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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-03-26, Page 5business A flair for stained glass pro i.;I GOpERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986—PAGE 5 BY KATHLEEN CARTER When people tell you to stay away from glass because it might cut you, don't ex- pect Jim Howlett to listen. He may be able to create a window for you that you'll cherish. forever. stator of The Howlett, owner and op Tinker Shop on Hamilton Street in Goderich has a flair that could change the whole appearance of your house. If stained glass windows are what you're looking your can make that window taster and emonot - tions your personality tions too. Howlett became interested in staino when ed glass art aboutc e tookahobby las. After tht years hat. his n- structor noted how ellheediia his stwo kt and asked him to app Hamilton. Howlett's For three years following, main source of income was travelling frcnn art festival to art festival seowin people exactly what they want and his wife moved to started business at the Tinken r County Shopp last June. When working with stained glass there are two methods of creation. The first ich s iss the traditional method, ►itt_ lead cauming, cutting the glass out, j ing channels and soldering. The second is the contemporary method which includes cutting the glass out and wrapping it,, with a copper foil tape, laying the this method has beess down and n around sinning it ince ut. He 18th century. s are the most time "Stained, glass lamp consuming because there are so many pieces of glass to work with," he says. He added that he has no regrets businemoviIng too Goderich and starting pleasantly surprised with the business I'm getting, it's a lot better than I expected." He considers stained 'glass unlike any BUSINESS BEAT other crafting, such as wood working or pottery. "Artistic craft follows through just like any other craft." Presently, Howlett is working on a win- dow for the old JudgeHas house onEssex y Mor- ris. owned now by He says he called the Tinker Shop exact- ly that because "1 don't want to be specifically identified with doing lust glass.' He considers himself a mechanical kind of person becausehe.doelfurnitureawell p- ing and some small repotwork s stained glass. lc Howlett also teaches classes topeft P who are interested inasstained n glass, andtsc far, the response Christmas, he's held three• classes both beginner and advanced. Beginner's classes include learning techniques such as sional and making objects likeltjew leyree . boxes and small lamps. Advanced classes include sandblasting, creating larger windows and largerlamps. He says both classes, but specifically the beginner's class, are for people • to learn the craft and work with the materials re- quired, but the main objective is to give -the people•confidence in themselves. He also says that when he's working cit, a particular window, he likes to see a certain balance, meaning` that when nan he e i s a n- dow of a house, • second thought for addition. e and not just a e pts new business Jim Howlett of the Tinker Shop a It also gives him the, chance to meet a lot of different people, and to see many in- teresting homes. His special interest when working with glass is dragons, wizards and' castles because it gets him to use leased artisticll his t ► th e abilities, and he is usually [i • finished product. Along with stained glass, you'll find pot - tory, bees wax candles and furniture, but he says his wife has more interest in those crafts sct she keeps them on hand fill bep cause they're secondary' and thespace. Although he enjoys his business and teaching classes, he admits it can be $4 lit- tle costly. Prices for glass range o $22 per square foot. 'He says he's happy he came to Goderich► because lately people have been ap- preciating the history of Huron County more, and the new atlas published recently . has been a big help. to realize that "People are beginning stained glass is a good example of Cana- dian folk art. Because stained glass has been around for so long they don't tend to notice the good quality craftsmanship, but now they are." Easter is just around the corner... make if special for family and friends, Whistle Dixie's! Send a special EASTER BOUQUET to all those loved ones far away.. / All inajor.wire services available at Dixie's SALE CONTINUES... Save Up To 50°/o Off Remaining Natural & Painted Baskets X1,00 from every Big Mac sold goes to help Ronald McDonald House, and local children's charities. See us for Fresh, Silk or Dried CUSTOM EASTER BASKETS MADE ON REQUEST Large Selection of Flowering & Green Plants Also EASTER NOVELTIES - • China Bunnies *Egg Cups • Flocked Bunnies, Chicks and Ducks McHappy Day. That's the day when everyone pitches in to help. and celebrities Local personalities, business people d the counter put on their aprons and go to work behin selling Big Macs. a McHappy Day. So come on in. Have a Big Mac and have C�®®ERICH 354 BAYFIELD RD. (HWY. 21 SOUTH) FLOWERS FOR TODAY • GIFTS FOREVER 166 THE.SQUARE, GODERICH. ph. 524-13761 Evenings and Sundays phone 529-7253 1