Cast Leaves & Flowers

Enjoyed teaching a small one day class at Stouffer Studio yesterday. It was my first time in this new space and it could not have been more perfect. The ladies in class were fabulous. For it being  the first time working with fused glass or several of them, I think the results were fabulous!

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)

SIGN UP HERE

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

SIGN UP HERE

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)

SIGN UP HERE

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)

SIGN UP HERE

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)

SIGN UP HERE

Day 2 - Powders

 

Day two began with a review of all five techniques which went into the kiln the night before. It wasn't long before everyone was cutting them up into part sheets to make their own designer tiles.

 

 

By the afternoon the kiln was full again with pieces to be full fused and a whole new set of techniques including sgraffito, powder wafers and fossil vitra. We made full use of every square inch of that kiln. It was a good weekend workshop. I can not wait to see everyone's final pieces.

Day 1 - Powders

Day one of a two day workshop focused on glass powders. My students each got 5 different techniques into the kiln. Can't wait to see how they all turn out.

The Power of Powders

I recently facilitated my first workshop for 2015 at Roadhouse Arts. It was two days of nothing by powder techniques for the fused glass artist. We had a blast filling the kiln to capacity with the various techniques being taught and a few test tiles based on questions or ideas.

 

The workshop space at Roadhouse is fabulous. I am looking forward to my next workshop there Sunday, February 15th, cast glass flowers. This is a great class for  experienced fusers as well as complete beginners. Check the entire line up of workshops at RoadHouse Arts.

 

in progress student sgraffito

 

sgraffito tiles after their 1st firing

a full kiln at the end of day 1



day two with new tiles or peices going in for a second firing

student powder wafers

 

2015 Workshop Schedule

I am scheduled to facilitate the following workshops at Roadhouse Arts during the first half of 2015. Space is limited so sign up now to lock in your spot. It's gonna be fun!
 

The Power of Powders

A two day workshop during which we will 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!

 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, January 31 & February 1, 2015

or

Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2015

Intermediate Level

Workshop Fee: $169

Materials Fee: $65

Cast Glass 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.

 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Beginners welcome!

Workshop Fee: $99

Materials Fee: $35

Casting Glass - Dimensional Sculpture

In this three-day workshop we'll cast our own three-dimensional art glass sculpture. We will begin by discussing important design considerations as students design and plan for their individual pieces. We will sculpt in clay; use mold making materials and techniques to create refractory molds; and measure, cut and stack glass for our specific molds.

Learn about the special considerations that go into a glass casting firing schedule, including how to heat, cool and anneal thick blocks as well as uneven thicknesses of glass. This class is open to beginning glass students as well as experienced fusers. The instructor will work with each individual student to ensure your project can be executed successfully. Start thinking three dimensionally, get just a little dirty and have a whole lot of fun making your own art glass sculpture

9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday March 13th - Sunday March 15th, 2015

Beginners Welcome!

Workshop Fee: $350

     Materials Fee: $75       

Kiln Carving - Mirror Project

In this exciting workshop we will design and create bas relief textures and patterns using fiber paper to form impressions in glass. Students will make art glass frames using this technique which can be attached to a mirror to create a stunning one of kind design element. We'll then learn how to safely and effectively attach your completed glass frame to a mirror, and discuss available hanging options.

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday April 4, 2015

Beginners welcome!

Workshop Fee: $99

Materials Fee: $50

You can sign up for anyone of these workshops online
or by contacting Roadhouse Arts directly.

Testing testing 123

Yesterday, I filled a kiln with sample tiles for various techniques and materials. I can't wait to see how they all turned out.

A Visit to Bullseye

Lately it seems impossible to get a day to focus on glass. A full week I truly a gift. I am getting back to basics, picking up a few new skills and refilling the well. Thank you to everyone who his making this possible, specifically my husband who is holding down the home front while I am away.

Learning to "go with the flow" 

I'll be interested to see how this turns out tomorrow

And to think I thought I already knew how to cut circles, silly girl

Glass Craft Expo 2014

Another exciting year at Glass Craft Expo. This year I spent my first day helping Nina "Sam" Hibler with 8 students in Twist and Shout making glass cane. That was right up my alley. Friday I was a TA for Gail Stauffer's Enameling on Metal.  And this morning I am wrapping it up with Gail's Electroforming which I can almost recite in my sleep after years of assisting in. Good times...

 

Student torch firing enamel on copper in Firday's workshop

Creative Canvas

 I had such a great time at my first workshop at Roadhouse Arts. Lisa Meyer facilitated Creative Canvas, a mixed media adventure using papers, paints inks, stamps, pencils pens and more. I'll be honest, I didn't think I had it in me to make something quite so cute. Lisa made it all very easy and it was fun to see how different every one's pieces were by the end of the night. I can't wait to see what other workshops these ladies have up there sleeves. 

I am so happy to see  the space these three fabulous artist have created not only for themselves but to share with others through workshop and gallery space. Just last weekend I stopped by to leave a few things for the gallery. I was excited to see tonight how it is all coming together. Tonight was the first night their doors have been open to the public. I know there are BIG things ahead from Gail, Lisa and Francesca and I wish them all the very best.

Mini Workshop Results

Tonight was the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild general meeting and I was exciting to be able to present them with the results of their 2-hour September Mini Workshop. We had so much fun with with just those little butane torches and some 2 mm stringer. Here are their pieces going into the kiln on the evening of September 19th. And Below that the finished 3" ring and sushi dishes. I'm not sure who had more fun me or them. Great job ladies!!!

SACG Mini Workshop

I am so excited about tonight’s mini workshop with the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild (SACG). This will be such a fun opportunity for SACG members to try their hand at a different medium. I will be demonstrating how glass can be manipulated in the flame to create spirals and flourishes. We will talk about some basic safety, material and design considerations for working with glass. Then using small butane torches members will get to experience bending and shaping 2mm strings of glass in the flame. The mini is both a demonstration and an opportunity for a little hands on experience.

If are interested in more information, you will find a complete tutorial for using a butane torch to bend glass in the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) cookbook. The cookbook includes both recipes and tutorials from members of SAGAG. Proceeds from the cookbook go to support the SAGAG scholarships program.

Thank you to Gail at Wired Designs Studio for providing the butane torches and Sam at Dream Fire Glass for providing the wave mats. These contributions enabled us to have enough stations for all workshop members to get a chance to try this technique for themselves.

Casting Class

Last weekend seven artists from around Texas came together at Wired Designs Studio for a 2 day casting workshop. They rolled up there sleves and got a little dirty working with clay, alginate, wax and plaster making molds to cast glass. I had a great time working with this group of ladies. We may have been working with the same materials yet everyone had such differnt results. Here are their peices just coming out of the kiln.

Some choose to work in the positive creating three dementional pieces like this releif Louise created. It's still covered in paster and I already think it is beautiful evoking the feel of an ancient roman remain. Others used the molds they created to cast negative images in the glass, like this ghostly image Jan created.

Glass Craft Expo 2013 - day 1

It is a full day of workshops starting by assisting Nina "Sam" Hibler her vessels and stoppers class. What a great class. I really enjoyed see students blow their first vessels.

Then it was off to Gail Stouffer's explanation of electroforming glass. The class is full each year. I  always enjoy hearing Gail describe the process and the Science (yea science!!!) involved.

And it's only day one...

Weekend of Workshops

This weekend was all at Wired Designs Studio. When I'm at Wired Designs these days, I am generally teaching a workshop. This weekend I was over joyed to have the opportunity to both teach and take a class.

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Saturday was a delightful day in Fusing I. I love to witness the excitement people have when working with glass for the first time. The ohhhs and ahhhs when they see their first piece come out of the kiln. That happened Saturday afternoon  when this group of ladies saw their dichroic glass pendents came out of the kiln. A little cutting and grinding to get them into just the right shape (like Sue's heart on the bottom left of the kiln below) and back in the kiln they went for a fire polish with the tack fused art glass projects from that afternoon.
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Student work from Fusing I on Saturday, May 19

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Now that they understand a little about the impact of time and temperature on glass, the next step for  Saturday's group  might me taking something like Platemaking on June 23 and 24. In Platemaking they would learn about volume control,  begin to take their cold working skills to the next level and learn what goes into slumping kilnformed glass into a mold to take the shape of a plate platter or bowl.

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The result of one of my demos in the last Platemaking workshop

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On Sunday I got to sit back, relax and learn all about etching metal in one of Gail Stouffer's fabulous metal jewelry workshops. I had a great time hanging out with friends and learning new techniques. Check out the bracelet I made in class (below) using metal we etched earlier that day. The pattern came from sections of a stamp I picked up earlier that day on a "field trip" down the block to Stamp Antonio. I'm grateful for the opportunity to try something different. This is one technique I'll be using again for sure.

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Bracelet made of etched brass.

Glass Craft Expo -Day Three

Sixteen students in Beyond Dichro - The Power of Modern Jewelry. What a blast. By the end of the day I was spent.
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It's now day four and I'm taking a few minutes to post while Gail lectures on electroforming on Glass.  I always love when science finds its' way into our creative processes.

Glass Craft Expo - Day Two

Multi faceted TA that I am, today I was on the other side of the exhibit hall helping Sam with a full class for Twist and Shout. I was thrilled to find both bead makers and fusers expanding there skill set with this workshop.

Glass Craft Expo - Day One

Taking workshops on the road. Day one of Glass Craft Expo, I backed up Gail with Glass Collage. Class with Gail is always a blast. One day of TA'ing (teaching assistant) down. Three to go.

This Weekend at Wired

This weekend is plate making at Wired Designs Workshop. I will be working with students as they learn to create functional plates, platters, bowls and other glassware. We’ll design our own flat glass pieces on Saturday. On Sunday students will learn to cold work and slump their glass into original serving pieces. Topics covered include: mold preparation, firing schedules, cold work, and annealing. Here is one of the demos from my last plate making workshop. Wonder what I'll do this time. Guess I should start thinking about that.

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Presentations and Demonstrations

This coming weekend is back to back events sponsored by the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG). These events are open to the public. You need not be a member to attend.

The SAGAG moved it's regularly scheduled general meeting to Friday, March 2, 2012 especially to  host internationally known guest artist Mark Ditzler.  He will be teaching a workshop at Wired Designs Studio March 2-5. This is a great opportunity for those of us not in the workshop to hear from Mark.

Friday, March 2, 2012

at Absolutely Everything Catering

Dinner 6:30pm 

please RSVP from the SAGAG website

Meeting begins at 7:00pm

Single strand necklace made with one of Amy Waldman-Smith's Ottoman Beads

Visiting Canadian artist Amy Waldman-Smith will be demonstrating a signature lampworking technique Saturday, March 3. This will be a chance to meet Amy and see her lovely Ottoman beads in person. Amy will be in San Antonio to teach a workshop at Dream Fire Studio March 2-4.

 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

at Dream Fire Studio
Meet & Greet 6:30 pm
Demonstration 7:00pm

 For more information visit http://saglassguild.com/.