Fused Glass Suncatcher Production ~

It's spring.

It's production time ~

More Aurora Ravens ~

More Aurora Series in the Ravens ~

Are you sick of it yet?

Each piece is different. 

Even if I use the same powders the watercolor effect looks different.

Glass is a liquid so as it heats up in kiln & melts it moves around a bit and flows

together creating a wash of color.

I've tried to cool the process down & not fire to a full fuse as a way

to get a little more texture in the glass.

That also seems to keep the images a bit crisper.

The ravens above are slightly more transparent probably due to less

powdered glass.  It's hard to judge how much has been sifted

onto the blank unless I weigh the glass first.

I think that's an unnecessary step.

No time for that!

Thinking of Summer ~

I'm missing my garden,

the sun,

& even the weeds a little bit.

Painting some poppies for a little inspiration.

Glass Bathroom ~

Whew!  The bathroom project is completed.

Here's a shot of the vanity back splash.

This is a mix of tiles that were cut down from the

 larger tiles used for the tub surround. 

The counter top trivet was also made from small left over

glass pieces.  I put bumpons on the bottom just to keep

it from sliding on the counter top. 

Love the purple-blue counter top~ it picks up the

neo-lavendar glass & is a good neutral with the other colors.

This is the coordinating tub surround.  It's flanked with

6 inch white tiles for a high contrast look.

The blue strip (3mm) was added after the 6 inch tiles for a

three dimensional and finished effect.

This is the finished piece from the previous post. 

It's a very large piece with all the shapes hand cut, layered

and then tack fused with an extended annealing period.

It'll be mounted about 2" out from the wall on brushed

nickel mounts.  The brushed nickel mounts match the

bathroom fixtures.

The paint color in the bathroom is white and the lighting is halogen

but there's also a glass block window there's plenty of ambient light.

Mounting it away from the wall will allow the glass to transmit

light & color.  Can't wait to see it mounted!

It's Spring!

The sun is out & I'm planting seeds ~ in more ways than one!

This is a set of patterns I'm designing for a new line of dinnerware,

votive holders, & an interior fireplace surround...maybe. 

 It's in the planning stage.

What do you think?

Gaining Light ~ Glass Wall Sconces

I'm working on a set of glass wall sconces to replace the

glass from another set

 I had made in dark colors ~ see the glass above.
Transparent cobalt, sky blue, spring green, neo-lavendar & aqua. 

The glass base is an irid clear and if you look closely

you can see the diamond pattern. 

This really added a nice shimmer when  lit.

Although I love these colors they were dark & didn't let a lot of light through. 

Nice & soothing in the winter & beautiful on a cobalt painted wall.

BUT....it's spring time in Alaska

& I've been in a cleaning & painting mode.

The cobalt wall has been painted a buff color & with the trims white I wanted a lighter colored glass sconce on these fixtures.

The fixture hardware  is custom made & sold by Bullseye Glass Co. & sells for about $116 each ~  lamp fixture hardware (11.75" X 7.5").  This fixture hardware is made to fit the glass slumped over the lamp bender conic mold (#8740).

Here's a picture of the mold. 

 It's been brushed with kiln wash & is in the kiln ready for use.

I contemplated using many colors of glass but in the end decided to go with something light & neutral.  The glass base is clear tetka (3mm)  topped with white fractures, stringers (1mm & 2 mm in white, ivory, & transparent gold),  & frit in a variety of sizes & chunks. 

 I really like the bigger chunk effect.

Final glass after firing & slump firing.

Here's the glass mounted & lit. 

 I'm loving the color combo & the radiating light effect on the wall.

In Loving Memory ~

On Tuesday, October 19th at 11:05 pm our beloved

Golden Retriever Rudi-Pa-Tuti died.

It was very unexpected & we're still reeling from her death.

At night we listen for her footsteps & in the

morning we look for her at the bottom of the stairs to greet us.

She was a member of our family

& a faithful companion to our son, William.

Always calm & watchful.

William sharing a toy on his 1 year old birthday.

Rudi's a little over a year older.


Hummmm.....where did that toy go????


Who is that spook?
I think Rudi knows who's under that baby blanket!

A pirate always needs a good friend close bye!

Groucho & a side kick!

ARGGGGG!

You were a good First Mate. Smooth Sailing All Your Days.

My only regret is that I didn't have time to teach Rudi the accordion!!

We miss you....good dog!