In the spring of ’24, I wanted to make another large panel for the right side of our livingroom window to balance out the Schiffer Villa panel on the left.
As I browsed my inventory for inspiration, my collection of vintage plates called out to me. I sorted through them and chose six; each a different size. The following close-ups gallery shows them from largest to smallest:
I sized the pattern to 14″ x 47″. Then I placed the dishes from top to bottom in descending size and separated each one with a 25mm clear faceted jewel. I decided to use gray Baroque cathedral glass for the background around the dishes. Surrounding all that is a 1″ clear beveled border. Monica noticed how the circles in the design would echo those in the other two windows.
Technically, it was a difficult project because of the many deep curves, the varying thicknesses of glass and the 3-d effect caused by the plates, jewels and bevels. The greatest artistic challenge was trying to match the swirls in the Baroque glass for a continuous pattern flow when one of the pieces unintentionally broke during the cutting phase. I had a moment of despair followed quickly by the spark of the challenge.
This was one of my final pieces and what an uplifting project it was. I find creating at this level very intoxicating… almost to a point of obsession (read addiction). As I worked on it through early spring 2024, I reflected on my decision to sell all my studio contents before the end of the year. I knew the longer I held onto it, the more difficult it would be to stop and let go. Plus, after a long day in the studio, my back and shoulders support my decision. No regrets… only gratitude for the journey and respect for all glass artisans who toil over their work.
Named after the patron saint of stained glass workers, I am very pleased to present St. Luke’s Ladder.
nellyglass studio 