New Photos

It was time to add new photos of the artglass I made for the Sun Gallery Boutique this year. While I was doing that I added captions and prices on the items available for sale. If you have a request for a special color on most of the styles I will take orders. Or I may already have what you want in stock.

I included views of the new set up using the cubes and a more neutral cloth covering. All in all I am satisfied with the new look. Separating the glass into categories is easier on the eye and also makes it easier to pick a piece up and hold it.

New Directions

I enjoyed the process making the draped and handkerchief style art glass using stainless steel molds. So much so that I have started to look at different stainless steel shapes. I do have some of the standard cylinders made and sold specifically for glass fusing.

I know artist have used ordinary mixing bowls. I am not giving up mine. I will be hunting thrift shops for anything suitable. I do have some catering supplies left from a past career and may try some of these shapes out. Usually rounds are the favored mold. I will start there. Last week I found a large cocktail shaker at Bed Bath and Beyond that I need to condition before I can use as a mold. The kiln wash we use on the shelves is diluted and used to coat the metal molds. The problem is that spraying or brushing it on is very difficult to do. It tends to run and not cover well. About 3 or 4 years ago I read about a special high fire spray that was developed. It was used for mold release of industry castings. I never looked into ordering it, because I was not paying about $49 a 12 oz can. Very expensive for the type of work I do. Well this spray has made it to the glass suppliers I use. It is less expensive, and hopefully definitely worth it. I have ordered 2 cans and will be trying it out soon.

The holiday boutique season is almost over. Only about 8 selling days to go and then it is packing up and starting to design new pieces for next year's shows.

I'm at The Sun Gallery!

The boutique is off to an early start. There are more artist setting up this week in time for the Artist Reception. A prior commitment Saturday prevents me from being there. It is a very good time to shop, meet the artist, and enjoy some entertainment and refreshments. They accept all forms of payment and there is plenty of parking.

I worked on Saturday and there was a steady flow of shoppers. Not everyone was at the malls. The gallery has added interns to their staffing. Nice that they are able to do that for these young people.

My last post promised new photos and I have them. I think that the art glass is showcased quite well in the cubes and the new cloth does not jump out at you. Toned down and a better back drop against the shine on the glass from the ceiling spots.

Sun Gallery Boutique

I am off to Hayward this afternoon for my first shift as one of the participating artist at this years major fund raiser for the Gallery. Each artist helps staffing during the Holiday Boutique. Our time helps offset the cost and we also give 25% of our sales. The money raised helps fund the homeschooling art program, after school art classes, summer art camp, and the free children's art program held once a month on a Saturday. Check out their blog under my list of associations.

I set up my space last Sunday and it is better balanced than the set up on the November 14Th Gala Show. I am not using the gold cloth. I will take pictures and post them soon.

The holiday times are Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday from 10:30 to 4:30 and Friday has later hours from 12 noon to 6. The Sun Gallery is at 1015 E Street, free refreshments, easy parking, and call 510-581-4050 to inquire about becoming a member of this little gem in your own back yard.

Showing off new display

This shows the new set up using snap together cubes with solid surfaces. They raise the merchandise and makes groupings easier. The table cloth is too distracting and will be changed for the next show at the Sun Gallery in Hayward. I am also going to use bed raisers to increase the table height. The combo should make the display more appealing.

Glass Photography Help

This is the busy season all right. I am almost finished with kiln firings and only need to put finishing touches on my latest selection of votives and small draped and handkerchief bowls. These are handy and versatile additions in any home. Useful to hold anything from candles, soaps, candy, keys, odds and ends and when not in use they just look pretty.

A word of thanks for the kind words about my latest blog photos. I am getting much better taking photos of my fused glass. It has been trial and error. I knew that reflections and light in general make the process harder. I went online looking for tutorials and read articles in my glass magazines for tools, hints and helpful suggestions dealing with glass photography. It is recommended that a light box is used. Adding different backgrounds helps to show off and accentuate the beauty in the reflective art glass. If you need to take pictures of your art work that tends to reflect light use a photo cube. The sizes start at 12 inch squares and the largest I found that I might eventually need was 30 inches. I have a 22 inch kiln so my art size is limited. These cubes/tents using defused lighting are great for jewelry, glass, ceramics, porcelain, and metals, because they distribute the light evenly when using small spot lights surrounding the cube. This soft light helps eliminate glare and light spots.

Before I had a cube, I needed to submit a photo of my fused glass wine bottle trays and the pictures were a mess. I remembered reading that sometimes a photo copier can be used in a pinch. I tried it and it was passable. I experimented with jewelry cabochons and was surprised that the color and details showed up.

As you can see there are ways around common problems that arise in art work presentation. When I started learning the ins and outs of fused glass art I was very short sighted. It is not enough to create and design the art. Every artist faces the practical demands to present, display, and sell the finished product. The learning journey can be smooth or full of surprises. Mine have been the latter.

Here is another inspiring view from my vacation to Banff last month. It was because of settings like this that I was reminded of glass and light and how they play off each other like the sky on still water.

Pictures of new Draped Bowls

I am ready to go to the Gala Show this Saturday and it is time to show photos of the bowls I have made. They can be used as candle holders, candy or nut dishes, even small vases. They look great clustered or scattered on a dining table or along a mantel. The clear holders reflect the internal light from the candles that produces a soft glow. Easy to create ambiance and not have a flickering candle dripping all over your table.

The multi colored glass has a nice play on light and dark. The larger opening bowls are perfect for candy. And in the bathroom they are pretty holding guest soaps. They make great stocking suffers for home or work gifts.

I will post pictures of the large draped vases later this week.

Gala Event Update

Next Saturday is approaching very quickly. I am almost finished firing the draped bowls, just have 2 or 3 large ones to make. Pricing, inventory, and packing up is next. I have new draped bowls and candle or votive holders, Christmas ornaments and painted eastern designs.

I attended the MECDA planning meeting last week to work on the final logistics. I will be manning the raffle table next to my vending table. I have 2 friends helping me out during the day. They will be selling my glass and the raffle tickets. The last time I wrote in this blog I said that I would include information about the Gala and I would send discount coupons. Miss information on my part. The web site I included i my last post will bring the information to you. The coupon is included on page 2 of the flyer. Just print off as many as you need to save a few dollars.

Stop by my space between the admissions tables and the raffle table.

Draped Bowls

My next show is just a few weeks away. I am selling in Palo Alto on November 14 at MECDA's Gala Show and Fundraiser in the Cubberley Auditorium. Detailed information about the Middle Eastern Dance event is found at //www.sfbamecda.org/ check out the list of dancers, prices and vendors. If you plan to come you can save a few dollars with a discount coupon. Check my blog in a few days to have me send you coupons by email.

The $8 ticket is good for the whole day and the activities include individual and group dancing during the day. And the 2 plus hour Gala Show with invited dancers tops off the day's event. There will be a market place to shop till you drop. So take a few breaks, eat, watch the dancing, and shop again. And a raffle of donated items from the vendors takes place that evening. Money from the raffle is donated to Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence.

Refreshments and hot foods and drink will be available all day too. The committee is very happy that Nancy's Catering will be back again. Her soups were a big hit last February.

Back to me......I have tried many ways to present my glass in a friendly come and touch way. I think I finally have a solution using a new display configuration using opaque plastic cubes. They stack and I can show off my individual glass pieces better and in a safer environment. And the glass art is higher at eye level. Easier for buyers to see and touch.

I am continuing to design and fire draped glass to form bowls. These bowls can be used for candy, candles, flowers, even guest soaps. One example how you can use then is to group them together with candles to cast a romantic glow or string them along a holiday table. If you don't want to use candles when entertaining LED lights can be used instead.

When I place round flat pieces of colored glass on the tall stainless steel forms the heat from the kiln slowly starts to soften the glass. As the temperature increases the glass heats up and starts to drape over the form ending in soft folds. When the glass cools these folds have created a unique bowl. Think snowflakes. No two are exactly the same. They are pretty little things just waiting for a spot in your home.

Next time I will write about the Christmas ornaments. I have added another feature this year that is a visual improvement to the style I designed last season. Aways adding new ideas and improvements.

Glass Cutting Tips

I am sharing a portion of an email from Paragon that I received this week along with a few tips I learned along the way. They might help you avoid a few disasters.

GLASS CUTTING POINTERS
The table you are cutting on must be flat.
Pressing too hard with the glass cutter will produce imperfections along the freshly cut glass edge. Press just hard enough to make an even, steady noise and a consistent score line.
Here is a fast way to cut small pieces. The only tools you will need are a glass cutter and straight edge. First, make all your score lines on the glass. Then turn the glass over and tap out the pieces.
When making a long cut, do not lift the glass as you break it with breaking pliers. Lifting can put a slight bow in the glass, which causes it to separate erratically. Instead, leave the glass flat on the table, pull a little out from the edge, and break it with piers.
After scoring, use breaking pliers to separate a narrow piece of glass

Sounds easy? Well, I went through a lot of scrap glass to make a straight break every time. Mainly, because in the beginning I would forget steps or did not take the time to know the glass I was going to be cutting.

I. always clean your glass - on both sides.

2. cut on the correct side. There is a top and bottom. The smooth side is the correct one. You use your fingers to feel the difference.

3. study the glass for imperfections and possible curves and avoid cutting through them and when possible work around them.

4. textured glass is always cut on the bottom because it is now the smooth side.

5. on a long cut make many taps close together, do not skimp!

6. do not rush, take your time and do it right.

Practice on window glass or ask you glass supplier if they have a scrap bin and buy odds and ends saving yourself a lot of money while you are learning. And if you only buy compatible glass you will end up with lots of small pieces that you can use for decorating, or for small projects.

Need to be careful

I reread some of my post and realized I was writing the wrong words about what I mean about my work. I have produced work in the studio. It just was not new, different, challenging or creative. I discovered a few years ago while attending an intensive workshop at Sierra Nevada College that as an artist I had two separate venues.

The first was to design and prepare a variety of fused art glass for a commercial market. These fairs, boutiques, and shows would bring in some needed revenue to help pay for itself and for the art projects that may not be that easy to sell. Commercially I need to produce enough volume to satisfy a variety of shoppers wants and likes as well as their needs, while creating work that represents what I do in my styles and design. An example of this is the line of Holiday Ornaments I made last year.

Then the really creative side of me is represented when I take risk, try new techniques and develop the skills needed to produce a finished one of a kind art piece. These ends up costing more, because of the of supplies needed, the time involved, and the presentation. There is a time and place for both styles of my work.

When I am in preparing for an event there are many choices to make and lots of attention to the details and there is a personal satisfaction to a job well done. The main ingredient missing is the freedom to push the envelope.

So, between sales, I let go and see where the glass takes me. I am back on this road again after my vacation. I have included a photo of the Bow River in Banff. I have not touched the color of the water in this photo. The river is fed from the melting of the glaciers that carries silt with it. This silt causes the variety of colors ranging from aquamarine to many shades of greens and blue. Every time I saw another shade, or the shine of the water I thought of the many sheets of Bullseye glass that looks like the water. I wanted to get home and reproduce what I saw. Be inspired!

Inspiration Explored

I am thinking that I will include an inspiring photograph from my road trip to Canada to each new blog for a while. And as I finish my future glass pieces I will add them too.

We rarely know where our ideas come from as we toil away in our studios, yards, dining rooms, wherever we pick up our tools of choice. All that matters is the doing and hopefully the completion. But, as we are aware, sometimes life gets in the way and we move away from what we love to do. I wrote in my last post that I have been away from anything related to fused glass and tools and shows. It has been almost eight months.

We planed to visit Canada and Banff in particular 8 or 9 years ago. Instead we went to New Orleans. That switch is too long a story to get into at this time. Let's just say this trip was long over due. And today very much appreciated. The benefits extended far beyond the rest and relaxation we needed. The escape was the first sensation that hit me. Then as we traveled along the landscape became the focus. Every mile held more surprises and unexpected beauty. I have never been a camera junky, but I wanted to capture every vista, mountain, sky and river I saw. I took 100's of photos expecting to only find a fraction worth keeping. I was wrong. My shoot and point took better photos than I expected, the downloads at the end of the day captured that day beautifully and they were as good as Eric's photos taken on a digital single reflex. We both have more photo memories than expected.

Every day I found myself comparing the colors and textures I saw in nature to the types of glass I use and many that I have not used. I started to see myself gathering glass and recreating the images of this trip. I don't know what my end results will be and I don't care. I just want to explore with what I have and use my memories and photographs as my guide. Never having worked this way in itself is another inspiration.

As you follow my blog, if you are an artist I hope that perhaps some of my post and photographs can inspire and or motivate you too. Remember an artist is more than one who uses art materials. Every time you plan your garden and set out your plants, or decide it is time to redo the living room with paint and new cushions, you are using your creativity and artistic skills.

More on exploring our inner artist later.

Inspiration finally arrives

Yes, inspiration finally arrives!

I have been in such a slump I thought it was never going to end.

We just finished a lovely road trip to Canada with a week stay in Banff. I heard it was a beautiful place and we have been to many beautiful state and national parks in the United States, but the sheer variety of landscapes we experiences was overwhelming. Many of the places we visited were indeed assume. You could go to one place for hours and see the lake, or mountain, or glacier and never view it the same way twice. The clouds, sun, shadows, even the wind changes the view. The colors of the lakes and rivers range from blues to greens, to aquamarine. Often these colors appeared in the same body of water in various degrees. These colors are due to the run of glaciers milk. The ground up rock and soil mixes with the glacier's melted waters.

The shifts in the landscape is are so beautiful that words fail to describe what I saw. Because I was sure I could not remember all the colors, I took massive amounts of photos. I do not usually do this, but I wanted to capture the scenes that nature provided so freely.

I am going to develop a series of work using the colors I found so inspiring. I will try a reproduce some of the water colors in my pieces. I don't know if they will be useful or decorative art pieces or wearable art. The first thing I need to do is find the right pieces of glass and glass paints. I may, also, use special photo paper that I can copy some of the images I have and fuse it between glass.

This trip was as good as taking a fuse glass class for inspiration and for recharging a part of me that has been neglected for way too long.

Clocks

Clocks, everyone has them. Big and noisy, small and pretty, practical and elegant. So why am I talking about clocks? Well, I was asked to make a fused glass clock for a teenager. They wanted a gift that was unusual and useful yet something a guy could use in his room and not be just another teenage thing. I asked about his likes and found out he was into sports and the colors he favored were blue and black. Also, he likes geometric patterns. That covered a lot of sporting team colors so I used a white for the base color and designed three clocks.

I set off to make abstract face plates for his timeless gift. Now the glass part was easy. Drilling a hole was not. So I decided to make my design leaving an opening in the center. I would learn to perfect my glass drilling later when it was warmer. Drilling glass is messy and very wet. Not something I wanted to do outside this spring. Anyway, the fusing came together rather well.

On to the clock assembly. That was the last step. Have you ever used a clock movement kit? It is not as easy as it looks. Everything is small and wants to slip away from the glass. And it took many tries to discover how tight was just right so that the hands moved without slipping.

Finally the first one is done and working. Had to wait to see if it kept accurate time. On to the other two. I really expected the next assemblies to be easier now that I knew what to do. Not! The size of the holes were slightly different and the thickness of the glass was different. A little glass filing and a washer solved the new problems.

Three new fused glass clocks. Now, how to pack them without bending the hands during transportation. Figured that out and finished with bubble wrap and boxed them up.

I hand delivered then and the black and red design was chosen. I have heard that he liked the clock. Boys are so hard to buy for and I was happy I had a satisfied customer.

By the way, I delivered these clocks to Ashland Oregon. Don't expect me to provide this type of service all the time, but if I also get a great trip to Oregon I just might.

No Idle Hands This March

My hands are leisure blue. What a misnomer. I should complain to the paint designers. No, the paint namers. I am almost done with the painting and I should stop grumbling because it looks great so far. The paint is easy, cleans well and does not stink like paints of old. As I have been working I have been visualizing where the pottery is going. I already tried out 6 of Eric's fabulous blue vases and pots and they look good on the shelves. He has not thrown pots in a long time and I am happy we did not give away all of these special blue pottery pieces. This shade of blue turned out to be an accidental outcome when they were fired in a communal kiln. Some of my fused glass has been assigned space too. There will be other artist glass up too. There will still be lots of space for our books in the larger area. The smaller section behind the desk will hold all the paper, supplies and stuff in holders and baskets. The end result should be a less cluttered room. The current dreaded C word. Clutter!!!

I am going to have some help soon adding photos here of my more recent glass creations and maybe a few of the bookcase. The pictures will be before the glass doors and after. The last of the finishing molding and fittings and hardware will not happen until the end of May.

More work to do so I can start to use the bookcases next week.

Glass Touch

The built in bookcases are coming along smoothly. Yesterday we make decisions about the placement and type of molding and finishing on the edges. Exploring our options at Home Depot was fun. The big surprise was the selection of wood we looked at. The wood was the best I have seen there. Straight in good shape, clean, and very few knots. The real construction began today.

While designing the specific needs of this project I decided to make my own glass knobs on the double doors being made. In 2 of the picture frame style door sets I am going to put art glass inserts.. And on the top of one surface area I am going to put down a glass top.

I do not want a full sheet of glass, because it is easier to break and I know that using smaller pieces and setting them in place like ceramic tiles will be stronger and cheaper. Creating a mosaic look to complement the doors is the way to go. I checked out Delphi's weekly email offerings and they are now supplying bags of colored glass tiles 1/2" and 5/8" sizes. This will make my project so much easier. Now all I have to do is decide on the blue/gray color I want, buy my paints and go to work.

Being a glass artist who believes that glass art can and should be artistic and functional at the same time means that I need to see my product in my home too. Not just in my studio. And not just in my customers homes.

Now what other rooms need my glass touch? Bathroom? Kitchen? We'll see.

Friday the 13Th

Friday the 13Th was never a bad day for me. In fact 13 is a good number. You get 13 with a bakers dozen. I was once in a class of 13. I signed the final papers on a house on February 13Th a number of years ago. And today my built in book cases will be started and finished by Sunday.

I know, what does this have to do with my glass you ask? Well, I am going to use some of the book cases in use now in my studio. This week has been very fruitful. I have been looking at necklace easels and jewelry display pieces and I had decided where I was going to buy them, when "bob and bob" sent out an email announcement that after 26 years they were closing their gift/book store. I needed to see the owners and while there I arranged to buy their jewelry display materials. The easel colors are light blue and rose. My fused glass will show up very well on these soft colors. I also, now, have some new clear plastic holders for earrings and some soft black half rounds for bracelets. The timing was great for me. I am glad I took so long deciding what and where to buy the displays I needed. And I love having a part of "bob and bob" with me, because I worked in the store from 1985 to 1995 and always thought that at some time I would work there sometime in the future. It is a loss to the Jewish community that we will not have Ellen and Shirley as our heart beat, but I know their spirit and caring will live in our hearts and memory.

Strange things happen

Just when life seem to be quieting down and the weather is warming up all factors perfect for studio activity, I can't cut glass for a while. Who knew that a new eyeglass prescription would distort my perception. Mine did and it is throwing depth and angles off. I need to ease into wearing them full time. It may take up to two weeks. Good news is that I can read great and I have new frames, so all is not bad.

I am not going to waste this time though. I mentioned in a previous post that our family room was being redone. I did not expect to start till after President's weekend. I will be packing up my family room this weekend and getting it ready to repaint after 15 years and add new bookcases. I am having cabinet door frames made and I will be adding art glass inserts. I will have them cut to size for me. After I pick out the wall color I can decide on the glass colors. I have a nice lemony/straw yellow now and the colors for 2009 are yellows and purples. So I will look at the new yellows and maybe paint the bookcases a blue/gray that can pick up the other colors in the room. I'm not designing in my studio, but my family room is a perfect challenge right now. Now, if I got paid for my family room make over that would be perfect.

Various Musings

Various musings just about covers the thoughts that have been mixing in my head this week. I was disappointed that I did not sell anything on the 17Th. I enjoyed the end results of the raffle I chaired that day. I enjoyed having my friend Lonnie help me with the raffle. We made the most money ever for "Next Door" and people were happy with the new raffle style. My friend Nancy had a successful day selling her foods to all the vendors, dancers, and guest. I hope she caters at the MEDCA events again. And the dancing was very good and this year they had the most attendance ever. Over 350 tickets sold!! Palo Alto is the right place to hold their winter event.

Then the week continued with our monthly art critique meeting. I brought 7 of the framed fused hand painted hamsas and henna designs. I got really good feed back on the styles and a few suggestions for improvements about presentation and how to make them more of an art piece rather than just small individual framed pieces.

The next day I stopped over at "bob and bob" in Los Altos. It was upsetting and so sad. Even though I never worked at the new store I felt a great sense of loss at the store's impending closing. They have been in business for 26 years and I had the wonderful opportunity to work for Ellen and Shirley for 10 years at the Forest Avenue location in Palo Alto. I went back on Sunday and bought a lot of necklace easels, jewelry display trays and various holders that I can use with my fused glass Dichroic jewelry.

I am starting a new project. Adding built in bookcases in out family/living room. They will have the regular shelves and doors, but I am going to have custom art glass inserted in a few of the door frames. After the frames are made and attached I will add the glass in a color that will compliment the new paint and remodeled room. It will update our home and give us added display and storage space. I need to have space to show off my glass along with the pottery and glass we have collected over the years. I hope to have everything done by the end of February. The hard part is packing everything up and deciding what to keep and where to place them on the finished shelves.

New Designs Are Ready

My new designs are ready for the Gala Showcase on Saturday. I really like the hand painted designs I made for the variety of dancers attending. I think there are styles I am bringing that represents many of the cultures that the dancing community people will recognize. The vendors I have visited at past events while heavy in costumes and accessories, also, have some art from countries like Egypt and India. So, I think my hand painted glass will fit in well as a speciality item. Because, what I am selling is different from the normal vending at this dance event, I am going to be a a square peg in a round hole. It will be great if this takes off. Then I can travel to other dance shows in the Bay Area or maybe other businesses would like to carry my work.

I am doing double duty on Saturday. I am selling and I am in charge of the Raffle. The tables are together or I would not be able to do this again this year. All the vendors make a donation and all proceeds go to Next Door in San Jose. A non profit organization providing solutions to domestic violence.

Remember. it is not too late for me to send you coupons for reduced admission by email.

Is it 2009 Already ???

The holiday shows, party's, and celebrations were great. Spent time with friends and family. Kicked back and recharged. Should have done lots of work type stuff, and I didn't. Wish I did at least work on my next show which is coming up on January 17.

I am a vendor at the "2009 Gala Showcase" presented by SF/BA MEDCA. It is the Peninsula's Only Bellydance Festival. If you are interested visit their site listed on the bottom left on this page.

I am presenting a variety of glass paintings with designs from India, Egypt, Persia, and Israel. This style of art is in the upper left hand corner of my blog. Look for the framed hand. It is a Hamsa. Many cultures have a variation of the hand and it is used to protect against evil. I guess I'm doing my part to protect the world.

So, instead of writing in my blog and keeping up to date I have been steadily working in my cold studio with a space heater. Kilns do not give off much heat during a firing. My selection is growing every day. It will be a spirited hot event next Saturday at the Cubberley Auditorium and I hope you can stop by. There is shopping, eating, dancing and more dancing.

My daughter will be dancing in the afternoon too. Look for her by her dance name, Zemira. If you want to come I can save you some money too. If you get in touch with me I will send you a coupon for an all day admission for the grand sum of only $7. The coupon can be copied, because everyone needs their own. See you there!