We’re expanding Wonka World… Again : )

[Mr. Wonka]

Hi folks. I haven’t been too active on the forum lately, but we have been working on some cool things and I want to keep you all up to date.

First, we are adding an additional acre of property (with a house) to the facility, which Elaine and I will be living in. That leaves only one thing to do with our current house, and that is… MORE WORK SPACES!!!

We took some measurements and figured out that we will be able to gut our existing house and create about 25 more stations. In addition to that, the bathroom will be renovated to accommodate a cold working shop with water and drainage.

For those of you that are familiar with our place, it’s the white house on the corner is what we are acquiring. Our neighbors Mike and Betty from across the street (the ones with the pool and bar) are giving us the money to buy it, and we will pay them back over time. We’re so lucky to have such awesome neighbors!

After we built The Barry Lafler Building, I was kind of bummed out when Elaine told me that there would be no more building until our house was insulated, so this solves the problem. The next problem will be dealing with an extra 40 – 50k of debt, but who’s counting… it’s all for the greater good that we can leave to the glass world.

“Wonka World” will now have: 3 houses, over 80 flameworking stations throughout 7 buildings, a cold working room, an outdoor hot shop, lathes, and God knows how many acres for future expansion.

Thanks for listening : )

Tom Doner

P.S. - AGI is filling up quickly, so please contact us ASAP if you would like to attend.

www.glass123.com/agi.html

[Boozeclues]

Wow AGI sounds AMAZING

[STROKER]

so cool tom, so cool.... i am as excited as can be about coming this year.

there is nothing like agi. nothing i have been to at least.

see you in august, woo hoo

[Koi glass]

Tom

That is awesome. Can't wait to see ya'll and the place later this year.

Much Love

[CripSkillz]

sounds awesome.. . when is the on site titty bar goin in hehhe..

[obscure_shadow]

dude, im stoked to see :)
n i was kinda wanderin about that titty bar too?

[re-vit]

bravo!

[Jeffs Pieces]

Hey Wonka I have some free labor to donate. Keep up the great work.:D

[JBob]

awesome!! knew you were gonna get that house...and if it came down to it and i had the money i would have scooped it!!

40-50k debt? pfffffffft, thats nothing considering todays debt standards. :)

[Shatner]

You freakin' rock, Tom.

I need to get my ass to AGI!

[Mac Maestro]

Hell Ya! Hope you love your new house!

[Kevin Bumble]

hells yha ya ^^^^^^

[turtleglass]

Thats Turtley Awesome, LOL congrats! :) :turtle:

[Mr. Wonka]

Thanks for the well wishes folks… Elaine and I really appreciate it. A large part of why our neighbors are entrusting us with so much of their money is because of YOU. Seriously, they have opened their home to you for the past 10 years and very happy with the respect and sense of community that you all have displayed over the course of time. They believe in us and really want to see things continue along the path that we have chosen, and are very supportive of us leaving the facility (and the neighborhood) to the glass world so it can survive and prosper for generations to come.

Jeff, we might take you up on your offer to do some work around here, and will most likely ask for some help in the spring to transform the house into another glass working studio. Perhaps we can set up a week long retreat in which glass workers can drop by and help with some labor that we could use around here.

Thanks again everyone, and have a happy and prosperous New Year : )

Tom Doner

[kbinkster]

Sounds awesome!!! I wish I were in a better position to do something to help you out, Tom. Maybe when I get back on my feet I can do something. Heck, if I can bring the kids, maybe I can come knock down some walls or something. You and Elaine have given so much to the glass community. I appreciate you both for what you have built up!

[Mr. Wonka]

Thank you Kim, but we could not have done any of this without a network of support … from teachers, individual glass workers pushing their limits, manufacturers and suppliers, family, friends, neighbors, and all of the good people who believe in us and have contributed to our community. Elaine and I are so proud to play some sort of role… no matter how small it may be… in an art form and medium with such rich history.

To even be just a mere “speck of dust” in the history books is more of an honor and a privilege that anyone can ask for, and we are all part of it in our own way… so pat yourself on the back everyone : )

Tom Doner

P.S.- You're always welcome to stop by, and feel free to bring the kids!

[fyrsmith]

Wow, what a great way to improve the neighborhood!!!!! I'm too far away to help in person, but if you think of any way I can contribute long distance, please tell me. See you in the Fall. -Don-

[JBob]

Jeff, we might take you up on your offer to do some work around here, and will most likely ask for some help in the spring to transform the house into another glass working studio. Perhaps we can set up a week long retreat in which glass workers can drop by and help with some labor that we could use around here.

Tom Doner

u know im ready to help whenever needed :D

[Groundjoints.com]

Like button please!

[poncho]

Hey, we've never met, but i'm not that far away in Cleveland, and am quite handy, I can lend a hand in the build!

[jane clifton]

Tom, That is soooo awesome!!! Congrats!!! Hey, since I am closing the store I am available to come up there and do some work this spring!! Just let me know when and I'm there. I am quite handy for an old broad!!

[Greymatter Glass]

Tom, I don't think a bullet hole in the wall is enough ventilation for 25 more workstations.

[JBob]

Tom, I don't think a bullet hole in the wall is enough ventilation for 25 more workstations.

my dad made this joke days ago as soon as i told him about this project...:D

[Mr. Wonka]

okay, so the answer is... More bullet holes : )

Tom

[loydb]

You need a new signature banner, btw, for 2011.

[glassheathen]

Tom, that all sounds awesome. good on ya

[themoch]

let me know when demolition starts... i'll be there.

[plumb]

hello,
ive only been torchin for 3months but have fallen head over heels in love!! all i can think about is glass and when i read about agi i just couldnt bealeve it!! i havnt had much contact with other blowers and am having a hard time meeting them in my area(dover nh, 11hrs from wonka land) so reading about agi souns so awsome!!
how fast do ticks sell out??

thanx plumb

[themoch]

you should get your tickets now.

you can do a payment plan... or because of your situation being new and detached from other blowers you should apply for the newbie scholarship

http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34223

good luck... and you should totally go

[plumb]

wow thanx for showing me that and i do fit the criteria but me and my wife "can" afford to go and like mr.wonka said somebody less fortunate should truely get the oppertunity!!

me and my wife are deff stoked and hopefully will reserve our tickets today or tom. i think ill probly get an rv to go with.

devin

[Mr. Wonka]

OK, here's the plan: We're going to have to take this one step at a time, and this year the living room of our current house will be converted into 6 or 8 work stations, and the kitchen / dining room area will be a new "lampworkers lounge" as a place to hang out.

We'll transform the rest of the house room by room each year, and possibly add on to it in the future. We have to take it slow as we are now holding 4 mortgages on the facility. This is something we can handle, but we have to be careful that we don't get too far in debt.

BTW- Currently there are only about 8 "A" tickets left (before the new construction), so call us right away before we're full.

Best wishes,
Tom and Elaine

[steven p selchow]

Your so blessed to have neighbors like you do. The whole block is a family, Tell Elaine to expect a package really soon.

steve

[TwoTimes]

Congratulations on the new house, just grabbed my ticket and can't wait

[sleepingpeople]

I am guessing the scholarship is closed for sure then? I sent some emails but never heard back

this place is going to be a really nice setup once its done too

[Greymatter Glass]

Tell Elaine to expect a package really soon.



She don't want yo package foo.

[plumb]

im so stoked! my wife talked to mr. wonka on fri and got our ticks plus an rv spot!!!!! woooohoooo

im in somersworth nh, 11hrs away. if somebodys needs a ride on my way their let me no.

so excited see everyone at agi!:D:D:D

[Mr. Wonka]

Yes, we had to suspend the scholarship program for now, but we will be doing them again after we’re settled in the new place and do some construction on the old house. Also, I have received many e-mails about the scholarship, but nobody even gave me their real name… I just have screen names to go by.

Tom

Hey plumb- we have an RV spot reserved for you : )

[bc]

Your so blessed to have neighbors like you do. The whole block is a family, Tell Elaine to expect a package really soon.

steve

the glass community is the lucky ones steve.

Glad you went with Wonka World, great name ;)

[plumb]

thanx tom!! im so stoked about agi!!!

and its funny cause the name of my buisness is wonkey D glass! d for devin thats me and my logo is the wonkey w with a top hat! its funny cause i chose my name and everything before i was even a memeber here and when i saw agi was at wonka land i couldnt bealeve it!!!!

im so there thanx for the rv spot tom!!!!

[sleepingpeople]

i think in the messages i sent i used my real name, and i sent one from my personal email as well. But i will keep an eye out for updates! on the scholarship, and more importantly the land your workin with!!

[CCody]

Wonderful!!
We should make the neighbors some nice glasses! ...and we know, plastic ONLY by the pool please B)
I am so happy for ya! And AGI
Christina