Glass, new and old work

 I am always keeping the kilns warm, but not always sharing about my adventures.

It's the height of gardening season in Wisconsin. My dog Sam finds a new place to dig a hole when it gets too warm or the bugs are bothering him. He then sinks down into the hole and patiently waits for me to be done with whatever chore has my attention.

My new work from behind the flame is different and yet the same. I have created a few new and smaller wreaths for sale at a local gallery's shop. I hope they sell; they are the perfect size to brighten a small portion of a wall.

This is an orange flowered wreath created for the gallery shop.

While in England last spring I saw a piece of metal work that I loved. The metal work used an open space for the stem of the flower. I have tried creating this work 5 times now and I have not been successful. I told myself that if the last attempt fails that I would give up the idea and move on.
It failed. I am moving on.

Both of these Coneflowers pictures are taken pre-fire and therefore pre-breakage.

My kiln is currently warm with some failed flamed hollow beads that I am fusing into a small round. I will then turn it into a dish or sun-catcher depending on how it turns out. I figure it is a great way to rework my failures into something functional and it's better than just allowing the failures to sit and mock me from the shelf;-)

 

Hollows ready to fuse.

I am also working on an idea for some flameworked balls on the end of a long mandrel. Title will be 'Balls in the Air'. A bit tongue in cheek, but I hope it turns out. I have been looking for an item that could be used to place the flameworked balls on that would have enough mass to support the balls on the end of a long rod and also be eye and garden friendly. I may have landed on an idea, but I need to create one to see if it will work. Stay tuned.

Here are three of the balls on long mandrels (steel rods).

Zinnias from my garden, I love these colors together and I want to replicate in some glass beads -

Another fused project that I have played with in the last few months is a fused glass obelisk. I'm still working on this idea. I believe that the obelisk will really stand out in the garden if I can find a small solar light to place inside. I did have a problem with the size I wanted and the actual size of my kiln. The size difference forced me to create 'stitched' seams on the sides that I 'stitched' together with wire.

Keeping the kilns warm. Enjoying each day.

~Julie

New Work - February 2020

I have a new earring design that I have been playing with. 

They are small and colorful, yet easy to wear. 

Right now they are my favorites. 

I have been working a lot behind the torch this month.

Here is a new flower compilation that I created.

It can hang on a wall and brighten a small space.

I can add leaves and bees to the composition.

I've also been working on a whimsical bird type animal. Playing with feathers and toes/talons.

I'm trying to determine how best I want to put this guy together. He is still a work in progress.

Keeping the kilns warm,

~ Julie 

acorns - color and shape

I've been working on acorns recently after finding one in the lawn under an oak tree.

I've been having fun with color, transparency, and shape.

Yesterday I continued these acorns and started to make them larger and more elaborate while not staying true to form, but loving the results.

~Julie

Flowers in January

I love glass.

I especially love the sun shining through glass. I love its luminescence.
Glass sun catchers are particularly wonderful when experiencing a Wisconsin winter.

Keeping the kiln warm.

~ Julie

Snowy Day with Flowers

Wisconsin is having a very snowy day today.

This morning I pulled a new sunflower suncatcher from the kiln. I love the bright colors.

 

I just need to get it cleaned up and wired for hanging.

~ Julie

Happy Glassing

October.

How did that happen?

I had the opportunity to work all morning on glass. It feels luxurious. I finished cleaning some cabs and completely loaded the large kiln with blanks for slumping. My husband took my camera when he went hunting today, so no pictures because I can't figure out how to get the pictures off this iPad and into a blog post.

Darn.

Cleaning the yard and garden this afternoon.

It is always good to have a day off in the middle of the week. Today has been sanity restoring.

~ Julz

Summer Solstice

My lilies are blooming.

 

My daughter graduated from high school.

My mom has been sick, hospitalized for a week, and is now in rehab.

Glass work has taken a back seat to the rest of life this month.

This is my latest -

It's a blue box with cover. I took a short cut and didn't kiln wash the mold. The kiln wash stuck to the glass and now there is more work because I need to clean the glass before I can decorate.

I'm thinking of a yellow flower for the top of the cover, but this may change.

Hope you have a great Solstice!

~ Julz

New Fuse just out of the kiln

My newest piece -

The colors are more subtle than I thought they would turn out. It has nice texture, but the squares that make it up aren't consistent. Something to strive for if I do this again. I used textured/grooved glass and sprayed it w/ hairspray and then put red frit in the grooves. Either the hair spray or my frit placement or both need work. :-)
Cooking for the 2nd Thanksgiving w/ my family tomorrow. Homemade rolls and stuffing - carb heaven. yum!
~ Julz