People who do things well will always hear cheap, easy put-downs from people who choose to waste their time on other things. And here are three fine examples.

"Let's party!"

Yes, a “year” simply measures the time it takes for a planet to orbit the Sun.

So, if the period of three hundred and sixty-five and a quarter days isn’t emotionally significant in itself, then nothing significant can be created just by multiplying this period by 10.

And yet …

Anniversaries are important.

My own life has become immeasurably happier since I left my old career 10 years ago today.

I was and am lucky I had the freedom to do this. I reflect on this each day while I cycle to and from the studio, but especially today.

In my present career (which is not the same as the whole of my life), there are two things which Make All The Difference.

First, working with David, designing and making stained glass windows in dialogue with our clients and their buildings.

Second, teaching, and all the conversations that we have each day with stained glass painters and makers across the world.

The first item is hubristic, like the pride of Ozymandius; the second item, less so – the wonderful thing is that skills are acquired and enhanced and subtly changed and passed on to other people.

More than that, and at the heart of things, it’s all such fun.

“That’s no way to run a studio!”

“Oh Yes It IS!”

"Please, Sir! Why do some glass painters want to make their painted glass look like canvas?"

And each day is different.

Anyway, there’s a new Questions & Answers section we’ve just added.

We’ll use it for for all sorts of things, including video demonstrations.

When you have Questions, please go there and Ask for an Answer.

We’ll reply with the Best Information that we have.

But we won’t be posting too many replies this particular weekend.

It’s my birthday.

Not 10 years … but 97 50.

Therefore:

Williams & Byrne announces the arrival later this month of a competition in which You can win Prizes!

Knowing that all you stained glass painters are such other-worldly souls, we don’t propose to offer you anything as earth-bound as an all-expenses paid holiday in the country of your choice.

No …

We’re talking brushes, here.

Specifically – badgers, haiks, larks, crows and small ducks.

How’s that for an inducement?

Does it speak directly to your Dark Side?

Remember … coming soon … the first competition

It’s the Only One with Brushes!