Why I'll Never Be Even a 1/2 Decent Calligrapher

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1st you must practice, practice, practice 

requiring repetition, patience and discipline

2nd I would have to sit still for extended periods of time

3rd well... I think the first two pretty much cover it

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My humble little work station during a evening workshop

with Joan Schmitz at Stamp Antonio

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Now just because you are not good at something doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. I can't sing great either but that has never stopped me from belting one out with the car radio. So although I have no illusions of becoming the next White House Calligrapher, I'll keep taking the odd workshop and you'll find me at the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild  (SACG) Meeting on Thursday night. It's exposing myself to  these creative outlets that often leads to the next idea for me to incorporate in glass.

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Headed for Houston

 

Example by Nina "Sam" Hibler

of the techniques students in will learn  in

Flamwork for the Glass Fuser

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I'm headed for Houston, Texas with Nina "Sam" Hibler of Dream Fire Glass for her two day workshop on Flamework for the Glass Fuser March 6-7 at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC). Come join us and play with fire in this exciting workshop.  Participants will learn how to make flameworked components for fused-glass including simple stringer, ribbon cane, twisted cane, dichroic stringer and cane, and simple murrini.  This is a great workshop for the beginner to get experience on the torch or an intermediate glass worker who wants to add a new element to their kilnformed work. I'll be on hand to contribute my kilnforming expertise related how time and temperature effect those elaborate  flameworked components in the kiln. After learning these techniques on the torch, students create create  full or tack fused projects in the kilns using the elements they learned to make in class.

While at the HCCC I am also looking forward to:

• Viewing their current exhibits, specifically Extreme Tea
• Strolling the halls and see what artists the in residence are up to during their time at the HCCC
• March 6th when Hands On Houston event Celebrating Metal will add another level of excitement to the Craft Center

Not going to be in Houston at that time. Sam teaches this same workshop from time to time right here in San Antonio at Wired Designs Studio. Check the workshop calender for available dates of this and other exciting flameworking and fused glass workshops.
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Percipitation 90% Light Rain / Some Snow

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Today's weather calls for a chance of snow but anyone living tn South Texas knows not to hold their breath. The chance we will see snow is slim. More likely it will just be cold and wet. What might have been snow will be sleet or just plan rain. By tomorrow the sun will be out again. If I want snow I'm going to have to create it myself. So I did. My own little version using glass powers fired and then carved. 

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  9.5 x 12 cm kilnformed and cut glass

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The skills used to create this and other exciting pieces are one of a handful of techniques taught in my workshop Power of Powders at Wired Designs Studio. Students learn to create imagery, depth, and drama in your work by creating Powder Wafers for small and large projects, explore crackled powder techniques, and experience Intaglio and Cameo Carving of Powdered Layers. This specialty class shows the exciting power adding powder can add to your fused work. The next class begins Monday evening March 1st. If you miss this there is bound to be another one just around the corner. You can check the online calendar for class upcoming dates.
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Recent weather across the country seems to be telling us that winter and by extension the need for winter fashion are by no means over. So I'll keep throwing new crocheted scarves online, so you can bundle up in style when you head out  into the cold.
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 Left - Green and Ivory Stripped Crochet Scarf 

Right - Yellow Crochet Ruffle Scarlett

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Crochet Pocket Purse

Enough scarves... The pattern for these little pocket purses came from Cozy Crochet Kit: Simple Instructions and Tools for 25 Terrific Crochet Projects. I simply adjusted the size as I desired. I had received this kit as a gift several years ago. It includes;

• 25 instructions cards with projects ranked by skill levels 1-3
• A little instruction booklet that covers basic information and stitches
• A bit of yarn to complete a small level 1 project 
• 5 plastic hooks of various sizes

The kit's yarn was of surprising good quality. The plastic crochet hooks, not so much. Overall the kit is cute and makes a nice gift for someone who has expressed interest in trying out this hobby. For the cost of a newsstand magazine there is little to no risk. If one decides they want to continue to crochet beyond just one or two basic projects, I think they will quickly discard the cheap little plastic hooks that come with this kit for a better quality tool. I prefer those made by Susan Bates. I outfitted mine with cushioned grips to keep my fingers from slipping and to decrease the pressure on my finger tips. You should be able to acquire a set of good hooks and grips for under $10.
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Lasi = Glass

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You learn something new everyday and you can never be sure from where. Sometimes it is a bit  of knowledge that will be key at some important point in your life (e.g. turn in the direction of the skid). Other items helpful but not likely to be life altering (e.g. leaves of three let them be). There's that basic knowledge we use daily (e.g. how to tie your shoes or at what temperature to anneal glass). And then there are things that are just fun to learn. 

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So today when this Hispanic South Texas girl received a postcard from Finland with her own personal language lesson, I smiled and enjoyed what is likely to be the entertaining kind of knowledge. Of  course you never know when you might have to explain to a Finish doctor that it is a piece of Punainen Lasi which they can not see inside the cut that is bleeding profusely from your Femoral artery. Best to be prepared just in case.

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I joke, but sincerely thank you Jonna for sending the perfect list of words for me. I very much enjoyed the beautiful card that came with it's own personal language lesson.

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February SAGAG Meeting

DATE: Tonight, February 18, 2010

TIME: Dinner 6:30 pm, Meeting 7:00 pm

WHERE: Original Blanco Cafe No 3‎ - 17776 W Blanco Rd

PRESENTATION: Susan Taylor Glasgow "Creative Journey"
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The Guild will be raffling a Bullseye Powder Pack 
donated by Wired Designs Studio.

Proceeds help support the San Antonio Glass Art Guild. 
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Clearly Colorless

Although the weather in  South Texas this winter has been wet and devoid of color, it has not lacked interest or beauty. Like the bare frame of a deciduous tree, one sees the strength or elegance of the form not visible when the tree was covered by the lovely distraction of it's colorful leaves. Similarly these plates abandons the attempt to use strong color and draw on form, the simple line of their shape and  variation of texture for their design.

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8" Plate - Kilnformed Float Glass

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12" Sushi Plate - Kilnformed Float Glass

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Small Scale Work for a Larger Cause

I am excited to be participating again this year in Say Si's Annual Small Scale Work for a Larger Cause. Works donated by locate artists will be auctioned on February 26 from 6:30-9 PM. The proceeds benefit  Say Si in their mission to develop San Antonio's  artistic youth. The exhibit can be viewed online or at the First Friday Public Preview on February 5th from 6-9 PM.

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My Mother's Garden - Series of three Fused Glass Tiles 

3 3/8" square framed to 8" square each

will be one of the items auctioned at this event 

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 First Friday Free Public Preview

Friday, February 5th from 6-9 PM

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Small Scale Benefit

Friday, February 26th from 6:30-9 PM

for ticket information contact 210-212-8666

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