A Bit of Jewelry

Today I've decided to post a few jewelry pictures. While I started fusing glass making larger plates & bowls, I've found that designing jewelry is a nice change of pace and helps keep my work fresh, both for me and my customers. I enjoy making one-of-a-kind type pieces. Or perhaps 10-of-a-kind, though I don't like repeating work too often. I have a pretty good following and what the buyers like are the individuality of my pieces.

They also like to see what I'm doing between shows. So I've decided to bite the bullet and occasionally post a few pix. If you are interested in any pieces, you can always email me. The pieces go out as fast as they come in, so I can't guarantee what is in stock at any one time, but I can always email you pix of other pieces I do have in stock. My email address is located in my profile.

I work in sterling silver and gold-filled wire. Glass is usually dichroic, but I also use pattern bars, pot melts and combing. I like working back and forth, from large glass to small. It keeps me from boredom and keeps ideas fresh. I think the jewelry pieces are little works of art. I hope you think so, too.

I never intended to make jewelry when I began fusing. At first it was just an interest in working with dichroic glass. Then I thought I'd make a few pieces to wear, to show my love of glass. I found I was pretty good at it. It was another layer to my craft. People like the pieces. Sales kept me in more glass. And they wanted more. So, I'll continue making jewelry until I tire out or the public tires of it or me. Hopefully not too soon on either point!

Self Portrait Book Published

It seems I'm playing catch-up this week. A few posts ago I mentioned I was part of a group of glass artists involved in a self-portrait project. Headed by Cynthia Oliver, we were invited to submit our renditon of our self-portrait.

If you'd like to see the portraits and read a little about the artists check out Cynthia's special blog. At the bottom of the page you can see info regarding ordering a copy if you like.

Glass Quilt Installed!

While it's been a while since I posted, you can be sure that I've been very busy in the studio. I've been working on some commissioned pieces which took up a bit of time, working them in with my regular pieces, plus jewelry is flying out so fast I'm having trouble keeping a good supply on hand. The farm is always top priority, especially in the summer, so sometimes the glass work takes second place, but it's always first in my mind, with ideas swirly around like bees on flowers.

I've been negligent in reporting that the glass quilt has been installed at the Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, Washington. While few of us were able to attend the unveiling, Toni Johnson, the queen of coordinators kept all of us informed on the happening with many photos. What an amazing journey it has been! What started out as just a fun project to stretch our glass skills has turned into an incredible "real" quilt to be enjoyed by many. Toni generously allowed me to post several photos here. The three photos above show the piece during assembly, at the unveiling, and a closeup of the list of participants. I am honored to be a part of it. If you remember my piece is "Dancing Inferno." If you go back (a few) blog entries you can see a close up of it.

How I Became "Hooked"

For those of you following my haphazard blog, today I'll tell you a little about myself. I live on an active farm in southern Ohio. We raise soybeans, corn, wheat and a LOT of hay. I've been married to my hubby for almost 35 years so we've got the partnership-thing down pat. He has always supported my artistic "hobbies" making me items I needed for whatever I was currently working on. I contribute by helping on the farm as needed.

For many years I did decorative painting on wood. When our other farm was sold we moved about 1 1/2 hours away to our new farm. On this property was a beautiful 150 year old brick Federal-style home. It was begging for stained glass windows. I had always wanting to learn copper foil stained glass and found a studio willing to show me the ropes.

While I never filled the house totally with stained glass, I did manage to work in it for about 10 years, with much of my bounty going to (I hope) happy relatives. The fusing craze was going on during the later part of these years and I got the bug. Originally, I only wanted to make fused items to incorporate into my stained glass, but that was not the end result.

From the first firing, I was hooked! There is something about melting and learning to control the glass that is somewhat addictive. I love combining colors, learning new techniques and exploring this fascinating medium. I never made another stained glass window. For that, I'm somewhat ashamed....until I open that kiln again to see what "cooked" overnight. Then the madness starts again!

Also surprising for me, when I painted on wood it was in a very "country" theme. Again, when I began working in stained glass I leaned toward florals, nature, and country themes. Not so with fusing. I do some florals, but in general I have gravitated towards a more modern style with cleaner lines focusing on space, color, and balance. It is a new outlet for me which I'm enjoying exploring. I have become accomplished enough to begin selling my sushi sets, bowls, plates, etc. at several juried shows with good reviews (and sales) by attendees.

I don't know how long this "ride" will be, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. The glass bowl I am showing today is a combination of my "country" beginnings and my "modern" style of today. The technique is one demonstrated by glass artist Patty Gray. I was fortunate enough to spend 4 days under her direction at Delphi Glass in Michigan late last year. She is a wealth of knowledge and a generous teacher. If you have an opportunity to take a class from Patty you will not be disappointed. I've enjoyed making these bowls because they bring out a spontaneity that my work usually lacks. I tend to plan out many of my pieces, "sweating the details" but when I make these bowls I allow myself the freedom to play.

Glass Self-Portrait Gallery Open

April 1st was the opening for the Warm Glass Bulletin Board Self Portrait Project. Quite a mouthful. This is an diversified group of artists and it shows in the work. Check out the gallery and I think you'll be pleased. I enjoyed reading the artist comments as much as seeing the amazing glass.

This was a fun project and I am glad I participated. Each challenge pushes me a little further in my glass work. I've included a teaser of my project to whet your appetite. Check out the gallery and see what else is there. Cynthia Oliver did an amazing job of compiling photos and comments into a cohesive gallery for all of us to enjoy.

Birthday Contemplation

It came again. Two weeks ago. My birthday. I can't say that I have a problem with that-the alternative is not desirable. The only birthday that gave me thoughts of stopping time was when my daughter turned 30. Somehow having a child turning 30 made me feel older, or at least, different.

I can't really say I don't feel older. I've got the aches and pains usually associated with the middle-aged crowd, of which I'm firmly ensconced. The mirror keeps me honest: where did that wrinkle come from and when did those gray hairs appear?

So I'm taking stock of myself. Not physical stock, but who I am, where I've been and where I want to go. I'm actually in the prime of my life. That's not a cliche-all my prior years have made me what and who I am today. Every crayon I ever picked up, every piece of paper I cut, every silly doodle have helped form me and pressed me to try ever-harder craft.

Life and living life makes all of us who we are. Happy, sad, good, bad, all contribute to how we think, feel and relate to the world around us. While I have made mistakes along the way, I hope that my simple life will somehow make a small contribution to the world and I won't be judged too harshly.

Today I know who I am....tomorrow.....not so sure.

Since I'm feeling a little "blue" today, I've added a picture of a blue kiln-formed bowl. This is made out of 1/4 inch strips of glass, both opals and cathedrals, set on edge. The insets are previously made pattern bars which were sliced on a tile saw and set within the strips. I fired it face down to retain the crisp lines, then flipped, sandblasted, firepolished, and finally formed into the bowl shape.

Not So Bad After All

After all my whining about the self-portrait project over on warmglass I finally completed mine and "turned in" my project. There is always something nice about completing a project after weeks of deliberation, rough drawings, tossing ideas, and finally the "eureka!" button goes off in my head and I actually start cutting glass.

Usually once I'm at this point I pretty much keep the glass looking like the drawing, but this time I found myself playing a bit more than usual and changed the "prominence" of some items and their position on my project. Curious? Cynthia Oliver is heading this project and is planning on an early March "gallery" opening. I'll post a link when it's open to the public.

I'll post a link to the portraits as soon as they're on display. Thanks for dropping in!

Excuses, Excuses

The closeup you see is one of a bowl I made late last year. Not easily seen is that this bowl is composed of thin strips of glass layed up on edge. I have always liked creating strip pieces and have started a series based upon the "windows" in the bowls.

The new year has brought some changes to my little studio. We've poured a new skim coat of concrete to cover the 100 year old cracked, rough one. Wow! I can actually use a broom on this now. My chief construction engineer (husband) ran some extra electrical outlets, added a fan above my work table, and a new door. This so improves how I work, but it has meant some down time. My hubby has always supported me in my art and it is always appreciated.

I'm one of those people that can work non-stop for weeks, but if I have something that throws me off my "groove" I have trouble getting back to work. That's where I'm at now. I've got some new things made, and have a few things "in my head." Unfortunately, February is tax month for farmers, so I've got that to deal with, plus February is usually when I apply to the few art shows I do. That means applications, taking new pictures of new work to submit, etc. On top of this I committed to a collaboration project again.

This project is a "self-portrait" to be done with fused glass as the main components. Not one to even like having my picture taken, I'm wishing I never said I'd participate, but I really enjoyed the glass quilt collaboration project from last year so here I am again! I've spent time on and off trying to come up with a way to express "who I am" without having to attempt to pencil an actual drawing of myself. I think I've got an idea nailed down, now I'm hoping I can get it out off the paper and into the glass before the fast-approaching March 1st deadline.

I'm running out of excuses.