Dear Members,

I would like to thank each and every one of you who sent information regarding Mr. Carder’s colors. It has been
an invaluable education. The added sites are an exceptional resource. Rande Bly, I especially commend you for sharing your knowledge with us. I was a real beginner, just knowing the basics. This information will add to my lectures. In fact, now rather than being booked for an hour, I will need a weekend! My talks have been filling to over capacity very early. Soon after they are announced in the paper folks begin to call for a reservation! “Steuben Glass: The Life and Work of Frederick Carder”, is extremely popular in the Virginia area! For the next talk I am giving I had to print my pictures rather than doing a Power Point presentation. It will be different, but I now have a venue for locations where you can’t project photos. People come up to me in the street and ask me questions!!!! I have a BA in Education, but have worked mainly in museums. If anyone has any questions about putting on a lecture, just e-mail me.They even pay you, and it is such a joy just telling Mr. Carder’s story and showing and explaining his fabulous array of artistic genius in the form of glass! Such a joy to help people understand and learn about the details of Steuben–the Real Steuben and it’s Creator! (and teach them how to pronounce Steuben) Ha Ha! That’s the hardest part!

I also wanted to comment on a blog I sent in about a friend of mine who works in the art field in NYC. She said the galleries were not filled with art glass these days. I think I have figured out the reason, for I have seen very little art glass pieces in abundance. It’s the ECONOMY! I have a friend who grew up in Williamsburg, VA, and was influenced by the Colonial period. He is a glass maker. Please look at his web site JOHN SHELTON/Shelton Glass Works design@sheltonglass.com
Here is a wonderful story with a drastic end due to the economy. John used to give demonstrations at Colonial Williamsburg for tourists. A retired minister used to come to observe on a regular basis, but never bought anything. He would although ask if he could take shards or small pieces of cullet to make things with. John always accommodated his request freely and generously. Then, one day he purchased a small piece. John and his workers were most surprised. After about a week, John received a very official looking letter from the state of NY with the return address Amory Houghton, Jr., US Representative 34th District NY. DC etc. When he opened the letter it was an invitation to bring his collection of glass to the Corning Glass Works, to show them to Amo and the Director! He couldn’t believe his eyes! He and his wife packed the car and headed to Corning. John Shelton works in a very unique cobalt blue color, and his pieces have a Colonial look to them. Amo and the Director were enamored, and Amo asked if they could choose two pieces for the Corning Glass permanent collection. Naturally John was most honored and said choose what you would like. They chose a bowl and another piece. Amo asked if they were named. They were not, but John thought fast His wife had wanted a bowl for the kitchen, so it became Laura’s Bowl-the other I’m not sure of. John feels certain that the minister knew Amory Houghton, and sent him the little piece he had purchased on that day. The sad part of the story is that Shelton Glass Works has not been fired up in the past six months due to the economy. For years this little very unique Shelton Glass Works, which is just down the river from the very first glass making handbuilt furnace in our country near Jamestown
is out of gas. He is no Frederick Carder, but a glass maker just the same. I try to help people & animals & buildings etc. Just this week (a busy one-I saved 2 dogs, a woman stranded at the post office-took her to the Comfort Inn-they were very kind and let her stay in their lobby, working on saving a Rosewald School-they were for black kids in the South from MD-TX, and funded by Sears & Roebuck in the 1910’s-1935-we have one in perfect condition in Gloucester, am very much into archaeology, now I have to help save John Shelton Glass Works! Speaking of the archaeology-what a thrill it is to work with glass from the early 1600’s! AND especially real trade beads from Holland or England. Small, metal on the inside with red glass coating-made in the late 1500’s-1600’s!!! The glass is very much intact and the color is brilliant!

This got me thinking about our economy. Is there anyway the Carder Steuben Club could provide a GRANT to a student who is going to go into the glass industry. Maybe a student going to Alfred University. This would take some thought on the Boards list of things to do. My friend Susan Smith smsmith@crosslink.net of Middleburg, VA
is a grantwriter, and could look into the details. I bring with me to my lectures a handout of information, so that they can continue to learn about Frederick Carder and his work. I also include a Steuben Club Membership Form, for those who are seriously interested (on my own dime -it’s about 6 pages w/cover & member forms) But I think it is worth it. Oh, Mr. Tom Dimitroff, I always bring your book with me too, to exhibit it as one of the best on Fred Carder, and encourage folks to purchase it! Getting the word out in Virginia,

Cordially,

Carol Kalinich