Last Class of the Season – Kiln-formed Glass

Come play with glass every Wednesday night in October from 6 to 9 pm at The Dalles Art Center, while learning fundamentals of Kiln-formed (also called fused) glass.  I’ll bring a ton of glass and tools, introducing you to different techniques to achieve different effects in glass.  Many former students have gone on to set up their own glass studio after this class!  Each week we explore a new technique using a different process temperature giving you a set of samples to keep or give as gifts.

No experience is necessary. Beginners will make a series of sample tiles, holiday ornaments and jewelry learning the differences between full (flat) and tack (textured) fused tiles. Students will work with dichroic glass, inclusions, textured glass and more.

A small, functional bowl, vase or plate will be developed for a final project.

Learn the basics of glass cutting, placement and firing while receiving extensive information on the technical aspects of kilnwork, safety and studio set-up.

The returning student can participate in weekly assignments or develop their own course of study based on level of experience and pre-planning with the instructor.

Students should bring safety glasses, wear closed-toed shoes for safety, and bring any glass working tools they may have along with a sketch pad or note pad and pencil and pen.

Call The Dalles Art Center at 541-296-4507 to register. Space is limited to 12 students.

Alaska – Third Time’s a Charm

Teaching at Half Moon Creek Gallery in Palmer Alaska for the third time, we landed in Anchorage with a side trip to Homer  scheduled first.  Cloud covered, we could see hints of blue sky causing our spirits to soar.  Each previous working vacation has been rainy, cloudy, and generally stormy.

As the sun came out, we knew this trip – our third – would be charmed.

Especially when we saw a moose along the highway before we’d been in Alaska a full day!

As we pulled into Homer, it was a bit dark, but hey….it was 10pm!

We splurged and stayed at Land’s End Resort Hotel, the last building on the Homer Spit.

Our room had a fantastic view and I braved the cold wind, going out on our deck often to breathe in the sea and sky.

Our first full day was long and early, beginning with a halibut fishing trip for my better half.  I had booked a birding excursion, but my trip was cancelled due to high seas.  So I Looked for eagles birds  on land….

…found some seagulls in a parking lot at 6:30 am after dropping my hubby off at the docks, then decided to treat myself to a latte since most of the birds were still asleep.

At Two Sisters Bakery I found one of the best mocha’s I’ve ever had!  Took their shelter from the rain, a warm cinnamon roll and a little wi-fi.

Next I went on a guided hike at the Wynn Nature Center and since I was the only one at 10 am I had a naturalist all to myself for an informative and personalized tour.

The views from Skyline Drive on my way back into town were breathtaking and I still had time to use my plastic at all the galleries, gift shops and book stores in Homer.

Back to my tireless hunt for birds along the sandy shore of the spit…

…found plenty of seagulls….

…and finally….the following day on our way out of town….

…after countless blurry images, this guy decided to pose for a few shots.  He wasn’t happy about it, but he did and I was grateful.

Later that afternoon in Girdwood, we took a short hike at the Historic Crow Creek Gold Mine, ending at the creek’s edge.  We stayed at a B & B and our evening meal just across the street at Double Musky Inn was one of the best ever. Thanks to everyone who recommended it!

Girdwood hosts the Alyeska Resort with an Arial Tram that takes you to the top of Mt. Alyeska, 2300 feet up in seven minutes….. with astonishing views.  When we were here last year it was closed due to high winds, so I was really looking forward to going up.

Not wanting to break our record of clouds and rain in Alaska, this was the clearest shot I had of  Turnagain Arm from the top of Mt. Alyeska.  Exhilarating, nonetheless!

The Alyeska Hotel, viewed during the tram’s descent….which might be a bit scary if you’re in the front.  OK, yes I was scared, but only for a minute, and there were children onboard, so I smiled valiantly, held on tightly and loved every moment even though my white knuckles implied otherwise.

The gardens at Hotel Alyeska are spectacular….the roads in downtown Girdwood are under construction, so I just grabbed a latte and we continued our northern journey.

Almost to Anchorage we stopped at Potter Marsh, the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge with incredible views of Turnagain Arm.

Alas, I wasn’t having a lot of luck with my birding adventure this week, but I did find a few feathered friends to photograph.

The scenery was breathtaking … as it always is … in Alaska … despite gray conditions.

Our next stop enroute to Palmer was the Alaska Botanical Garden in Anchorage.  A lovely short hike with a warning that bears were in the area; but the only wildlife we saw were mosquitoes.  Fortunately I had citronella oil with me.

Can you tell I am completely enamored with the Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis)!  I’ve tried growing them to no avail, but here in Alaska they thrive.

With time for one more stop before arriving in Palmer, we chose to hike at the Eagle River Nature Center (you know I was hoping to see an eagle!).

We found baby swallows, but no eagles in sight.  The setting was gorgeous and we had a great hike!

My Powderology class is the reason for my being in Alaska.  Two days, ten students, 4 kilns filled twice, and a ton of fun at Half Moon Creek in Palmer!  Once again, I had a set of talented people unafraid to take risks, play and explore.  Does anyone in Alaska know what can’t means?  I think not!

A collaged collection of student work, I did not pick up my camera as often as planned.  We start having fun and I forget to document!  It was one of those magical classes where everyone connected, shared ideas, and laughed together.

And we all excitedly gasped as the kilns were opened in the morning!

Our trip to Palmer wouldn’t be complete without a drive up to Hatcher Pass for stunning views.  One last treat by our lovely hosts at Simon’s in Anchorage with a panoramic view of Cook Inlet, then back to our B & B to pack up.  All in all, the third time WAS a charm!  We loved every moment and want to again thank Half Moon Creek for offering another opportunity for an amazing adventure!!

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I LOVE LA

I LOVE L. A.  August 18 & 19 you’ll find me teaching Powderology – Exploring Glass Powders in the LA area at Pacific Art Glass!  Hope you can join me, I promise to make this weekend workshop FUN, adventurous, and informative.  I’m really looking forward to seeing a sandy WARM beach, palm trees, and YOU!  Join us!!

Pacific Art Glass is only 20 minutes from LAX, at 125 West 157th Street in Gardena.  For registration, please call 310.516.7828; or 800.354.5277,  or email:   info@pacificartglass.com,   or click:  *Register for my class at Pacific Art Glass

Powderology is the Exploration of Glass Powders in as many ways as we have time for.  You’ll get a lot accomplished in just two days!  You may have heard I bring a lot of examples with me; but I really like to have you explore powders in the subject matter that interests you.  If you bring photos (your own or from magazines), I’ll help you make samples that are relevant to your own journey.  How to find or mix the right colors, texture, use a painterly approach for realistic rendering, surface design, mixing in a bit of glitz and more.

See you there!!!  Did I already say it? …. I love L. A.!!!  August 18 & 19  *Register for my class at Pacific Art Glass

 

First Friday in March, Opportunity to Preview Gorge Artists Open Studios

Steider Studios Celestial Series

A quick update to let you know I’m still alive and producing art, packing it up and delivering it!

This week I delivered work to The Pines Wine Tasting and Gallery in Hood River OR for a preview show of the Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour.  The opening is tonight from 6 to 8 p.m., at Second and State and the show runs through the end of this month.  You’ll have the first opportunity to purchase our cool new maps for your self guided tour, April 13, 14, 15.  Notice, the tour is THREE days this year!  That will give you extra time to tour all our studios plus a bonus night in the Columbia River Gorge, surrounded by inspirational and magnificent vistas.  If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you know where most of those vistas are.  If you haven’t, just leave a comment or send me a note and I’ll be happy to share some of my favorite haunts.

Steider Studios Celestial Series

Also celebrating our Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour during the month of March is the Columbia Gorge Hotel!  They are hosting artwork from a group of us in the lobby and in their Valentino Lounge.  There will be some other interesting events at the hotel this year, stay tuned!

Steider Studios Celestial Series

The majority of my time the last couple of weeks was spent preparing for the Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas March 28 – April 1st!  I’ve been ordering supplies, glass, and kilns, for some fun new classes in addition to Exploring Glass Powders (the one day condensed version of Powderology).  Shimmer Shine and Sparkle was filled so we added a second class that’s still available!  I also have room for more students in Color Theory for Glassists and I’d love to see you in this color-filled class!  Are you going to the Expo?  What classes are you taking?  

Steider Studios: Celestial Series

Back to cutting glass and packing, I’ll see you at the party tonight!

Fall has Fallen……

……and I’m not ready!  Not ready to say goodbye to Summer; not ready to put away my garden; not ready to gear up for holiday shows; not ready for classes; and really not ready for cold, dark or dreary.  But alas, fall arrives every year before I’m ready, and I manage to hustle through it.  So, here we go….

My ‘Basic Kinlforming’ class will start in just a week at The Dalles Art Center.  I picked up colorful new glass at Bullseye a week ago for this class to play with.  To register call Carmen or Jennifer at 541.296.4759.  Returning students always welcome!

Holiday shows I’m participating in are the annual Soroptimist’s Artisan Shopping Extravaganza.  This year it’s on November 27th from 10am until 4pm inside The Gorge Room at the Best Western Hood River Inn.  I’ll have wall pocket vases, jewelry, miniature bowls, and more.  Hope you’ll come say hello & see my new work!

I wouldn’t miss the ‘Small Works’ annual holiday show at Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River.  The show runs December 2 – 29 with an opening reception on Friday December 2nd from 6 to 8pm.  Small works of art that make wonderful gifts is what you’ll find at this temptational show (yes, a made up word and I like it!).

I signed up for a booth at the Yard, Garden and Patio Show at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland next Feb 17 – 19!  I’m very excited about it and have new ideas for garden art that will be fun to make.  The sketches are done & I’ve begun work on the prototypes.  Plus I’ll have 3 days to buy plants, what a fun-filled opportunity!

In light of Steve Jobs passing, I must pay homage to those who inspired and mentored me.  Years ago I tracked down my high school art teacher to thank him for his role in my creative path.  If given an opportunity, don’t miss taking a class from these glass greats:

• Avery Anderson
• Judith Bohm-Parr
• Linda Ethier
• Newy Fagan
• Richard LaLonde
• Roger Thomas

If you have’t already, take a moment to tell someone inspirational in your life how they helped you grow, enabled you, lit that creative spark or otherwise made a difference in your journey.

I haven’t said it in awhile & want you to know I’m humbled you read my words.  Especially knowing I can say it so much better visually.  In glass.  In color.  Playfully and joyfully.

Breaking News!

I’m excitedly announcing my affiliation with Bullseye’s Education Online!

Bullseye is where I initially learned how to work with glass and I strongly recommend their online classes if you can’t get to a good instructor for a hands on class.  All you have to do is click the Bullseye Kiln-glass Education Online link, conveniently located in my sidebar.  See it?  It’s just to the right.  Click on it now.

Annual membership is just $39. As a member, you’ll enjoy immediate access to Bullseye’s complete library of online lessons to date. During the year, they’ll add 12 new videos, 1 per month, at no additional charge. Lessons last about 10-15 minutes. View them as often as you like, from any location with Internet access.

Learn the best ways to work with glass from the convenience of your own home or studio. Whether you’re a beginner or didn’t have access to good instructors at the beginning of your kilnforming journey, or just need a good refresher course I think you’ll benefit from this series of classes.  It’s the only set of on-line classes that I am proud to recommend.  So go ahead, click on the link & start your education now!  You’ll be glad you did.

If you’d like to be an affiliate it’s easy, just click here to sign up.

Flora abounds near my B & B near Palmer Alaska

If you’d like an adventure in learning, join me in Palmer Alaska at Half Moon Creek
next week for Powderology and Build a Better Pocket!

Working With Wall Pockets…

I’ve spent the last few days of May uploading items into my Zibbet shop.  Mostly wall-pocket vases, but also a couple garden fairies and earrings.  I haven’t put a dent in the amount of work I have here that needs to be photographed and written about, then loaded into my shop.  I plan to use my non-garden-worthy days this summer to accomplish that task.

Most of the end of May was spent putting my cabin back together after back to back studio sale weekends….well, almost.  There’s much still to do, but I’ve got the major tasks accomplished.  We can toss the dog toys again, so it’s back to normal living.  And I can get back to work!  I have a couple interesting orders waiting on my workbench.  And I need to make more bracelets!

This last week I’ve been talking with a couple of studios about teaching.  Confirmed is Palmer Alaska at the beginning of August.  Yes, it’s true, I’ll be teaching for Half Moon Creek again.  How I love that studio/gallery and the ladies who own it.  Let me count the ways by sharing (again) my class from last summer in this post.  (Just in case you missed it the first time).

I love Alaska and can’t wait to go back!  I’ll be teaching Powderology again plus my ‘Build a Better Pocket’ class.  I think the classes will fill fast, so if you’re interested in joining me in Alaska (and I do hope you are), better contact Half Moon Creek soon!  I promise you’ll have a spectacular time!

Welcome to Palmer Alaska

June 25th will be the one year anniversary since I launched Steider Studios Glass Medium™.  I plan to have a follow up blog post showcasing how you are using it. I have a few photos that some of you sent me, and will be posting them unless I hear otherwise. If you’re using my medium, I want you to send me a photo or two for sharing – with links to your sites. Yes all your sites, I’ll promote you with wild abandon!

Whether you call it ‘glass clay’ or ‘glass paste’, I’ve seen some amazing work that’s being done with it & can’t wait to share it with you.  Send your photo(s) to me at:  Linda at SteiderStudios dot com.  Thank you!!

Most of you know that BECon is happening mid June and I’d been on the fence over whether to go or not.  I was looking forward to getting together with friends coming in from all over the world while they were here in Portland, only an hour and a half from where I live.  Alas, Granny decided for me that I definitely wont’ be there.  She wanted to rest eternally next to Grandpa in Rose Hills and as it happens Rose Hills was booked until mid June.

 Lastly, I’d like to invite you to a gallery show I’m participating in, ‘Get Centered‘ at  Columbia Arts in Hood River.  The reception is this First Friday, June 3rd from 6 to 8pm and runs through the 26th.  It’s a celebration of Columbia Arts’ first five years in the current space.  Some fascinating work was delivered today, don’t miss it!

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The Expo Experience in a Nutshell:

The Glass Craft and Bead Expo hosts a trade show that delights the eye and can bankrupt your wallet.  I have wholesale accounts with many of the suppliers, so try to not overwhelm my credit card while checking out all the new tools and supplies.

I confess I did come home with a few new toys…mostly from His Glassworks.

You can take quick classes on the spot at some of the booths, most of which are free.

Or you can register for a hands on workshop and take home valuable information.  Plus samples that you make in class and tons of notes to duplicate the projects in your own studio.

I couldn’t teach my classes without the support of Paragon Kilns.

Nor could I conduct a class without the generous support of Bullseye Glass!

The wonderful team at Delphi gave my students a host of design accoutrements for our projects.

Last, but not least, my students wouldn’t be able to ‘finish’ their projects without the support of Glastar!  I truly appreciate the generous support of these companies.

When teaching, it’s difficult remembering to pick up my camera, so there are only a few shots of my classes.

Most of my photos are during lunch, or after class and definitely on the run!

My students this year, without exception were incredibly talented, intelligent and FUN!

Thank you for taking my classes, I hope you’ll keep in touch and remember I’m available for you anytime.

I’ve spent this week catching up on processing and shipping orders and just yesterday finished unpacking.  I love teaching on the road, but am always glad to be home.

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Today Bambino’s….

…Next Week the Glass Craft and Bead Expo.

I love teaching others how to work with glass.  Today I went to Bambinos International Learning Center in Hood River and led some very young students through a glass-working session.  An excellent learning facility, if you’re a young family in the Hood River area I highly recommend it.

Lorena Lowell, Founder & CEO told me they plan to incorporate even more art into their programs and it sounds so exciting for the children of Hood River.  I am thrilled that she invited me back for another glass-working session this summer.

We made glass tiles that will be turned into refrigerator magnets.  Here they are prior to firing.  I’ll deliver the finished glass back to the students tomorrow.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  Kudos to all those whose day job is teaching.

March Madness

In the midst of Japan’s tragic earthquake and tsunami, the rest of us must continue moving forward.  My heart is heavy for all those who lost loved ones so I’m participating in several small ways to help those left behind.

I bought a couple raffle tickets to help a japanese potter & his village rebuild through Heath Ceramics in Sausalito. Only $10 and you might win the limited edition Commune Canister hand thrown at Heath Ceramics worth $500. You only have until Monday, March 14th, so hurry!

Here’s an easy way everyone can help. Send in the dogs! One click on the ‘like’ button & you’ve added $1 to the campaign without using your own $1. It’s a Facebook page called ‘Dog Bless You’. I hope you’ll ‘like’ it.

As I find more creative ways to help, I’ll post them on my Facebook page.  Please check there when you have a chance to see if I’ve discovered anything else.  My friend, Karen posted this list of projects already set up by the Red Cross, Medical Corps, Save the Children, and more that need funding for Japan.

As for my studio moving forward in the aftermath, I don’t think I’ve ever had a busier March!  New venues and fresh work set up in my regular shops.  This past week I dropped off new work for Hood River Jewelers.  The display isn’t finished because it will be moved in front of the window in a few days (btw, the large blue, white & black platter isn’t mine but we left it in the display).  If you’re in Hood River, please visit  Chris, Julie and Theresa and let them know I sent you!

Each March I prepare for the Glass Craft and Bead Expo by packing & shipping about a dozen boxes.  Filled with tools, examples, and supplies the majority of boxes are 16″ cube and weigh about 30 pounds.  Yes, 30.  It’s how I prepare for my gardening season!

Deciding what to take and what to leave is never easy for me.  I want to expose students to as much as possible in our short time together!  I think my Build a Better Pocket class is almost full.

There’s still plenty of room in my Beautiful Butterflies class.  Maybe I can entice you to take it?  If you couldn’t get into my Exploring Glass Powders class, I’ll cover many of the same principles in this class.

Play Date with Paste is filling, but it’s the first day of the Expo on Wednesday and many of you won’t arrive until Friday.  Taking any of my classes or not, I hope you’ll stop in my classroom to say ‘hi’.  Later in the afternoon is best because the students (my priority) will be well on their way by then.

A last note on the quake.   This link, from the NY Times, shows photos before and after the disaster.  Use the sliders to see satellite images of each town before and after.

Edit: This link for Mashable shows 7 ways to help or donate using social media.

This link for Charity Navigator lists ratings for the best orgnizations to help.

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