The creative spot for crafting Everett Johnston’s stained glass projects is his designated studio in their home in the Community of Sherwood, Charlottetown, PE. In his formative days attending the one-room Springvale School and growing up on the Milton Farm he evidenced an eye for color and design. He thoroughly enjoyed his thirty-six years as a class room teacher.

He challenged himself with hobbies involving acrylic painting, ceramics, quilt tops, photography and stained glass. The incentive to dabble in stained glass was first motivated by a desire for front door side-lights and a dining room light fixture. One of his former junior high students was his first instructor in stained glass classes offered at Holland College.

Every hobby requires an outlay in time, new equipment and supplies. Choices must be made. Photography and stained glass became dominant in Everett’s retirement. Being a people person, his most gratifying creations in glass take the form of gift designs significant to the receiver, people’s ideas for other people, collaborative efforts in some church/school projects, and empowering others in their own creations. For Everett personalizing is paramount. A gift of business cards denoting “Hillside Designs - crafted originals” accompany his gifts and donations.