Anatomy of a Stained Glass Window....Chapter 1

So lately I've been working on  what I like to refer to as Flat Glass. Instead of hunching over the torch making mostly round three dimensional beads, I've been looking over my inventory of sheet glass, to make some small free-hanging glass windows. I thought it might be a good time to take some photographs and let you see how it comes together.The photos are not the best as the Fluorescent light is great for me to see, but not so much for taking pictures. A couple things happen first.....I get out my supply of stones, glass cabs, roundels, sun/moon faces, glass nuggets, and basically anything that can lay flat and be wrapped with copper foiling tape. Then it's off to the Drawing Table, where I take a good look at all my treasures and decide which one or combination of items will go into this design. For this window, I chose two Agates which had some beautiful designs within them. (You'll get to see better views with light coming through, later on in the project.)Sketching out a design also needs some thought as to what kind of glass you will use. I've chosen some streaky versions where more than one color and clear are used in one piece of glass, as well as some mottled Chicago Art glass in some beautiful tones of amber, and some clear and smokey Baroque glass. The Baroques have a wonderful wavy texture in them, and I enjoy using them frequently. So once the pattern is complete I need to make 3 copies with carbon paper. One is used as a master drawing with the glass choice written on each piece. Another is used to as the guide for placing the glass pieces,  and the third is used to actually cut the pattern pieces apart. Once cut, I attach the pattern piece to the glass with spray adhesive. Stay tuned, next up cutting and grinding. 

My Heart Belongs to........

Valentines Day is right around the corner, and to celebrate I made a few glass hearts as well as some Fine Silver heart charms. Clockwise to the right, an ivory and silver glass heart with a leaf spray, the silver glass has a metallic mirror finish. Center, a clear pink spiral stripe heart with wings and golden dots. Right, a different Silver Glass  enrobed in clear with center swirl.

 This red heart has silver glass scrollwork in creamy blues and greens.The Fine Silver charm has a raised smooth heart on a spiral background. And yet another kind of Silver glass, which has tones of red and blues with silver dots.

On the right is a clear glass heart with a silver glass twistie design. Another raised heart,on a swirled leafy background of Fine Silver. The last heart is a deep wine color with silver glass scrollwork in those creamy blues and greens.

Here are two Fine Silver hearts with a stamped design and my personal favorite, a silver glass heart, with fine silver mesh and wings. This is my favorite silver glass, it just behaves so well.

The last group has a clear heart with violet fire glass frit and silver leaf. The stamped heart silver charm also has 2 genuine ruby beads. The bottom heart in cobalt has silver leaf and glass shards with a green spiral Murrini. And the last heart has a base of clear with matte finish white glass shards and copper ruby glass frit. All the hearts and charms were made so you can add your own cord, chain or ribbon. They are all currently residing at Bassett Jewelers in Minocqua. Stop in and take a closer look . And by all means have a Happy Valentines Day!

Remember you can click on any photo for a larger image. 

Clean Studio cont......

Get a load of all that nice space for drawing up designs for flat glass work on my my antique drawing table.

And yes there is a Birch tree in my studio.This is actually the client friendly room where I can discuss possible commissions. 

 At this worktable, I work on flat glass....putting all the pieces together, using either copper foil or lead came. Right now there are a couple picture frames that I'm working on. If I like them , you'll probably see more later on.

And this is where the glass grinding takes place. All the pieces of the "puzzle" must have their edges fit together perfectly. A diamond wheel grinder helps makes that happen. Now .....to work!

Nothing Better than a Nice Clean Studio...

 Do you have the Moon and Stars and Trees  in your studio? I guess I'm lucky to have a little piece of each to surround and inspire me while I'm working. But the best thing right now is just having a clean place to work in and I'm glad to say that the annual studio cleaning is now officially over and new work has begun.

My glass rods are all sorted and back in their holders ready to be plucked out for a new series of beads.

I can now see the top of my bead table where all the constructing with finshed beads and silver parts takes place. (which would mean that before you couldn't) My torch and kiln area is ready to go with everything back in it's proper space.

This table gets a workout as many things happen here. Some days I'm cutting stained glass for windows, other days I'm working on Fine Silver projects. In the back I have a small torch for silver fusing, and in the foreground is the tumbler to put a shine on those silver projects. To the right is where freshly dipped mandrels dry before going over to the torching station. The next edition I'll show you the tree that holds up the ceiling in the middle of the room.

Beyond Books last meeting....

This photo is mainly for my mother since she is the one who taught me the joy of setting a pretty table. Our group read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, an excellent read if you are looking for something you can really curl up with. The discussion, and food that went along with the story flowed freely. Since the book was set in the south during the early sixties, fried chicken, sweet potato casserole, and chocolate pecan pie were on the menu. Needless to say I think a good time was had by all.

Rich Red and White....

I'm using this image for my Holiday package tabs. I love the rich red going on here with the bright white and Mickey is pretty cute too!

A Fun Day at the Annual Holiday Sale at the Umlauf Gallery

A good time was had by all on Saturday, as I'm sure you can tell by the photos. Rudolph was there to greet customers, there were lots of treats, and wine and hot apple cider. Faithful customer Amy Higgason stopped  by and had her photo taken with Rudolph, aka Hans Delius the resident woodworker.  His ice cream scoops are the best  and there are still a few left if you need one for christmas.

Rodd's used paint pallettes which are  really rectangles of glass seem like paintings all on their own. And have you ever seen so many varieties of the color green ? And that's not counting all the colors that can be mixed to provide just the right shade he might need for one of his paintings.

Hans wife Linda brought a couple friends in and I do believe they had quite the good time!

Rodd gets to hold the bowl for the drawing , but Rudolph gets to pick of course!

Looking over the many Ring Bowls and trying to decide just which one, can take awhile. Good thing there was wine to help make the decision!

Holiday Sale at the Umlauf Gallery....

This Saturday is the annual Holiday Sale at the Rodd Umlauf Gallery in Lake Tomahawk. The sale runs from 11:00 am to 5 pm. It's a great way for us artist buddies to get together and ring in the Christmas season, not to mention, offering our wares for sale. There will be refreshments, music, and conversation with artists. This season, gallery owner Rodd Umlauf will have paintings, cards, and maybe some talk on his new book which is finally at the publishers. Hans Delius has beautifully turned wooden bowls from woods I never even knew existed. He might even be persuaded to tell you what Christmas in Germany is like. And I'll be there with a few new things that might hopefully dazzle you. Like this pair of earrings in a glass called Cirrus. It has a milky sort of soft opalescent appearance. They are suspended in medium length Sterling wires with an olive band around the center. 

This double strand of olive Freshwater Pearls has a simple dangle of a Lamp Work silver plum disk bead with a Fine Silver center disk that has been patina'd to a light gold. The three ring bail is hand made as well from fused Fine Silver rings to match. The clasp is a gold-plated sterling toggle. There are also single drop pearls with wires to match the clasp for earrings.

There is a selection of wine stoppers, one of which you see here, in Lime green with creamy blue silvered glass shards, and a Murrini on each side. The black one has already sold at a previous show. (Thank you Renee').

Here is the perfect chance to support the community in which you live, buy local, and be proud to say "I support my local artists!"

Rhinelander Downtown Open House

Buyers browse  our festive table and Jackie stands at the ready to answer any and all questions. And that's me behind the lens. Thanks to all who stopped by and bought local!

Downtown Rhinelander Open House....

This coming Friday Nov. 19, is Downtown Rhinelander's Open House. Many businesses will have their doors open with special events, treats, and some with special Artists. I'll be at Frasier's Showplace Interiors along with my fellow artist Jackie Pavlow for an evening of fun, fabulous jewelry, and friendship. I will have my Lampwork Bead  and Fine Silver jewelry, and Jackie will have her famous bracelet cuffs with wool felting and sewn ribbon. The fun starts at 4:00 and goes till 7:00. We even have a little something for a drawing , but I'm not going to tell you , you'll just have to come in and see. The photos are of a few things that I will have there. A pair of Lampwork bead earrings with Sterling Silver triangle beads. 

And something new......wait for it....a fancy way to stir your drinks that no bar should be without, Swizzle Sticks!

A pendant with glass bead , silver stringer, and blue murrini, and Fine Silver charm on a rubber cord. Come see us for some Fun , Friendship, and oh YES Fabulous jewelry! To see more photos click on the Facebook link at the top right of the page.