By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Michaelé Rose at Studio M, located at 217 Middle Street, is known for their unique specialty: custom-made stained glass, created by owners Michaelé and John Watson, with their own hands, with the utmost care and skill.
It’s virtually impossible to walk by their window display without stopping to gawk at the stunning array of vintage art glass, Tiffany inspired pieces, hand-blown glass ornaments and shimmering pottery. So open the door and go inside, and be prepared to indulge yourself in a delightful world of artistic treasures and healing crystals.
“We are the only provider of custom stained glass in New Bern. Many people here own historical homes and need their stained glass repaired or replaced, or want to have a custom design made for their home or business to complete the look they are trying to achieve,” says artist Michaelé Watson. “We meet with clients, discuss their needs, measure their window openings, create an original design and then return to install. The result is amazing. Every work is totally unique and one-of-a-kind—something that becomes a part of the house and its history.”
In addition to custom stained glass, Studio M’s gallery & studio carries Michaelé’s gorgeous clay sculptural works with real gold or coral inlays—her signature style. The shapes include orbs with geometric design in a distinctively sophisticated and modern style, utilizing glass, metals, wood, stones and fine porcelain. Work from other artists, such as Jim Schlitz and Adam Egenolf, create an eclectic blend of artistic styles in the studio. Egenolf employs a technique called “crystalline,” which is the art of growing crystals on pottery during the firing process, which harkens back to the Sung Dynasty (c. 960-1279). Real butterfly designs from the Amazon Forest and other curiosities are beautiful conversation starters for any home decor.
In addition to the broad array of artwork, Michaelé also has an extensive selection of healing crystals; she will work with her clients to find the perfect mineral, crystal or gem to benefit their mental and physical health.
A native of Denver, Colorado, as a teenager Michaelé traveled with her father during summer vacations to Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and South Dakota searching for native American artifacts. As a result, she fell in love with collecting rocks: turquoise, agates, tourmaline, etc. Moving to Florida after she left home, she would travel to California to visit family, and along the way, visited many rock quarries to mine for minerals, eventually returning home to Florida and sell them to new Age shops.
Her fascination with crystals and gems led to her stained glass apprenticeship with Chalmers Glass in Florida, which in turn led to meeting the next love of her life: John Watson. John, who was at the time restoring boats, began helping her with art shows, and they began their life together cruising the East Coast of the United States, Bahamas, Abacos & Central America for a period of 10 years before landing on the shores of North Carolina.
“We arrived in New Bern in 1991. The town was still quite depressed then, but we came in contact with Susan Moffat-Thomas, and we were so impressed with Swiss Bear and her street by street 30 year revitalization plan that we decided to invest,” says Michaelé. “We bought our building, which is 120 years old, and started renovating while still living on our boat. Our beautiful ceiling was repurposed from the Metropolitan Club on Pollock St. (which was the old pool hall) from the 1700s era, and amazingly Public Works let us buy it from them for $50.00!”
“In 1992, Studio M was called The Crystal Lady and we had a soft opening during that MumFest weekend.” The Watson’s spent the next four years remodeling the second floor, living on their boat, and running Studio M’s Gallery/Studio.
“Back in 1991 I got a telephone call from Craven Community College and was asked to start teaching stained glass classes,” says Michaelé. “Then I started getting commission requests. Next thing I knew, we were getting regular requests for custom stained glass for historic homes in New Bern. I began to feel that although we had chosen New Bern, New Bern had also chosen us.”