Throughout my many years, I’m sure I’m guilty of all the “seven deadly sins” but, for the purposes of this story, I’m going to concentrate on the first one – PRIDE!

If you know me, I dabble in stained glass; have for many years but more so since I retired 4+ years ago. I’ve made many items — candle holders, window panels, lamps, spinners, garden stakes — all reasonable sizes from something you can hold in your hand to a geometric panel about 18” x 24”. Most pieces I’ve given as gifts, some I’ve kept, and some I’ve been fortunate to sell.

Last July (2023), I was approached by friends of friends who asked if I’d be interested in creating a piece to fit in the transom over their patio doors. We were all a little distracted at the time, as we were enjoying a party environment, but agreed to be back in touch after the summer months passed. In the meantime, I sent them a link to my portfolio (https://steve-maureen-chorny.smugmug.com/Maureen/Maureens-Stained-Glass-Portfolio/n-pdcHGj) so they could get an idea of my scope and quality.

I visited their home mid-September where I saw the spaces (three, not one) they wanted filled, and we discussed their idea for design. They live in the country and are surrounded by apple trees, an assortment of birds, and pollinators. It seemed only natural that they wanted all of this represented in the evolution of an apple tree. HOLY MOLY! What did that look like???

We’ve all enjoyed (or should I say taken for granted) apple blossoms and their ultimate fruit, but have we really paid any attention to nature’s process? I know I certainly haven’t.

In the midst of the design discussion, I started wondering if this was a project I was ready (and, frankly, able) to take on. Second guessing oneself is never a good idea but, in my defense, I’m an amateur. Was I going to get in over my head? After all, they were going to pay me to do this for their home, a home they custom built themselves.

But, but, but… they wanted a complicated design and I couldn’t be the smallest fraction over on sizes as each of the three pieces had to fit within defined spaces. Although the two side pieces were small and manageable enough (11” x 11”), the actual transom was huge (11” x 64.5”). I put on a brave and confident face and agreed to work up a design.

I should mention that our home was up for sale and, by the time this design discussion took place, we had sold it and now had to not only be prepared to vacate our home by the end of November, we also had to focus on finding a new home. For my own sanity (or maybe not), I promised to have a design to show them before we moved. We also agreed, however, that I wouldn’t be able to start cutting glass until the New Year.

Fortunately, my clients (let’s call them Jane and John) were not in any hurry for me to complete this project, which reduced my current stress level.

Thank goodness for Google and YouTube. I found everything I needed to know — from an apple seed to an apple. All I had to do was figure out how to depict that over a total of 85.5”. Let’s just say there were several drafts until I finally had something better than my kindergartner self would have drawn. I coloured it in and set up a review appointment (three weeks before our move date). Was I nervous? Anxious? Terrified? You betcha! HOLY MOLY! They loved it! I had brought along many samples of glass that I could be using and received smiles and nods of approval. By end of that day, they also approved my price which, honestly, was a stab in the dark as I didn’t have anything to compare. Seems I had a commitment — YIKES!

Fast forward to the second week of January (2024). We had found a new home, the move went as smoothly as it could, we were as settled as we were going to be at that time, I had my studio set up, and I was ready to go shopping for supplies. The build could begin.

I have a side confession… I’m a “less is more” gal, a “keep it simple” gal. This design was complicated and not something that I would have chosen to craft for my own home. However, as I worked from left to right building on this pattern, this evolution, I started to get a wee bit excited about how it was coming together. By the time I finished it, 14 weeks later, well that’s when I realized I was a sinner. I was proud.

Because of vacations and work schedules, delivery was a bit delayed. Was I nervous? Anxious? Terrified? You betcha! I needn’t have been as the looks on their faces set my frantic mind at ease. They spent some time looking at the detail, touching it, saying nice things. I left it with them, anxious (yet again) to hear when they’d installed it so I could return to take pictures.

I didn’t have long to wait as Jane and John were in a hurry to get all three pieces in place. Two days later, I was sent a couple of pictures and a video but, more significantly, the most humbling note of appreciation speaking to my artistry and creativity. As an analytical project manager, who spent her entire working career with details, schedules, and numbers, artistry and creativity were not qualities that I thought I could lay claim to. Dabbling for my own purposes was one thing; fulfilling someone else’s dream was quite another. I am definitely humbled… but also a sinner.

Jane and John graciously invited me and Steve to their home at the end of July for a BBQ, and for me to see my work in place and to get some pictures of my own.  HOLY MOLY!  If I’m allowed to boast, it sure looked good up there and, even better, they still love it and told me that all their visitors love it, too. 

Pride.  I’m not feeling very sinful – only appreciated.