Know When to Take a Break

 

Can you hear my big sigh? Peacock blue is more brittle than the other colors I have been cutting. Piece #23 did not break on the score line. If you look closely just above the pattern piece #18 you can see where it was scored. SIGH! It's the first piece to break, which isn't terrible. I have more glass AND, this was the first piece out of about 25 pieces that broke. 

That said, experience has taught me that when glass starts to break....WALK AWAY! So I did!

I will take a breath (maybe 2) and then I will go back to cutting....tomorrow! Wish me luck!

"Striking" Glass

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 Here's an early shot of the triptych in process. What you see appears to be blue glass but if I process it correctly in the kiln it will "strike" violet. SO Awesome! (I was going to say, so 'cool' but .... cool is a relative term in the world of fused glass!)

Striker glass is a glass that when heated properly will shift color. If I don't process it correctly it will remain blue but might also develop some brown spots! YUCK!

According to Bullseye glass, "Some gold-bearing striking glasses, like this one, should be fired with a 2 hour hold at 1225°F during the initial stages of the firing cycle. If fired without this hold, they may not strike at all, or they may strike but appear spotty and have a blue-brown cast, as opposed to the desired target color. Know Your Gold Hold."

I'm going to do a test run first to see if I can get the color I am looking for, while continuing to cut my pieces.  

If you look closely at the photo you'll see numbers and initials. The initials represent the color of glass and the numbers allow me accurate placement of each piece (matching with he master pattern.) SB means Sky Blue, PB= Peacock Blue.....etc.

I'm about 25% complete in terms of getting all the pieces cut out. I'll have a bit of grinding and then cleaning to do ... and then there is placing the border on each piece before each piece goes into the kiln separately.  More about the border later!

Cutting Up

 As with most projects, the concept needs to be developed, thought through, and then designed. For the triptych, I wanted something flowing and calm. It's going into my Rabbi's office and it will hopefully be a visual piece that hides some of the parking lot view that sits just outside the windows.  Since the office space is used for counseling, teaching, planning and "generic" rabbinic work, it needs to offer the Rabbi and visitors a sense of peace and tranquility. An additional consideration is that there is another art piece (blown glass) on the wall, so my colors need to work with it.

I enlisted the help of a friend who draws with ease and thus, a master pattern was created. Together we worked on colors, making sure the ribbons of color flow accurately from panel to panel. A quick trip to FedEx allowed me to make a set of copies to cut up. The originals are set out under the clear glass to guide my placement. 

Each piece is labeled with a number and a color coding...example:

SB *12 means sky blue piece, 12 and the asterisk means it flows to another piece and I should make sure it lines up.

All my violet glass pieces are cut out and placed. I'll probably need to grind a few edges, but I won't know that until neighboring pieces are finished. Today, I will return to the studio to work on Sky Blue.

Saw Woes Resolved....Onward!

 Sometimes we are at the mercy of our tools! I love my Taurus ring saw....but it does require care and maintenance. That is not my strength! 

Thankfully my husband is willing to replace belts, blades, grommets...and more. In addition to all these replacements, it turns out I needed new ball bearings...so during the down time I had, I scrubbed out the minuscule particles of glass dust that seemed to also have an impact on the belt.   Phew! much to my relief, all is repaired and the saw is working. 

Onward....the triptych awaits!

I'm on a Podcast!

 I had hoped to update you all on my progress with the triptych I began...but alas, my Taurus ring saw needed a new belt....and then I realized it could use a new blade....and then I realized that all the grommets also should be replaced. No problem. I had all those parts...or so I thought. In replacing the tiny grommets used to stabilize the blade, I discovered that the ball bearings were damaged.... So I await the arrival of ball bearings.... 2 for $7 plus a $10 shipping fee. NO COMMENT!

So instead I offer you a humble bit of self promotion.  I don't know why I was invited to be interviewed...but it was a fun and unique experience. Thank you Rockne Roll, editor of the Portland Jewish Review for this opportunity. Interested? you can find the interview at:

Eddy Shuldman Podcast

NEW PROJECT: JUST GETTING STARTED!

 A Triptych of flowing colorful glass ribbons is on the horizon!

It's a commission of sorts...a combination of a requested gift and my donation. 

Step 1: Created a master pattern . I called in the services of a dear friend who kindly and masterfully drew the ribbons across three sheets of paper.  √

Step 2: Pick out potential glass colors, making sure I have enough glass in stock to cover it all! √

Step 3: Assign colors to the pattern √

Step 4: Run to the print shop and get a full size copy of the pattern. I'll use one as the master and the other will be cut up and glued to the glass so I can make accurate cuts.

There was a Pre-step which involved other people (friends of the recipient) creating a black mosaic border for the piece. In this way, the community of friends all had a literal hand in the gift. The border mosaic will need some slight adjustments but for the most part, it's done! √

Truth be told, I started this process awhile ago only to learn that the colors I selected wouldn't work! Other obligations arose and so finally.....finally, this project is underway.  Step 4 happens today!

I'll be documenting the project routinely...at least, that's my optimism at work! We'll see!

Stay tuned!

Self-Promotion

 I was recently invited to talk about Jewish art, ORA, and some of my glass efforts on a podcast hosted by Rockne Roll of the Portland Jewish Review.

Here's the link:https://rss.com/podcasts/jewishreviewpdx/2541490/

I thought I would be more nervous, but Rockne really made me feel comfortable and by doing this in person, it felt more like a conversation than an interview....anyway, if you are interested, please feel free to tune in.

Latest Project

 I haven't posted in awhile...so what else is new?....!

I've been working on an erev Shabbat prayerbook project that features the artwork of residents of Rose Schnitzer Manor.

The prayer book makes its debut tonight.

Here a re a few examples of the gorgeous art that is included in the book:

Blast From the Past

I just discovered this post that apparently was left in draft form. When I first started working in glass it was stained glass. This was a window I made ...about 35 years ago in trade with a friend for some tile work. I'll post some more of my old stained glass work in the next few weeks. I think I got the better deal but I realize that his handy work was his art and in many ways a gift of his talent. Although my gift to him was made from a pattern, it too was a labor of love. I didn't know then that my passion for glass would grow and that fusion would capture my heart.

My Last Seder Plate

 My seder plate mold dropped off the shelf....oops!

At first I was seriously bummed. I love making seder plates. Now I have decided to work with a ceramic artist to create a new mold (maybe two?) that will allow me to go in some new directions.

The last seder plate I made. It was a comssion for a seder plate. a matzah tray, and a yahrzeit candle holder

I have several projects lined up before I can get back to  seder plates. Some don't involve glass, so it may be awhile before I can post again. 

It's the holiday season...so sending out good wishes to all for whatever holidays you celebrate!

May the New Year bring us all much joy!

I'm back in the Studio!

 

After so many months of recovery, I am finally back to working in my studio.

I have a couple of big projects waiting for me, but I wanted to launch into my work with some projects that were more playful. Sitting down is not the best position for me when cutting glass so I wanted to do smaller projects that limited how much time I spent standing.

These are my newest garden stakes....something to add a little joy outside. Both sold right away, so I will make a few more before starting the tryptich I have been planning. More about that in my next posting.

It's Been a "FUN" Few Months

 This is a picture similar to my second new knee. It's been quite the summer leading into fall.

I'm still not healed...that will take a little more time...but I am slowly getting back to the studio. There's an upcoming Winter Marketplace and a sizable commission looming large.

Stay tuned! When I have new items, I promise I will post....but it will be a month or so.

Thanks for following me!

One-handed fused glass- Tzedakah Box

 I'm working one-handed since I dislocated my elbow and gave myself a call fracture. With some commissions due, I had no choice.

My wonderful husband was kind enough to move large sheets of glass for me and hold things in place when I needed help...but I found I could get the work done...I just had to slow down and think through every step.

One of the commissions I had was to craft a tzedkah box (like a piggy bank for charity.) I ended up fusing the Hebrew letters to the face and then copper foiled and soldered the rest. I somehow failed to capture the beautiful marble I glued to the top as a handle.

Min Ha-Metzar: Out of the Narrow Places

 Darn it! I dislocated my elbow and gave myself a little fracture. I won't bore you with the details.

Anyway, when last I posted, I was fusing hundreds of blobs. I finished that before I became a one-handed glass artist.

This was a commissioned gift. It's called Min Hametzar . From the Narrow Places. It comes from Psalms... the rest of the phrase says:... I called to You, and You answered me.

the rest of the phrase i

tiny glass blobs/beads: A New Commission

Lots and lots of tiny squares went into the kiln... high temperatures cause the squares to round up into tiny blobs or beads. Blobs just sound inelegant when you're looking at something so small.

There are multi colored beads and some clear dichroic beads...  some are a little larger and some a little smaller. This photo should give you a sense of the size.

THE PROCESS: It's not rocket science....just repetitive snipping. I cut up glass into narrow strips and then use tile snippers to cut little squares (see the picture below ). The next step is laying out all these little squares on a kiln shelf, making sure that the squares don't touch each other....Program the kiln and walk away! I fire over night to get a lower price for electricity. Scooping up the finished beads is really time consuming as well. I use a pancake flipper to scoop them up but they are tricky little devils and they tend to roll off.

What will I do with these little beads? They will be used in a fused mosaic along with frit ...It's a commission that is intended as a gift...so I won't be posting the finished product until it has been gifted. I'll try to document some of the next steps. Stay tuned!

RELAYS...Not a Race!

The kiln saga continued a bit longer than I had anticipated...We got the receptacles replace thanks to a friend who also is an electrician.... I set up a quick program...and poof.....NOTHING! No heat! AAAARGH! And as is typical of human behavior, I tried it again. Nope...nothing happening. THe other kiln was fine but the Evenheat was clearly non functional.

I called the kiln guy who came out and told me it was likely the computer board....replacement and labor would run upwards of $600!
I don't want to tell you how much I have already put into the repair of these kilns already. He said he would reach out to the kiln techs at Evenheat and get back to me. The next day he came back and replaced all three relays.....and thankfully that solved the issue. The bill was more manageable...so now I've got to get busy. I have commissions waiting to be created and I have to figure out how to sell more glass so I can at least break even this year. Thats basically my goal...have a hobby that pays for itself. 

Wish me luck!

Who Knew?

My blog doesn't get written all that often, nor do that many people read it....that said, imagine my surprise to learn my blog made the top 35 glass blogs accordig to someone....#14 in fact. Who knew? There are numerous great glass blogs out there...so if you are interested in the actual list, check out : DISCLAIMER: I don't know anything about these folks and why they publish an annual list....but the list itself seems legit. I've looked at many of these sites...some I have frequented over the past number of years...and some are new to me. It's always great to learn from others.

Electricity and Elements

Just when I thought we were good to go....more electical work was needed... I am fortuante that one of my son's childhood besties is an electrician,so I made the call. He has a full time job so repairs were put on hiold until he had the bandwidth. He came by this weekend and resolved what we hope is the final repair of our outlets to solve my kiln problems. It's really in the nick of time. I do have some commissions coming up and I need to dedicate some serious studio time to those projects. I probably won't have time to post for another few weeks....but I will be back!

One kiln up and running

My Skutt was successfully repaired but kiln #2 is still down. I'm waiting for new elements to arrive. Hopefully that's all that is needed for the repair. In the meantime I had enough bandwidth to get some new items made in time for the Decemebr show. ...and I had a commission that will be gifted tonight... A gnome stake... I hope they like it!

Still Down for the Count

Two kilns down....my next show opens Dec 8....Repair not possible until Dec 2. Working on glass now and the the kilns will be firing away non stop once repaired...sigh!