Kiln shut down

Terrible timing last month, I had a private session scheduled on 10/31 that went well. After she left and the glue dried it was time to start firing and I found out the controller went kaput.  Crapped out, failed and with the most awful noise.  Called my  kiln distributor and the end result, best guess, is that the relay died.  Waited for the replacement and it did not work.  Back to square one waiting for more new parts, throw in a vacation before Thanksgiving and end result no work done since the beginning of October.

The new parts came today and it still does not sound right.  Will try a trial firing this weekend.  If it does not work properly, it will be time to call in a repairman.  I never expected a big problem so soon.  Of course it happened within 6 months of the warranty period. I do not use it every day and not with high firings, so it is a bit unusual.  Need to continue to prepare for my next holiday show in December with something else.

Festival Update

OK, here it is.  I have put it off long enough.  "The Too Life Festival" was not to successful for most of us this time around.  I covered my fee and a bit more, that is very disappointing after the last time I attended when I made very good sales. Everyone blamed the economy and that the event was in October instead of September as usual. And many people were busy with sports or weddings on 10/10/10, because attendance was lower than normal too.

After taking my time to repack and restock my shelves with my fused glass so that I can find what I need for later sales, I took some time off.  Since I worked all summer we postponed a short vacation.  Just got back from Pacific Grove.  Needed to recharge and the ocean really does that for me.  In fact water in general does that for me.  Must be because I grew up living 50 feet from a river.

I am back and all set to work. One of the people stopping at my booth asked about any classes I offered.  After following up with her she came this weekend and completed a plate. Sunday I was ready to fire her project and my kiln kept on making alarm sounds. Just great I thought.  In addition to her firing I needed to make a few more items for a holiday boutique.  My kiln is only 3 years old.  Called my distributor and after hearing the sound using my cell phone he figured out that it is a broken relay not a broken alarm. New part on the way. 

To Life Festival is on Sunday

This week I am counting down the few days remaining for the "To Life Festival". The photo today is of my new holder designs. The curved holders have a slot between the glass and can hold photos, cards of all type, recipes, family messages, even bills. So the next time you get a new photo, display it this way, because you know another photograph is going to come your way again and you can just switch it out or keep adding more.

I am happy to report that my flame vase was the photo included in the Northern California "j" insert about the annual festival here in Palo Alto. Nice size and name spelled right. The banner I ordered with the same photo arrived last week so the tie in is great and hopefully attendees will recognize the vase when they stroll by the artist booths. There are a few last minute firings, of course I had an inspiration when I saw one of my molds would work well with a piece of glass I was holding.

I am including the To Life Festival web site http://pajcc.org/ to find maps and general info along with a listing of all the artist. I am in booth 120.

News Alert

Yes, I have a news alert due to the most unexpected e-mail. Last week I was contacted by the photo editor of the " j " www.jweekly.com the Jewish news weekly of Northern California. I was asked to submit two photos of my fused glass for the edition containing information about the "To Life Festival." I was floored, where to start. What to send, which pictures would look good in a newspaper, and what to name them. Yes, I was asked to put a name to each item sent. One of the photographs I sent by email was fuzzy so I started again and sent a different view of the photo she liked best along with a different vase for a back up photo . The vase I hope gets used is the one on my new banner. If "j" readers see my vase and then see the banner it will be a terrific recognition opportunity for me. I could not have asked for more or better advertising of my art work.

I know, you are asking how did she know about me or the type of art I do. I wondered too. Then remembered I'm included in the festival's web site along with all the other artist.

It will be the first time my fused glass work will be viewed in a newspaper. I have had my name and category of art mentioned before and news articles unrelated to my art work. Now I wait to to see the finished article. Just like waiting for the kiln to cool down before I can open it and see the finished design. I am good at waiting.

October Festival Information

I forgot to include the web information for the street festival where I will be participating in Palo Alto. When I get my booth space information I will post here and on Facebook. So here is the site to go to for more information with directions and times. I hope you come to see me.

http://www.paloaltojcc.org/tolife

New Photos

Well, it is good to be at this point in production as I prepare for the "To Life Festival" in October. It took a while to get a rhythm going to make 3 to 4 fused glass pieces a week. I have taken a few photos of the latest variety of vases. I am also making trays to hold menorahs and Sabbath candles for the buyers wanting Judaic items . There will be general designs featuring metallic finishes in many of my art pieces. I think the buying public will like the new look. I have not seen it at the local fairs, so, I think it will be an attention grabber. Another item in the works are photo, card and or note holders the first ones are so nice I started to use a few myself.

I have been working on my booth set up and will be using two tables with the cubes I used last year to display individual pieces. I decided I needed a good quality banner to hang in the booth and ordered one last week. Now all I need is a nice sunny day to show off the glass details and bring in the people.

Back to the studio I go after I post my photos for you.

Busy In The Studio

What a nice change, I am having a busy creative summer. I applied to the "To Life Festival" being held on October 10, 2010 here in Palo Alto. I had to send along sample photos of my recent art work along with my application. Thrilled to be accepted. I participated in this street festival about 4 years ago.

I have continued with a variety of draped styles. And for this event I will add touches of Jewish content in my fused glass designs. I am, also, adding a line of textured accents with my plates, platters and bowls. I am looking at a fast approaching end date. Never knowing how many pieces will be needed for a one day show that attracts thousands of people is daunting. Better too much than too little. Whatever does not sell will be used as a base for the holiday shows latter in the year.

Fireworks Tonight

What a colorful evening seeing fireworks. The splash and twinkle of bursting multicolored light against a blue black sky was breathtaking again. It always seems to get better and better every year. I have never made glass works for this holiday. I think I should plan to make something for myself at least. Maybe a serving plate or a centerpiece for candles for our holiday BBQ next year. It's funny, I am like the cobbler's family with shoes in need of repair, I don't often make any fused glass serving dishes or vases for myself. I should, because I could use some of the things I make to sell. I used to use some of the ones that I made to be sure they held up and would be easy to use and care for. Another project to add to my list after my summer projects for the fall and winter sale venues.

Wow!! New Templates and New Photos Today.

Big surprise to find new templates. I am trying one out. It still has an orange background, a bit softer and swirly. The page set up is very different. Hope it is easy to follow. If you have the time and an opinion let me know which you like. They offer other designs I might try later if this one bombs.

I am firing more pieces for the shows this year. I am working on my "To Life Festival" application this week. The street fair takes place on October 10, 2010 on California Ave here in Palo Alto. It has been 4 years since I was a participant. It has a much bigger following I hope they like my glass and I get in. I will be selling a lot of draped and handkerchief style serving bowls and vases in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The new and unusual stainless steel molds are working out very well. I will incorporate Jewish designs in my pieces, but I need to have a number without, because this fair is not just for the Jewish population. The surrounding communities attend the festivities too.

I have a two new pieces to include in this post. One is a 4 inch wide 6 inch tall straight sided draped bowl. The curves are big enough to hold small flowers in water with a 3 inch candle inside. It makes a pretty table centerpiece. Or just use as a vase or bowl. The other photo is of a frit artglass hamsa. I will probably just make the next ones with glass sheets for strength. The frit works well, but in a fair with so many people handling the glass I think it will be too fragile. Also, I need to decide how I am going to display them if I do not add a hanger.

Members Only Art Show

Today I submitted 3 photos of glass styles for the Sun Gallery's members only show. If accepted I set them up the end of this month and they are available for showing and sale June 30Th through July 24Th. The work includes an iridescent shallow bowl, a free form draped vase with accents and a dropped floral vase with a stand.

It is nice to see the variety of work I can do in my studio. Ten years ago I was so hesitant to do more than the very basic of glass techniques. Hey, the classes really paid off. I almost took a class right here in San Jose last month, but there were not enough people signed up. It was for 4 weeks and covered unusual techniques. One was using a flower pot to melt glass in the kiln. I need to follow up and see when the next class is especially since I already paid.

I am going to try and add the 3 pictures I submitted and some of the ones I sent with the application for the Dicken's Fair. I was going to be joining 2 other artist, but we were not accepted. Look for the photos in the slideshow area and I will have one near this post.

I am still here

Wow, it has been months since I added any new info or pictures or anything. Just a lot of nothing happening here I am sorry to say. That is not to say I have not worked in the studio. I have and I have pictures to show you. I have been concentrating on draped shapes and have made more voltives and they are very pretty. I photographed them with LED lights. You can actually see the shine on the glass, cool.


I have been gathering a variety of stainless steel forms to use as molds. Some of them are standard fusing molds others are regular stainless cooking bowls and containers. I need to fire them before using to burn off any impurities. Smelly!! And I have been using a new metal mold spray that works well if I spray enough layers. One time the glass started to stick to the mold and I ended up with a thin layer of metal sticking to the glass. Not too bad a disaster given that I was working with a brand new product.

I will be working more now that it is warmer. I have a some applications to prepare for shows this fall. More latter and sooner.