"It's not like looking at a picture, and having it redrawn," said Norman Eckhart. "It's your own personalized piece."
Stained glass is recognized as a type of fine art, and many art museums display its beautiful imagery even today. These art pieces have a completely unknown origin, though the oldest pieces are found in churches.
Jimmy's Stained Glass specializes in creating unique personalized masterpieces for customers.
"I have bought two other pieces,” Sharon Eckhart said. “Jimmy has a natural knack for making them personal and to the customer’s satisfaction.”
"I want every piece to be an expression of the customer," Clem said. "It’s about people bringing people together, and changing others’ lives forever."
When Clem is holding that cold glass in his hands, he likes pushing it beyond its limitations. Others’ excitement, passion and joy, he has found contagious. He is officially back to life.
"We've all got to make it and get through life," said Clem. "The Goehrings and the Eckharts are inspirational people. You know they're exhausted, but they just keep going. They give so much all the time."
Jimmy's Stain Glass is located at 111 Broadway Avenue in downtown New Richland. He shares the shop with Trish's Gift Gallery, and store hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clem is “big on community.” He has donated a piece of artwork that was raffled during Farm and City Days. Pam Brazil was the lucky recipient of his daffodil piece, with all proceeds going to the New Richland Food Shelf.
"Things really happen for a reason,” Clem said. “Why not thank God?”
