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Breaking News:

Shades of Tiffany Stained-Glass

Shop is Closing -- I Am Retiring

BIG CLOSING SALE!!!

Exclusive to my customers - 25% off all stained-glass

lamps & windows. **

All items are one-of-a-kind, high quality, works of art

hand crafted by master stained-glass artists.    

Click here to go directly to my website!  

A heartfelt letter to all my dear customers:

It is both with sadness and excitement that I am announcing the closing of my stained-glass business, Shades of Tiffany in San Francisco. Sadness - because I am leaving behind 50 years of having worked in the beautiful world of stained glass as a merchant and as an artist.

Alas, closing shop has become inevitable. Many of my master glass artists have either retired, or took off (I can’t find them), or are grinding glass in that big studio in the sky. (Their photos below). Also, many of my stained-glass suppliers and lamp base manufacturers have gone out of business.

So, I am no longer making new lamps and windows nor taking custom orders. Clearly, from when I started in the early 1970s, labor intensive, stained-glass lamp making as a profession has pretty much become a lost art.

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And so, I am presenting the last of my collection for you to browse on my website, www.shadesoftiffany.biz There is still a nice selection available to choose from. Of course, all items are one-of-a-kind which means if an item is sold, it is gone. If you have been thinking about adding another exquisite stained-glass lamp or window to your interiors now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of doing business with many wonderful customers. I thank those of you who sent photos of our lamps and windows you purchased at my stores in The Cannery and at Ghirardelli Square. These glass items look spectacular in your lovely homes, (see website film-strip on home page) and you kindly gave me permission to use your photos to advertise my wares. Some of you have stayed in touch on a personal basis. Let’s continue staying in touch. I always like kowing how things are going with you.    

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ARTICLE

Today, at age 81, it is time for me to hang up my apron, be free, and go have fun!

For me what does “retiring” really mean? Here are some thoughts:

I would like to learn the ancient art of “Italian Hand Language”; participate in intimate conversations with some Italians using only my hands as they famously do, maybe even get into a heated argument without uttering a single word. For example:   

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My last year’s birthday party.

Person #1 is standing on a sidewalk looking up at Person #2. He rapidly moves one cupped hand at the wrist up and down, fingers bunched together while making the correct quizzical facial expression, which means…    

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Person #2

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Person #1

" How are the wife and kids?"

"How could you vote for that lousy crook?"        

"Who is that bum I see your daughter with?"

"Did you bring the cannoli?"

Person #2, leaning out of a fifth-floor window, also making the proper, corresponding facial expression -- disgusted, puts hands together as if praying, rapidly moves them at the wrists in and out which translates to:

"Bah! … what do you want from me?  That’s all I have to say!  And bring your own cannoli!"

You get the picture – this silent, animated conversation could go on for hours knowing how much Italians love to talk. I wonder if there are classes given for this innate art of communication or should I just move to Sicily.

Update: I discovered I don’t have to move to Sicily! – it’s all on You Tube – tutorials for the art of Italian hand language: gestures demonstrated, their specific meanings, funny videos of Italians-  grown-ups and kids - talking with their hands, etc. Wow!  

Also in my retirement I would like to:

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Join local organizations – make new friends.

Travel – see the world

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Devote more time to my flamenco dancing.  

Check out my

BIG CLOSING PRE-SALE

25% off website pricing

not offered to the public

**25% Discount given at time of purchase. Prices on website do not show discount.  Contact Lorena directly to receive pre-sale discounts!

Contact me at lorena@shadesoftiffany.biz

or call / text  415-345-8529

       And then there’s Jazz, Jazz, Jazz!

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Original artwork by C. Haves

BIG BAND ALL-STARS:

Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford

Helen Forrest, Harry James, Cab Calloway, Woody Herman

Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Helen O’Connell, Glenn Miller

Tex Beneke, Andrew Sisters, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa

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I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Lorena Calcagni,

Shades of Tiffany

Lorena between flamenco shows.

September 2023

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