Friday, January 31, 2014

Got Glass?

Got Glass?
 
Yep ~ !
 
I've got almost 700 pounds of glass.
66 sheets of tetka.
 54 pounds of power & frit
& a bunch of misc "stuff" like stringer, confetti, & tip sheets.
 
 
 
This is a short post ~ I've got work to do!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

AIR ~ Kids & Glass (part 2)

As part of the Artist In Residence Program, I think it's important for students
to participate in a project for the greater good / community,
but it's also fun to make something to have as a remembrance.
 
So, how about each child makes a mini fused glass piece?
 
Magnets anyone?
 
Who doesn't love a magnet for the fridge or file cabinet?
 
This past weekend I had some time to clean up my cutting table
& prep 230 1X1" squares for the student artist's magnets.
 
 
Yes, I actually had enough clear glass scraps to cut up 230 1X1" squares.
The cutting table looks a little less messy now.
 
As part of the prep for the magnet process,
Eleanor (Artist/Art Teacher) & I had to problem solve how we're going to
keep track of 230 something magnets & get them all back to their creators.
 
YIKES!

 
Of course, Eleanor does this every week for art so she had a few ideas.
 
I prepped a kiln shelf with ThinFire from Bullseye Glass (see above on the right).
There's a second grid on the left.
Each student / Artist will place their finished magnet, ready for firing, on the grid
that's on the kiln shelf & will then write their name in the
corresponding grid space on the left.
 
No problem, right?
 Maybe for 2-6 graders. 
 
Kindergarteners & 1st graders?
It'll be a study in visual motor & visual perceptual skills in space.
 
Note to self....
"It might be good to have an adult there monitoring the names & placement?"
 

 
Magnets....300 mini but mighty magnets have been ordered & delivered.

 
Here's a few magnets from other projects I've done for pleasure & clients.
I always enjoy looking through the dozens of magnets I've made or been given.
 
Good memories!

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Artist in Residence ~ Kids & Glass!

This spring I'll be working with Chugach Optional Elementary School
on a 2 week long art glass project. 
I'm just in the beginning planning stage with the
school art teacher, Eleanor. 
 
 
Here's a color palette pre-firing. 
I'm planning on a rainbow mix of transparents.
There's a number of striker colors.
Can you pick them out below?

 
I think the students will enjoy learning about the process of heat
& reaction between the element/metal in the glass & temperature.
There's sure to be some surprises.

 
I'm also prepping some milleforie in 90 COE so it's compatible
with the sheet glass.

 
Here's a shot of the library which is a possible installation site.