Cathy Tretler

Cathy Tretler, a native Vermonter comes from a family of artists, artisans and entrepreneurs. Her original creative endeavors began with theater and music. She received her B.A. in Acting and Directing from Keene State and upon graduation she moved to New York City, where she and her husband Don lived for six years.

While in New York, she worked for Joseph Biuonno and Finials Unlimited which introduced her to the world of gold-leafing and decorative painting. She began painting on wood, slate, and glass, bringing her items to craft fairs in Long Island and Vermont.

Cathy and her husband left NYC in 1996 and moved to Bellows Falls, VT to be closer to her family, including Cathy's grandfather, Joseph Dellamano. While it was a difficult decision to leave NYC, it proved to be a good decision. Cathy was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the move back to Vermont at the age of 31. She continued with her painting and craft fairs, while working at Silver Forest of Vermont and then onto the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union where she worked in the Superintendents Office. became the assistant in the newly formed public pre-school. Both Don and Cathy enjoyed doing many local theater productions during this time.

Along the way, Cathy decided that she enjoyed painting on glass the most. "Its surface is smooth and the painting is very direct." The paint is non-toxic and dish-washer safe that she bakes onto the glass. Nature and the beautiful surroundings of Vermont inspire her designs.

After the arrival of her son, Jake in 2005 and with the encouragement of her husband Don, she decided to work at home and expand her line of glassware. In honor of her grandfather, Cathy officially named her business Dellamano Glassware, which translates from the Italian, "by the hand." One of her favorite comments from people who see her work is, "Did you paint all this?"

Needing more space to produce and exhibit her work, this March, Cathy has moved Dellamano Glassware from her home into the Exner Block in downtown Bellows Falls...