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Published September 2004 Maltby
Art Glass:
By
Kimberly Hilden Sharing — it is a core philosophy of Maltby Art Glass, a cooperative of glass artisans who have joined to share their expertise with one another as well as their passion with the community at large.
Operated by glass artisan Lorrie Gordon, the shop offers classes to the public in stained glass, glass fusing and mosaics; sells art-glass supplies as well as finished glass items for gifts; provides repair services; and creates custom glass designs. “We want to help (customers and students) get to that space where they can create this themselves or find custom pieces that fit their style,” said Gordon, who “fell in love with glass” a decade ago and still treasures the first piece she ever created. Classes at Maltby Art Glass are taught by co-op members, who, in exchange for membership, can use the site’s workspace and tools as well as receive reduced pricing on materials and classes. They also have a place to sell their art. “We’re the storefront, so to speak. The co-op members have the opportunity, through here, to make sales contacts,” said Gordon, who, in January, relocated the shop from the Old Maltby Schoolhouse next to the Maltby Cafe to its current location in downtown Bothell. With the location change has come the welcoming of the business community but also the challenge of drawing new clientele. “Before, we had huge walk-by traffic from the cafe,” Gordon said. Now, the shop relies on networking through the Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce, advertising in the local newspaper and building civic partnerships with the Northshore Senior Center and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department to drive potential customers and glass students through its doors. “Every two months we start a new cycle of classes. We’re gearing up to start a new round in September,” she said, with fall classes to include stained-glass lamp construction, mosaic table art, beginning stained glass and glass fusing wind chimes. Class size is kept small, about six participants per session, so that students get plenty of individual attention from teachers, said Gordon, noting that classes and the allure of art glass itself tend to attract a wide demographic — young and old, male and female, folks of all income brackets. “There is a universal reaction to glass,” she said. |
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© 2004 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA |
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