Roses Window...a Blast from the Past!

We're visiting family and in addition to the amazing food and hospitality, it's an opportunity to visit one of the last stained glass windows I made before my shift to fusion. 

One of the best parts of making glass for others is the joy in knowing where it is going. In this case, it is family. More often now, the glass is a commission either by someone I know or someone I get to know as we collaborate on what the theme/imagery will look like.

I am pleased to be able to see this older stained glass work....but I am even more grateful that I had the opportunity to learn fusion and could pursue warm glass. Even more special is this celebratory time with family. 

Glass for the Newly Weds

I haven't had the opportunity to make one of these bowls in a while! I was thrilled to be asked to make this bowl as a gift.

The commission stated that the couple liked natural colors so I selected this amber/hint of green glass. The surface is iridized so there is a lovely rainbow sheen that is visible from certain angles.

I cut two 15" circles of the glass and placed the smooth surfaces of the glass facing each other so the rainbow surface would be accentuated on both sides.  I sprinkled a light dusting of clear powdered glass across the face of the bowl to  give the piece a sheen and to also contain the iridescence, making the bowl food safe. I full fused it once, then added the letters cut from spring green irid glass, and dichroic dots to the surface. A second visit to the kiln allowed for a tack-fuse. Using my flat lap grinder, I smoothed out the edges and then the glass was returned to the kiln one last time to be slumped into a bowl.

There is always a written statement about the glass, with some information about the gematria behind the word Ahavah, and a blessing.

The piece is now signed and sealed in bubblewrap...ready to be delivered...tomorrow. Mazal tov to the bride and groom!

They Were Framed!

I've been privileged to work in the Mensches & Mavens program (M&Ms) at my synagogue (Neveh Shalom).  We match up 7th graders (mensches in training) with older congregants (mavens!)

The M&Ms met once a month for the entire school year doing a variety of activities , study, and some schmoozing. Secretly, the kids made fused glass photo frames for their mavens (and wrote lovely pantoums to them for the back side), while also secretly, the mavens made frames and pantoums for their mensches. Zoom in to see the great work. (There were two tables of frames!!!!)

I haven't posted much on my blog in awhile because my kiln was tied up with this project for some time. The gifts were traded a couple weeks ago ...and all seem rather joyous about the process. 

Next...I need to pull my studio together and do some clean up!
I am almost done with a commission...and then it will be time to begin creating new work for the fall ORA show. Posting will be sporadic this summer, but I will get some new pieces done!

Stay tuned.....and ...thanks for following my blog!