AboutValerie McCartney Expertise Visit our web site at www.churchwindows.net. I can answer questions about restoration and repair of stained glass windows and their surrounds. I can, also, answer technical questions regarding matching old glass, glass painting (kiln-fired), waterproofing panels (cementing), re-inforcing, removal, and installation. I can not answer questions on glass casting, Dalle de Verre, or glass blowing.
Experience
Past/Present partial client list Aboite Baptist Church, Ft. Wayne, IN; Immaculate Conception Church, Three Rivers, MI; St. Monica Church, Kalamazoo, MI; St. Charles Catholic Church, Coldwater, MI; St. Clair Catholic Church, Centreville, MI; St. Mary's Church, West Phalia, MI; Pleasant View Church of Christ, Angola, IN; St. Paul United Church of Christ, LaPorte, IN; First Congregational United Church of Christ, Olivet College, Olivet, MI; First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Kalamazoo, MI; Trinity Lutheran Church, Culver, IN; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Breman, IN; Grace Lutheran Church, Germfaske, MI; St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Rogers City, MI; United Methodist Church, Bellevue, MI; Augusta Fellowship United Methodist Church, Augusta, MI; United Methodist Church, Galena, IL; Metropolitan United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI; University United Methodist Church, Lansing, MI; Believer's Bible Fellowship Church, Churubusco, IN; St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church, Battle Creek, MI; First Presbyterian Church, Allegan, MI; First Reformed Church, Grand Haven, MI; Bellmor House, Grosse Pointe, MI; Milwood Middle School, Kalamazoo, MI;
Experience in the area I have owned and operated Full Spectrum Stained Glass, Inc. since 1988. (www.churchwindows.net)
Organizations The Stained Glass Association of America, The American Glass Guild, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan
Question QUESTION: I have a small old (antique?) stained glass window. The stained glass pane is very-very simple, few colors, nothing fancy, but I like the simplicity of it. The window frame itself is in a bad shape, with white paint all over. I may want to take the stained glass pane out of the existing window frame and insert it into an interior door or a cabinet (and not spend a fortune doing it). How would I go about doing it (finding a local shop that does it)? Would I just go to a local glass shop or do you have recommendation?
ANSWER: Dear Dena,
I recommend finding a stained glass studio in your area. Have them remove the panel from the frame. If you are going to install the panel elsewhere, let them access the condition and stability of the panel. In the long run, it will save you money and aggravation to do things right the first time.
Valerie
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QUESTION: Dear Valerie
is there a registry of professionals? i did some internet search and found only antique restoration shops that are not interested in such small job. I leave around NYC area. thanks again for your helP!
Answer Dear Dena,
Look first in the local yellow pages under 'Glass, Stained and Leaded'. There are two associations that I know of and some of the members are small studios. Do a membership search for someone near you.
1. American Glass Guild @ www.americanglassguild.org
2. Stained Glass Association of America @ www.stainedglass.org
I believe you can send an e-mail to both of these organizations if you have any trouble searching the sites. If I wasn't so far away I would help you out but it just is not a feasible option.
