Testimonials
“Greta and I have had a 10 year history of business together: I dream the etching and she artistically and professionally creates it on paper and consults with you for the final result. She has always met or surpassed my expectations. She is one of Vancouver Island’s hidden artistic gems!
I have contracted with her to make me many different etchings. These vary from a small etching (6”x9”) which was to duplicate an old photograph all the way to the size of 4 x 8 foot Haida Gwai type art which boasted totems and ancient Douglas firs - overlooking an inlet of spouting orcas. Also she has masterfully created two panes of glass that I put into my kitchen that has two parent stellar jays feeding four baby jays in the nest: all symbolizing my wife and myself with our four children. Absolutely lovely. Three of my favorites: a diving cormorant amongst salmon (3’x3’), and two others of otters diving amongst the kelp (3’x4’) – all three are backlit with LED’s to bring out the 3D nature of the bubbles and wildlife. She has mastered the technique of choosing to etch the front or back of the glass to give a 3D image to the viewer. She also did a playful mermaid and crabs on the edges of a large bathroom mirror. You won’t be disappointed.
She has always delivered and is a woman of her word and flawless integrity.”
— Dr. Wiegand Dyck
“I was referred to Grete by a well known artist on Hornby Island, Glen Rabena, to create some sidebar etched glass panels for my new front door. I was not sure of what I wanted but Grete came up with several designs and succeeded in capturing what we wanted. Grete did a beautiful job and delivered the product on time and on budget. I then was inspired to order some smaller etched glass panels to install around the living room between the timber framing. I sent Grete some photos that my children had taken and she worked with those and came up with designs that were very beautiful and faithful to the original. The finished product exceeded our expectations. I have no hesitation in recommending Grete for any custom glass work.”
-Mike Holmes
“In the spring of 2016 my husband and I started construction on what is known as a lane house. It was a small dwelling so we wanted to add as many special features as we could. That is what led me to Grete. I had seen some of her work at a local glass shop and investigated further on her web site. I have always loved poppies and even more so having seen them in the fields of France. Grete had done a window of irises for a client and I loved the glue chip method she used , it was so pretty and also afforded some privacy. I approached her with an idea for a window of poppies to be put in an interior wall on our stairwell between the living area and our bedroom. It is 16” x64” and makes a beautiful artist focal point both from the master bedroom and our open floor plan main room.
Grete worked with me, right from me presenting her with some photos of the fields of poppies I loved , which she made into a drawing to work her magic from . Then, first sandblasting the flowers and foliage and then working for a long summer to get the glue chip work done. I always felt welcome to visit Grete's studio to see her progress and she was always patient with explanations of the stages of the project.
We are so pleased with the finished window and are very happy to recommend Grete to future clients.”
-Maureen Wilson
It was our pleasure to work with Grete over a period of several months on the glass art at the Oliver Woods Community Centre. This brand new facility is nestled in a wooded area in north Nanaimo and one of the objectives for the interior designs of the building was to bring the outside environment to the inside. This theme was incorporated into the glass art on the stair and upstairs lobby railings. Grete provided us preliminary sketches for the glass art which staff reviewed and collaborated on to produce a final rendering that was to the satisfaction of all.
The final result once the project was completed and all the glass was installed was really quite amazing. Grete was able to work with trees that are native to the region including evergreen trees such as fir and cedar, arbutus, maple, oak, and cottonwood showing the structure and special characteristics of each tree. For added interest she populated some of the trees with some small birds and animals.
Grete’s glass art at the Oliver Woods Community Centre is unique and very pleasing to the eye and will be enjoyed by all who visit the centre for many years to come.
Bob Kuhn, Cultural Capital of Canada Manager.
“Our custom sandblasted banister by glass artisan Grete Wilkinson has created a dramatic entrance to our renovated home. Grete worked patiently with us to design an ocean scene, wrapping the waves and trees into a stunning three panel stair railing that is beautiful from all angles. I would highly recommend Grete to create a stunning piece of art for your home.”
— Annette Lucas
“Grete brought her artistic sense to our ideas and worked closely with us to get a beautiful result. It continues to be a highlight of our home and frequently draws admiring comments from visitors.”
— Andrea and Henrik
“We underwent a renovation to our house and installed 2 barn doors, each 3 feet by 8 feet. We asked Grete to create 8 glass panels to install in the doors, depicting 2 arbutus trees against a backdrop of ocean and mountains, by providing a basic sketch of what we envisioned. The results were beyond our expectations, and were very promptly completed. She transformed our idea into two similar beautiful, multiple layered images that transmit light while retaining privacy. We are extremely pleased with the results, and highly recommend her for any custom glass artistry.”
— Sue and Doug Creba
“I engaged Grete’s services to develop a series of glass murals for use as the interior windows within my company’s new offices. I gave Grete some general suggestions as to what I wanted to achieve, and what she produced was wonderful—far beyond my original hopes and expectations! Grete was wonderful to work with, with a good attention to detail and great artistic flair for her chosen material. I found Grete’s charges very reasonable for the quality of work that she does, and would not hesitate to use her again—I highly recommend her!”
—David Welch, Kintama Research Services, Ltd.
“Grete Wilkinson has worked with Budget Glass on many projects over the years. Her passion for art shows in every project she takes on. From simple flat etching to the most intricate pieces her skills show thru. From design to finished product she can do it all.
We have been very fortunate to work with Grete over the years.
Thanks.”
- John Anderson, Owner of Budget Glass.
July, 2021
Recently I had to replace my etched glass divider that is 6’ by 2’ and stands between my dining room and front hall entrance. I was so fortunate that Grete from Grete’s Carved Glass was able to replace the previous one that was broken in an accident. It was my opportunity to request a different design, one that reflects the west coast view from my house. Grete was amazingly patient and willing to work with my ideas. I took a picture of the tall tree upon which an eagle very often sits and is seen from my front windows. Grete took that picture and made an amazing replica of it, included a shore line, some birds in the air, a sailboat and even the eagle that so often is there. It is beautiful. Grete was so patient with me, wanting to ensure the design was what I wanted. I visited her shop several times to see her sketches. If you are looking for etched glass designs, Grete’s Carved Glass Studio in Nanaimo on Bowen Road is where to go. Her work is on display and there are some very beautiful smaller etched glass designs I would love to have.
Joan from Nanaimo
While our new house was being completed we had an idea for a sandblasted glass partition between the hall way and the TV room. We heard about Grete from one of our workers and we contacted her to discuss our ideas. She came up with great ideas, f.i. to make 3 partially overlapping glass pieces instead of one big piece. She made a model that we really liked and when the final pieces were installed it was exactly as we imagined. After almost 9 years we are still very happy with it and still impressed by the craftsmanship with which it was made.
Joanna Vandenberg
We wanted to have our deck glass frosted to enhance our deck privacy, and approached Grete for a design on the glass. Grete came up with some excellent suggestions, and, within a very short time, produced seven individual works of art on our panes. We chose an "eagle and conifer tree" theme, and have to say that the results were above our expectations! Photos do not do justice to the finished product and the level of detail in Grete's eagles is breathtaking. Now we have both privacy and beautiful works of art to enjoy on our deck!"
Kim Chilton
July 5, 2021
“Yes the window is in, and it looks FABULOUS!! We are sooooo happy, and its pretty much the first thing Alan shows everyone when they come in the house. The door is getting stained tomorrow, and we didn't want you to see it until the whole thing was finished. Just know Grete, that it is beautiful and we are so happy we contacted you. I will email you as soon as its done, and we would love for you and Alfred to come by and see the finished product.”
-Debbie