Caption: Tom Schlechter (l) and Michael Thomas (r) making a stained glass sun-catcher during date night at Colorado Glass Works. Photo by Brooke Coffman.
Stained glass date night: An evening of prismatic romance
By Brooke Coffman
As the soldering iron reaches a scorching 750 degrees, Tom Schlechter and Michael Thomas melt together colorful glass panels to create a work of art — much like they’ve been doing with their hearts for the past five months.
On this Saturday night, the newly matched couple were having a date night at Colorado Glass Works. With Valentine’s Day approaching, other budding couples may want to follow in their footsteps.
“I did some mosaic work in high school art classes, so I always wanted to try my hand at the other types of glass art,” Schlechter said. “This one just seemed like it would have a higher barrier to entry.”
The class costs $185 per couple and all of the materials are supplied so that everyone can go home with their own personally-made sun-catcher. Meggy Wilm is the owner and founder of the studio on Pearl Street in Boulder.
“We’re providing more of an experience rather than a beginner class,” Wilm said. “They’re going to walk out in about an hour and a half with a completely done object.”
Sarah Montes is the manager of the studio and enjoys watching customers work through their projects.
“One time we had this couple come in, and they were both prison guards,” Montes said. “They were the most quiet, most serious people I’ve ever had in class. It’s just interesting to see different couple dynamics.”
Montes says one of her favorite couples brought house-made margaritas for the whole class and didn’t skimp on the freshly cut limes, something we didn’t see during tonight’s visit.
“Some classes are more quiet and reserved, and some are more animated and exciting,” Montes said. “This one was more middle ground.”
Interest in stained glass is growing. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the stained glass market is projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2032. Driving the demand are cathedrals and historic building renovations. And studios like Colorado Glass Works have seen more interest too.
“COVID-19 really sprang up the craft sensation of people taking up old school crafts, from ceramics to embroidery to old school, very traditional gilding,” Wilm said. “People are taking these art forms and quickly morphing them into something modern.”
And the workshops are bringing couples closer together.
“I’ve wanted to do one of these classes for a while, so I needed someone to do it with me,” Schlechter said. “I’ll be keeping this for myself to put in my window.”
Colorado Glass Works holds date night stained-glass workshops on Fridays and Saturdays with a special Valentine’s Day class on Feb. 13 and 14.
Edited by Leah Meyer
