Monday, October 12, 2015

2016 Workshops at Stouffer Studios

I am very honored and excited to have been invited to teach at Stouffer Studios in 2016. Below are the workshops I have arranged with Gail for the first half of the year. It's a nice mix of project and technique for both beginner and intermediate fusers. If there is something you are interested in that you don't see below, please leave a comment so we can consider it for the future. 

WORKING WITH RAINBOWS: IRIDIZED GLASS 

Are you captivated by the sparking beauty and rainbow colors of iridescent glass surfaces? If you like them like we do, then this is the class for you.  In this 2-day glass fusing workshop you'll learn about the history of iridescent glass and what special considerations should be taken when working with this special material to obtain the ideal results. You'll create beautiful iridized glass plates using at least 4 different techniques including; sandblasting designs using resists, quilting rainbow patterns, double irids, and kiln carving. Some basic fusing experience required.

LEVEL - NEXT STEPS
Some glass fusing experience is necessary

DATE/TIME - January 30-31, 2016 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

CLASS FEES - $189 Due at Registration (non-taxable)

MATERIALS FEE - $65 Due on the Day of Class (taxable)


GLASS FUSING PROJECT: CHEESE TRAY

Join us for a one-day workshop, which is more than just a project. We'll be making a cheese tray using multiple techniques that you'll use in future projects. Practice our skills in strip construction and try some exciting new fusing tray molds. We'll create feet for our trays, learn the best attachment methods, learn how to use boron nitride spray, and more. You'll even get a cheese knife to go with your cool new tray!

LEVEL - NEXT STEPS 
Some glass fusing experience is necessary

DATE/TIME - February 21, 2016 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

CLASS FEES - $99 Due at Registration (non-taxable)

MATERIALS FEE - $85 Due on the Day of Class (taxable) 
Fee includes your mold, which you'll take home to use again and again


CAST GLASS LEAVES AND FLOWERS

This easy one day class will expose you to the basics of color casting with glass powder and frit. Use this technique to achieve jaw dropping results that rival spring time in the Texas hill country as you learn how to create cast glass flowers in almost any color under the sun. This is a fun 1-day workshop for both new and experienced fusers. No previous glass experience required.

Students will learn how to select and care for molds. They will mix and measure glass frit or powders based on their color selection and learn how to fill the mold to achieve beautiful results that require little to no additional finishing work.

LEVEL - BEGINNERS WELCOME

DATE/TIME - April 10, 2016  from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

CLASS FEES - $99 Due at Registration (non-taxable)

MATERIALS FEE - $45 Due on the Day of Class (taxable)


METALS AND MICAS

Learn how to include metals and micas into your fused glass. During the workshop you will learn about the various micas, and metals leaves, foils, wire and mesh options available and how to use them by creating reference tiles documenting the materials and application methods discussed. You will then apply this new found knowledge in creating your very own mica or metals project.

LEVEL - NEXT STEPS
 Some glass fusing experience is necessary

DATE/TIME - April 30 - May 1, 2016 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

CLASS FEES - $189 Due at Registration (non-taxable)

MATERIALS FEE - $85 Due on the Day of Class (taxable)



THE POWER OF POWDERS

Explore a variety of options to create imagery, depth, and drama in your work by incorporating the power of powders to your glass technique toolbox. Students will learn to create color fades, produce patterns and imagery, explore crackle techniques, and use powder wafers. This survey into the world of powders will open a whole new world of possibilities by showing you the power of powders!

LEVEL - NEXT STEPS 
Some glass fusing experience is necessary

DATE/TIME - May 21 - 22, 2016 Days from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

CLASS FEES - $189 Due at Registration (non-taxable)

MATERIALS FEE - $65 Due on the Day of Class (taxable)


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Meditation on Fire

When I'm working on the torch everything else begins to melt away. For a few hours my stress leaves my shoulders. The running list in my mind of things I should have done or need to do stops playing, and all the chatter in my head goes quite as my focus narrows to the sweet spot in the flame. After a while I find a rhythm as I repeat the same motions over and over. This stillness in motion becomes a kind of meditation. For me it is a way to pray and praise. I'm grateful to Sam at Dream Fire Glass for introducing me to this skill set. Working with glass in the flame has increased my understanding of this material and in some ways of myself. Thank you Sam.