Welcome to the Glass Source

We have completed the restoration of over 70 stained glass panels for Seymour United Methodist Church located in Seymour, CT. They had a devastating fire at the end of 2006 and have been working to restore the entire sanctuary for May/June 2008. We had been working on this project since the spring of 2007 and it was quite a journey for the studio. In order to ensure the completion of the project we closed the studio for 5 months to the public. During this time we worked everyday sometimes 14 hours a day!

 

 We spent months on researching glass, cataloging and creating new building patterns from which we used to restore all of the panels. We were pleased to find that Kokomo glass located in Kokomo Indiana was the original manufacture of the glass used within all of the windows over 100 years ago. They have been wonderful in helping us identify and recreate the glass. Along with the staff we had volunteers and student helping with the enormous task of cleaning and labeling each individual piece of glass. My friend Paul Petrushonis who owns Stained Glass Designs in Milford, CT was also kind enough to assist in the construction of some of the windows. It was with the combined efforts of all involved that we were able to accomplish this project.

 

My role had shifted during this process from the person who built almost everything that came into the studio to a project manager, teacher and assistant. I had to make sure that everything was available, glass, supplies, patterns and teach everyday. There was an enormous amount of brainstorming among us as we worked through each window. The majority of the windows were similar in design; however each one was built differently and had subtle variations from window to window. Each day, it was as if were building a completely different window. Most studios of our size would have trembled at the thought of such a project. I admit, I was a bit hesitant at the beginning, but I knew what I and everyone here at the studio were capable of. I was right. The actual building of the 70 windows took us only 4 months! I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Most of the detail work was done prior to the building (cleaning, cataloging and glass matching). The rest was hours and hours of standing over the work tables reassembling each window. When ever I was worried or needed more help, without fail someone would call or walk into the studio just at the right time. It was clear that we were meant to finish this project and we did.

 

Now that we have finished we are exhausted, but more so, proud of what we have accomplished. The windows are incredible and I look forward to seeing the last ones installed within the next few days. I am so appreciative of everyone who helped us during this process and for every ones understanding when we were not available to assist you with your projects during this time. We will have more pictures of the windows and our documentation of the process on the site within the next few weeks. We look forward to sharing or experience with everyone.

 

We have been rearranging, cleaning and organizing the studio in preparation for the new class sessions that will begin at the end of June.  The new classes will be posted on the site by Thursday June 5th. Starting the week of June 9th we will be open once again to the public for our summer hours: Tuesday through Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.  Please feel free to stop by or give us a call with any questions at all.

 

Best Regards,

 

 Michael