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.

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.