Jon's first project
Deb's first project
We made a stained glass window hanging for Deb’s sister Sarah’s wedding and put together a book describing how we made it. At the back of the book, we added a section entitled "About the authors". Here is what we wrote. We hope you laugh!
Jon and Deb Van Duinen are new to the stained glass subculture. Though they were the youngest students in their stained glass class, they claim that "stained glass is the up and coming leisure activity for people our age." Studies have yet to prove their claims correct but their enthusiasm and dedication needs to be applauded. When asked how stained glass creating has improved their marriage, Jon responded, "It has helped us overcome difficult situations." When asked why they decided to do stained glass for Saron’s wedding gift, Deb responded, "I can’t crochet, cross-stitch, knit, or sew and for that matter, Jon can’t either. Stained glass seemed to be the art form most suited to our limited artistic skills." To this, Jon quickly quipped, "I wanted to design the plans for their house in a school bus but Deb voted me down."
At the front of the book, we described how and why we made what we did. Here it is:
Inspired by the wonderful shower and wedding gifts bestowed upon them by Saron, Deb and Jon decided that they would make a creative gift for Sarah and Aron when they got married.
Signing up for Stained Glass lessons even before Saron was engaged (but was there any doubt? They were such good friends!), Deb and Jon excitedly prepared to make the gift. Every Monday night, while Sarah assumed they were doing other (perhaps more interesting!) activities, they headed off to their Stained Glass classes. After a few practice projects, their crazy teacher (Michael E. Collins was his name) said that they were ready to make the masterpiece.
After much deliberation, they decided to choose the geometrical design for the gift (you see, Saron had still yet to come up with a wedding text). After much more deliberation, they chose the brilliant array of colours with which to make the piece of art.
Finally after many hours of artistry (marital stress is another word for it), the project was done. The artists are proud of their work and hope that Saron can find a place for it in their Lovenest.
Washing the cut glass
Putting together the puzzle
Our mentor, Michael E. Colins
Saron opening the gift
Deb wants to do more, but Jon is retired from stained glass. Maybe when our grand kids get married he will come out of retirement.
We made stained glass for Mom Van Duinen's and Laura and Jay's Christmas presents.
Creating the Masterpieces