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.

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.