In 1981, Linda Stevens enrolled in a stained glass class at Lansing Community College, a decision that would change the course of her life. Motivated by a desire to produce Victorian windows, Stevens began to learn the art of glass cutting.
“I like Victorian windows, and I couldn’t afford to buy them. So I said, ‘OK, I’ll learn how to make them.’ And I learned how to do stained glass, and one thing led to another,” Stevens said.
An opportunity arose for her to manage a new stained glass shop on Michigan Avenue, and soon she was in the stained glass cycle that drives her life.
“About seven or eight years into it, I bought out their inventory, so it was my own shop,” Stevens said, “A few years later, I bought this building at the corner of Michigan (Avenue) and Foster (Avenue), and I’ve been here for 16 years.”
Now her own boss, Stevens wears many hats — artist, accountant and janitor to name a few. The work keeps her busy, but it also has raised doubts about her career choice.
More than 30 years ago, she took courses in engineering and saw a classmate become hired by Oldsmobile, planting the seed of “what if” in Stevens head.
“Somebody kept telling me, ‘Hey, you should become an engineer at Oldsmobile,’” she said. “And sometimes I kind of wish maybe I had.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
