Kokomo Sale Squares Added to the Mix

Kokomo is the oldest and dearest artglass manufacturer in North America with documented sales to two great studios- Louis Tiffany and Fantasy In Glass. That's right folks, whatever you might hear, FIG was the first to carry and introduce this quality artglass manufacturer to Canada well over 25 years ago. Let me tell you about a story about going over the Detroit River Bridge with a skid load of glass just picked up from Kokomo in 1984, and how the whole load almost slid off out the back of the truck while going up the rise of the bridge. Ah, the things we do for you...

Anyhow, we've just brought in almost 1000 sale squares from this great company, and not a single one priced higher than $6.99!

That's right folks! Whether it be opals, cathedrals, reds and pinks, 5-colour mixes and even iridescents- they're all under seven bucks! And of course- buy 5... get 1 free, buy 9... get 2 free, buy 12... get 3 free...

We/ve even separated them and labelled and boxed them for easy shopping.

Aanraku Arrives

Just in through our front door, we now have all jewelry bails and earring bails back in stock, including their new styles such as Celtic, Paws and Hearts- beautiful!

We've also got the best value on the market 3/4" Twofers (two 3/4" grinder heads for way less than $40/pair!
And core drill bits.
And glass rondels.
And frit makers (old price sourced locally- $139.99,  new price- $59.99!!!)
And all at new lower prices due to our strengthening Canadian dollar.

Got an email from our OOCSGS yesterday. They have just announced the reduction of their U.S. dollar surcharge from 4.9% to 2.9%.

But our dollar is almost at par (.9952 as I write this)!
We've been critical and suspect of the rationale behind this 'surcharge' but as it has been in place for a well over a year and adjusted almost weekly, we are excited by the prospect of being in a rebate position soon.
Using previous surcharges as a guide, if there was a 4.9% surcharge when the dollar was at .986 we should be looking forward to a rebate of almost 5% if the dollar hits a $1.02.

Or better yet, 3% if we hit $1.01!

Yippee! Can't wait.

Dichroic Glass Returns to Fantasy In Glass!

We've been a CBS dichroic glass distributor for several years (the only one in Canada?) and yes, shamefully, we did let it lapse when we saw the demand for dichroic glass start to slow down.

We were right.

And we were wrong.
Demand for fusible Bullseye 90 coe dichroic glass did drop off.
A lot.
But not the demand for Sys96 fusible dichroic!
We realized that having ordered 800 quarter sheets in Bullseye 90 coe in a market that was running screaming and kicking towards the more readily available System 96 was why sales were falling. We were late to realize it, but we plan to fix that asap.
So...
... to go along with our drive to steadily increase our Sys96 selection of glass, accessory glass and sundries (again, already the largest in Canada), we are putting together a substantial order of dichroic glass from CBS at the end of this week.

All in Sys96 save for a few.

We'll be getting in the new Crinklized on various patterns (see it in Corkscrew- unbelievable!), all the new patterns such as Geodesic. Heck, we're even considering bringing some in on Spectrum's OpalArt and Spirit glass bases.

If you have an interest in a specific colour/texture combination call us and let us know.
Pre-orders placed by October 21 will get a 30% discount with a 25% deposit!

In our continuing quest to break ever more free from our OOCSGS, we have again several shipments coming in from the U.S. this week and next.

Why?

Well, it was here that I was going to chat about the willingness of a competitive American market to do business in a fair and proper fashion.

But, let's just talk about how nice it is to deal with someone who wants to sell to you rather than one who thinks you have to deal with them due to lack of competition.

One of the easiest companies to deal we've found, is Aanraku.

Not only are they accommodating and friendly- they have great products which have always sold extremely well for us.

Coming in this week are several new styles of bails (hearts, paws, leaves and fish), Twofer grinder heads and drill bits, clear rondels at under $4/each(!), and frit makers at a fraction of the cost of those currently available (funny how Aanraku has lowered prices on some products yet we don't see them passed on from some distributors).

Next up?

Fusible dichroic glass in Sys96- yippee!!!

... and some more

Some Great New Fusing Decals

More New Stuff Now In

All panel stands in all sizes (8"-10"-12"-14") in both round and square (or rectangular) are now back in size, and way too cheap!

Current U.S. Surcharge Status

We just brought in a shipment of glass and tools from the U.S. last week. All sorts of really cool stuff, still being unpacked.

The first thing Mikey does (actually the second- he reads the daily comics first as he eats his Coco Puffs) is price out the exact cost of the shipment using the U.S. dollar that he paid for the shipment with. He doesn't price out the shipment based on some mythical U.S. dollar costing $1.00 Canadian, because that's not what he paid..

So...

We continue to be puzzled as to why our OOCSGS still maintains the need to charge a 4.9% surcharge on all their non-Canadian sourced goods.

You would have thought that they might actually price their goods based on what they paid for them. Not on some mythical dollar value that we haven't seen in months.

Oh yeah, while the surcharge we must pay (and of course pass on to you, sorry) today stands at 4.9% the dollar today is at .9878 U.S.

That's a difference of less that 2%.

Comments welcome and encouraged (anonymously too).

Not All Foil Is Edible

We carry copper foil from three manufacturers;

• Edco Foil is the line that we introduced to the Canadian market over 25 years ago (white package). It’s a dead soft foil with superior glue and shelf life. It’s the most expensive foil we sell, but it's also the best.

• Venture- this is the red/purple one in the crinkly bag. It’s copper is also crinkly, with a glue that does tend to ooze and dry out- not our favourite- we carry it only because it’s a familiar brand. Priced a bit below Edco.

• DTI- the new guys and another first in Canada by us. In our opinion it’s the best value out there today. Great glue, soft copper alloy and a neat package which doubles as a dispenser. It’s very close in quality to Edco, yet cheaper than Venture making it the best buy on the market!

Of course all of these foils are available in many widths in copper, silver or black backed, but most importantly, they’re all 1.25mil thick.

Beware of new foil flooding the market that has been of suspect quality, and in the thinner 1mil thickness.

Not Just A Pretty Face

Here's just one pic of a student's finished piece from the Lead Seminar taught by Tina this past Saturday.

Taurus 3 Ringsaw

Rarely seen on sale, we're putting up only two at $488.88!!! While supply lasts.

(cash/debit only)

Yup, Monthly Sales are Back

A gruesome, unflattering picture of Zenia is our way of announcing that the new Monthly Sale is now up.

I'll let the picture do it's work.

October Sale can be found here.

Just in Case You Need One

A great basic tool kit that even includes the best glass cutter on the market!

For you, for a friend, even an undeserving family member...

Picture is clickable to enlargen...

Everything in the Box Is...

With well over 15,000 sale squares in our racks, and more coming tomorrow and next week from the U.S., we felt that perhaps a little organization might be in order.

So... next time you're in, you'll find boxes pre-sorted and filled with sale squares that are only reds, only greens (guess Christmas is coming), only Baroque textures, only Clears, only Honey Opals and so on.

And of course, buy 5... get 1 free, buy 9... get 2 free, buy 12... get 3 free...

Some New Stuff Just In

Glass Organizer under 20 bucks-

core drill bits (4 sizes!)-

coarse drill bits- 3/4" and 1/4" -

Grinder Foot Switch-

We Might Be Back

Yesterday, someone approached me and told me that enough is enough and that this blog thing has to continue onward, unabated and with the same velocity and veracity as it has for many years.
I was touched that mom actually noticed (but sadly, not Gary Brown...).
What excuses can I offer?
After returning from a three week shutdown of the store, we’ve been a little preoccupied with restocking for the upcoming season, Several shipments have just arrived from the U.S. as well as whatever little supplies we’re able to secure from our OOCSGS (our One and Only Canadian Stained Glass Supplier)(although they have made some promises and we’re hopeful- they’ve offered to supply us with over 100 Rat Packs from Spectrum and Kokomo to fulfill part of your demand for good quality glass at great prices).
Is this a valid excuse for not writing for well over six weeks?

Maybe.
I've got opinions. I’ve even got some thoughts. Thoughts about the current state of our industry, but I decided not to write anything because I just wasn't in the right mood.

But I am blameless.
You see, the cool, crisp Alps mountain air and the odd occasional recreational beverage has made me complacent and soft.

I now love everyone. Even our OOCSGS, and Bullseye, and Spectrum. And Uroboros, and Youghigheny! My vigor and passion to fight has been blunted.
So I’ll wait.
And watch.
And listen.
When writing a blog, content is important, but the mood and feel is key.
How do the words flow together? Are my readers becoming involved?
Do I get them excited?
With the ability to labour over phrasing, thesaurus at hand, to literally use the best word in an entry, I sometimes strive for perfection, and perfection is always subsidiary to feel.
It’s like meeting someone beautiful who has nothing to say? You lose interest almost immediately.
I want to be that ugly person who rivets you.
And that’s why I have not written for awhile.
Until now.

Sporadic FIG Button Design

Do you do stained glass?
How about fusing?
Does anybody know you do? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)! Just check the blog.

Here's #7.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!

Sporadic FIG Button Design

Do you do stained glass?
How about fusing?
Does anybody know you do? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)! Just check the blog.

Here's #6.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!

End of day tomorrow marks the start of a two(+/-) week sabbatical for Ed the Editor, the wit and wisdom provider of this ongoing blog (since 2001 in one form or another- not counting the shreds of soggy cocktail napkins occasionally slipped under the door to the Ivory Tower (Mikey's office).
He might wax poetic while sipping a Weissbier from high atop the Alps surrounded by Bavarian beauties with lily white skin, or then again he might just scratch his armpit, while drinking a Bud, wearing his favourite Nascar t-shirt and pondering the length of his mullet down at the local legion. With Ed you never quite know what to expect. So maybe, possibly he might drop a pearl of wisdom here over the next two weeks, but then he may not. Depends on those beauties or how cold the beer is.
See you August 31!

Sporadic FIG Button Design

Do you do stained glass?
How about fusing?
Does anybody know you do? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)! Just check the blog.

Here's #5.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!

The Problem With Monopolies

While the dog days of summer may have slowed down our output on this blog, our anger at being taken advantage of has not! Just back from our One and Only Canadian Glass Supplier, we were charged an extra 4.9% as a U.S. dollar surcharge on a Canadian dollar which is at 98.42 cents!

Here we go still...

So Why Does SHe Hide When the Solder Order Comes?

If you've been into Fantasy In Glass lately, you might have realized that the staff have had to do all the heavy lifting without the aid of Zenia- seems she's traipsed off to Italy in search of things heavier than a solder order...

Sporadic FIG Button Design

Do you do stained glass?
How about fusing?
Does anybody know you do? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)! Just check the blog.

Here's #4.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!

Sorry, They Can't Always Be About Glass

Aside from being the mother of Brittania, one of our recently departed staff, Anka writes an interesting blog about her travails while taking art classes in Florence, Italy. This is a picture she sent of a pretty incredible sculpture by the artist Gambologna at Parc Demidroff, just outside Florence.

Sorry, They All Can't Be Witty and Entertaining

I just know that Gary Darquamber will want to make some comment about this blog entry being humourless (CDN spelling) and boring, but as fusers and slumpers will find it extremely helpful I post it devoid of any added cleverness (sort of like Gary?...)-

starting July 20, Princess Auto has a table saw suitable for cutting glass, on sale for sixty bucks, and that includes 4 blades!

That is all...

Sporadic FIG Button Design

Do you do stained glass?
How about fusing?
Does anybody know you do? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)! Just check the blog.

Here's #3.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!

Two Pounds for $15.99

Not to be outdone by our great (and very fast selling) Spectrum Scrap Tubs, the staff have put together some Bullseye Scrap Tubs. Buy one, and the tub is a discount coupon when you bring it back!

Sporadic FIG Button Design, Happy Canada Day!

Do you do stained glass?

How about fusing?

Are you Canadian?
Does anybody know you do/are? Your friends? Family? Parole Officer?

Then you better get one of Fantasy In Glass's official glass related buttons- new ones appearing sporadically (we're not sure)!

Just check the blog.

Here's #2. And proudly Canadian. Original design by Tinah.
Only $2.88 each
Shipped anywhere in Canada for a lousy $5.44 (taxes included)!