Raining Cats and Dogs!

 

What Birdie?

Thanks to Donnie for loaning me this colorful piece from my ‘Raining Cats & Dogs’ series so I could photograph it.  Yet another series I long to get back to, one day when I have more time, as it was so much fun to make.  I am getting better about documenting all my work, but this is a series that got away from me before I managed to photograph it.  My renderings were inspired by children’s artwork of or about their pets, which were mostly cats and dogs.  Children have the most clear and pure vision of life around them and are unencumbered with life’s “I can’t, don’t know how, people will laugh”, etc, etc.  I’m always flattered when children are drawn to my work, as they can still see the joy and glitter in everything.

Preparations

Frit Cast Hearts & Tree

Today I have a ton of ‘finish’ work to do in preparation for the ‘Glass Gallery’ show which is coming up too fast!  I can hardly wait for the kilns to be cool enough to check out yesterday’s work!  I wasn’t planning to post any new photos until after the upcoming show, but Kathleen’s comment on my previous post gave me an idea to tease you until then.  The left photo, taken yesterday shows my cast hearts & tree upon opening the kiln door.  

 

Fresh out of the kiln

 

 

 

Photo on the right shows the glass removed from the molds & ready to cold work (grinding then polishing the edges smooth).  These are my own molds made with reusable casting material.  In the background, you can also see a commercial butterfly mold filled & ready to go in today’s firing.  At the Glass Craft & Bead Expo I purchased a number of Colour de Verre molds to try out & those are what I’m waiting for, cooling in the kilns this morning  ( http://www.colourdeverre.com/index.php ).

At the show, for the first time, we’ve invited some of the suppliers we use to join us.  If you are unable to attend the Portland show, you can visit them at their websites!  Here are some links (you may have to paste the link into your browser):

Bullseye Resource Center:   http://www.bullseyeglass.com/

Glasshopper Patterns:  http://www.glasshopperpatterns.com/

Elements Glass:  http://www.elementsglass.com/

Roses Glassworks:  http://rosesglassworks.com/

The participating artists are all members of the Oregon Glass Guild.  You can see a sneak preview of the show by clicking on the ‘Member Gallery’ at http://oregonglassguild.org/ 

Of course, not all members will be showing, but you’ll get a taste!  And here are just a few of the participating members:

Heather Fields:  fieldsandfieldsblownglass.com

Alex Farnham:  www.farnham-art.com

Serena Smith:  sjasdesigns.com

Donna LaPlanate:  www.confusionartstudio.com

Jane Godfrey / Sondra Radcliffe:  www.artglassambiente.com

Bob & Rox Heath:  CandlelightGlass.com

Jenny Newtson:  www.firebrandbeads.com

Hope to see some of you there – don’t forget: visit my booth # 44  & tell me you follow my blog for a special token of my affection!

Glass Gallery 2009, Portland Convention Center

 

Glass Gallery '09

Next weekend is the 9th Annual – Oregon Glass Guild – Glass Gallery – at the Portland Convention Center.  I’ve been working hard, producing new work for this event where 50 plus glass artists join six other guilds to present an exhibition and sale.  If you’re a collector it’s a feast for the eyes, gifts galore, and new decor for sprucing up your abode.  If you’re a working artist or hobbyist we’ll also have select suppliers on hand and demonstrations just for you. 

Visit my booth & tell me you follow my blog to receive a special token of my affection.  While in my booth, please feel free to purchase home decor, personal adornment, gifts for Mother’s Day, upcoming birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.  Does there have to be a reason to gift a loved one?  Of course not – ‘Just Because’ is reason enough.  And don’t forget to treat yourself!  I accept Visa, MC, checks and cash.  Ask for my Blog Follower Discount!! 

I’ll have new pendants, earrings and bracelets.  New work from my Celestial Series.  With only a week left to produce, I hope to have new boxes, wall pockets, and some hand cast miniatures.  Waiting for the kilns to cool off before I’ll know if my newest concepts worked out or not!  Let me know that you’re planning to attend!!

Give it Away, Pass it On; Random Act of Kindness Alert

 

Collection of Mini - Celestials

 

This collection of mini Celestials is ready for the upcoming Glass Gallery at the Portland Convention Center. April 24 – 26 if you’re in the area.  They’re priced in the $20 – $30 range.  Beautiful colors with 22k gold spirals, stars, sunbursts, and lines inspired by nature drawn atop & fired in.  Miniature replicas of my larger bowls.

If you do visit me at the Glass Gallery, please mention you follow my blog for a special treat.  And along those lines……

A Facebook friend, Lisa Allen (http://www.lisa-allen.com) recently started a “Give it Away, Pass it On; Random Act of Kindness Alert which greatly appealed to me.  I decided I’d like to try it here.  The rules are pretty simple:

The first five (5) people to comment on this post will get something from or made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:    

– I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

– What I create or give will be just for you.

– It’ll be done over the next 12 months.

– You have no clue what it’s going to be. It may be a cool glass bracelet. It could be a shibori tie-dye scarf. Might even be a book I think you will like. Could be a sculpture or a painting. It may be a gift certificate from a place I think you would like. Or maybe I will make a glass piece with you as the inspiration. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

– I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

– I reserve the right to change the rules!

And in return, all you need to do is post this text into a post of your own and make or give  5 things for 5 others.

Of course, you’ll have to send me your mailing address……

Sound fun?  Comment below:

Lemonade Awards

Thank you Kathleen Krucoff  (http://kathleenkrucoff.blogspot.com/)  for the Lemonade Award  nomination!  I am honored and humbled that you credit me with sharing a positive attitude and gratitude.  I’m so new to blogging and the time I do spend on my computer is spent trying to learn more from friends, friends of friends, followers of friends and so on.  The following blogs have been beneficial for me, & I hope will be for you:

Luann Udell: http://luannudell.wordpress.com/ 

Toni Johnson:  http://dailyvignette.com/

Cynthia Morgan:  http://www.morganica.com/bloggery/

Lani McGregor at Bullseye :  http://www.bullseyeglass.com/weblog/

Kathleen (back at ya):  http://kathleenkrucoff.blogspot.com/

Katie Cordrey, Trendhunter:  http://www.sticksandstones.us/

Denise at Photo Sensitive Portraits:  http://www.photosensitiveportraits.blogspot.com/

And I want to share a couple of blogs that I think are worth a look, they have lovely work that should be seen:

Katey Ellen Price:  http://kateyellenprice.blogspot.com/

Kerstin, aka Kim:  http://glassfancy.wordpress.com/

Carol Carson:  http://carolcarsonglass.blogspot.com/

What is a lemonade award you ask?  It is awarded to bloggers that show a positive attitude and gratitude.  Here are the rules:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Positive Attitude.
3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

A great way to forward those people who I have admired!

Back from Glass Craft & Bead Expo………. Back to Work……….

 

Shades of Summer

My students this year were incredible.  Creatives one and all with ideas flowing throughout my week in Las Vegas.  I return home exhausted, drained… yet filled with enthusiasm and more ideas than I can produce in a year’s time.  Ideas garnered from the trade show, the desert landscape surrounding Las Vegas, and of course the students who always inspire me.  

Today I return to the studio after a couple days to catch up & rest up.  I’ll be preparing for upcoming shows, sales, and a bit of experimental work that I’m very excited about.  

I leave you with this piece from the Celestial Series, inspired by the deep, rich colors found in my summer shade garden.  The  bowl is 16″ in diameter and 2″ deep, shaped via drop ring; with 22k gold trees drawn atop & fired in.