from the 'thank god for small favors' dep't...

One of the techniques I'm using on our current job, which is promised by mid-August, is the lamination of small bevels and textured glass. As usual, I didn't check my stock of the proposed bevels and textured glass before I waited til the last minute to do the fabrication. I was counting out the 1” x 1” peak bevels I had on hand and found myself to be about 15 short. Great.

Called the wholesaler in town and they were out with the next shipment expected in September. The other wholesaler in town won't do business with me but that's a different story. I could order them from an out of state wholesaler but then I would have to place a minimum dollar amount order and would have to wait a week to get them, a week I don't have. Or, I could use the 1” x 2 1/2” bevels I do have but that would change the look I was going for.

So Friday morning, armed with the yellow pages I sat down to call the local stained glass studios in town and see if I could find them even if I had to pay retail. I logically started with the studio closest to me which was about 8 blocks away. It was a small studio, much like ours, set up in the garage behind the house, one I had never heard of and didn't even know was there til I saw it listed.

Her: “Ferrrell Stained Glass Studio”

Me: “Hi, I was wondering if you had any 1” x 1” peak bevels.”

Her: “I'm sure I do but I don't usually sell (supplies) retail.”

Me: Well, this is Ellen Abbott and...”

Her: “Ellen, sure, how many do you need?”

Well, that sort of took me back.

When I got there, she did look familiar and it turned out I had met her a couple of times many many years ago before she had her own little studio.

Me (whipping out my checkbook): “So what do I owe you?”

Her: “Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't know what to charge you. Just take them.”

Me: “Are you sure?”

Her: “Yeah. You know, just return them when you get some in.”

Wow. I guess I just made a withdrawal from my good karma bank account.