Glass cutting is something I take seriously.

Each type of glass cuts slightly differently, requiring varying pressures on the little wheel at the end of the cutter. The wheel has particular angles for various thicknesses and hardnesses of glass. Each cut requires dipping the little wheel into a small jar with light oil to give it a longer life.

Cutting and grinding glass has the feel of ice to me.

Many years ago, before grinders, I would nip away at inside curves with a pair of glass plyers I had rounded off for easy access. It was tedious and time-consuming. Now, we have water-fed diamond wheels to round out the shapes. The diamond ring also reduces breakage by removing the rough cut from nipping away with glass plyers.

Accuracy to the pattern is also crucial. Each piece fits into a lead channel. If I get a little off, I pay for it during assembly. We also have an upright, wet belt sander to smooth all the edges.

I can usually only cut glass for around four hours a day, and my ability has decreased as I’ve gotten older.

Living alone in the country for so many years, I rarely noticed how my hair looked. I was a bachelor artist, which meant I could push the limits, almost expected to.

I remember remarking to the lady who was cutting it back then that, at the rate I was going, I was going to end up spending close to a hundred dollars on my hair this year.

My mother would have turned over in her grave.