Gretchen’s GlassAckward division of the studio includes artwork made from kilnforming recycled glass, handmade pottery, sculpture, copper foil stained glass artwork, handcrafted jewelry and rosaries, and repair and restoration of religious statuary.
Our retail location is now open, at 811 Main Ave, Hebron, North Dakota. “Official” hours are Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from noon – 4 pm central time. However, any time that Gretchen or Kirk are at the shop, the store is open. And keep in mind that inventory at the store frequently changes.
The artworks featured here are displayed as favorite pieces and are likely no longer available. However it is possible that a similar item may be able to be replicated upon request. Every piece is unique unto itself–however, techniques can always be revisited! Visit our GlassAckward Facebook page for more frequently updated new works, specials and online sales, and upcoming events.
Kiln-formed Glass
Gretchen has been firing glass since 2014. All her glass pieces, including stained glass works, are made exclusively with recycled glass. This includes old windows and framing glass, bottle glass, and vintage finds that have passed their lifespan in their original form.
Gretchen’s work in ceramics began by sculpting and creating her own molds to use in her glass work, which then branched out into an apprenticeship with Robin Reynolds at Dacotah Clayworks in Hebron, North Dakota. Robin’s work is known for her use of native clay bodies, particularly clay that she makes using clay mined right here in Hebron. With her semi-retirement and relocation, she has “passed the torch” of making that Hebron clay to Gretchen.
Gretchen’s pottery work is both hand built and wheel thrown. Currently she does still work primarily with commercial clay bodies, but does have a small stockpile of Hebron clay on hand that she’s working with while she’s slowly starting the process of making more clay from the raw materials. She also has a stockpile of “wild clay” that she and her family dug from their backyard that she also uses in her work.
Just a sampling of mugs. Prices range between $35 to $60 depending on size, glaze, detail, and decoration. Inventory rotates frequently. Custom orders are welcome, and all mugs are always tested for vitrification before being put out for sale. Check the GlassAckward Facebook page for new listings or stop in at the store.
Gretchen’s work in restoration is in the “portfolio building” stages. Several small projects have been completed; these pieces involved minor plaster repairs and paint touchups.
antique plaster Hummel (reproduction) repair and paint matching
In progress…. As of this update (November 2023), Gretchen is currently in the midst of repairing and restoring the corpus from a cemetery crucifix. The exact age of this piece is unknown, but it is believed that our Jesus here has watched over the prairie at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery, in rural Grant County in southwestern North Dakota, for at least 120 years. Once He is repaired, He will go back into service at Peter & Paul.
This is the state that Jesus was in when He arrived at the studio at the end of August. He has been repaired many times previously over the years; the elements have not been kind.As of November 2023, all the paint has been stripped and the previous repairs have been removed. Current process is to finish detail sanding, clear out the rest of the debris from cracks and those previous repairs, and knock back poorly done repairs that can’t be completely removed. The next step will be to seal the cracks and sculpt the missing muscle structures, fingers, and toes. I am so pleased with how much detail I was able to reveal by stripping and detailing out all that paint. Such a painstaking process but oh so satisfying. Stay tuned as I continue this project over the winter months; if all goes to plan He will be re-dedicated at the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in June 2024.
