Mickey Abbey, a Sacramento native, and Midtown dweller started his stained glass art business more than 45 years ago at 18th and L streets. Next door to Mario’s Italian Cellar, now Crepeville, Custom GlassWorks By Mickey survived changing times, while other familiar Sacramento haunts faded away. Mickey’s Wonder Woman (circa 1982) which graced the Crocker Museum and the glass canopy over Kupro’s Craft House are Midtown landmarks.
In his own words: "I took a painting class at San Francisco State and discovered my art DNA. After four years working in Macy’s Union Square display department, I returned to my Sacramento roots. You come home because it’s comfortable. Back in the day, Midtown was happening. We were just a group of guys doing a craft shop – Beginning – with woodwork, metal, sculpture, and stained glass. There was nothing else down here at that time.
I have come full circle doing today what I did in the '70s. Work and live in my studio, the doors open, impromptu music. It hasn‘t changed much. There weren't so many people living down here and everyone gathered at a handful of places – most no longer exist. Now, the choices are unlimited."
Never one to be idle, Mickey continues to create and share his art. Now more than ever. A recent commission of 12 stained-glass windows at St. Perpetua Church in Lafayette, California, pays witness to his incredible talents. Thousands of pieces of glass - cut by hand - were painstakingly assembled into this Biblical display. Each panel is 2 feet by 6 feet and stacked to make six total windows 2 feet by 12 feet. All about creation and the people of the Earth. Months of worrying - something Mickey never does - were finally installed in time for Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. St. Perpetua's Reverend John Kasper who commissioned Mickey, we heard, wept when first viewing windows fully installed.
With more projects waiting in the wings, this is certainly not Mickey's swan song but it will be hard to top and guarantees he won't have to wait at the Pearly Gates. Saint Peter will be there ready to let him in.
He was emotionally involved and his head has swelled a size or two.
If my Subaru can't get me there, that's a good reason not to go!