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B8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 14, 1999 t ie (JjAKVt-Lh NAVY ST. THF 815-2021 Arts & Entertainment OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR OF THE OAKVILLE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Oakville Beaver Entertainment Editor; Carol Baldwin 845-3824 (Extension 254) Fax: 337-5567 O akvDk> a t t h e 'E x ' A U G U ST 2BUM 999 A su-stained smi Stained glass is one o f m any hand-crafted item s a t The GaUery Shop's Open House By Carol Baldw in ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Stella White's parents can't say she didn't get anything out of going to church. White, who designs and creates stained glass window pan­ els, was turned onto stained glass when she was a child admiring the beautiful windows in the church. Then, as a newly wed adult, she saw classes in stained glass offered at a nearby college, and she registered. "It was a new city (London, Ontario), a new marriage, new everything. I was looking for some­ thing to do and I saw the course offered," she explains. That was 20 years ago, and she's cut and soldered a lot of glass since then. And even though she's taken a few courses since that first col­ lege night course, she says she is basically self-taught, "experi­ menting and dabbling in new techniques." Her first project, she recalls, was making a sun catcher. Now that's what her students start with. "You make one for yourself and one for your mother or sister or brother. Then it sort of mushrooms. You make a few and give them away as gifts, and pretty soon people are saying, 'Will you make me something. I'll pay you for it?' That's how it first started," says the 43-year-old artist. "It was kind of neat because I was getting paid for something that I loved doing." And she continues to get paid for doing something that was once a hobby, but her repertoire has expanded to include candle- holders, music boxes, nightlights, tiffany lamps, and window panels. Most of her customers have seen her art work either at someone else's home or at a craft show. "If people bring me a picture or draw­ ing, I can make it (on a window panel)," she says, adding that potential customers often flip through her many pattern books and show her which designs they like. "They often say, 'I like this part of that pattern and that part of this pattern.' So, I combine them and make something won­ derful...and original." White's window panels are priced at approximately $80 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the pat­ tern. And she does repairs and restora­ tions. Her various creations can be seen anytime in The Gallery Shop in Gairloch Gardens, but this weekend visitors to the shop will be in for a special treat in stained glass items as well as other hand­ crafted works of art. White has been working diligently on a variety of creations for the upcoming Open House at The Gallery Shop on April 16th, 17th and 18th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the Open House, The Gallery Shop is offering 15% off most items. Prices for White's ready-made items range from $10 for a sun catcher, a night- light or a candleholder to $200 for a win­ dow panel. "Sun catchers make a perfect gift. They will fit in any window," she quips. With her next project, the Oakville arti­ san is hoping to get back to her roots. She is currently vying for a memorial project at a church. Only this time she'll be able to admire her own stained glass windows. "If I get the job, I would make a win­ dow for anyone who wants to donate one in memory of someone," she explains. "Each window will have a plaque on the bottom with the person's name. So, instead of the church paying for the win­ dow, the parishioner will pay." As for her classes, they won't start up again until the fall at the Halton Catholic District School Board's Adult Learning Centre. uI f people bring m e a picture or drawing, / can m ake it (on a window p a n el)..." Photo by Barrie Erskine Stella White can be seen smiling through her teeth, her stained glass teeth that is. Dentists' offices enjoy these creations, she says. However, White will have a wide selection of candleholders and nightlights as well as a few small window panels at the Open House in The Gallery Shop in Gairloch Gardens on April 16th, 17th and 18th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ,c o tn /o kWEST OAKVILLESide split, hardwood floors, huge lot, finished basement. ARTISTIC FLAIR Open concept kit./fam. room, hrdwd., ceramics, fully finished, stunning decor. EXIT REALTY NEGOTIATORS • TOP 1 % OF 7 8 4 ,0 0 0 AGENTS IN NORTH AMERICA • OVER 1 8 00 CAREER REAL ESTATE SALES • REAL ESTATE " HALL OF FAME" WINNER READY TO MAKE AN EXIT? CALL ME 465*10*10 ITALIAN BEAUTY Almost 3000 sq. ft. loaded with features, must sell. IN-LAW SUITE Detached bungalow, 3 bedrooms, fully finished basement. V is it our showroom or call to set up an appointment j U ' t e r a f t k r t c i i t n i s sm xgm __ M U ISism ? -m ■ s s . wm ■ ~ 3L_. %***. 4*fSrr- CORIAI I ...