Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Back pain & Stained glass

(silly little ice cream cone suncatcher I did for practice)

I started working in stained glass over 20 years ago and I have recently gotten back into it. I had forgotten how much I love doing this. I also didn't realize how much the cost of supplies had gone up! WOW! Talk about inflation!
I have Degenerative Disc Disease. I have 2 discs that, according to the Dr, might as well just be labeled as "gone" and one that is half-way there. On top of that, I have arthritis running the entire length of my spine. Not good news for a dog groomer. 28 years of standing, lifting, pulling, tugging and fighting with big dogs, combined with the genetic factors have finally begun to take their toll on me and made me begin thinking of another way to make money. I hope to be able to open an Etsy shop soon.
As much as I hate to admit it, I am slowing down, I can't do what I used to be able to do, I am in constant pain whether I am grooming or not, grooming just makes the pain more intense. Some days are worse than others.
Anyway, I decided to begin my stained glass work again. I am currently working on trophies for my home club, The Greater Kingsport Kennel Club. We have shows each year in May and we always try to come up with something different each year for trophies. This year we decided to give stained glass pieces.
I'm pretty excited about getting started and I'll be sure to take lots of pictures as I go along.
I have done a few pieces for other things, mostly dog-related, but mainly just for fun. I'm certainly out of practice, but it's like riding a bicycle, it all comes back to you once you get on and get started.

(suncatcher I did for the Silent Auction for Rescue at the Bull Terrier Nationals)

Wish me luck, and keep your fingers crossed that all those panes of glass I ordered last night get here in one piece, not in a ton of pieces. The company will replace them if they do arrive broken, but that would mean the whole process will be running behind.
(The Rainbow Bridge Tissue Box)(Best of Variety (Colored) trophy for one of the shows)

I'm sorry some of the photos are not that great, the flash is hard to contain sometimes. The tissue box was certainly a project. I had never done one before, but I was determined to get it finished in time for the Nationals so it could be put on the Rainbow Bridge table!
Until next time,
Bullie hugs and kisses all around,

4 comments:

Mari said...

I'm impressed. Stained glass work is so pretty. I like yur turtle picture too!

Farrah said...

Wow, what a talent you have there! I hope it brings you joy and serenity. I'm sorry to hear about your back. I've had 2 back surgeries and so I know all about it. I've found lying on my back with my knees down propped with pillows relieves the pressure. Make sure you use lots of ice. At Walmart there is a blue emu cream which is also helpful. Take care of yourself!

Reading Rosie said...

I love suncatchers and have several hanging in my back door. Not that the sun has shined around here lately!

Mo said...

You do beautiful work (I especially luv the tissue box! What a nice idea)

Sorry to hear you're in pain, tho..hope you feel a bit better by the time you read this.

(Oh, and BTW, I didn't blow you off with the tag, I just haven't gotten around to posting it yet! I will tho, today, I promise!)

~ Mo, the hounds and the manx