| A native of Mt. Kisco, New York,
Linda has been described as an extremely talented, self-made
person who can take an idea and develop it to its fullest potential.
Initially displaying talent in art, drafting, and woodworking,
Linda joined IBM where she sorted electronic parts. Noticing
her interests, skills, and ambition, her supervisor introduced
her further to the world of electronics. By 1973, Linda had
utilized her knowledge of electronics to form her own company
to do electronic design and construction under contract to other
companies, including her former employer IBM. Always striving
to do her best and to incorporate her creative skills, Linda
soon built and maintained a computer inter-active educational
system in Bethesda, Maryland. Her company also began to design
and build electronic controllers for special exhibits for museums
and conventions. With the advent of the "Disco Clubs"
in the 70’s, her company expanded to lighting designs. In 1979,
Billboard Magazine awarded her company "Controller
of the Year".
Other awards followed. In 1981, Linda became the first
woman since the magazine’s inception in 1949 to receive Mechanix
Illustrated ’s "Golden Hammer Award" for the
construction of her ten foot, eight sided, stained glass and
wood structure for her 17 cats. Later in 1982, Black &
Decker chose her children’s playhouse design over 1500 entries
to receive the first place Associated Lumber Dealers’ Class
A Award.
Linda’s attraction to miniatures, however, did not
come until 1985 when she was sailing down the East Coast to
the Caribbean and stopped along the way at a miniature shop
in Oriental, North Carolina. Fascinated with what she saw
and wanting a "hobby" to do while on board her boat,
she began making miniature rugs.
When her mother retired from New York to Florida,
Linda moved nearby. Linda’s mother had nicknamed her "Lady
Jane" as a child; therefore, when her hobby turned into
her first miniature show in 1988, "Lady Jane" seemed
to fit the bill as a professional name to use. For her first
show, however, Linda spent $400.00 and sold only one rug for
$20. Not to be discouraged, she began to investigate other
avenues in miniatures to express her talents. Having been
interested in creating stained glass for over 20 years, Linda
soon utilized her background in drafting and design and began
to build her first display cases in 1989. At first her designs
were simple greenhouses and small, lighted roomboxes along
with a few "doll" lamps. She sold her first creation
for $450. Meanwhile, Linda had perfected her braided rugs
and in 1991 had applied for and received her "Artisan"
status from the International Guild of Miniature Artisans.
Linda’s rug making days were soon to be numbered as her skills
and vision for larger and more complexly designed stained
glass creations increased.
As a true artisan with a talent and vision, "Lady
Jane" has become the leading name in the use and creation
of clear and stained art glass in the design and construction
of miniature conservatories, roomboxes, and greenhouses. Linda
and her husband David Clarke, who now assists her with the
business, continue to enjoy their Florida home as well as
traveling to display her work in the finest miniature shows
held throughout the United States.
Paul Stockhammer
|
