I am a hobbyist, not an artist. 

I have always been interested in crafts and working with my hands.

It is not surprising that I am a dedicated do-it-yourselfer and enjoy the learning process as much as the finished project.

Like my father before me, some of this is born out of financial necessity.

My current hobby is working with glass.  I began, as many glass craftsmen do, with stained glass in 1996.  Eventually, the desire to add painted details led to buying a kiln in 2002.

Shortly thereafter I discovered the Warm Glass Bulletin Board (WGBB) which kindled the interest in kilnworked glass.  In the last year or so I have become interested in torchworking glass.

I am mostly self-taught. In 1999 I took a class on leaded stained glass.

I have taken two warmglass classes, both at Vitrum Studios in 2003, with Roger Thomas and Bob Leatherbarrow. The latest was a weekend torchworking class at Eugene Glass School with Bob Snodgrass in 2004.

The primary reason for publishing this website is to facilitate sharing pictures of my work with family, friends and fellow glass craftsmen. I am proud of the progress I’ve made and the works I’ve produced.  Hopefully they get better each year.

Now, when I’m asked, “Where can we see your work?”, I’ll have someplace to send them.  I don’t market any of my glass so it won’t be found in galleries, at shows or in exhibitions. This site is not designed nor intended as a vehicle to sell the work either.

I’m surprised myself at how many pieces I’ve made. Most of them are gone and I only have the pictures to remind me. Another important reason for the site is to have a location for some tutorials. Here I wish to share some of the little tricks, techniques and tools that I have developed. I make no claim that what I show here is the best or even the correct way to do it.  It is simply my way.

The visitor is welcome to take whatever they find useful.

I was born, raised, educated, and wed my wife Susan in Michigan.  We raised our family (Lisa and Mark) and I taught H S Math in Colorado.  We retired, in 1995, and after several years in Florida now live in Sun City West, Arizona. We are proud grandparents of Margot and Jing.

I invite comments , criticisms and ideas for improvement or inclusion.
Please email me direct at: Hobbyist-Jim@cox.net