Another Deep Thought From Mikey

At first I thought, if I were Superman, a perfect secret identity would be “Clark Kent, Stained Glass Artist” because you could save money on soldering irons. But then I thought, if a customer saw that I don’t have any soldering irons or electrical plugs in the studio they’d soon realize I was Superman.

May Sale Now Posted!

Well, the biggest and best sale in our almost 25 year history comes to a definate and final close on Monday at 7PM. It was a huge hit and it's going to be tough to beat it, but Mikey will try his best. Our May Sale can be found here.

IT'S NOT JUST SAND, SODA ASH, LIME AND SOME OTHER STUFF Part 4

Part 4 of Mikey's continuing saga of Swiss Cheesed Glasswerks;

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM USING THIS WONDEROUS GLASS?- You!
Oh, glorious modern day manifestation of four million years of human DNA's struggle to ascend. From being a mere over-anxious, food hurling, competitive tree dwelling ape… to the artistic, sensitive glass-cutter tool using person that you are; endowed with superior eye/hand coordination. Be proud- celebrate the fact that you are, firstly, a member of a very elite tribe of glassaholics, and secondly, have separated yourself from the masses of mealy minded mediocre glass dead heads who have little sense but to use mass produced machine rolled common cathedral and opalescent glass. Swiss Cheesed be thy savior from mediocrity in glass. (To be continued...)

We Really Are Trying Our Best

We still have been unable to see any improvement in the Canadian supplier situation (there's only one now)- an on-going concern since last July with little change. While we continue to pursue alternate sources for our supplies (four truckloads in the last three weeks from the States), there are a significant number of items we still depend on getting locally (altho' we're working hard to reduce that too). If you've got stuff on order with us, we apologize. Here's a list of stuff ordered but not received yesterday-
the new Inukshuk GST cluster, cluster #'s SA1A,1B,4,6B,10,11 and 14, 3" x 3" squares, Uroboros 65-951, 3/8" lead, 3/8" U-zinc, Spectrum Clear RW, Clear Baroque and Clear Vecchio, Spectrum Black and White Baroque, Wissmach 135cc and our full allotment of Inland Super Wiz grinders.

Jen Ken Kilns Arrive- It's Getting Hot Around Here!

Just in from Florida by way of Traffic Transport- our truckload of kilns. These are without a doubt the best quality kilns available today, and are priced just as economically as those manufactured locally (makes you wonder, eh?). We've got them in several styles with interior dimensions of 15" and 11", and the really cool Chilli Pepper kiln for beadmaking, made out of a toolbox!

Biggest Sale in FIG History About To Come To A Screaching Halt!

Only six shopping days left on our biggest sale ever and then it's over. Forty (40%) percent off all bevel clusters, Spectrum 96F and Bullseye 90F sale squares, all dichroic glass and every single book in the store! Wow!

Think You Know Eveything?

If you do then don't bother reading any further (like Mikey). If you don't, then consider coming in on Saturday for our Intro to Fusing seminar with Louie the 'I'm not from Barcelona' Instructor. This is a hands-on day (but hands off Louie- the class after all is only $145.00 with $50.00 as a store credit) will teach you everything you'd need to know to explore the world of fusing, the fastest growing segment in glass art and crafts. Bring your hand tools as you will make lots of stuff this day and we'll fire it for you. Class size is limited- four spots left.

The Once New But Now Not So Morton Portable Glass Studio

Coming from a studio setting, Mike is more inclined to be happy with a sharp stick, a chunk of board, a piece of rebar and a 40 ouncer of scotch to be able to cut virtually any and all shapes of glass accurately and repetitively. Seeing the price of scotch now with the new Conservative budget he had another look at the Morton jig cutting system and especially the new and updated version and was totally blown away by how well thought out it is and so easy to use. The new version or 'B' model retails for under $115.00. Worth a second look.

Belinda Stronach Quits Politics, Gets Better Job

Newmarket-Aurora Liberal MP Belinda Stronach is ending her short, yet wild ride in federal politics and returning to her corporate roots as an Assistant Manager at Fantasy In Glass, Canada’s first and still only officially sanctioned stained glass supplier.

The former politician and auto-parts empire heiress was quoted saying "My father is looking to the future, the company is facing important strategic decisions, and the Canadian and global auto sector and economy is in a period of great challenge, but I know that Mikey needs me just as much, if not more," Stronach said in announcing her decision yesterday.

Stronach will keep her seat until the next election, but will immediately begin working nights and Saturdays until then- a move welcomed greatly by Anja as the two women can now share fashion tips and how to access inventory while on a ladder wearing a pleated skirt.

Stronach, whose exit came as little surprise to party insiders, joins nearly a dozen other Liberals who have decided not to seek re-election. Competing stained glass suppliers are expecting an onslaught of applicants.

Stephane Dion expressed disappointment over Stronach leaving, “She will be sorely missed, but I understand her need to help Mikey and Sammy and all those devoted stained glass people.” he was quoted. “Canada is not in the best of shape but I know that she will be best utilized at Fantasy In Glass. I understand Mikey is looking forward to her expertise in replacing all his plastic slotwall hooks with a newer upgraded chromed model.”

"It is certainly something that I am a little bit disappointed, but at the same time I am pleased that she is able to help others in her new role."

The 40-year-old former Magna CEO was perhaps the best-known businesswoman in Canada when she strode onto the federal political scene almost four years ago as a matchmaker between the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives. In 2004, she ran second to Stephen Harper in the race to lead the newborn Conservative Party. Her relationship with current Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay was soon making headlines before it ended in a blaze of publicity as she crossed the floor to the Liberals.

Stronach returned to the headlines last year after court papers linked her romantically to former Leafs tough guy Tie Domi. Rumours of how she got her new job at Fantasy In Glass, and any romantic involvement with Mikey are probably unfounded.

Not Having Enough Fun Reading Mikey's Blog?

Then try this:
1. Remove everything from the Fantasy In Glass address bar, then copy & paste the following into it:
javascript:R=0; x1=.1; y1=.05; x2=.25; y2=.24; x3=1.6; y3=.24; x4=300; y4=200; x5=300; y5=200; DI=document.images; DIL=DI.length; function A(){for(i=0; i-DIL; i++){DIS=DI[ i ].style; DIS.position='absolute'; DIS.left=Math.sin(R*x1+i*x2+x3)*x4+x5; DIS.top=Math.cos(R*y1+i*y2+y3)*y4+y5}R++}setInterval('A()',5); void(0);
2. Hit enter

Only Three To The First That Want 'Em!

Reminder- we've got 'em. They are very red. And they're only $599.00...
Except we have three put aside- first come first serve- at..... wait for it.....
$488.88!!! (discounted for cash/debit)

A Repeat Notice 'Cuzz It's Soooo Gooood!

Just finished inventory and wow do we have way too much stuff! So, we are having the largest sale in our history! No conditions on the sale- no minimums, pay anyway you like. On all in-stock inventory. See details here!

Current Supply Status From Our Sole Canadian Supplier

A pick-up today by Teenuh at our now one and only Canadian wholesaler- the problem of constant stock outages now becoming less significant to us as Mikey continues to successfully source out alternatives that actually can promise the inventory we need to service you, the customer, who we love and cherish.
We won't bore you with the minutia of the missing (wow, cool alliteration!), but to stave off some of the pending phonecalls again alliteration), here are some of the highlights of what didn't arrive;
no U or C channel leads at around the 1/4" size, still no 3 x 3" square bevels, none of the new Inukshuk bevel clusters they just recently advertised, no cluster # 75 (we needed 32)...

FIG Exclusive- Swiss Cheesed GlassWerks

Check Your Glass For Holes!
If you're looking for great cutting glass, we suggest you look on the back side of your glass. For holes the size of a dime. Or a 15mm jewel. Lots of them. Because glass that has these holes is a full three decibels louder when being cut. Which may not sound like much. But an increase of three decibels will double the cutability of your glass cutter at its tuning frequency (30 hertz). And reduce what's known as 'cutter wheel excursion'. With resulting added sensitivity your glass cutter requires less pressure to generate force to the glass.
Of course, with this type of glass, there's one thing you'll miss- frustration. Simply, Swiss Cheesed GlassWerks' cathedral glass is unmatched in ease of cutability when compared to glass without holes. It cuts with less pressure and therefore less stress on your cutter wheel. Now remember, this is a science, so there's more here than just drilling holes. Swiss Cheesed GlassWerks' engineers fine tune each sheet of glass for optimum performance and efficient cutability. All of which means that if your glass doesn't have holes you might want to talk to a Swiss Cheesed GlassWerks dealer.And get the hole truth!
Available exclusively at Fantasy In Glass Glassworks, Canada's first and still only officially sanctioned stained glass emporium!

Things Happen

ETOBICOKE, CANADA- According to an unconfirmed report, a thing happened Saturday at Fantasy In Glass, a large, friendly, well stocked stained glass store in Toronto’s west end, though experts say it is still not clear exactly what the thing was. ‘All we know at this time,’ Humber College professor of phenomenology Rudolphp Fishingbacher said, ‘is that some kind of thing happened.’ Ordinary citizens, meanwhile, are struggling to put the whole thing into proper perspective. ‘You don’t expect a thing like this to happen,’ Etobicoke resident, Joe Chase said. ‘Not with the way thing’s have been.’
In a statement published Sunday in the Fantasy In Glass FigLeafLet, owner Mikey urged all stained glass hobbyists to remain calm.

Grandparents Still Have No Idea What Granddaughter Does For A Living

ETOBICOKE, ON- Sources confirmed Monday that Luis and Baba Beaz, grandparents of Fantasy In Glass stained glass instructor Lorena Beaz, still do not have the slightest idea what their granddaughter does for a living. “We are very proud of our Lorena,” said Luis, 75. “Whatever she does in that job of hers, I’m sure it’s very impressive.” Said Baba: “I think what Lorena does is make sure companies have enough computers and employees so that they can—oh, I haven’t a clue.” The couple also has no idea what their granddaughter, Louette Beaz, an Etobicoke, ON, human-resources supervisor, does for a living.

Sammy Reminds Me

Sam wishes it to be known- there is one condition on our Massive Inventory Reduction Sale- we can no longer accept any farm animals as our barnyard is now full. Thank you...

Our Largest Sale in Twenty Five Years!

Just finished inventory and wow do we have way too much stuff! So, we are having the largest sale in our history! No conditions on the sale- no minimums, pay anyway you like. On all in-stock inventory. See details here!

Sammy proudly Holds Our Newest Baby! The Titan Ringsaw!

Cut thick pattern bars, bottles (even longways down the middle!), thick glass and tile. You can even to make a perfectly straight cut up to 12" long every time! The Titan Ring Saw features a revolutionary carriage tray, which moves forward and backward, and is perfectly aligned with the blade. The included Megablade cuts quickly and leaves an extremely smooth edge, eliminating the need for grinding. The Titan exposes a full 3” of blade, making it perfect for cutting pattern bars, slab glass, bottles, vases, rods, glass tubes and even hard-to-cut 3-D blown glass shapes! Remove the blade cover and you can even do plunge cuts! Use to create intricate curves, both backwards and forwards, in glass, tile, ceramic and stone.
Measuring 12" x 18" x 10" high and weighing only 15 lbs, this saw can go with you anywhere you want to cut! Includes triangles for cutting 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° angles and a 45° edge beveler. Table size 13-3/4" x 10". Three year limited warranty (excludes blade).

New Product Spotlight- Triolyse Glue

This clear, non-yellowing UV glue is cured with an activator instead of an expensive UV light. This makes it ideal for gluing glass to glass, even opaques, which a UV light glue can't cure. It’s optically clear when it dries, which is great for glass to glass fusing, mosaics, three-dimensional stained glass and jewelry, among other applications. It’s also great for gluing metal to glass (like jewelry findings) with fast and easy cleanup. Easy to use (if Mikey can...Sam)- just brush a thin coating of the activator (which remains active for 4 hours). Apply the adhesive in the center of the mating surface, lightly press the two surfaces together for about 15-30 seconds to create a bond. Clean up excess after a couple minutes. The adhesive fully cures after six hours (or as quickly as 30 minutes if you heat the parts to 150F).

Another Sale Item

From March 31 to April 7 get this 11 1/2" Prairie Style lampbase for only $18.88 (reg- $39.99)(while supplies last)

Hands-On Lead Seminar This Saturday

Not doing anything this Saturday? Consider spending it with Teenuh in her Hands-On Lead Seminar.
This course is for those who can cut glass and have little or no experience working with lead. It's a full one-day hands-on course where you'll learn the basics of how to work with lead, cut glass to a leading pattern and continue all the way through to completion of a small panel. Note: all materials are included. Students must bring their own hand tools. Two spots left!

Candle Light Frames

Here's a new and cool item that we tripped across on the internet and brought in- Candle Light Frames. Decorate them with wire and glass, put in a candle and voila! You have a beautiful candle display! Available in two sizes- 3" wide and 3" and a bigger one (I lost my ruler while writing this)...

Mikey Dispells Another Nasty Mistruth

“In the first day of my first stained-glass course, my instructor attempted to perpetuate the common myth that stained-glass flows over time; that's why in windows, glass is thicker at the bottom than at the top. A few years ago, Edgar Dutra Zanotto, a Brazilian researcher, published an article in the American Journal of Physics (No. 66, May 98) in which he calculates the time it takes glass to flow. He estimates it will take 100000000000000000000000000000000 (1 followed by 32 zeros or 10 to the power of 32) years for the glass to show any substantial change at normal temperatures. Oh, by the way, the age of the universe is 10 to the power of 10.

Just For Reading This Blog Sale Saturday Only!

1) With over 3500 pieces of dichroic glass now on display in the store, we thought we'd show it off by putting it on sale on Saturday only.

Buy three, and take another three at half price!

2) The World's Best Permanent Marker- and it's undryupable too! Because we love you (and you read our blog)
Reg- $2.59 Sale- $.88!(limit 20)

Artist Profile

David Williamson is an aspiring Sheridan College student in hot glass and an inspiring customer of Fantasy In Glass. He uses Spectrum Glass in these castings and will be at the One of a Kind Show coming up March 28 to April 1. Check out his website at www.glass33.com, and visit him at booth #E38.

Helpful Hint Of The Month #648

Dig out that old Neil Sedaka (isn’t it Neil Dekaka?...Mike) CD (Tina’s is usually in her player… Mikey) and remove the disc, ‘cuzz we’re gonna give you a great use for that case. Take a hacksaw and cut a single notch through the middle of the top side of the top part of the CD case. Still with me? Put a roll of copper foil inside said case. Pull foil through said cut slot. Bingo! Instant foil dispenser. Relegate Neil Sedaka to burnishing tool. Can’t figure it out? Come in and see our sample (but leave Neil at home...Ed)(He prefers Tony Orlando...Mikey).

Gryphon Wet Belt Sander Just for Stained Glass

Gryphon has done it again! They've come up a belt sander/grinder designed specifically for grinding and polishing large glass surfaces. Perfect for trueing straight edges on any sized piece or for smoothing the edges on larger work, such as bowls. The belt offers 90 square inches of grinding surface, and makes quick work of your biggest projects. This new tool is indispensable for anyone working in warm glass/fusing.

A small platform helps steady your work and tilts for easy beveling. A variety of belts are available from coarse for fast grinding to ultra smooth for polishing.
This sander offers the following features:
High Speed DC Motor for fast grinding.
Simple construction with few moving parts
Direct drive - no belts or pulleys
Convenient water reservoir under the lower wheel uses a standard kitchen sponge to keep the belt wet.
90 Square inches of grinding surface.
Three Belts included
Ruggedly constructed of high-impact plastic, aluminum and stainless steel.

Limited supply- due this week coming up.

Glass Patterns Quarterly

Spring 2007 issue just in. Two oversized sheets with over 40 projects from Beginner to Advanced. Cheap at $7.50.

Huge Sale Square Sale Tomorrow Only!

All Sale Squares (and we have over 14,000 of 'em) on sale- they're all $1/pc off! And you still get one free when you buy five (2 free with 9, 3 free with 12)! Take six sale squares and save a minimum $10.00! Only tomorrow!