John’s Therapy Corner's Profile
Bio
John’s Therapy Corner:
In the early 90’s at the very strong suggestion of my doctor, I needed to find a hobby, other than work, pizza, beer and cellophane sandwiches. As luck would have it the local community school program offered a wide variety of classes for adults. The class on Stained Glass caught my attention. I thought it would be fun to try and also learn how to cut a piece of glass, remembering my attempt(s) to replace a window I had broken in an apartment I lived in many years earlier. It took 3 trips to the glass shop before the owner asked how many windows I had broken. When I told him only one, but I had broken the previous pieces attempting to cut them to size. He asked me to demonstrate how I was cutting them. I did and he cringed as I ran the cutter back and forth on a scrap piece he provided. He cut the size I needed and explained my errors, but since then never attempted to cut another piece. The instructor also offered a class on etching w/acid. I enrolled in both. I learned not only to cut, but too both foil and lead came along with the etching. Pattern making, designing pieces and numerous basic skills.
Since then I continued to “hobby” in this field and have made numerous pieces for friends, auctions and gifts. For several years at Christmas I would make family, co-workers and friend’s small ornaments and other glass pieces. I have incorporated etching into many pieces.
This hobby was mainly reserved for winter months, but since I was forced to retire from a duty injury after nearly 30 years in Law Enforcement, I get to keep busy year round with glass and especially being a grandpa.
I have broken many pieces of glass and no doubt will continue, but perseverance and simple satisfaction will keep me going. The most important lessons I learned from my instructor were perseverance and the only limit is ones’ imagination. And I have a note book filling up with imagination ideas. Along with a long Law Enforcement career, I also served in the Marine Corps, and have been married going on 41 years, with one daughter and now two grandchildren.
