Time to hit the studio again

I have a show coming up and so I need to get off the computer and get back to work! Here is one of the new little things I was experimenting with over the weekend.

A little background about my glass journey

I started my glass journey back in 1980 when my son was born. I did stained glass for many years and was happy with my (at the time my newly acquired) “hobby”. I was very happy to sell my glass to all my working buddies and that always made working fun for me. During that phase I sold more than 900 stained glass pieces. Had sales that were sent all over the world…..

I purchased a tiny jewelry kiln (you know the one that looks like a beehive) that was all that was available in the early 90’s. I couldn’t buy any books because there were none available at that time. I didn’t have a clue about the coe’s of glass at that time either…. they didn’t even carry any 90 or 96 compatible glass. So everything was an experiment which sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t. There were no glass forums and most people at that time didn’t even have access to a computer. I had no clue what I was suppose to do but had alot of glass projects that did work. I gave them away to family and friends.

This was also the time that I decided to go back to school and get an Associates Degree in Horticulture. I was still working full time as a teacher aide and houseparent for deaf/blind children at the School for the Blind in Michigan and that was about 60 hours a week and going to school when I wasn’t working, as well as raising our son. During that time I didn’t have much time to continue with glass. So I put my glass away for a few years. When I started back up again after I graduated from college, and was retired,without retirement pay…. from the day job, and our son was close to graduating from high school….I started to make stained glass stepping stones. I made and sold more than 300 of them. I also started my own Landscape business. The business was very successful until I injured my shoulder and couldn’t do that type of work any more. Installations and clearing out existing landscape takes a toll on your body.

I was out to Portland Oregon and was reminded that I also loved glass but was very much a Horticulturist and had forgotten about the glass until then. The trip ended and I flew home 1 week before 9/11/01. After 911 happened I was very much feeling that something in my life was missing and was looking though my glass supplies and low and behold I came across a box of dichroic samples from Savoy….. Ding… ding…. ding…. something went off in my head…..and I had a ah-ha moment. By this time I was on the computer and found the website for fused glass that Brad Walker founded. Purchased a larger kiln and took off on the continuing glass journey. The 1st Warm Glass Conference was to take place out in Portland Oregon the following year. So the journey was starting. I met many of the people that had been working with glass then and again at the 2nd conference and the 3 and then the 4th conferences. I’ve not looked back. I have taken many classes and hope to continue to increase my knowledge. Just when I think that I don’t have any thing else to learn I find out that there is so much more to learn and the knowledge is never ending!
I have taken classes with:
Bert Weiss
Brock Craig and Avery Anderson
Patty Gray
Richard Lalonde
Janet Schrader
Linda Scott
Linda Steider
Patti Curtin
Richard Simon
and many more that I haven’t mentioned. Of all the classes that I’ve taken I now have more instructors on the “to take list”.

Newest out of the kiln

Another one full of color. As you can see color is one of the things that I
love. The colored piece has sold now also.

Also out of the kiln today are these little magnets. They are made using powders. The cat one has sold.

Heart made of glass

This is a cast heart made using chunks, stringers, pieces and clear glass. I use it as a paperweight. It is about 1/2" thick and 3"x 3 1/2" at widest part.

Another New Wind-chime

It started out as something else (picture on the left) but then it ended up as a wind-chime (picture on right) with some of my "wonky beads"! I love it so much better as the wind-chime!!!!

New Jewelry Pieces

Items I made in Richard LaLonde's class

New Jewely Pieces

New Jewelry pieces..

This is the piece with it's holder

I love this one but it sold and the buyer now has a holder to hang it on the wall and burn a candle in it. I got a couple more of these so I can make some more. Contact me if you are interested in any holders for your glass pieces.

Great Jewelry here!

The jewelry piece is one of my favorites. I love this piece also!

Got my Mojo back....finally

I love this piece! It turned out so cool. The metal stringers with the beads add movement to it.

This is my latest Windchime

This one is 14" long including the copper wire for hanging,
and 4 1/2" wide . Sold!

A new piece right out of the kiln

This one just came out of the kiln this morning! The heart bowl came out later today. My Heart Bowl has Sold! Actually alll 3 have sold but I do have more of the Business card holders available.

A New Work of Art!

My first glass weave!

New Feature on the Blog

I just made it easier for you to make a purchase from me. In links there is a link to my store with purchasing capabilities. The sunflower plate has sold.

Some new things that I made

Valentine Pins and a stained glass Valentine panel measures 12x12" with a 7"
high chain. Also a new pair of sterling silver earrings. Earrings sold.