Thursday, December 29, 2011

Just joined ISGB

With a new year approaching, I decided it was time to join the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB). If you know me, you know I do not make glass beads on  mandrel. So you might wonder why I decided to join ISGB? Here's what I'm thinking. I continue to do more and more work on a torch. Primarily I create components which I use in my kilnformed work like the Navajo Blanket or in fused functional pieces. Although some of the kilnformed glass jewelery I make would technically be considered a bead, really what I'm after is a little more exposure to those flame working skills. I think ISGB just might be able to offer me that. Earlier this year I joined the Society of Artisan Lampworkers of San Antonio (SALSA) and that's gone okay so far. So I figured this would be a good next step. So here it goes...

Working with a strip of Bullseye glass on a hothead

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

December Treasuries

Thank you to everyone who included me in an etsy treasury. During December I was featured in eight different listings. I am always delighted to see how much creativity goes into putting a treasury together.  I included a few  here for you to peruse and a full list of all eight treasures is below. 






how fun is ... Where's the Fire? 

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

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It's hard not to feel like a child at Christmas. Even I, who had behaved more like Scrooge and baa-humbugged my way right up to Christmas day, found myself scribbling like a child.  I'm going to blame my behavior on the mulled wine, the abundance of sappy feel good holiday movies on television and my crazy Christmas sweater. It was all too much...

Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a very merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas Combing

 The San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) recently had their holiday gathering. Jeanne served her fabulous shrimp mouse on an amazing handmade holiday tray. Jeanne is a great example of the amazing talent of our SAGAG members. I wanted to take a picture of the perfect shrimp mouse, garnished and displayed on such a lovely try. It was such a hit that in the few moments it took for me to grab my camera it was just about gone. On the bright side it cleared the way for us to get a better look at this lovely combing.

Kilnformed Glass Combing by Jeanne Turner
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The shrimp mouse recipe along with many other appetizers, breads, soups and salads can be found in the San Antonio Glass Guild cookbook Enticing beginning & Sweet Endings. The cookbook is available online and at the following locations:

Proceeds from the cookbook go to the guild's scholarship fund to support members seeking to attend conferences, workshops and other educational opportunities.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Workshops Winter/Spring 2012

I am scheduled to teach the following workshops at Wired Designs Studio. You can sign up for glass by contacting Wired Designs directly at 210/4954495.
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Beginning Glass Fusing
February 18, 2012
May 19, 2012
9:30 am - 5:30 pm
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A one day workshops where students are introduced to the  essential knowledge required to work with fused glass including compatibility, firing schedules, cold work and other important topics. Students will create two class projects during which they will be exposed to; three firing schedules (full, tack and fire polish); the use of kilns, grinders, saws; and work with a variety of glass and glass related products. This is a great opportunity to learn something new.
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Platters, Plates and Bowls
March 24-25, 2012
June 23-24, 2012
9:30 am -12:30 pm
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Students will begin by designing and creating their own flat glass tiles. In doing so they will learn about volume control,  firing schedules and how to cut glass circles. Students will cold work their tiles using the sandblaster, wet belt sanders. Lapidary grinding wheels and diamond pads. We will address mold selection and preparation in order to slump the finished tiles and beautiful one of a kind function plates, platters and bowls
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Sandblasting Iridized Glass
January 22, 2012
April 7, 2012
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
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This workshop will open your eyes to the possibilities of sandblasting before and after firing.  Students will work with iridized glass to create patterns and shadows using positive and negative space. These techniques can be applied to base glass or per-made blanks before or after slumping. Glass jewelry makers can also benefit by adding new ideas and depth to their designs. Students will create tiles or wall hangings in this is a one day workshop.
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 Powder Skills 
April 21-22, 2012
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
 


Learn to create imagery, depth, and drama in your work by incorporating exciting powder techniques. Students will create powder wafers, explore crackled powder techniques, uses positive and negative space to create custom designs and incorporate imagery into their fused glass projects. This specialty class will show you the true power of  powders!
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Kiln Carving 
March 4, 2012
9:30 am -4:30pm
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Drop your chisel and learn how to achieve a sculpted look with this assistance of your kiln. We will design and create bas relief images and textures using fiber paper to form impressions in glass. This is a wonderful technique to add dimension and pattern with economy of both labor and materials. Use the smooth clean surface on top and look through to the pattern within the glass. Or turn it over and not only see but feel the shapes and textures.
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Glass Casting 
January 27-29, 2012
May 25-27, 2012
9:30am -4:30 pm
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Sculpt in clay; learn about mold making materials and techniques to create refractory molds; and how to measure, cut and cast glass billet for your specific mold. We will discuss the special considerations that go into a casting firing schedule, including how to heat, cool and anneal thick and uneven thicknesses of glass. Students will cast their own work in glass.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Twisted Cane and Latachino

Twisted cane and latachino ranging from 6-24" in length.
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Last night I had the opportunity to sit for just a couple of hours at the torch over at Dream Fire Studio. Torch work can be very relaxing and even meditative. For that window in time you concentrate on just what is in front of you forgetting the other actives of the day. This was just what I needed. With no specific plan in mind I selected a color pallet of emerald green, Egyptian blue, and black. Laying the colors over a white center I pulled a handful of latachino and a few twisted canes. These seem to be begging to be used a piece of stringer fabric or a glass weave. I'll just have to come up with some special use for them.