Reviving a Stained-Glass Studio: A Journey of Care, Creativity, and Community

Hello, dear friends and followers of our Thistle Dew Art Studios. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt apologies for the prolonged silence on the blog and site. As some of you know, my family has been navigating a challenging medical situation that required my full attention and diligent caretaking. It has been a journey filled with worry and sleepless nights, but I’m relieved to report that the situation has greatly improved. I'm grateful for the support from each of you during this time and it feels wonderful to have opportunities to reconnect with all of you.

As we emerge from this difficult period, I'm excited to share that our stained-glass studio in Newberry, FL, has been bustling with renewed energy. We recently completed an exquisite installation in Haile Plantation, transforming a beautiful space with textured clears and intricate designs. In addition, we also just finished up a 90+ piece restoration of large antique bevels that had been fashioned in zinc came from the late 1800s, which were failing them. We took it all apart and put it all back together in lead came, a more legacy-based material. These projects not only reignited my passion for glass artistry but also opened new doors, leading to several inquiries for future installations and/or repairs.

As I type our team is working diligently to fill the studio with unique pieces that encapsulate the warmth and joy of our rural surroundings. And, remembering that “Studio-s” represents some work in other mediums I pursue; many wonderful pieces can be seen in collage, watercolor, and even some mosaic. 

Please stay tuned for further updates and details as we embark on this new chapter together. We will soon place a "Studio Open" sign at the end of the driveway, leading to our pop-up where our work will be available for display and purchase. Our location is on 5 acres in rural Newberry, between Newberry and Archer, surrounded by farmland. For updates, please follow us on Facebook (Cradoc Morris, Thistle Dew Art Studios), Instagram (ThistleDewStudios), Next Door (Newberry/Watermelon Pond Neighborhood), and check your inbox regularly.

Thank you for your patience during this time. Your support is appreciated by me and our small community. As we proceed, I will share further updates on our projects and products, focusing on the features and benefits of stained glass. D 🙏🏼🥰☮️

Once again, many thanks to GFAA, the participating artists, and all the wonderful folks who came out to see us!

(GFAA: Gainesville Fine Arts Association)

Greetings from Gainesville!

Below is a copy of some care and cleaning instructions I include with anybody's purchase of glass from Thistle Dew Art Studios. In most cases, even if you didn't get your stained glass piece from us, these tips should help with your glass. Enjoy!

-----------------------------------------------------

Thistle Dew Art Studios

Gainesville, Florida

Care and Maintenance of your Stained Glass Art

In a general sense, your new stained glass art is relatively maintenance free. Depending on environment, location, humidity, etc., in its natural state, some of the solder seams may show some white powdery spots on the solder seams. This is a simple form of oxidization. Sometimes your piece may simply get dusty or dirty and may just need some TLC. 

Please follow these simple guidelines when some tender care is needed:

• Whenever handling your piece is necessary, always take care around any foiled edges as they may get bent back from the glass. Should this occur, gently push it back in place and rub it down with your finger wrapped in a paper towel. Should any white powdery oxidization occur along the solder seams, gently scrub with a toothbrush moistened with white vinegar.

• Your glass piece can be washed but you should avoid window specific spray cleaners as they usually contain ammonia and these products can strip away any wax finishes that have been applied and may impact any patina finishes.

• To wash, simply use lukewarm water and a mild soap. Use caution around any foiled edges. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and dry carefully. Using a hair dryer on a warm (not hot) setting can help for delicate areas.

• Waxing your piece is always recommended and would usually only need to be polished once or twice a year, depending on its location. Always use a carnuba based wax as this helps to seal any metals used in the construction of your piece. Turtle Wax with carnuba, in spray form, for automobiles is a good choice. As an alternative, white vinegar also is also a great polishing agent.

• When waxing, apply a moderate spray coat, distribute evenly, let wax dry to a hazy finish, and buff to a glossy shine with a terrycloth type material. Always take care around any narrow foiled edges, particularly when buffing.

• If any of the glass in your piece becomes cracked or broken, please reach out to me directly for repair. 

• Enjoy!

Dave Morris

Thistle Dew Art Studios

[email protected]

Thistle Dew Art Studios 

PRIVACY POLICY

Thistle Dew Art Studios is committed to protecting the privacy of our users. This Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) is designed to help you understand what information we gather, how we use it, what we do to protect it, and to assist you in making informed decisions when using our Service.  Unless otherwise indicated below, this Privacy Policy applies to any website that references this Privacy Policy.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Service” refers to the Business’s service which can be accessed via our website, hosted by faso.com . The terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the Business. “You” refers to you, as a user of Service.

1. WHEN WE COLLECT INFORMATION AND CONSENT

1.1 By accessing our Service, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and you consent to our collection, storage, use and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. In addition, by using our Service, or services across partnered and unaffiliated sites, you are accepting the policies and practices described in this Privacy Policy. Each time you visit our website, or use the Service, and any time you voluntarily provide us with information, you agree that you are consenting to our collection, use and disclosure of the information that you provide, and you are consenting to receive emails or otherwise be contacted, as described in this Privacy Policy. Whether or not you register or create any kind of account with us, this Privacy Policy applies to all users of the website and the Service.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1 We may collect both “Non-Personal Information” and “Personal Information” about you. “Non-Personal Information” includes information that cannot be used to personally identify you, such as anonymous usage data, general demographic information we may collect, referring/exit pages and URLs, platform types, preferences you submit and preferences that are generated based on the data you submit and number of clicks. “Personal Information” includes information that can be used to personally identify you, such as your name, address and email address.

2.2 In addition, we may also track information provided to us by your browser when you view or use the Service, such as the website you came from (known as the “referring URL”), the type of browser you use, the device from which you connected to the Service, the time and date of access, and other information that does not personally identify you.  We use this information for, among other things, the operation of the Service, to maintain the quality of the Service, to provide general statistics regarding use of the Service and for other business purposes. We track this information using cookies, or small text files which include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to a user’s browser from our servers and are stored on the user’s computer hard drive. Sending a cookie to a user’s browser enables us to collect Non-Personal Information about that user and keep a record of the user’s preferences when utilizing our services, both on an individual and aggregate basis.  The Business may use both persistent and session cookies; persistent cookies remain on your computer after you close your session and until you delete them, while session cookies expire when you close your browser. Persistent cookies can be removed by following your Internet browser help file directions. If you choose to disable cookies, some areas of the Service may not work properly.

3. HOW WE USE AND SHARE INFORMATION

3.1 Personal Information - We do not sell, trade, rent or otherwise share your Personal Information with third parties without your consent, with the following exceptions: We may share your Personal Information with vendors and other third- party providers who are performing services for the Business. In general, the vendors and third-party providers used by us will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to allow them to perform the services they provide for the Business.  For example, when you provide us with personal information to complete a transaction, verify your credit card, place an order, arrange for a delivery, or return a purchase, you consent to our collecting and using such personal information for that specific purpose, including by transmitting such information to our vendors (and their service providers) performing these services for the Business.  In plain english:  If you purchase a piece of art, Paypal will receive personal information and our shipper will receive personal information about you as those are necessary to complete the transaction.

3.2 Certain third-party service providers, such as payment processors, have their own privacy policies in respect of the information that we are required to provide to them in order to use their services.  For these third-party service providers, we recommend that you read their privacy policies so that you can understand the manner in which your Personal Information will be handled by such providers.

3.3 In addition, we may disclose your Personal Information if required to do so by law or if you violate our Terms of Use.

3.4 Non-personal information - In general, we use Non-Personal Information to help us improve the Service and customize the user experience. We also aggregate Non-Personal Information in order to track trends and analyze use patterns of the Service. This Privacy Policy does not limit in any way our use or disclosure of Non-Personal Information and we reserve the right to use and disclose such Non-Personal Information to our partners, advertisers and other third parties at our sole discretion.

4. HOW WE PROTECT INFORMATION

4.1 We implement reasonable precautions and follow industry best practices in order to protect your Personal Information and ensure that such Personal Information is not accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.  However, these measures do not guarantee that your information will not be accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed by breach of such precautions. By using our Service, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to assume these risks.

5. YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING THE USE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

5.1 You have the right, at any time, to prevent us from contacting you for marketing purposes. When we send a promotional communication you via FASO, you can opt out of further promotional communications by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in each promotional e-mail.   Please note that even after you unsubscribe from any promotional communications, we may continue to send you administrative emails including, for example, invoice confirmation of an artwork purchase or other communication necessary for a transaction.

6. FASO

6.1 Our Service is hosted by BoldBrush, Inc - dba FASO Business Websites (FASO).  FASO provides us with the online e-commerce platform that allows us to provide the Service to you.  Your information, including Personal Information, may be stored through FASO's servers.  By using the Service, you consent to FASO's collection, disclosure, storage, and use of your Personal Information in accordance with FASO's privacy policy available at https://faso.com/privacy.  

7. LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

7.1 As part of the Service, we may provide links to or compatibility with other websites or applications. However, we are not responsible for the privacy practices employed by those websites or the information or content they contain. This Privacy Policy applies solely to information collected by us through the Service. Therefore, this Privacy Policy does not apply to your use of a third-party website accessed by selecting a link via our Service. To the extent that you access or use the Service through or on another website or application, then the privacy policy of that other website or application will apply to your access or use of that site or application. We encourage our users to read the privacy statements of other websites before proceeding to use them.

8. AGE OF CONSENT

8.1 By using the Service, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age.

9. CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY

9.1 We reserve the right to change this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use at any time. If we decide to change this Privacy Policy, we will post these changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it. Any such modifications become effective upon your continued access to and/or use of the Service five (5) days after we first post the changes on the website or otherwise provide you with notice of such modifications. It is your sole responsibility to check this website from time to time to view any such changes to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to any changes, if and when such changes may be made to this Privacy Policy, you must cease access to this website. If you have provided your email address to us, you give us permission to email you for the purpose of notification as described in this Privacy Policy.

10. MERGER OR ACQUISITION

10.1 In the event we (or FASO) undergo a business transaction such as a merger, acquisition by another Business, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your Personal Information may be among the assets transferred. You acknowledge and consent that such transfers may occur and are permitted by this Privacy Policy, and that any acquirer of our (or FASO's) assets may continue to process your Personal Information as set forth in this Privacy Policy. If our information practices change at any time in the future, we will post the policy changes here so that you may opt out of the new information practices.

11. CONTACT US & WITHDRAWING CONSENT

11.1 If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the practices of this Site, or wish to withdraw your consent for the continued collection, use or disclosure of your Personal Information, please contact us by sending an email to [email protected] 

Last Updated: This Privacy Policy was last updated on 07/03/2020.

Just finished this aluminum foiled canvas abstract, in tonal and vibrant colors, with textural definition. It was a lot of fun working with the foil on canvas and I really like the texture you can work in with it.

We are waiting for the original subscriber's email address list to go through before they release the firest version. 

The preview for the first official newslaetter from TDAS is available at the following location:

https://my.faso.com/nl/?nid=159721&clean=y

"Art is my Sanity"

Thistle Dew Studios and Dave Morris are proud to announce three entries in the upcoming "Earth" exhibit curated by the amazing folks at Gainesville Fine Arts Association, Gainesville, FL. As their submission page states:

"As we navigate this global pandemic there is no better time to explore our planet. Subject matter can explore all different aspects and themes relating to the earth: environment, globalization, human impact, geography, landscapes, the solar system, flora and fauna, evolution, weather, mapping, exploration, ecosystems, etc."

https://www.gainesvillefinearts.org

My submissions are quite varied with an interactive stained glass sculpture, a Tiffany-style "weather statement about the big thunderheads that accumualte in Florida, and an abstract landscape collage (double-panel on cradleboards):

-A Walk in the Woods

-Florida Storm

-Quite Contrary

(Excerpt from April 2020 Newsletter)

"Just before things started getting pretty nasty, I took a two-day collage workshop; mostly because what attracts me to stained glass and mosaics also attracts me to collage and multi-media: color and texture, and did I say color? It was a great class taught by Carolyn Land https://perceptionsbycaland.com of Port Orange, FL (and a great job by the Education Committee of the Gainesville Fine Arts Association) and she taught us a great deal about prepping "supplies" for collaging (dying papers, making crazy/complicated papers, texturing, working with photos, etc. as well as composition basics and assembly techniques...I came away hooked on doing collage work...!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you get a chance, please take some time to visit Carolyn's site. She has some amazing insights and her work is equally amazing...I'm a big fan. And, I recommend to all artists to get out of their ruts occasionally, broadens perspectives, particulary when returning to your "home" medium. Enjoy! Peace! D

(Originally posted June 2018)

My girlfriend's daughter, Sarah, is a nationally certified Master Colorist and stylist at her own salon in Gainesville, FL., Taylor'd to You @ Skin Solutions Spa at 912 NW 57th St. Suite A. I just delivered to her a very belated salon-warming gift in the form of a Candle Lantern and matching business/appointment card holder. This came with two different candle sets, one is a large 6" x 10" white e-candle with remote control and a set of three smaller diameter tiered pillars that fit nicely inside the lantern and can change colors with their remote. 

The glass was a custom ordered bulls-eye glass in ivory with blue tones through the middle. Corners were bookend matched and some amber and floral additions rounded out the pieces nicely.

They looked great in her salon when we left them with Sarah!

Enjoy, Sis! Love you!

If you happen to be in the area…

Originally posted March 2018 upon opening Thistle Dew Art Studios, in Orange Lake, FL

"Welcome to the house of Pane!  

Now it's really official...

1.  Remodel farm shed (Check)
2. Bring in glass and tools (Check)
3. Build website (Check)
4. Business Cards and marketing postcards (Check)
5. Facebook page (Check)
6. Hang the signs (Check)
7. Ok, open for business...guess I gotta go to work now...(Check)

Thistle Dew Art Studios"

-------------------------------------------------------------

Now that we've relocated to Gainesville, I'm proud to say that the reboot of Thistle Dew Art Studios is complete, at least this first version anyway. House of Pane II...