Welcome! This is the official website of
James M. Armstrong (b. 1970). Thanks for
taking the time to stop by. Hopefully you will
enjoy all of the artwork on display at this site.
James is a sculptor and painter who was
born and currently resides in Ottawa, IL. He
received a Bachelors Of Fine Arts Degree
from the University of Missouri - Columbia.
James M. Armstrong (b. 1970). Thanks for
taking the time to stop by. Hopefully you will
enjoy all of the artwork on display at this site.
James is a sculptor and painter who was
born and currently resides in Ottawa, IL. He
received a Bachelors Of Fine Arts Degree
from the University of Missouri - Columbia.
| © Copyright 2009 James M. Armstrong All Rights Reserved. |
famous for their machine-made marbles produced in the 1930's and 40's and is also
known for producing stained glass for Tiffany in the early 1900’s. The business was on
the rocks and falling fast. My overwhelmed mother called me up and wanted me to
take the place of the retiring manager until the business sold or went under. Knowing
nothing about glass, business, or running a factory I was VERY hesitant. She said,
"We're already up a creek...so you really can't make things much worse!" She needed
someone she could trust so I moved back to Illinois and took the job.
known for producing stained glass for Tiffany in the early 1900’s. The business was on
the rocks and falling fast. My overwhelmed mother called me up and wanted me to
take the place of the retiring manager until the business sold or went under. Knowing
nothing about glass, business, or running a factory I was VERY hesitant. She said,
"We're already up a creek...so you really can't make things much worse!" She needed
someone she could trust so I moved back to Illinois and took the job.
| The Peltier Glass Company 2002 |
How I started working in glass…
It was the year 2000. After earning a degree
and attempting to make a living as a stone
sculptor in Columbia, Missouri the long-time
manager at one of my deceased father's
businesses was getting ready to retire. That
business was The Peltier Glass Company.
The Peltier Glass Company, a glass factory
that was started in the late 1800's, is most
It was the year 2000. After earning a degree
and attempting to make a living as a stone
sculptor in Columbia, Missouri the long-time
manager at one of my deceased father's
businesses was getting ready to retire. That
business was The Peltier Glass Company.
The Peltier Glass Company, a glass factory
that was started in the late 1800's, is most
That first year was pretty rough. It was definitely
trial by fire...with an average temperature ranging
between 2000 and 2400 degrees Fahrenheit.
My only creative outlet at the time was my
guitar...and let me tell you, I was playin' the blues
(...I would have been anyway!). However, I have
always loved casting. If I'm working at a glass
factory I have to make something out of glass,
right? So at one point during the year I went
online in search of a book on casting glass and
pate de verre. I found one written by a man
named Boyce Lundstrom. I called the publisher
trial by fire...with an average temperature ranging
between 2000 and 2400 degrees Fahrenheit.
My only creative outlet at the time was my
guitar...and let me tell you, I was playin' the blues
(...I would have been anyway!). However, I have
always loved casting. If I'm working at a glass
factory I have to make something out of glass,
right? So at one point during the year I went
online in search of a book on casting glass and
pate de verre. I found one written by a man
named Boyce Lundstrom. I called the publisher
and received a price and address, but for some reason never followed through. I think I
was just far too exhausted to take on any more projects. Then, probably six months later,
in January 2001 as natural gas prices hit an all time high and prevented Peltiers from
manufacturing I received a phone call. It was a man who wanted to buy Peltiers...and his
name was Boyce Lundstrom.
was just far too exhausted to take on any more projects. Then, probably six months later,
in January 2001 as natural gas prices hit an all time high and prevented Peltiers from
manufacturing I received a phone call. It was a man who wanted to buy Peltiers...and his
name was Boyce Lundstrom.
Unfortunately and fortunately neither Boyce nor I work at Peltier Glass anymore. But
...OH MY GOD...did we have one hell of a good time together! Memories to last a life
time...for sure. Manufacturing is a tough business...especially in glass. Peltier Glass
has once again sold to Crossville Porcelain and Stone Co. who now manufactures the
glass tile Boyce helped create...and I hear they are doing well! Boyce and I remain good
friends to this day...and have a few tricks up our sleeves on ways to work together in the
future...so stay tuned!
...OH MY GOD...did we have one hell of a good time together! Memories to last a life
time...for sure. Manufacturing is a tough business...especially in glass. Peltier Glass
has once again sold to Crossville Porcelain and Stone Co. who now manufactures the
glass tile Boyce helped create...and I hear they are doing well! Boyce and I remain good
friends to this day...and have a few tricks up our sleeves on ways to work together in the
future...so stay tuned!
Boyce has written several books on glass fusing and
casting and helped to start and revolutionize the
recent home studio movement in fused glass. He has
also helped create the recent popularity of glass tile.
He wanted to make glass tile at Peltier Glass. Over
the course of the next nine months he convinced a
few business partners of the investment and the sale
was complete in October of 2001. Boyce and I
instantly hit it off and became fast friends. I worked
for him from the get go. One of the first things Boyce
did was buy a kiln and put a studio into the plant
(known as R& D) which was basically my space.
There Boyce taught me about glass as an artistic
medium and encouraged and fostered my artistic
development in glass.
casting and helped to start and revolutionize the
recent home studio movement in fused glass. He has
also helped create the recent popularity of glass tile.
He wanted to make glass tile at Peltier Glass. Over
the course of the next nine months he convinced a
few business partners of the investment and the sale
was complete in October of 2001. Boyce and I
instantly hit it off and became fast friends. I worked
for him from the get go. One of the first things Boyce
did was buy a kiln and put a studio into the plant
(known as R& D) which was basically my space.
There Boyce taught me about glass as an artistic
medium and encouraged and fostered my artistic
development in glass.
| Boyce and Me 2001 |
| James Armstrong - December 2006 |