Gale Street Studio topic of Westfield-Mayville Rotary program

Custom rock and stone engraving, Lake Erie beach glass jewelry, and custom drawings of homes and businesses are just some of the creations of Kathleen "Kate" Mayer, artist and proprietor of Gale Street Studio in Westfield. During the Oct. 22 Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club meeting at The Parkview in Westfield, Mayer discussed her artistic career and the evolution of her business, and she displayed some of her creations. Sheila Chapman, Westfield-Mayville Rotarian, was the program's sponsor.

Mayer, who was born and raised in Lancaster, New York, said, "Ever since I can remember, I always knew that I wanted to be a graphic artist. I started a printing company in Buffalo, after the advertising and print shop of a large manufacturing company for which I worked decided to downsize in the 1980s. I employed nine people in a printing and distribution facility of just over 6,000 square feet. After I met my husband Steve, I sold the facility and moved to Westfield."

She continued, "With my husband's inspiration, encouragement and constant support, Gale Street Studio was formed. My husband built the shop for me next to our house, where there once was a pool. I finished the shop's interior to save money, and I like that by having my own shop, I don't have to pay rent." Gale Street Studio is located at 6 North Gale St. in Westfield, at the corner of Gale Street and Route 20, and the Mayer's home is on Route 20.

Mayer stated, "It seemed like I was in the printing business forever. When you work long hours for a business that is not yours, while you are earning a living, you never have time to do the fun stuff." When asked how she began custom rock and stone engraving, Mayer said, "When the water line on my property was dug up, I had all these rocks. About seven years ago, I purchased all of the equipment to engrave the rocks. I have a sandblast unit in one of our garages, and I also have a mobile unit so that I can go to people's homes or businesses to do the custom engraving." Mayer can add color on the stones by using an oil-based, ultra violet light resistant paint. She can also engrave metal and wood.

This artist is currently commissioned to engrave the bricks for the new memorial to first responders in Westfield. She has also done engravings for canine walkways for different groups. Mayer noted that she can engrave various rocks and stones. She said, "On my property sitting on pallets, I have a large supply of stones sorted by size and type. People also may provide their own rocks, stones, boulders, etc." Mayer can custom engrave home or business name markers, address boulders and memorial stones.

When asked about the origins of her hand-crafted beach glass jewelry, Mayer replied, "My parents had a place in Canada, and as a kid, I and my family would collect beach glass. At one point I began to make stained glass pieces, and then made beach glass jewelry to sell at various markets." Available for purchase in Mayer's Gale Street Studio are her Lake Erie beach glass necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings. Mayer can also design and create special stained-glass items for clients.

Mayer is often commissioned to create custom graphite pencil renderings of homes and businesses. One of her detailed, original renderings was of the Lakeview Hotel and Restaurant at The Docks in Mayville, which she titled "Noon on Sunday." The Lakeview Hotel purchased the original drawing, and Mayer sells prints of the original piece. She works with a firm in Buffalo that makes high resolution prints of her drawings, and the framed and matted prints are available for purchase.

In addition to drawings, prints, beach glass jewelry and engraved stones, Mayer has an assortment of antiques, furniture, lamps and unique art decor in her shop. Gale Street Studio is open all year, Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers are invited to call Mayer at 753-0367 to ensure the business is open. For more information, check the website of www.etsy.com/shop/galestreetstudio or contact Mayer at katemayer101@hotmail.com.

The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville thanks Mayer for her interesting program, and it wishes her much success with her Gale Street Studio business.