View the NEW Class Schedules for Specialty Classes . . .NEW Classes, NEW Specialties . . .Contact Taylor at 585-9011 or email taylor@mcmow.com for more information or to sign up for the McMow Monthly Newsletter . . ."Where there be Light, Let there be McMow" . . .

Friday, December 25, 2009

McMow Adopts a Family for the Holidays


Again this year, the McMow family of dreamweavers is happy to participate in the very special Adopt-A-Family Holiday effort to provide A Happy Christmas for families in our community who have fallen on hard times. Adopt-A-Family is a charitable organization established in 1983 dedicated to restoring families in crisis to stability and self-sufficiency by providing access to all-encompassing services to families and their children.

Shanon and Phil Materio and all the employees at McMow have received a holiday wish list for each member of one very deserving family. Everything from toys, clothing and shoes, tools and kitchen items that will help this family enjoy the holidays and continue on their journey to self reliance. The Materio's and all the Dreamweavers of McMow would like to encourage everyone to share the joy of participating in this most rewarding community effort. Click on the title above to visit Adopt-A-Family website

McMerry Christmas and Happy Holidays from McMow

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Health and Happiness in the New Year






Brought to you by the Dreamweavers of McMow who wish you and yours ~

Good Health and Happiness in the New Year!


"Rx" is thought to be a Latin abbreviation for Recipe of X where X is some variable. The variable might be a mixture of plants or essense or animal products concocted into a balm with beeswax, oil, or a liquid with water base or a ground powder from one or many dried ingredients.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Beginner Stained Glass Classes Starting in January 2010

Sign up now for our Beginner Series classes starting in the new year. Choose the day of the week and the time of day that's most convenient for you. At the end of the very first class, you will have created your own version of the beautiful butterfly pictured here.


From choosing colors, making that first cut (you'll have plenty of opportunity to practice your technique) right through the grinding, applying patina and copper foil construction - the Dreamweaver instructors at McMow will guide you through each step. Having achieved these basic skills, the Dreamweavers will help you select a new pattern, to sharpen those skills, learn more advanced techniques and create an even more spectaular piece you'll be proud to display in your home.

The cost for the Beginners Series is $55, plus tax. We offer a 15% discount on a set of top quality tools to get you started in the art of stained glass creation. Join the fun and learn to bring your own visions to light and life as a Dreamweaver. Call 585-9011 for more information and to reserve a place in our next Beginners Series.

Mondays, Starting Jan 4th through February 1st, 1pm to 4pm.

Tuesdays, January 5th through February 2nd, 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Thursdays, January 7th through February 4th, 9 am to Noon.

Saturdays, January 9th through February 6th, 9 am to Noon.

From Bow-wow to McMow Wow in 3 Steps

Such a nice picture of one family's beloved pet.

The transformation from nice picture to family heirloom begins.

You lucky and quite handsome dog.

The finished piece hung in a place of honor.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

For the Visionary in your life who's been very very good this year.

This book contains more than 150 stained glass window designs. The collection is drawn from the Dreamweavers of McMow Art Glass portfolio covering more that 18 years of commissions. Styles include all aspects of leaded glass design from beveled panels to landscape but the spectacular entryways are particularly outstanding. This is an essential book for all art glass libraries, architects, builders, interior designers and all stained glass enthusiasts.

Limited Special Editions signed by the Dreamweavers available now for only $17.95. Call 561-585-9011 to order your copy in time for Christmas.

Irises

Perhaps you have a favorite painting that never fails to uplift and inspire you; a priceless masterpiece you can only enjoy as an image in a book. Wouldn't it be wonderful to capture the true essence of that special painting in an original piece of art for your home? Follow along as we track the progress of one client's vision brought to light by the Dreamweavers at McMow.




















Dreamweaver Noriko

McMow is proud to present the fantastic work of Noriko Horie. Noriko was introduced to the glass art medium 18 years ago as a student in McMow Dreamweavers beginners class. Here, Noriko shares with us some of her original creations that bring light and life to her incredible visionary talent.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Santa's Workshop at McMow

Santa's Workshop at McMow was a huge success. More than 40 local glass artists came to share the fun and work to finish up their last minute holiday glass projects. Shanon, Phil and all the Dreamweavers at McMow were on hand to offer professional tips and share the latest in tools and techniques with artists. Many of the artists who came last night first were introduced to the glass arts at a beginners class at McMow.


All the Dreamweavers at McMow were impressed with the high level of design and craftsmanship these artists have aquired. Everyone enjoyed the food and holiday punch along with prizes and very special discounts on art glass, books, tools, supplies and of course the holiday treasures in McMow's Gallery of Glass Gifts.

Friday, December 11, 2009

What does Dreamweavers mean?

Meet Hans. Hans is a Master Craftsman trained in Germany. When asked what it means to be Dreamweaver at McMow Art Glass, Hans gives a demonstration of the technique called "weaving" that is fundamental to the best quality stained glass construction.


Here Hans shows us two pieces of cut and assembled leaded glass. They look pretty much the same when viewed from the front - until you look a little closer.


Here are the same two piece held vertically as they would be installed. Notice the instability in the piece on the left. It bends.


Here's a close up of the unstable piece. Notice the warping in the lead around the edge. The same flexibility and malleability that makes lead the perfect material to join stained glass is also the quality that can make a poorly crafted piece so unstable it may not survive it's own weight when hung.


Here is the reverse side of the inferior piece. Notice the gaps in the lead. Several long pieces are stacked horizontally with short cross pieces stacked vertically. This severely compromises the vertical integrity of the whole piece. Notice too how the light is distorted from piece to piece.


This is a close up of the same piece from the front. Hans is pointing to a solder that has been so compromised it has failed and pulled away from the glass. We can see other joinings that have also broken free. This is what can happen when a poorly crafted piece is exposed to the elements, like wind, rain, heat and cold.


When a piece is carefully and expertly crafted using the technique called "weaving", the window holds it's shape and the design is protected from the weather, warping and distortion. This technique was used for centuries in the cathedrals of Europe long before it became standard practice to shield stained glass art windows with protective high tech glass.


Here on the reverse side of the quality crafted piece, we see the secret to that craftmanship revealed. Notice how the lead is carefully woven into the whole frame of the piece. A long piece is crossed by a short piece both horizontally and vertically - each one strategically alternated to provide a solid stable frame for the individual pieces and the piece as a whole.


Here's another close up showing how all the pieces in this simple design are joined together in a solid unified pane making this a lasting treasure. See too how the light reflects evenly across the whole design.


This is a close up of the front of the quality crafted piece. Notice the solders are unbroken and even with no gaps or pulling away from the glass.

So that's the story from Hans on what Dreamweavers means to him. Come back to McMow Daily Times soon and often for more Dreamweaver stories.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

We'd love to hear your thoughts

Your comments and suggestions are deeply appreciated. Please feel free to leave your comments at the end of any of the articles on McMow Daily Times. Comments are posted usually within the hour but may be delayed overnight in some cases. Thank You for visiting McMow Daily Times. Come back soon and often for the latest news from the Dreamweavers at McMow.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

McWOW! McMow Now On Etsy!

Feeling a little upside down this Christmas? McMow understands. Visit our online gift gallery at Etsy for the most unique and special items and prices to make you feel all right side up and joyful. From one of a kind pieces sure to capture the light in your true love's eyes, to special tree ornaments (that look great from any angle) to a full assortment of glass working tools for the artist in your family who's been very very good this year. For an unforgettable and lasting treasure, consider a gift certificate for two and bring your muse to one of our art glass beginner classes where together you will learn to make your special dreams come alive in light and richly colored glass. Click on the title above or on the Etsy link in the right hand column.

For many more gift ideas including jewelry, tree trimmings, light catchers and all manner of unusual and unique items, visit all the Dreamweavers at McMow at our beautiful Studio and Gallery. 701 North Dixie Highway in Lake Worth right on the corner of 7th Avenue North and Dixie Highway. Plenty of free and convenient parking behind the store. Happy Holidays from McMow.

Good Neighbors - Update

Shanon and Phil Materio, owners of McMow Art Glass, are pictured with Tricia Besley, Project Manager for McMow and members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, District 14 following the presentation by the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association. Holding the medallion with Shanon is Capt. Rolando Silva and members of his team of Deputies assigned to District 14, Lake Worth. More than 70 friends and neighbors from all over Lake Worth came to express their support and gratitude to the PBSO for their efforts.



Monday, December 7th

7pm

First Church of the Nazarene

Lake Worth, Florida


On Monday, December 7th, The Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association will present this beautiful medallion, designed and donated by McMow Art Glass, to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, District 14, in appreciation for the tremendous effort the Sheriff's Office has made on to help the Association in their continuing effort to make our neighborhood and our city the place we can always be proud to call our home.

Let's Say Thanks

This beautiful image could be a piece of stained glass, but it's not. It was designed by 14 year old Talia from Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the many you can choose from on the Let's Say Thanks website. Pick your favorite card, choose from a list of different messages or add your own and click send. Xerox will print and send your postcard and message to one of our dedicated soldiers in the Armed Forces. The whole process takes about 15 seconds. Click on the title above to go to the Let's Say Thanks website.


The Dreamweavers at McMow Art Glass tip their hats to Talia for her beautiful design and to Xerox for this opportunity to Say Thank You to our sons and daughters, mothers, fathers and friends far away from home in service to our country.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Glass Artists are Invited!

Santa's Workshop at McMow's
In appreciation to all our customers,

McMow Art Glass
Cordially invites all Glass Artists to an Open Workshop

Tuesday Evening, December 15th From 6 – 9 pm
R.S.V.P. appreciated to Tricia 585-9011 ext. 110


Free Christmas and Holiday Patterns
Yummy Punch and Treats!
Prizes, Games and Raffles
Win Free Classes and Studio Time
Bring your toolbox and join in the fun.


Enjoy Special Discounts on Gallery Items and Tools.
(excluding all other discounts, please)

McMow Art Glass 701 North Dixie Highway
Convenient and Free Parking behind the Studio.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

McMerry Christmas from McMow

These and many more beautiful gifts are on display in the McMow Studio at very attractive prices. Click on the image below to make it larger. Use your back button to return to McMow Daily Times.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009