Wednesday, February 23, 2011

What is Dichroic Glass?


Isadora  5" scooped square
dichroic glass with a black soda lime glass background
Now Available at Artisans at Rocky Hill
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I often use dichroic glass as a design element most commonly in jewelry but also from time to time in functional glass items. When recently dropping off the series of pieces above  at Artisans in Fredericksburg, I chatted with several people about dichroic glass and why so many people find it so very attractive.  I thought it might also be nice to share a little of that information with you here. 
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What exactly is dichroic glass? It's glass, typically clear or black, which has a thin film of quartz crystal and metal oxides (e.g. copper, silver, titanium, etc.) on its’ surface. To create this product metal oxides are heated in a vacuum chamber using a high voltage electron beam until they are vaporized and deposited on the surface of the glass. The glass may be coated multiple times (e.g. 15-45).  The thickness, not more than 35 millionth of an inch, contributes to the beautiful colors we see. The coatings act as an optical filter which manipulates light. The brilliant colors we see are generated when light is reflected and refracted from it. Shifting a piece even slightly changes the color you see. The name dichroic comes from the root words di for two and chroma meaning color, literally two-color.
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This iridescent quality is very difficult to fully capture in a photograph. To fully appreciate its’ luminescent qualities you really have to see it in person. So if you in the Texas Hill Country be sure to stop by Artisans at Rocky Hill on Fredericksburg's Main Street and ask Anne to show first hand you what I'm talking about. Or if you prefer to get some first had exprence in making your own fused glass jewlrey using dichroic glass you can sign up for a Fusing I workshop at Wire Designs Studio in San Antonio.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Misty Morning

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In the misty morning
The cold damp on my skin
My mind turns slowly and a thought begins

I need a pen and paper
To get these words out of my mind
Before their lost in the fog of time

Misty morning, without warning
Your gray blanket covers me
Filtered light; cold yet bright
Before I know it I can barley see

Driving down the road
The world out in front of me
I pray I’m on the path that's meant for me

In the morning light
Details start to be revealed
Like drops of water on my window shield

This silly stream of words got scribbled on a piece of scrap paper while I sat in traffic on my way to work one morning. Now I'm under absolutely no illusions that I'm a poet , that's pretty obvious, but that stream of thought did lead to this small grouping of pieces. I've just made the last of the five pieces, the 5.5" shallow bowl, available for purchase via Etsy.

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Up Coming Workshops

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As much as I love working with glass I enjoy sharing knowledge with others crafters. If you find yourself interested in my work and wondering how you too could work with glass or if you are an experienced fuser looking for new techniques to add to your tool box, here are some of the workshops I am scheduled  to teach in the next few months. You can sign up for classes in San Antonio by contacting Wired Designs Studio directly or online for Glass Craft & Bead Expo.
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At Wired Designs Studio
in San Antonio, Texas
Introduction to Fusing - Sunday, February 27 9am-5:30pm
Introduction to Fusing - Saturday, April 30 9am-5:30pm 

Casting I basic forms - Saturday, February 26 9am-5:30pm
Casting I basic forms - Saturday, June 11 9am-5:30pm
Casting II 3D Sculpture - 2-days Saturday & Sunday, June 25-26 9am-5:30pm
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Inclusions: Micas & Metals - 3-days March 4 6-9pm & the afternoon of March 5 & 6
Coldworking & Carving I - Sunday, May 1 9am-5:30pm
Lettering in Glass - Sunday, June 12 from 9am-5:30pm
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Glass Craft and Bead Expo
in Las Vegas, Nevada 
Impressions in Glass - Friday evening April 1 5-9pm
Feels Fabulous - 2-days Friday and Saturday April 1-2 8am-4pm
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 Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  
~Henry Ford
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Saturday, February 5, 2011

Autumn's Flower


Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~Albert Camus
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Autumn's Flower
8.5" bowl, Kilnformed Soda Lime Glass, Copper and Mica
Available through Wired Designs Studio
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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Small Scale Work for a Larger Cause


 Winter's Garden; Soda Lime Glass and Enamels
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I am excited to be one of many artists contributing a total of  200 pieces of artwork in a variety of disciplines in support of SAY Si. The Small Scale exhibit runs the entire of month of February and can also be viewed online. It culminates with one of the best fund raising events in town featuring food, drink and a silent auction  were 100% of the proceeds benefit SAY Si. SAY Si's tuition free programs helps San Antonio youth development artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational and professional careers. Small Scale serves as both a fundraiser for SAY Sí’s award-winning programs, and a survey of up-and-coming, mid-career and established artists current work.
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The exhibit opens to the Public on First Friday
February 4th  from  6-9 PM 
Free Admission
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The exhibit remains on display through February 24, 2011 
Gallery Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM - 7 PM
Fri & Sat 9 AM - 5 PM; Closed Sun.
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Small Scale Benefit will be held Friday, February 25, 6:30 - 9:30 PM. Admission is $40 per person for tickets purchased in advance and $50 at the door.
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SAY Sí Central, 1518 South Alamo Street, San Antonio TX 78204
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