Hey Friends, so sorry I've been out of touch.  Time just seems to get away from us.  I really have been glass busy though. Trying new techniques that have been on my wish list for a while. Below is a technique created by Judith Finn Conway & Kevin O'Toole of Optic Topics. There are so many variations of this technique, the possibilities are endless.   Thanks for liking my site and I'll try to post more often. 

Many will agree, that 2020 and the Covid 19 virus will be etched in our memory forever.  A friend asked me to make the molecular cell out of glass.  They became so popular, I made a half dozen more.  To date, I have 5 left-  cost .......wait for it.......... $20.20 ea. 

Our first glass, mosaic art class was canceled for May 21st but is scheduled to resume on June 8th.  These are challenging times for everyone but our first concern is to do this right, so we don't fall back on hard times again.  Stay safe, quarantine when possible and WASH YOUR HANDS! 

Gold for Faith, Red for Love, Green for Hope....... this is what a glass artist creates to stay on task, to focus, to see the light at the end of the tunnel.... and there will be light.  I will be wearing this bracelet I made until no more lives are lost to this virus.  If you should want one made, email me.  15% of the proceeds  will be donated to the Go Fund Me "Eats for EMTS".  Stay well ❤️

On February 19th, 2020, we start our 3rd session of Independent Glass Fusing and Glass Bead Making on Friday, February 21st.   Once you've done it, you're hooked! This session will go for 5 weeks through April 1st. Whether you're a beginner or a return artist, there is so much satisfaction in seeing what you've accomplished.  Hands on help is always available.  This is a new artist in my fusing class who did her very first project.   Amazing work! 

When glass alone, just doesn't give you enough pizazz and patterning, I chose to use glass powders.  The gradual blend of one color into another, is a technique that can't be achieved, with just cut glass pieces.  Powders make a great background, where other glass elements can be added for  a unique look. 

What I have learned over the years, is the unpredictability of firing in a kiln.  Here are some pics of a piece that I started on this past summer.  I made a 20" round "blank", about 1/4" thick with a  combination of glass powders and frit.  The initial firing was perfect but when it was fired on the mold, ..... well you can see what happened.  I knew the damage had happened in the annealing stage due to the razor sharp edges.  Smooth edges would indicate that the cracking happened in the beginning of the firing and the glass still heated.  Really, that was a good find.  What I determined was that my very old, big kiln relays were just tired and needed to be replaced.  They shut down completely in the annealing stage which caused the glass to cool too quickly and thermal shock.  So onto replacing the relays  breaking all the pieces, adding more frit and re-firing again into a 20" round.  Never give up!

Check out the new schedule for the Center of the Arts Bonita Springs.  I'm so excited to be teaching three classes this year and sharing some new techniques.  Call to reserve your space as soon as possible.

After an amazing winter teaching at the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs, FL, I'm now back at the River in Upstate NY. I came back to extremely high water levels in the upper St. Lawrence which curtails recreational activities for most of us. More time for glass work! I will be showing my new technique in crackle glass, glass bead jewelry and wire wrapping this year at the River Muse Gallery & Studio in Clayton NY. Come by and see all of our amazing artists!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
 
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The Art Center is ramping up for the Spring session.  Beautiful Moretti glass rods have been ordered and participants will be using NEW didymium glasses for the beadworking class.  I'm anxious to work with the intermediate fusing class and I'm sure they can teach me a few things.  Again, if you're in the SWFL area, check out the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs.