Considering what to write this week I gazed out my bathroom window, while brushing my teeth. My mind wandered from possible topics to my latest project, just outside the window I was looking through.
Then I was struck by the perfect topic — my latest project!
Several years ago I took stained glass classes through MTEC. I bought some tools and supplies and tried to continue the craft on my porch. This wasn’t sustainable without a dedicated work area.
Then I joined a local group of ladies who work with stained glass and rent a shared work space, but when COVID came around I again set up on my back porch — cramped, open to the element and bugs, etc.
So I undertook to build myself a studio. I wanted something fairly simply that I could complete in a reasonable amount of time. All I needed was space enough for a work table and some shelving for storage.
I also wanted something not too expensive (lumber prices are higher than they used to be), eco-friendly, and with lots of light. Lots of light is a must when working with stained glass — poor lighting could result in funky color combinations.
While looking up shed construction of upcycled materials online, I came across houses with entire walls made of old windows and doors.
So my original concept was to build walls of windows and doors. But windows turned out to be more easily accessible. Since I had enough windows to build all of the walls I decided to go with that rather than search out suitable used doors.
My first step was to put up 4×4 boards for the four corners — since it was a small enough building 6 feet by a bit over 9 feet) I didn’t need a foundation — I just dug holes for the pressure treated corner boards to sit into, making sure to square off the corners as I went.
Next I got some help to put up bracing boards around the outside of the top of my corners to hold them all together.
We added some more rafters, and then the shed roof. This is another place that I strayed from my original concept — I’d hoped to go looking for materials I could upcycle into a roof, but between wanting to move forward and not wanting to spend a lot of time at indoor venues searching for materials, I went with a clear corrugated plastic roof.
I made three windows openable with screens (needed, since I’d basically made a greenhouse to work in), in addition to the door.
One of the best moments of this build was when my father and I had just finished the roof and he was helping me build the walls out of the windows.
We had two of the walls up, and it started to rain — hard. So we grabbed the power tools and ducked into the structure; we stayed dry — the roof didn’t leak. While it might not sound like much, it was quite a bonding moment.
Not quite complete (outside painting and sealing and I have to run electric to it), it has already given me space to work on my craft as I’ve already moved my grandparents’ old metal kitchen table in as a work bench and some shelves and a cabinet.
In addition to the work space, the project has given me some experience. Even more valuable, building myself this little studio gave me a strong sense of capability. While my studio lacks monetary value, that feeling is invaluable.
