Classy Creations Glass Launches New Website

Mike and Gwen Hertz of Classy Creations Glass have launched a new website to showcase their glass art jewelry.  Classy Creations offers a wide variety of glass jewelry for glass lovers of every kind. The Hertz's have been AAE Glass supporters for a long time and we are happy to see them moving forward with their successful business.  They incorporate several techniques and by doing this, they create very unique, wearable glass art. Be sure to see their work at Classy Creations Glass and read more about the Hertz's below.  Mike and Gwen would also like to invite you to attend an artist reception at Gallery East Art Center to see their newest creations.  September 13th from 5-7pm.  11761 SE US HWY 441 BELLEVIEW FLORIDA (located in the Almeida plaza).

Mike and Gwen Hertz became interested in fused glass after retiring.  After some classes, the interest soon became a passion.  While Gwen focuses on a wide range of fused glass techniques, Mike has broadened his use of glass to faceted or beveled dichroic glass jewelry. They work together on everything, so this venture is truly a family affair.
Both Gwen and Mike have taken numerous classes to learn more about glass and wire sculpture. They show their artwork in several art galleries and boutique stores, in addition to this website.
Gwen has found that every time she wears one of their creations, she gets lots of compliments -  and you can too.
All of our work is guaranteed for workmanship and quality.

Cape Coral, Florida has a Bright Future

AAE GLASS ART STUDIO

Lee county and Cape Coral, Florida specifically, have had an up and down economic roller coaster ride over the past decade.  The dramatic fluctuations were directly tied to the housing boom and bust over the last several years. SW Florida was not alone in this bubble, but it was one of the hardest hit areas in the country when the bubble burst.  It has been a long road back to recovery for many small businesses and citizens of Cape Coral. I have had the pleasure of working with local business owners as well as the city of Cape Coral and I am encouraged at the positive outlooks I encounter on both sides.  There is still a long way to go, but with a positive outlook and energetic small business base, Cape Coral is ready to put in the work to get this city thriving again.  Housing values are increasing and the inventory of houses for sale is decreasing.  This is creating a great atmosphere for growth and potential investment.

I recently had the pleasure of participating as a business coach in the Goodwill sponsored, SW Florida MicroEnterprise program. I have included information about the program below as well as a link to their website.  The most recent class to graduate from the Cape Coral class was busting with ideas and motivation.  The types of businesses being launched range from home day care and home health care to small engine repair and bio-hazard cleanup.  The MicroEnterprise  program is creating jobs for our local economy one business at a time.  It is this dedication and determination of future business owners that is going to bring more people and more businesses to Cape Coral, Florida.

The MicroEnterprise Institute was founded in 2010 to help aspiring entrepreneurs who have low-to-moderate income levels, disadvantaged, and/or unemployed, and who live in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties of Florida. The Institute provides a six week training program to develop a Feasibility Plan so that the participates can evaluate their idea and see if it, in fact, can become a viable business. After graduation they are eligible to apply to Goodwill for a micro-loan collateral guarantee that, if approved, will enable them to receive a micro-loan of between $2,000-$5,000 from a local community bank to help them kick start their new enterprise. We now have 138 graduates and 42 of them have started new businesses creating over 55 new jobs in the area. It is our projection that by 2015 the graduates of the MicroEnterprise Institute will have created over 500 new jobs and added significantly to the economic improvement of the area. Information and applications can be found HERE or by calling (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2219. 

Thank you for your continued support and the AAE Glass Art Studio will be doing its part to help develop and support small businesses of all kinds in Cape Coral, Florida.  

Mark Veit