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.