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!