Business finds new location in Fremont
By Angie Landsverk
Sue Fleming’s introduction to stained glass took place years ago at a local camp.
As a volunteer at Camp Onaway on the Chain O’ Lakes, she watched children take a variety of classes there.
“Both of my kids went through the whole program,” she said.
The Brigade, a youth development organization in Neenah, hosts the camps.
A stained glass class sparked Fleming’s interest – so much that she began teaching herself how to do it.
That was 20 years ago.
About five years later, Fleming started a part-time business out of her home called Decorating with Glass.
It is now located at 307 Wolf River Drive, in Fremont.
Fleming moved her business into the building last October, after looking for space awhile.
“It just kind of fell into my lap,” she said. “It’s the perfect size. We know the builder. He lives right next door to us.”
Fleming and her husband Mark live in Fremont.
They considered other locations in the village as well for her business.
Mostly self taught, she learned how to handle large stained glass windows and also how to repair and clean them while working part time at Coventry Glassworks and Gallery, in Appleton.
Fleming is in the process of moving from a full-time position to a part-time one at a bank in Hortonville.
For now, Decorating with Glass is open 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, she said.
A grand opening is taking place this spring, with more hours being established then as well.
She eventually wants to be there full time.
About 30 percent of her business is related to stained glass, Fleming says.
The other 60 percent involves teaching classes.
That is one of the reasons why she wanted a space for her business.
“I love working with people. I love teaching,” Fleming said. “I love the classes – the creativity and the fun of it.”
Twenty members of a local 4-H club recently took a class.
She also offers classes for adults.
Fleming said many are looking for something new to do.
She will have wine and glass classes after receiving approval from the village board last month for a Class C Wine License.
Her daughter Erika will be helping out in the business.
She likes to paint, so they may add painting classes as well, Fleming said.
Evenings and weekends are best for classes, she said.
People may book classes by contacting Fleming at 920-540-6345. She also has a website and Facebook page.
One class she offers is glass slumping.
That involves fusing two pieces of glass together to form something like a bowl, ornament or sun catcher, she said.
For children ages 5 and up, copper enameling is an option.
It involves using precut copper pieces.
“And then you powder glass on them and stick it in the kiln for about three minutes,” Fleming said.
Children may make magnets, pins, keychains and necklaces.
“The little kids love to do that,” she said. “They can take it home right away.”
Glass items are also for sale at her business.
Fleming continues to do stained glass projects and repairs, as well as custom orders.
It was through word of mouth many learned about her work.
“People approached me to fix, repair things,” she said.
A church in Hortonville asked her to make the stained glass windows for the new church it was building.
She began the project in her garage, and completed four windows for Bethlehem Lutheran Church last spring.
Each one measured 16 feet by 4 feet.
Her husband, daughter and son Branden helped her cement the pieces together and weatherproof them.
“I had the whole family out there cementing,” Fleming said.
They are the main windows for the front of the church, and were installed in time for Easter, she said.
Now Fleming is ready to make the other windows for the church.
They will be smaller, and for the sides of the church.
She is excited to start working on them this spring.
“I have six more to finish up,” Fleming said.