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.
Pottery
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.
Custom coin banks! All of these creatures were created as custom orders.
Third Place Dimensional Art 2023 Badlands Art Association Art Show, Professional Division.
Honorable Mention 2023 Badlands Art Association Art Show
Restoration Work
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.
Creche pieces from St. Ann’s, Hebron ND. Each of these pieces had minor damage, including nicks in the plaster and multiple areas of paint wear. The age of this creche is unclear, other than the “Made in Germany” stamp on each piece, there seems to be no records of when the creche was acquired, donated, or purchased. It is thought that they are at least from the 1940’s or earlier. (If anyone has any information on age of these pieces or how they came to St. Ann’s, I’d love to hear what you know!)
Each of these figures was carefully cleaned and assessed; chipped plaster was filled in. The worst areas of damage were on the ram’s ear and Balthazar’s robe. All areas of chipped paint were meticulously retouched and blended in. I left the original paint and patina as intact as possible.
Gretchen’s largest project to date was 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. Now that He is repaired, He will go back into service at Peter & Paul.
Complete.