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!

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.

Happy Halloween ~!

Up-cycled Microwave Tray ~ 3rd try!

The microwave tray transformation continues with this

3rd installment.

This one has cast glass dragonflies, butterflies, & fish as well as

fused glass pieces, blobs & beads.

Most of the glass is transparent although some of the beads

are opaque & add some contrast.

It's been hanging in the greenhouse without any problems

with gravity & temperature.

Fused Glass Raven Panels ~ Post Firing

Here's what the glass panels look like post firing.

All done & ready for hanging.

Raven Fused Glass Panels ~

Working on two large glass panels with ravens.

 

 

~ Two Ravens in a Tree ~

 

Pre-fire picture with multiple layers of glass, frit, & cut 3mm sheet.

 

Second panel pre-fired.

 

These birds are in the oven & will be cooked by tomorrow morning.

Upcycled Microwave Glass ~ Part 2

Here's my second attempt at up-cycling

a micro-wave glass tray.

 

 

This one looks like a giant pizza pie, too!

It looks better in person as there's lots of  dimension that

doesn't show up in the picture.

 

I have 2 more glass trays & a gazillion ideas.

The next two will not be in this same mandala style.

 

Back to the Restore Store to see if they have any more of these trays.

 

This is very addictive.