Proof We Coddle Our Staff

Another day, another FIG staff member taking a much needed break, wrapped carefully and lovingly by Mikey in bubble wrap to assure she awakens fresh, unsullied and unbruised.

Found Item

Running out of places and ideas for your stained glass. Try this- stained glass PC cases

And Yet Another Customer Work

Another Customer Work

Another Customer Work

The Thing About Writing a Blog...

Is that it becomes way too easy to drop a note, or give advice, and makes it therefore seem so much more ponder-some to update the website.

Why are we saying this?

Well, our customers, friends and even some of our sly competitors send us pictures proudly of their work and it sometimes takes months to post them to our website, so we thought it best to make use of this blog to allow you to show off your work.

Here's some:

Closing August 18, Reopening September 1

Tomorrow is 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 in two weeks!

Talk to the Hand Because the Glass Don't...

Just on our way out the door, for a short vacation, and Zenia thought we should show off the Spectrum Sys96 Opal, Crystal and Wispy Opal, OpalArt and Spirits Sale Square Rack she spent 3 weeks organizing (I know- but what can we do- she's family).

We point out that this is just sale glass and just Spectrum.

Coming up, our greatly expanded Sys 96 racks which will include all the Uroboros 96 glass we can get our hands on.

Always Pay Attention

This is what happens when you don't ask or don't read the labels.

It can end up being an expensive mistake as evident by by the picture above.

Sort of like not reading a fusible label...

The 100 grams of Pata Negra Prosciutto worked out to $9.00/slice...

The Second Nicest Person in this Industry

... don't make me say it out loud who the nicest is...

Tosca, the owner/operator of Nanopod a hands-on studio and teaching facility for metal and glass, is holding a Glass Fusing Workshop coming up on August 29 from 11am-2pm-

"This workshop is a great way to enter the world of art glass. The techniques of fusing and slumping offer almost limitless possibilities for creating with color and form. You’ll learn how to cut glass, emboss-it, embed things in it, paint on it and fuse-it. Pendants, cuff links, brooches, ring tops, magnets, and other jewelry accessories can be created. Techniques learned may be transfered to larger work. All materials included, no experience required."

Call her at 647-219-0585.

Bill Dick

Many of you wouldn't recognize this name. It's a shame. Because you see it's because of Bill Dick that many of you are reading this today. It's because of Bill Dick that stained glass became an industry and a popular vocation for some, a hobby for others.

It's because of Bill Dick that Mikey started Fantasy In Glass.

Bill Dick passed away the other day.

For many of us, our first exposure to him was through the stained glass store he opened known as Renaissance Glass back in the 1970's. Later it was through his opening of a stained glass wholesaler, which carries on today under a different owner.

Bill Dick really was a giant in our industry. He was respected. He understood his customers and cared about them. He helped make many of us a success in his time.

To Terry, Suzanne, Dominique and the rest of his family, we are very sorry for your loss.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening August the 11^th from 7:00pm until 9:00pm at The Turner and Porter Funeral Home 4933 Dundas St. W ( just west of Islington) 416-231-2283.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday August 12^th at 11:00am at St. Georges on the Hill 4600 Dundas St. W, 416-239-2341.

Coming Next Week

8"- 10"- 12"- 14" black metal stands in both round and square formats, to display finished stained glass, mosaic or fused artwork. All stands have a height from the base to the display channel of 3” with a channel measuring 7/16".

And too cheap!

Some New Spectrum Glass

The Spectrum Wispy family has long been popular in the stained glass market, so I guess it makes sense they'd start formulating some new fusible Wispies. These four new System 96 Wispies feature opalescent color stirred into a clear base. Pretty cool, and something that gives them a wider style line. Because of the high level of clear glass used in these mixes, you . can also create different effects by stacking wispy-over-wispy, or wispy over solid opalescent or transparent colors. Available in Cobalt, Amazon Green, Black, and White.

And remember, just 'cuzz it's fusible, that doesn't mean you can't use it for your stained glass projects. Cobalt Blue/Clear -- #403-96SF, White/Clear -- #409SF, Black/Clear -- #4000-9SF, Amazon Green/Clear -- #402-94S

Mikey's Economic Lesson of the Day

Most Canadian retail stores must buy from our One and Only Canadian Stained Glass Supplier, where there is a US Dollar Surcharge added.

Surcharges are as follows:

Oct. 15, 2008- (dollar at .845 cents)- surcharge is 7.9%
July 28, 2009- (dollar at .925 cents)- surcharge is 13.8%

Make sense? Justified?
It’s a strange and trying time to be a Canadian stained glass retailer.
Anybody out there care to comment- you can easily do it anonymously...

An Open Letter From Mikey In The First Person

I hadn’t planned to drone on about problems and changes in our industry as it might seem self-serving and of no interest to our blog followers.

But I started this blog not only to promote, but to provoke and give insight into the workings of a glass store owner. Hence the title 'Diary of a Demented Store Owner'.

Yes, we do tell you what’s new, give suggestions and promote stuff that’s appearing. We've even been accused of trying to inject a little humour into our industry now and then. But that’s something you might get elsewhere (excluding Mikey's bad sense of humour...Tina).

Something you can’t get anywhere else is how things are done, the behind-the-scene inner workings, the graft and corruption, the sex, drugs and women- namely, the trials and tribulations we as retailers face.

That’s maybe why this blog is a little different.

It hasn’t made us popular with some, but has hopefully caused some changes to occur for the betterment of our industry. I have stories- some I can share today, some best left for another day.

Here’s one for today...

You might have thought that I was here these past few weeks.

Sorry, but I wasn’t.

I was away, hard at work as the above picture clearly shows.

The great thing about writing a blog is that you can schedule entries to appear even when you aren’t here.

I wish I was here.

It has been a very ‘interesting’ time these past few weeks.

Upon my return I find myself reflecting on many of the ‘cornerstones’ of our business and reviewing the status of all our inventory, the importance of our suppliers and our product mix- all relevant and important to our continuing success.

Manufacturers have disappointed us.

So has our supplier.

The traditional manufacturer/distributor/retail supply chain no longer seems to be important to most players leaving the retailer to wonder why this distribution system continues to exist.

You see, a mainstream manufacturer sells only to a protected set of distributors. That’s okay. There is merit to this system. Or was.

That protected distributor in return receives best pricing so long as they promise to carry the manufacturer’s full line and carry a substantial quantity in inventory to adequately supply the retailer (and studios).

This is important, why?

Well, FIG as your retailer depends on the distributor (and the due diligence of the manufacturer) to make sure he upholds his end of the deal, does his job and actually has inventory for us to draw from.

As you know (ad nauseam), over the past four years we have had a progressively worsening time procuring supplies from these manufacturers’ distributor. Some to such an extent that once proud mainstream suppliers such as Spectrum are now viewed here in Canada as a minor boutique manufacturer that is unable to provide a consistent and reliable product.

While we have a lesser problem supplying Bullseye glass because we are a dealer and buy direct, there are sundry, and slow moving items that we won’t buy direct expecting our distributor in their role to provide this for us.

Not happening.

So, where am I going with all this?

I’m not sure.

It used to be that everyone in the supply chain knew their role.

It used to be that everyone followed the rules, provided product in a timely, accessible manner, at a reasonable cost. And for all that effort, of course, were entitled to and realized a reasonable profit.

Everything is changing. Loyalties are being tested and reevaluated. I think we must do so as well.

Keep tuned as I anticipate some big changes occurring at FIG.

Nicole Richie To Name Baby After Michael Jackson, Stained Glass Store Owner Comments

Nicole Richie has announced that she will name her baby after pop-star Michael Jackson. This is contrary to initial reports that she was intending to name it after famed store owner Mikey of Fantasy In Glass Inc).

"Nicole is devastated by Michael Jackson's death," a source tells Star magazine. "She loved him and it happened so suddenly. She was originally planning on naming the baby after Mikey of FIG fame, but he's still alive. Richie felt it's fitting now that Michael's gone (not Mikey- he's still here... Ed)".

"Besides there can only be one Mikey!" she added.

Not to be outdone, Fantasy In Glass Glassworks president, Mikey considers renaming his pet llama Gary in honour of Gary Brown...

Another Kokomo Sale Square Pic

Another Kokomo Sale Square Pic

Microwave Kilns Again

Kilns are just too slow. Capturing the futility of technology in the face of superheroics, Superman doesn't have time to waste while Lois messes around with the microwave- he decides that all glass fusing will be fast and friendly, by using the household microwave and Mikey's DTI microwave kiln. What the picture does not show, however, is the less charming, more grotesque result of the morning that Lois "took too long" shaving her legs. Needless to say, she's a pants-wearer now and Superman will be doing all the fusing for many years to come.

Kokomo Sale Square Sample Again

An Actual Unedited Email Received By FIG Looking For A Job

English. Rush fan.24 years stained glass experience seeks work.

(person not quite as pictured, but maybe...)

Star Lamp Pattern

We have had a lot of requests recently for the pattern for a three dimensional lamp in a star shape. It was a pattern that we had gotten in awhile ago. One that sat lonely and unwanted, wallowing in self pity, distraught and dejected. One that sold so slowly that we had initially decided to let it die a quiet and dignified death. But now, today, it is rejuvenated and alive and it seems that everyone wants it again. While it took uncanny skill and devotion on Mikey's part, we now have the pattern back in stock- at only $13.99!

New Spectrum Glass

Use it for stained glass, or use it for fusing or don't use it for anything.

If you use it for fusing, here's a cool little project here.

Jen's Jewelry or Mike's Feeble Attempt at Alliteration

It's always so rewarding when we see one of our students strike out and become successful. And then there's Jen...

Check out her work at www.urbanfusions.ca

More Kokomo Sale Squares

Kokomo Glass

Kokomo Opalescent Glass Works. What can we say about this great American glass manufacturer? Located in Kokomo, Indiana, it is the oldest manufacturer of hand cast, rolled cathedral and opalescent glass in America, and the oldest manufacturer of opalescent glass in the world. Hey, they even provided good old Louis Tiffany with artglass back in the 1880’s. And we were the first source for this glass in Canada, going back to the early 1980’s. They make everything from single colour cathedrals to 5 colour opal mixes, streakies, ripples and catspaw opals.

Kokomo is incredibly easy to cut and has a colour quality unmatched by its competitors.

And you know what?

We can actually get it, unlike some other manufacturers such as Spectrum which is becoming increasingly scarce over the past couple of years.

We now have secured a steady supply of this great glass in 12” Sale Squares, and have priced them way too cheaply. Included are opals, cathedrals, ripples and streakies, and of course, their great 5 colour mixes. And as usual, the buy 5, get 1 free, etc sale bonus also applies.

Scrap Dichroic Paks

It appears that the staff have been drinking again (the LCBO strike was averted guys...Mikey) because we seem to once again have too much broken CBS dichroic fusible glass. Mikey in his genius (letters to Ed at fig@fantasyinglass.com) has packaged it all up into nice little clear boxes weighing six ounces. This scrap is all clean and unscratched as FIG policy demands we treat all our dichroic as if angels had delivered it on extended wings from fluffy clouds in the sky. Six ounces is the equivalent of seven 2" x 4" pieces (with a retail of $105.00 and up), but as it is scrap (albeit top quality scrap- the angel thingie remember?), it's yours for only $39.99 (very limited supply).

New Glass Crusher and Sorter

Frustrated and stressed over Mikey's incessant jabs at Gary Brown?

Feel a need to a more hands-on involvement with this craft of glass fusing?

Then try this:

crush Gary''s head, oops, did I say that out loud? I meant to say, crush your own glass and make your own frit and powders for fusing. Unleash all that pent-up frustration and get something worthwhile for your effort.

Also, it seems the one problem when making your own frits and powers is how to sort it into different particle sizes. Not anymore. We've got Aanraku Sifters- four containers that nest inside each other and will sift and sort your crushed glass according to particle size.

Table Top Foiler

Mikey fields his 300th call from customers enquiring about the latest and hopefully greatest new foiling machine- The Table Foiler (FIG retail- $99.99). Now remember- don't shoot the messenger- IT'S STILL NOT AS GOOD AS DOING IT BY HAND! (send letters to Mikey, c/o FIG Inc, 703 The Queenswasy, Toronto, M8Y 1L2) Don't worry, if a really good foiling machine ever comes out Mikey will strip down naked and run through the streets of Toronto proclaiming its virtues to all who care to listen. Still determined to spend your hard earned dollars on tools, then maybe consider Glastar's handfoilers- if you ever saw Mikey's dad, Joe using one, you'd buy stock in the company, he got it working so well! Wanna see proof? Check out Mikey's office (commonly referred to by the staff as The Ivory Tower) and see the results on an Odyssey Water Lilly lamp he made.

Bullseye Thin Fire Paper

Bullseye says, save time and avoid brush stroke marks. With that attitude where the heck would Jackson Pollock be today? We like brush marks and texture. But it can be unseemly at times. That's when you'll want to use thin shelf paper instead of kiln wash for an ultra smooth finish on the back of your fused piece. Bullseye's ThinFire Shelf Paper doesn't shrink (oh yeah? Give it to my wife- she shrinks everything...Mikey) or curl up in the kiln and features a printed pattern of the Bullseye logo on the bottom side, as shown above. That way the kids won't use it for crafts. The logo pattern does not affect glass or kiln shelves but sure looks mighty cool.

Why the logo? Well, for one, it helps strengthen Bullseye's branding and image. Some of our Bullseye loyalists take perverse pleasure in placing Spectrum glass on top of the Bullseye logo encrusted paper to remind people that there is another choice for fusing glass (although not with paper as Bulleye's is the only one) and two, Thinshelf paper really does have a smoother side. Just remember, logo side down against the shelf; plain side up, against the glass to create the smoothest, cleanest-possible finish for your work.

One time use. Measures 20-1/2" x 20-1/2". Or cut from a roll at 41" wide.