Funky & Fabulous: Through the Looking Glass - April 24, 2008
Today’s latest review is quite different than of the past and shares with you an inside look into the designer behind Through The Looking Glass. Laurie Beggin, a wonderful stained glass artist, shares with us what inspires her work and her designs. I was lucky enough to get one of her latest designs. The craftsmanship and quality of this piece shines when the sunlight moves through each colored piece. It’s art deco and modern style which makes it perfect for any decor.
How did you get started in glass work?
I walked past this mosaic-covered house in Freeport, Illinois from kindergarten through 4th grade and, to be honest, THAT is when my love for stained glass started. It wasn’t until my two children were grown and, due to health problems, I was unable to continue working in the “professional” work force as I did for 25 years. After a few serious battles with my health, I decided to “walk among the living” and took a stained glass course at our local glass supply shop. I went to 2 classes and have been self taught ever since. It is a PURE passion and after doing requests for friends and former co-workers, I decided to continue creating my art in hopes that, with an inventory, I would create a marketable form of art.
What inspires your designs?
I think nature and emotions are what I tap into when I design my glass. I LOVE working one-on-one with a client; listening to their design ideas, color preferences and then putting it all together for them. There is nothing more satisfying for me then when a client sends me photos of the work I’ve done hanging in their windows!
This past Christmas I did a large panel for a young woman to give to her mother as a special gift. (Her entire story is on my blog and is referred to as Sunjen Cafe Sign). After Christmas, she sent me a picture of her mother holding the sign and I knew, right at that moment, there was no turning back for me. I felt as though I finally found “my place” in the world and it was a feeling that just can’t be put into words.
What’s new in your line for this season?
I am working on several new pieces that are incorporating recycled, antique glass. This line is called “I Can See Clearly”. I discovered a church in Apple River, Illinois that was throwing away several windows during a renovation process and I jumped on it! Thanks to my in-laws, I acquired the antique windows along with the glass, all intact. Most are three-paned windows, so I am removing “some” of the antique glass and using it in new designs, yet leaving two of the three panes in place, and creating “inserts” for those windows. It’s been so rewarding knowing that not only am I keeping this precious material out of the landfill, I’m RE-using it to create NEW/OLD pieces of stained glass art.
I’m very excited about our up-coming recycling event at the district arboretum. I am hoping to reach people and convince them that it’s not necessary to throw away architectural salvage. I recently saw a program on PBS that addressed this very issue. New Orleans has now created several locations that are RE-selling and RE-using much of the architectural salvage from Katrina….so I guess I’m on the right track!
I am also in the process of “UPDATING” my style to appeal to a younger group of people. I want to delve into abstract stained glass pieces along with the more conventional geometric and craftsman styles. As always, I love hearing from potential clients with ideas and/or pictures of designs they are interested in but just can’t find “that right” piece….the opportunity to create for an individual is always a treat!
