Yes, Ma’am, It’s a Hummer

Springtime is here. You know what that means? Soon little visitors will be appearing in yards and on porches looking for nectar they so desire. One of our best sellers is the hummingbird. In these times everyone is looking for well wishes like this little fella brigs.

MZ Glassworks

So, take a guess. What do you think is the most popular theme for stained glass?

It’s the hummingbird!

Why is that you might ask? Perhaps because hummingbirds are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck and joy.

We have hummingbirds in store! They make good gifts for others. Those who you want to bring well-wishes to!

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On the Sidelines: Tiffany

This is the final of three posts about Louis Comfort Tiffany and the exhibit I am so happy I was able to see recently in Chicago.

What many people don’t realize about  Mr. Tiffany was most of the workers behind the scenes at the Tiffany Studios were women. Which was unusual given the time in history. When Tiffany set up a studio to meet the high demands of his buyers, few women worked outside  the home. Clara Driscoll, Supervisor of the glass cutting department had as many as 50 women working under her. Many of the designs she was never given due credit for.

Although we typically associated the name Tiffany with stained glass windows, their studios also made favrile glass decorative items for homes such as vases and candlesticks. They also manufactured stained glass lampshades. What distinguished favrile glass was the metallic components that gave a unique appearance. Here are is a picture of a display at the Driehaus Museum exhibit.

The trip was from Baltimore to Chicago was truly worth the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn so much about the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and the medium of art, stained glass, that I so enjoy working with.

If you missed my previous two posts about “The Ecclesiastical Stained Glass Windows of Louis Comfort Tiffany” check them out. It’s a good time to do it!

Have a Happy Palm Sunday! Celebrate all the beauty of springtime.

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Illuminosity Unique to Tiffany

Thanks for returning to part 2 of this blog series about the exhibit of Tiffany stained glass windows called Eternal Light. Here is more of what I learned as I listened to the audio guided tour through the Driehaus Museum:

As Artistic Director of his studio, Louis Comfort Tiffany oversaw the design process and nothing went to the final stage without his approval. What gave his windows special luminosity was he layered four pieces of cut glass. The glass itself was manufactured “in house.”

The tremendous windows which, at that time, were being installed in many, many churches and cathedrals were the mainstay of his business.

The following are images taken of the Ecclessiastical Windows which were part of the exhibit I was so delighted to see up close!

Do return next week and I’ll tell you about Tiffany’s “sideline” products which ended up in many homes.

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Chicago Art Scene

Hello! I’m feeling fortunate to have made it to Chicago to see my daughter and the Driehaus Museum’s exhibition of Eternal Light – The Ecclesiastical Stained Glass Windows of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The museum itself was a work of art- an old home saved by the historical society. The woodwork and tile work were spectacular. The colorful Tiffany windows were more stunning than any photo could ever show. Each with a fascinating story behind them.

Most informative was the information about the women who worked behind the scenes for Mr. Tiffany. They selected the glass and cut it. Nearly the entire department was run by females including Head Designer, Agnes Northrup whose work can be seen in the floral pieces of the exhibit.

There is so much more to show and tell about my art journey to Chicago, therefore, this will be a three part blog series. Next week I’ll share images of the more religious- in -nature windows of Mr. Tiffany as well as facts about him as an artistic director of his studios. 

Thanks for looking in on us today!

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Raise Them Up

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up”

The occurrences cited in the bible which happened in ancient times during the Advent and Easter Season are hard for adults to grasp, never mind trying to explain the mysterious to little children. So sometimes we must think outside the box to bring stories alive to children through different mediums.

Every so often I work with youth in our church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, to do art projects which reflect the season.  I enjoy kids and seeing their creativity put to good use. But I also offer my experience because art can be a very useful tool in augmenting a Christian curriculum.

Today I have hunted down a few projects with stained glass effects which kindergarten children can do with adult supervision. The basics of the project can be found on this website.

Come on back next week! As with most artists even as an adult, my art education continues. Next week I’ll let you in on an April workshop I am attending which will focus on creating with slightly different form of glass. I’ve been planning on this workshop for quite sometime and it is drawing closer. Looking forward to being with you next time.

 

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A Light Dance through Glass

“Being an artist is continually evolving your work.” ~ Nancy Hillis

Today, I am going to take our readers on a trip to the National Cathedral in Washington, DC through the power of video. This time lapse-video is not to be missed. So rather than using a bunch of words to describe it, I invite you to come along for the brief but exquisite experience as we trip the light fantastic through stained glass windows.

If you have never visited the National Cathedral in Washington, DC it’s well-worth a trip.

In the meantime, my trip to Chicago to the Driehaus Museum to see their Tiffany exhibit is drawing close enough that I need to get packed up. #1 on my list – my camera! #2 my flight ticket!

Isn’t art wonderful? I can not imagine a world without color scattering the light everywhere.

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Spring Inspiration

March can’t come soon enough! I am all excited about a stained glass exhibit in Chicago at the Driehaus Museum that I look forward to going to in a few weeks. Eternal Light: The Sacred Stained-Glass Windows of Louis Comfort Tiffany has had a good long run since September 19, 2019 at the Driehaus and I feel fortunate to be able to visit before it closes on March 22, 2020. I guess all good things do come to the favor of those who wait.

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass masterpieces are always exquisitely crafted and there are always stories told in each composition. His windows are part of the story of the history and evolution of religion in America as churches were designed and built. Chapels, churches and other sanctuaries became incubators in communities for people who gathered to worship.

Eleven religiously themed windows which Louis Comfort Tiffany studios crafted between the years of 1880 and 1925 are at the center of the exhibit. Of course as a person of faith and a designer and maker of stained glass, this opportunity feels heaven sent. It’s one thing to look at photos on the computer but quite another experience to be able to go to a magnificent museum to see the art first hand.

Another opportunity for spring inspiration is coming to me April. I will be attending a workshop which will increase my knowledge of the Tiffany style using a slightly different medium of glass. I’ll also have a chance to put my hands into creating. Do return soon, I’ll be posting more information for you about the workshop and about my visit to the Driehaus Museum in Chicago.

God has given us our talents, not to copy the talents of others, but rather to use our brains and imagination in order to obtain the revelation of true beauty. ~ Louis Comfort Tiffany

 

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Spark Creativity

Looking for ways to spark creativity in your kids? Not all art projects like stained glass are meant for kids because many of the tools and implements used to make stained glass are sharp,hot and unsuitable for little fingers and hands.

However, we came across this “faux stained glass project” which most kids can handle if they are beyond the early elementary school years. Many of the materials are probably already in your house which keeps the crafting costs low and it also teaches kids about re-purposing objects. A jar of Mod Podge may be the only thing you will have to purchase, and that’s easy to come by in a store such as Jo-Ann’s or Michael’s Craft Stores.

Here are the instructions for this art project! Happy Crafting in the New Year with your family!

P.S. Snowy days off from school and winter break holidays are a time to do some at-home art projects with kids. Even if you aren’t artistically inclined, you might surprise yourself. Planning ahead of time by gathering instructions and all the tools and materials helps make the art day project successful.

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Valentines Tokens

“Art is beauty. Art is love. Art is life.” 

Where did January go? Hard to believe February is just around the corner. You know what means -the focus of the second month of the year will be on the heart’s delight.

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to tell your friends who have been by your side through good times and bad how much they are appreciated.

Today, were pleased to share a picture of one of MZ Glassworks’ stained glass hearts in a window. We received an email with it saying that it the light catcher was placed where it is for a very specific reason. “It’s among other things that are near and dear to my heart,” said the woman’s whose room it hangs in.

Need a little “heart centered” token of friendship to give to someone on February 14? It’s not to late! Contact us  margyziegler@comcast.net.

 

 

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Surfin’ Stained Glass

The Internet is the stained glass picture of the 21st century. ~ Diana Butler Bass

One never knows where surfin’ the internet can take us! We find out all kinds of things we never knew previously. Take for instance, the other day I was surfin’ the term “Stained Glass” and what should appear was interesting.

But first, a disclaimer.  I have never been in the doors of the two places I am going to mention. I have not tasted their food or drink so it will be up to our readers to form their own first hand opinions! I am not pushing the place, just being a conduit of information.

Did you know there are two restaurants in Elkton, MD and Glenmont (near Silver Spring), Maryland called The Stained Glass Pub? Indeed there are. I’d love to hear from you if you have visited. But, please be mindful. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. We only pass along good reviews because we don’t want to be responsible for shattering anyone’s livelihood. Now that the information is on our radar, if we get good reports about the establishments, one of the hot spots may become part of my travels. From the picture it looks right nice!

Book mark our website @MZGlassworks and do come back!

 

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