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A
few words about Karen and Ross and their lives
as stained glass
artists:
After taking a few years break from being a hobbyist, Karen Franscioni
was drawn back to Stained Glass by a chance meeting with an old
friend who owned a florist shop in Oakley, California. Encouraged
by successfully selling her stained glass panels on consignment,
she decided to open her own shop closer to her home in Birds Landing.
She bought an old building in the "China Town" district
on historic Main St. in Isleton. In the beginning Karen carried
mostly gift items along with some stained glass supplies.
It is also the "Winds of Summer" in the nearby Montezuma
Hills where Karen moved to be with her future husband, Ross Peters.
The commissions increased and later her husband retired from the
structural steel industry and came to work with her at the Isleton
studio. They attracted the attention of many people in the area
who wanted to learn the art and craft of creating stained glass
windows.
The
gift line of the shop started taking a back seat to the stained
glass commission work and also to the increasing inventory of
glass and supplies for many hobbyists of glass, both in and out
of the area.
Ross
says about his life with stained glass:
"I was a union ironworker (Local 416 Los Angeles) for
37 years.
I retired in December of 1996 and began working with Karen
to help her out with the Christmas rush at Summer Wind. I
quickly became involved in the beauty and thrill of stained
glass. Uroboros, Bulls Eye, Youghiogheny, Lamberts..... They
took my eye through mountains, tunnels, and space that today
still never seem to stop. These glasses suggest form, and
it became urgent to allow their creativity. Six years later,
people tell me I am a stained glass artist! Whatever is seen
in my work includes the process of making the creations that
the glass calls for!"
Is
there a class that you would like to see us offer, or a product
that you would like us to carry? If so, just let us know. We are
always open to new ideas and suggestions.
You can reach us by phone at 916-777-6906 or 888-748-7489,
or by e-mail at summerwind@citlink.net.
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