Creating the cartoon/glass pattern

Gary Pearlman is a fabulous designer...he drew this set of three panels... 
In order to make copies on a large format machine, I had to trace the pattern with a sharpie....
THEN, I had to flip one of the patterns and redraw it on the back side so I can have a right door pattern.

Tedious work, but also exciting...I am inching closer to the fun work. 

Next step in the process: number each piece on a master cartoon was well as on the other copies.....after each piece is numbers, the paper pattern has to be cut out and glued onto the right color of glass.

Time invested: 

40 minutes numbering the master cartoon and 2 pattern sets for cutting

Why did I forget to number the master before photo copying? SHEEESH!

Stay tuned...more to come!

The beginning of a New Glass Journey

Green, green amber, striker orange and red
iridized glass

I've been involved in various volunteer efforts for Cedar Sinai Park for many years.....so many that I don't have an exact number. I remember being there with my mom to visit  patients and residents and often playing accordion and guitar for various programs there. I've been helping to lead services and since my retirement from the school district I have been volunteering as a writing teacher, service leader, hebrew tutor, and I also serve on the board of directors.

If you don't know about this amazing organization, you should. It is a model for how to provide services to those who need convalescent care as well as for the elders in our community who desire independence or semi independence in a stimulating environment that feels like HOME! 
Go to: cedarsinaipark.org to learn more.

Lots of construction has been happening on site as new buildings have been built and the old building is getting a remarkable facelift. The synagogue at Robison home has been gutted...and as I write this, drywalling is happening.  A brand new ark has been designed by Gary Pearlman, a most talented artist and interior designer. We recently worked together on a metal and glass Tree of Life for the synagogue lobby of Congregation Neveh Shalom....and NOW I am thrilled to be part of this new project. I'm going to build 6 fused panels for the ark doors. Each panel will be 15"x18". This is a new endeavor on a few fronts for me, so I want to chronicle this adventure here in my blog.

Step 1: Consult on the design with Gary and discuss the limitations and advantages of fusing vs. stained glass. 2hrs

Step 2: A field trip to Bullseye Glass. 1 hr

Step 3: A trip to a large format copy machine to create 2 full size cartoon patterns. 30 min

more tomorrow!

Total time to date : 3.5 hrs

New Shabbat Tray: Irid subtleties

This is my newest effort...."playing" with iridized glass. I have layered irid green on top of irid green but also played up some strips of clear on top of irid. The effects are nuanced and lovely. It is always a challenge to photograph the effects of iridized glass. I also fused this dish on top of some herringbone lava cloth so there is some additional  subtle texture to the plate. This is a commissioned wedding gift...Mazal Tov and blessings for many Shabbatot to come!

Collaboration with my Neighbor

My neighbor of 30+ years retired and now has returned to his passion of wood turning. He is turning a beautiful tray and asked that I make a grape themed disc for it.... Hey Jack, here it is!