FINALLY!!!!!

Concrete arrived this morning......I couldn't get close enough to photograph the process and well.....because of rainy weather, everything is under wraps!

All our permits are in and with this pad poured, we will finally see the framing begin, which will create a home for my kilns....!
With a bit of luck, that will start on Friday after the concrete has cured.
                    I'll post photos of the progress soon!

STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY!

That's the name of the new show I'll be in- opening January 10th 2014 @ Neveh Shalom
2900 SW Peaceful Lane.

PDX Live is an amazing Friday Night Service featuring Cantor Deborah Bletstein. On the 10th guest musician Beth Hammon will also perform along with the fabulous pdx band: Klezmocracy.

ORA artists are featured at each PDX Live. This show will remain in place through March 2nd.

STRUGGLING WITH IDENTITY will feature artists Glenn Decherd (ceramics), Michelle Katz (painting), Robert Brenner (photography), Dr. Jeff Israel (stained glass), and me!

Each of us has a different take on the theme...it will be fun to see how this all comes together.

We'll all be there to show our work and welcome questions and conversation about the art and our varied inspirations.

I'll post pix of everyone's work after January 6th.
Most, if not all the work will be available for purchase...just not on Friday night. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Neveh Shalom.

We are indebted to them for their gracious hosting of our art events

It's What I've been Waiting For....but

It's finally warm enough to fire up the kiln....so why am I still not  happy?

I opened the kilns (both of them) only to discover that my shelves need to be cleaned and primed with kiln wash. My hose bibs are shut off so, I need to carry water to the back deck and then start scraping......a very cold endeavor at 39º!...Then the shelves need to dry. 

So today is maintenance day rather than a firing day. I will spend time cleaning and priming shelves and cut some future projects. 

Firing will have to wait until I return home from a family trip.

More lessons in patience! Clearly, it's a journey!

Oh, here's a photo of a chunk of ice from one of my drain buckets!

It's about 5 gallons of frozen sludge water!

I am so excited.....defrosting should happen tomorrow!

The rains have come, bringing warmer weather (It might get into the 40's tomorrow....YAY!)

We've been stuck in the 20's and 30's for the last couple of weeks which means that the kilns can't be started up. I can hardly wait for our construction to resume so my kilns can move indoors!

I am behind, behind, behind!

New items should begin appearing on the blog late next week.

Why Am I not Posting?

I'm not saying my life is in the toilet....but I am spending a lot of time shopping for toilets, sinks, lighting, tile.....

.........the remodeling continues!

New glass in December!

Mayim Chayim: Waters of Life

This beautiful serving dish sold immediately but is a sample of this popular design. I have cut a river (channel) in the top glass and filled it with chips of dichroic glass. The "banks" of the river are outlined in a white gold ink that is baked into the glass.

Another one of these in another color has been commissioned and will go into the kiln tonight.

Candle bridge with frit

This candle bridge sold before I could post a picture!
It's made with striker glass. That means it started out looking like streaky yellow/orange and became red in the heat of the kiln. 

The striping is made from a combination of glass powders and frit. 

Back from the Beach!

It's good to go away and rest.....

and it's nice to be back.

Studio work resumes Sunday!

Glass and Wood!

This is my adventure into combining glass and wood. I'm pretty happy with the results.

I have always been bothered by the incredible waste when I cut glass and have pieces left over that aren't necessarily large enough to use. Glass is expensive, and when I weigh my scraps, I see just how much money I am losing every day!

We're doing some home renovations, so I am also discovering hunks of lumber going to waste.  

So yes, I am dumpster diving...in my own dumpster...retrieving wood scraps. I am excited, energized, and ready to explore this new combination! Some of the wood will become part of my art...and some of the wood will keep me warm this winter!

I only had time to make this one wood/glass combo for the art show this Sunday...but after that, I am going to dedicate some time to my new projects. I have plenty of other new art as well.

Most exciting about all of this is the opportunity to listen to the movement of the glass and the wood. The interplay between the two, the selection of stain, the choices for how else to blend these elements.... the possibilities are simply tantalizing!

It Isn't Always Black or White

Shades of Gray....with a bit of black and white

Come see me Sunday at the Celebration of Art '13

             Mittleman Jewish Community Center

                6651 SW Capitol Hwy- PDX

                              10:30-4:30

* mention the blog and see what you get!

Going Tribal- a new series

The background glass is dark but transparent, iridized PURPLE glass.
The decorative glass on top is the same glass!!!!!

Last week I was at Portland Center Stage to see their current production of Fiddler on the roof. The stage set was perfectly simple....staggered pieces of wood. I was inspired.

Lots of glass artists build squares on squares so I have no illusions of pure originality....but this arrangement called to me...and I answered.

I hope to make several more pieces in various shapes and size...and colors.

Come visit me at the Celebration of Art '13....
          SUNDAY  November 3rd at the MJCC
            6651 SW Capitol Hwy- Portland

*mention this blog and see what you get!

THE PREVIEW !!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop by the MJCC lobby anytime this week to see a few pieces of art....a little teaser for the show Sunday November 3rd .

The lobby is open to visitors during regular hours...you don't have to be a member to visit!

New Batch of Tallit Clips

Getting readyfor the Celebration of Art 2013 at the MJCC

           NOVEMBER 3rd @ the MJCC

6651 SW Capitol Highway- Portland

                              10:30-4:30

            free admission, live music, 
                       deli food too!

Ready For the Kiln

Stage one was full fusing the base glasses. With the addition of glass shards, this is ready to go back in the kiln for a tack fuse.

First stage involved 15 hours in the kiln.
Stage 2 will be roughly 19 hours.
Stage 3 is slumping the disc into a seder plate mold- about 12 hours

Shards of Wedding Glass

Broken shards from a wedding are transformed into a seder plate. 

The couple chose the colors....figs were their inspiration!

Broken Glass! It's a good thing!

You are looking at shards of glass....wrapped in silk. These shards are the remnants from a wedding this summer. Now they are being put to use in a wedding gift to the newlyweds! More coming!

Clips in the kiln

Just getting ready for the Celebration of Art '13.

Looking for a great and unique Bar or Bat Mitzvah gift?
These are some of the new Tallit clips just going into the kiln. After firing, they will will polished to achieve clean edges....they'll then have a 24 hour date with some glue and clips...and then I'll add some nice chains. The Torah shaped clips are quite sparkly featuring dichroic glass. 

The next batch will include magen davids, chamsahs, and pomegranates. My stock has been depleted...I'm looking forward to offering new and unique clips at the COA!

NOVEMBER 3rd 2013 @ THE MJCC 
6651 SW Capitol Hwy- Portland. FREE ADMISSION! Over 25 artists!
Check us out on Youtube! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X4dExdAjYk&feature=youtu.be

Wall Mounted Fused Glass

Floating tile mounted on sintra board and polished aluminum
Tile= 6x6
Aluminum= 11x11

I'm having a bit of fun with fused glass wall art. Years ago I had the opportunity to visit a private glass collection. Among the many pieces of art, I found some wall mounted work. I wrote to one of the talented artists to ask about her process. 

It took awhile to figure out how to do it without copying her. In the meantime, another local artist helped me locate a steelyard where I could pick up some scrap metals. I love using colored sintra board in my work as well. 

They've Been Framed!

This framed photo is headed for Hawaii.....
The photo is 10"x14"- the yellow board is 21"x22"

I am happy with the frame...but nothing is as beautiful as the smiles in this family reunion picture!

Picture Frame Almost Done!

Ok, watching glue dry is a waste of time!
   That said, this glue is taking it's sweet time. 

Step 1: Cut the glass, measure, re-measure, measure again!

Step 2: Decorate with glass design elements

Step 3: Fuse the glass

Step 4: Glue museum glass to the frame- wait for it to dry!

Step 5: Place photo into the slot, tape on cardboard backing.

Step 6: Glue supports to yellow board- 

Step 7: Glue frame to supports and.........
                                         ....wait for it to dry!

The customer asked for something wild.... I hope this is what they meant!

I will post the final project once it has been delivered to the customer.

Celebration of Art 2013

November 3, 2013

MJCC

Portland Oregon

free admission

See our new youtube video to catch a glimpse of some of our artists and their new art work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X4dExdAjYk&feature=youtu.be

I'm excited about the new projects I am working on.

    Check back often.....I'll be posting pix soon!

New Temporary Digs!

One of My Kilns...camping on the back deck

Trenches have been dug for the foundation and concrete should be poured sometime this week.
Meanwhile, our bedroom and bathroom have been completely emptied out and our new temporary bedroom is in the dining room. The kiln will move to its new digs long before I will!

Big Art Show/Sale November 3 !

New work will begin appearing after the Jewish holidays conclude!

Celebration of Art '13 will take place Nov 3, 2013 at Mittlemann Jewish Community Center
                                6651 SW CAPITOL HWY


Admission is free   10:30am-4:30 pm

I HAVE NEW GLASS....NEW DESIGNS...NEW COMMISSION OPPORTUNITIES!

We have new artists with beautiful and affordable original art available for purchase.

More info to follow!  

SCROLL DOWN!

            The Jewish Holidays are upon us , so there won't be any new posts for a bit.

I want to encourage new readers to scroll through the blog... 
(as well as those of you who are familiar with my work!)

                             JUST KEEP SCROLLING  

...You'll find samples of my work! 

Google doesn't always link the reader to the right spot in the blog...but if you keep scrolling you are likely to find what you are looking for.

Seder plates? Yads? Tallit Clips? Trays? Plates? Bowls? Candle Bridge? Wedding gifts?   YUP, IT'S ALL THERE!

If you want to commission a project....just send me a note!
sparksofspirit@gmail.com

             IT'S 5774.....   HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Just a Big Empty Hole Now

The last of the shed has been hauled away. In another week or so, concrete trucks will come to pour a pad....the floor of my future kiln room. My wonderful contractor hooked me up with some temporary power on my lower deck...so tomorrow I will connect one of my kilns (ok, maybe both)....and I'll be fusing again!
I feel positively giddy!

Good bye Old Friend!

Kiln Shed

My shed has hosted 2 kilns for many years.... 

but now I must bid it a fond farewell. We're remodeling and the shed will be replaced by a dedicated concrete space...roughly the same size, but less flammable!

We're half-way through deconstruction. Meanwhile my kilns sit unplugged and wrapped in tarps...waiting.....waiting...waiting.... but our dear contractors promise a temporary hook up ...maybe next week!

Returning Waves

Look familiar? This is a picture of a new bowl (in process) pre slumping. It was commissioned as a wedding gift after my recent post... 

.....Congrats to the newlyweds!

Glass on the Edge

A clear glass base with a fiber paper support creates the frame for this new glass piece in my kiln. The fiber paper is pinned to together and then reinforced with kiln furniture to hold it in place. This creates a dam effect, preventing the glass from spreading out.

 Individual strips of glass are laid out on the edge rather than flat. This piece will should be about 3/4 of an inch thick.

But then what?  hmmmmmm......

....stay tuned

The Sea was the Theme

I'm visiting my inlaws in Florida and that allows me to visit a few fused glass pieces I made them.

Pictured above is one of my favorite platters ... the Sea was the theme. 

My inlaws used to live right on the gulf and loved the water. This bowl is positioned in front of a window and transmits light in such beautiful ways. 

 I love the simplicity of the design. Too many sea themed items seem to be a little tooooooo much....crabs, fish, shells. This design captures the movement of the water and plant life not often depicted.

 I may need to make another one of these!

Bat Mitzvah Commission!

Before the first firing

This is an 8x8 sushi style plate. Rectangles of cathedral iridized glass were clear-capped and embellished with dichroic accents. The Hebrew letters are cut from copper foil and are sandwiched between the two layers if glass to spell out the name Avigael.

Lucky girl!

Wedding Commission

One more round of firing to go!

This tray is made of clear and blue streaky glass

on top of opaque white glass. I cut a "river" through the streaky glass  and "planted a stream" of clear dichroic chips. 

The tray will go through one more firing to cure the white gold ink I used to trace the stream.

This was commissioned as a wedding gift! The ceremony is Saturday. Congrats to the newlyweds!

Sigh!

I'm thinking it should make a lovely mosaic.

WITHDRAWAL!

I've been in Eugene since Sunday evening and finished teaching Day #3 of my month long summer intensive at the U of O. I am loving every moment of working with amazing education grad students who are so motivated and idealistic and brilliant!

BUT....I miss my glass! As soon as I get back to pdx, I need to see what I can do to repair the broken "ping" dish (see the next post down). I will barely have enough time to repair that (I hope) and possibly get a couple other commissions ready for the kiln but I fear the time will escape me before the weekend comes to a close.

PING!

That's a sound a glass person never wants to hear.

I had a lovely platter that came out of the kiln this morning.

I brought upstairs and set it on the dining table, then welcomed my first student of the morning (I tutor kids.)

PING...my student looked at me and asked "what was that?"

"That" I told her "is the sound of my heart breaking!"

Then there were two more pings.......

No pictures.....it's too painful!

Goodbye Old Friend

Remodeling will begin soon. This shed has housed my two kilns for many years.
Soon it will go to a new home and be replaced by a real room attached to the house.
It will be slightly bigger and will have a concrete floor. I might even have running water so I can also use it as a wet room.    Good Bye Old Friend!

Bat Mitzvah Gift-A Commission!

Stage 1

Stage 3- final product

                         Lucky Bat Mitzvah Girl!

Sheet Metal and Glass

Today I learned how to cut sheet metal! The tool is a pair of scissors on steroids!

Sheet metal isn't compatible with glass in a kiln, but I can use glue!

I have an idea.....we'll see what happens! 

As always....stay tuned!

NEW FUSED GLASS TALLIT CLIPS!

                   MAGIC happens inside a kiln.....sometimes!

The aleph bet clips came out of the kiln just as expected.....silver on black! (even though the ink was white gold)

The silver pink dichroic glass started out smooth but developed a textured surface in the kiln.The silver pink shifted to light greens and lilac and soft pink! The white gold ink flashed a very subtle gold tone. I'm happy with both. 

Time to glue on the clips and attach some chains!

I am happy to custom design clips for you...just ask!
sparksofspirit@gmail.com

New Tallit Clips Going in the Kiln

I am doing a production run of glass blobs...future elements for some cabinet doors. Since I had room and because I needed to make two sets of clips as gifts.....I crafted these this morning.

What appears to be green is actually white gold ink. The Aleph and Bet are initials for the first recipent. The clear glass will cap a black base. The second set features a flower motif borrowed from the recipient's tallit. The flowers are drawn on pink/silver dichroic glass.

The finished clips will be posted tomorrow night. Stay tuned!

one more bridge

This was created using the same principles as yesterday's post....without the addition of colored glass.