light made solid

Stained glass news out of Allentown, NJ: Karen Deets runs a store in Allentown called Off the Wall Craft gallery which is dedicated to making people smile.

"I like things that are fun and make me smile," Deets said. "I think that should be one function of art."

Deets store operates out an old and allegedly haunted mill where she sells her own stained glass artwork along with art and craft items from around America. The work they sell there seems to have a strong emotional or perhaps spiritual resonance with their customers:

Saleswoman Rosemary Keller said she once saw a customer hold art glass close to her body to get a feel for whether it was the right gift for a particular friend. It seemed strange at first, but Keller herself noticed, "when you clean the glass, you get energy back from the glass."

"It does help in your mood," said Clara Nurko, a store manager who has worked there 18 years.

To find out more about Off the Wall Gallery or contact them about their products, visit their website, available here.