities and family get-togethers.  Even though we all look forward to these summer festivities, it's nice to still carve out a little "me" time at The Glass Garden!

Our "Fusing Fun" classes are a great fit for summer!  Most of them are only a couple of hours long, and your project is finished at each class (it does have to be fired in the kiln overnight.)  

Fusing Fun classes require little or no experience and are held on two weekdays per month--choose from morning and evening classes.  We have a sample of every project at the shop--stop by to see the pieces in person and decide which one you want to try! 

To check out our upcoming FUSING FUN classes, CLICK HERE.

To view ALL of our upcoming class, CLICK HERE.

Come join us for your hot weather getaway spot.  You won't regret it!!!

--Judy Shumway, Owner

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Origins of Everyday Things

Glass Mirrors

Glass had been molded and blown into bottles, cups and jewelry since the start of the Christian era. But the first glass mirrors debuted in Venice in 1300, the work of Venetian gaffers, or glass blowers.

The gaffer's craft was at an artistic pinnacle. Craftsmen sought new technological challenges, and glass mirrors taxed even Venetian technicians' greatest skills.  Unlike metal, glass could not be readily sand-polished to a smooth reflecting surface; each glass sheet had  to be poured perfectly the first time.  The technology to guarantee this was crude at first, and early glass mirrors, although cherished by those who could afford them and coveted by those who could not, cast blurred and distorted images.

Image (and not that reflected in a mirror) was all-important in fourteenth century Venice. Wealthy men and women took to ostentatiously wearing glass mirrors about the neck on gold chains as pendant jewelry.  While the image in the glass might be disappointingly poor, the image of a mirror wearer in the eyes of others was one of unmistakable affluence.  Men carried swords with small glass mirror set in the hilt.  Royalty collected sets of glass mirrors framed in ivory, silver, and gold, which were displayed more than they were used.  Early mirrors had more flash than function, and given their poor reflective quality they probably served best as bric-a-brac.

Mirror quality improved only moderately until 1687.  That year, French gaffer Bernard Perrot patented a method for rolling out smooth, undistorted sheets of glass.  Now not only perfectly reflective hand mirrors but also full-length looking glasses were produced.

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Current Specials

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all our newly scheduled classes, click HERE!

Be sure to complete this quarter’s WORD FIND and bring it into the store before June 1st, 2017, for a chance to win a Glass Quarterly magazine and a $10 Gift Certificate to The Glass Garden! 

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April 2017, 14th Edition

Dear Stained Glass Fans:

I have been busy planning something special for all of you!

We are having a stained glass competition at our shop!  This is the first time we have done this and I can hardly wait to see all the projects that will be entered.  Here are the details:

You must have your pieces registered between May 2-July 1st.  There will be an artist's reception on July 7th.  The size limit is no larger than 24"X 24".  You may have one entry per person per category.  The four categories are: foiled, leaded, fused and mosaic.  The entry fee is $10 per piece.  Your entries will be on display at The Glass Garden from July 10-28th.

The day of final judging will be July 28th, and winners will receive cash prizes! The 1st place prize in each category will be $200, 2nd place prize in each category will be $100.  There will also be a People's Choice Prize of 25% off glass purchase.

Registration forms will be available soon on our website and at the store. Please email me at judy@eglassgarden.com to be notified once they are ready!

--Judy Shumway

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Why Do We Say It?

Hooch - Where did we get the word "hooch" as a synonym for strong drink?

From Alaska.   When America acquired Alaska in 1867, a small body of troops were sent into the territory.  Since the soldiers were forbidden to bring any alcoholic beverages along with them, they set up their own stills and brewed a very powerful drink from sugar and flour.  The Alaskan natives called this drink hoochinoo---the name by which it was known until the gold rush to the Klondike; then hoochinoowas changed to "hooch".

Half-Cocked.  Where does the expression "go off half-cocked" come from?

From hunting.  A gun at half cock is in the safety position:  it cannot be fired.  But a hunter may, in his excitement at sighting game, raise the gun to his shoulder and pull the trigger while still "half-cocked".  Nothing happens.  And so, "to go off half-cocked" means to attempt something in a hurry without proper preparation and to fail in achieving the end.

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Be sure to complete this quarter’s WORD FIND and bring it into the store before June 1st, 2017, for a chance to win a Glass Quarterly magazine and a $10 Gift Certificate to The Glass Garden! 

The downtown Janesville Wine Walk last fall was a success, so Janesville is having it again.  On May 20th, 1-5pm come join us downtown Janesville for shopping and a little wine.

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Current Specials

April

May

June

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Upcoming Classes

To check out all of our upcoming classes, click here.

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