Latest Posts

Quote of the Day

Published by

For those of you who are fighting the end of winter blues (and yes, it will end), I offer this powerful reminder:

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future,

it is something you design for the present.

Jim Rohn

For those of you who do not recognize Mr. Rohn, he was an entrepreneur, author, and motivation speaker. A powerful voice in the world of inspiring leaders, we lost him in 2009, but his legacy lives on. According to his on-line biography, (www.jimrohn.com) he is known as a national treasure.

“A National Treasure”

“For more than 40 years, Jim Rohn honed his craft like a skilled artist—helping people the world over sculpt life strategies that expanded their imagination of what is possible. Those who had the privilege of hearing him speak can attest to the elegance and common sense of his material. It is no coincidence, then, that he is still widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of our time, and thought of by many as a national treasure. He authored countless books and audio and video programs, and helped motivate and shape an entire generation of personal-development trainers and hundreds of executives from America’s top corporations.”1

  1. http://www.jimrohn.com, March 12, 2019

So many people postpone taking classes or working on art projects until someday. We hear it all the time. My message: Simply – don’t wait. Be the designer in your own life. Do something creative that makes you happy now! The positive energy you generate can radiate into other aspects of your life.

For more informtion on John Rohn check out:

https://www.jimrohn.com/jim-rohn-biography/

For more information on Gallery’s Choice classes, check out:

https://www.GallerysChoice.com

Do you have a favorite motivational speaker, author or quote? Share it with us! Welcome to Gallery’s Choice “Live!” We love to be inspired!

Light ’em UP!

Published by
Saturday, March 16 at 12 noon. Class fee $129

Looking forward to teaching one of my all time favorites – 3-D Copper Enameling. This intermediate level art experience is for those who have had a taste of torch fired enamels and who what to do more. We will be working with sheet copper and creating – from scratch – design element that have form and texture. These pieces will be fired with enamels and then connected with some basic wire wrapping techniques.

Stop in and see us! Or register to join – there’s always room for one more!

See us at http://www.Gallery’s Choice.com to register.https://www.galleryschoice.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BASE108

Inspiration Found – Glass

Published by

I often get the question, “How do you get your ideas for custom stained glass?” The answer is simple. Custom design is a collaborative effort between customer and artist. The discussion starts with an assessment of the customer’s needs and objectives. Are they just trying to beautify their home by adding color? Are we trying to match and coordinate with existing artwork or glass art in the home? Do they have a need for privacy? Are they trying to blot out the eyesore of the neighbors’ house, garage or garbage cans?

The art glass itself can lead to design inspiration!

Once we determine their functional requirements, we can move on to elements of style and design. This is so personal, that each project is unique. I have to admit – it’s one of the things I most enjoy about doing this work. I am 98 percent sure they are going to love the piece, as they have had such a personal creative investment in the development of it, and so I don’t have to worry.

Doug and Jodi had a real need to blot out the view of a neighbors HVAC unit, and turned to stained glass for their picture window. The other artwork in the room and their love for a 100-year old oak tree in their front yard set the theme. And, with Jodi’s affinity for color in her decor, it was a lot of fun choosing material – vibrant and rich! Check out the image of the perfect sheet of art glass from Kokomo Opalescent Glass! Who wouldn’t be inpired!

Now the trick was to use this glass strategically to fit in with the art. A detailed hand drawn original was created and then the hours of work delicately cutting apart (“gasp”) this beautiful sheet and re-configuring it to tell the story.

Carefully – oh so carefully – the work comes off the boards!

I have to admit, although my process was sound – there were days while working with this piece flat “on the boards” that I worried about how it would look. Turning it up for the first time eliminated any doubt! And the light traveling through the work gave it it’s final character!

I have to admit, although my process was sound – there were days while working with this piece flat “on the boards” that I worried about how it would look. Turning it up for the first time eliminated any doubt! And the light traveling through the work gave it it’s final character!

In it’s forever home!

The process of creation is extremely rewarding. And it often leads to more inspiration for other projects. (I have a second idea fully drawn for the same project and I would just love to find the time to commit it to glass!) I may share that one with you in another post.

Custom Stained Glass By Gallery’s Choice!


This morning…

Published by

I couldn’t wait to get up and start blogging! I know that sounds strange. But this is a very important step for Gallery’s Choice. Having a place to share a stream of consciousness about the life and times of this business, my art work, and approach to teaching is an exciting new frontier for our business.

  • Collaborative design
  • Personalized imagery
  • Stained glass puppies in process
  • Applying wood framing to custom panels.

Everything we do in this business is hands-on and labor intensive. And, as most small businesses, capital is scarce. Advertising has always been expensive, and today, well, the traditional means of advertising just don’t work. Today advertising is organic – back to the tried and true, where content is king, and our value add will be in the information we share.

Today advertising is organic – back to the tried and true, where content is king, and our value add will be in the information we share.

– Rose Jarecki,
Owner/Artist Gallery’s Choice

But, as younger people have grown up with new methods of gaining information, I realize the only way to continue is to embrace these new and exciting channels for marketing is to engage. I will admit, there is a bit of a learning curve. Keep following this blog and I am sure several months down the road you will be impressed at how much it has improved! As with all things, practice makes perfect.

My goal is to bring forward content and build a community where creative hearts can share and be inspired. Whether it is a short video on improving your approach on painting skies in watercolor, or a short e-book on tips for measuring your window for a stained glass piece, the goal is to share more, learn more and create more.

So for the love of art and artist, I go. Getting up early, blogging my inner most thoughts and trade secrets so all can benefit. Hope you will stay tuned!

Lavender Truffle

Edible Flowers

Published by

It all started as we looked for new ways to energize our sales and maintain our involvement in our local farmers’ market. We had been participating in these community markets as a means of advertising our stained glass studio and art gallery, but the days were long and the durable glass art and gifts were constantly in danger of weather related demise! Our younger set at the gallery had been showing interest in pursuing culinary arts. The seed of an idea was planted, and the next season, our gallery tried it’s hand at an artistic spin on culinary arts: growing and selling edible flowers!

Natural cocoa dusted lavender vanilla truffles show off the special gourmet qualities of this modest herb.
GC Lavender – Lavender Vanilla Truffles

Natural cocoa dusted lavender vanilla truffles show off the special gourmet qualities of this modest herb.

Who knew! A little research and nasturtiums, lavender, roses, calendula and squash blossoms came to market with us. Not only did they make a tasty nutritious addition to our lunches, but they looked great displayed on the recycled fused glass dishes we made.

Don’t knock it until you try it! And once you do, you will be craving these gourmet delicacies – trust me! But of all the artisnal, delicious floral foods, one plant stole our hearts: lavender! And thus: GC Lavender was born!

Afraid to Ask?

Published by

Stained Glass by the Numbers

Piece by piece, these stained glass side lights come together. I almost never stop to count the number of pieces in my designs. Sometimes I think it would scare me to know!

A labor of love, time spent in creation of beauty!

Some studio’s charge by the piece. This is a good indicator of the work’s complexity, given each individual piece will be touched six or more times in the fabrication process. Truly a labor of love in it’s creation. There’s something special about that kind of work – in the doing of it, and in the viewing of it. Both creator and end customer will get joy from the stained glass work. And this joy can last a lifetime. For me, that’s what makes these works meaningful and worthwhile.

Closeup of pattern and petals in various stages of completion.
Detailed closeup of pattern and petals in various stages of completion.
Custom stained glass sidelights soldered and ready for patina.