A-Door

A Labor of Love

Some projects are more than just builds—they are relationships. Relationships between you and the material, between you and others, and between you and the moment in time.

Like many things in life, some projects require slowing down, appreciating the process, and simply enjoying the journey. While some may see projects as chores, this one was anything but. This was a labor of love.

It all started with my daughter experimenting with drawing software. What began as playful doodling soon evolved into a design, and from there, it took on a life of its own. Nothing was forced; it simply emerged—just as Michelangelo once said of his sculptures, the piece was already there; we just had to uncover it.

As the design took shape, a tree appeared—unexpected yet fitting. Trees symbolize life, craftsmanship, and industry. They powered the industrial revolution, provide materials we rely on daily, and, in my case, represent my woodworking. Living on a property surrounded by forest retention areas made this even more meaningful.

The Build

Though GPC had experience with stained glass, it had been on a much smaller scale. For me, this was my first attempt at both design and execution. "How difficult could it be?" I thought.

We mapped out every piece with life-size templates for assembly. GPC was instrumental in cutting the glass, even managing the delicate, near-impossible clear center pieces—less than half an inch wide.

The wood for the frame was a lucky find. A friend used to cut and mill trees from my property, and one day, I came home to a fresh stack of lumber. At the time, I thought little of it. But when searching for the right material for this project, I stumbled upon a wood I couldn’t quite identify. After some research, I realized it was elm—an incredibly rare find. Elm trees were devastated by disease in the 1930s and ‘40s, making old-growth planks like these even more special.

To complement the frame, I used walnut accents—not just for aesthetics, but for function.

The Final Stretch

After long hours of designing, cutting, and assembling, the project was nearly complete. And, as always, there was one last challenge.

We were down to the final piece of glass—and it broke. Four times.

I wasn’t mad, just deeply frustrated. But perseverance, a trait my dad instilled in me, saw us through. After multiple attempts, we finally got it right.

A lesson learned: next time, allow for a bigger gap between the glass and wood. Trying to be too precise can sometimes work against you.

In the end, this project was more than just glass and wood—it was an experience of patience, discovery, and the joy of creating alongside friends and family. While every project must come to an end, the memories live on, forever cherished and embodied in the piece itself.