As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. A few years ago, Trico’s crews were working on the high-tension lines along Mission Road and McGee Ranch Road, removing large glass insulators.

Karen Rans of Green Valley, a Trico Member for 25 years, and her wife Peggy Terlisner, had a unique idea for their stained-glass art business Glass Happens.

“We contacted a supervisor and, after explaining our project, were fortunate enough to acquire a few of the discarded insulators,” Karen said. “One of the insulators became a pivotal piece in a collaborative art project that I undertook. I traded one of the insulators with a friend in exchange for a small welder and lessons. This ultimately allowed me to create a stained-glass piece incorporating the insulator, which is now the focal point of our courtyard.”

Karen said it was a rewarding experience combining her passion for upcycling, stained glass artistry, and working with metal.

“The final result is a beautiful, functional piece of art that reflects our appreciation for repurposing materials and showcasing the unique beauty found in unexpected places,” she said.

Thank you Karen for being a valued Trico Member and for seeing a diamond in the rough.