tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21703863352569008042024-03-05T13:00:05.202-08:00Valerie Adams GlassArt glass that reflects you!Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-24616616956800404562010-07-09T16:17:00.000-07:002010-07-10T11:45:10.151-07:00Guilt is only wasted energy.My biggest concern when I started this blog was the sense of obligation I'd have to keep it current. I knew I'd feel guilty if I lapsed but the fact is I'd rather play with glass or dig in my garden or hang with my friends and family than sit at my computer (some of you are laughing because you know I actually do spent a lot of time at my computer).<br />
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But the "my blog" button on my tool bar glares at me every time I sit down to read emails or connect with folks via Facebook, so I've started to feel guilty. I no longer write "blog!" on my weekly calendar. Sigh. This was supposed to be fun! I mean, I <i>love</i> talking about glass! I continually bore my family with my ideas, experiments and glass-related activities.<br />
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So, excuses aside, I'm casting off any guilty feelings about my absence (life's too short for guilt; I'm declaring that right now), and attempting to bring you up to speed on where my glass exploration has been and is going.<br />
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Back in April I attended the Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas for the first time. I was only able to take one class but it was a great one, with Gail Stouffer of Wired Designs Studios in Texas. We worked with powders (my most recent obsession) and explored the crackle technique and powder wafers invented by Bob Leatherbarrow. Here are a couple pieces I've made:<br />
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The class was fun but the trade show was thrilling. Here in Santa Rosa we don't have a large glass community. I fly to Bullseye Glass in Portland, Oregon when I need a serious glass shopping fix, so imagine my delight wandering through the exhibition hall full of vendors from all over the nation, offering wholesale pricing on their goodies!<br />
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I bought more dichro than I need (but like shoes or jewelry, can a girl really have too much?), a few interesting texture molds, and an all-fiber kiln for quicker fusing of some of my work.<br />
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A good lesson in networking came when Gail insisted on introducing me to some key people at Bullseye, who are in the marketing and sales department (people I wouldn't likely have contact with as a consumer). Gail surprised me by insisting that I should be teaching fused glass in my area, and the team at Bullseye agreed.<br />
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In May, I accepted an invitation from Bullseye to attend a week-long Dealer's Forum, which essentially trains you how to teach. I'm still amazed at all that was packed into that week. Nathan Sandberg was our instructor; he's extremely talented and very generous with his methods. I've been cutting glass since before Nathan was born (gasp!) but came home using a new method.<br />
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Some of the things we covered:<br />
We did a Glass CSI exercise where there were dozens of samples of problematic fused pieces and we were given the firing schedule, lay-up, etc. and had to determine what went wrong. Truly invaluable and I was pleased that I knew more than I thought I did.<br />
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We dissected firing schedules, going over each segment so we would know exactly how and why to program our kiln for a specific project.<br />
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Next we experienced and made the projects that would be done in an Intro to Fusing and Slumping class. Of course, we fast-tracked it a little but doing the projects like a beginner helped prepare us to teach it ourselves.<br />
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We then made multiple teaching example pieces to use in our own classes. Examples illustrating volume control, intentional (and unintentional) bubbles, transparency and opalescence, and more. Here's a sample of how various accessory glasses (who knew it was called that? Not me!) behave when layered over white, black and clear:<br />
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After that, each of us gave a slide presentation of our body of work. We had three participants from Denmark, one from Alaska, two from Southern California, one from the bay area, and me. I'm continually amazed at how different everyone's approach is with the same glass!<br />
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Our next lesson was open kiln casting. I can already see that I'm going to have to rework my studio space to allow for some wet experimenting. We created a master and then a mold and chose either frit or billet to fill them. We even had the opportunity to preview some luscious new tints Bullseye just introduced. This photo was taken before any cold working was done but you'll get the idea. My pyramid is the pale yellow one:<br />
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Since those thick pieces take so long to fuse, we spent the next day touring Bullseye's gallery downtown and attending a marketing workshop (where I was reminded what a great tool a blog is). The highlight of the gallery tour was getting to view the basement, where past and future exhibit pieces are stored. I've posted many of the photos I took on my Facebook site but I'll put a favorite here:<br />
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Our next project was called Beyond 6mm. We made a half-inch thick piece and then spent several hours in the cold working shop. While we were able to use the wet belt sander and 24" lap wheel, I really appreciated Nathan showing us how to cold work like most people would: by hand. We used diamond hand pads and made a slurry of silicon carbide to get those half-inch edges nice and smooth. The other aspect of that project was working with Bullseye's line of pale tints. Here's a shot of those pieces:<br />
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From there we spent time with Bonnie Celeste, who's work with color reactions is so inspiring. I came home with plenty of new ideas and glass to do some tests of my own.<br />
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Nathan did a vitrograph demonstration and shared a new technique he's doing making thicker canes. I'll be getting my small kiln back onto its stand to make some for myself. We touched on kiln-forming with rod, which is just another fascinating technique to add to my must-do list.<br />
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One evening was spent at Lani McGregor's house (one of Bullseye's owners). Her husband Dan gave us an intimate tour of every room, where they take potential customers so they can see how you can live with glass in a home setting. It's one thing to drool over pieces in a gallery but knowing how to properly display and light them in your own setting is essential. That tour was one of the most memorable highlights.<br />
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Nathan wrapped up the week with a tour of the factory, followed by tips on structuring our classes and answered any questions we had. I'm thrilled to be supported by Bullseye in my efforts to bring new classes to my community. I'm researching locations now and collecting ideas about the classes I want to teach; stay tuned!<br />
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I took over 600 photos that week in Portland. See my Facebook page for a few albums.<br />
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In June I participated in Art at the Source, a juried two-weekend open studio event. I was hosted in a beautiful, light-filled Victorian home where I was able to spread out and display a large amount of inventory. Sales were much better than expected, despite a heat wave that sent many potential customers to the beach.<br />
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My family vacationed in Boston for a few days at the end of June and then traveled through Mystic, Connecticut for a night on our way to New York for the remainder of the trip. In Boston, we visited the Harvard Museum of Natural History where they were showcasing a vast collection of flame-worked glass flowers from the late 1800s. Even with my face pressed to the glass cabinets, I could hardly believe they were glass. Here's one:<br />
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In New York, I spent a day with my friend Nina Falk, who's art continues to be some of my favorite. We visited the Heller Gallery, which "has long been recognized for playing a seminal role in promoting contemporary sculpture that celebrates the use of glass as a fine art medium." Nina asked and we were granted a tour of their basement, which was every bit as wonderful as Bullseye's.<br />
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We wrapped up our trip with a day in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Even a full day isn't enough time to appreciate all that they have on display. I can sum up the tour by saying I was simply moved to tears by so much of what I saw. Truly overwhelming, humbling and invigorating. To see the pressure applied to a brushstroke painted in 2600 bc in a border design on a pottery urn just took my breath away. Living my life celebrating and exploring creative outlets is truly what feeds my soul. To see––in person––art that was created so long ago by someone who may have felt the same way, was so touching and something I'll never forget.<br />
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On a touristy note, my older son saw one of his favorite comedian/actors in Times Square, and this guy stopped me on the street, begging for a photo:<br />
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So now I'm home and just made a flight reservation to attend my second Professional Artist in Residency program at the Pilchuck Glass School at the end of August. I spent a week there last summer doing exercises to further the development of my art, participating in feedback discussions with 15 artists who are glass celebrities (in my opinion) and just rejoicing in one of the most spiritual, tucked-away art communities I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.<br />
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October brings ARTrails, another two weekend open studio show, in which I open my studio to the public. Lots to do and lots to make; I've got to get off the computer and out to the studio!<br />
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Here's hoping your summer is spent doing everything you love, with people you love being with.Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-64389991320522215992010-05-04T15:52:00.000-07:002010-05-04T16:43:08.085-07:00Tackling my kiln repairWell one thing's for sure; if this was my only kiln, it would've been fixed a long time ago! As it is, this is my medium kiln so I've been working with my small and larger kilns while procrastinating about the repair.<br />
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A few weeks ago I carefully pushed all the elements back in place. Surprisingly, they fit back into the channels fairly easily. I still have to cement them in with some dabs of Pyrolite caulk but that's an easy job. I have a new lid for this kiln (a Paragon Fusion 10) but since none of the holes are drilled in the stainless housing and it would need to be wired to the elements and controller, I decided to see if the old top was serviceable for awhile.<br />
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I replaced the relay (the cause of all my angst!) and fired it up for a test run. Both side and top elements heated up, which is a good sign that there's no damage to them. So that just left the floor to deal with.<br />
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Mike and Eric up at Creative Ceramics and Glass (and Blue Fire Molds) in Larkfield recommended, rather than trying to fit new kiln brick into the irregular crater I had, it would be wiser to dig out the existing bricks in a squared-off shape, which made sense.<br />
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With my large kiln slumping a batch of trays and nothing for the baby kiln to fire, I decided to see how hard it would be to clean out that dang crater. (Did I mention I bought a new kiln at the Las Vegas Glass Expo last month? Since it arrived in a box that had obviously been dropped, I can't play with it either. The replacement is traveling from Florida now.)<br />
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I gathered a few tools and my camera and got busy. Here's how it went:<br />
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I marked my cut lines, attempting to create an easy-to-fill-in hole.<br />
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Chipping out the old brick was easier than I thought. I used my girlie hammer and putty knife for most of the outline and then picked away a bit with the screwdriver. By sliding the putty knife down into the groove I'd created and then using the screwdriver, I was able to protect the edges of the brick I didn't want to damage.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the hole isn't perfect, I felt this was a good time to begin shaping my new fire bricks. This was the fun part! I felt like a stone mason, chipping, carving and sanding! Here's the first piece of brick, ready to place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxlnE6Yyj6s2k0gqCsXtAONX7lnl4FTjvdingdij9DojBWYJ22DEVkdo7jR2NJK6Ja5VNZ4WUkVFYJ9L1v6ZHNjTAAnM4GrF5WZ2rcvSyfdssKNLZ55xtCq8GMcTiLcaDhsh2pfE2ycc/s1600/second_brick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxlnE6Yyj6s2k0gqCsXtAONX7lnl4FTjvdingdij9DojBWYJ22DEVkdo7jR2NJK6Ja5VNZ4WUkVFYJ9L1v6ZHNjTAAnM4GrF5WZ2rcvSyfdssKNLZ55xtCq8GMcTiLcaDhsh2pfE2ycc/s320/second_brick.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the second one, fitting snugly. I had to do a little grinding in the hole to refine the shape but I expected that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DZvj_YI5tywW2ThH4hLUemT6FYpxnKIKq-UxcwJSKV6uKONxoEJlCa8DwdGj-GPSGKNkzeIA-3t_JTSq6kwvABLEOeM0ZursJxY7JIEZlWZN86QPMw7M7N1mH8DbUOgK7dK2D4wQRp0/s1600/floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DZvj_YI5tywW2ThH4hLUemT6FYpxnKIKq-UxcwJSKV6uKONxoEJlCa8DwdGj-GPSGKNkzeIA-3t_JTSq6kwvABLEOeM0ZursJxY7JIEZlWZN86QPMw7M7N1mH8DbUOgK7dK2D4wQRp0/s320/floor.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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So with all three floor bricks in place, it was time to tackle the perpendicular thin bricks that support the elements. You can see a little chipped off area on the existing brick in the photo above but since I wanted to leave that full brick intact, I chose to ignore it, knowing that cement would fill it in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_nHz_9yaafF74PKQitfQ6IB72h5sHVz2u5E9wjy5HEdSRJcCAm4xXBvdzrRlWoYVzRbEs3cQi74b_vRRyx86MDaBcDBgf8kylGcfyU0sqj9hLL15StPuR0mz5BLzb7Mvb1d193FTTYI/s1600/elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_nHz_9yaafF74PKQitfQ6IB72h5sHVz2u5E9wjy5HEdSRJcCAm4xXBvdzrRlWoYVzRbEs3cQi74b_vRRyx86MDaBcDBgf8kylGcfyU0sqj9hLL15StPuR0mz5BLzb7Mvb1d193FTTYI/s320/elements.jpg" /></a></div><br />
These little bricks in the side were the biggest challenge. I didn't photograph them before placing but they're actually L-shaped to make a channel for the elements. I broke several while trying to carve out that 1/2" channel, which is why you see the tiny square in the left area. The brick to the far right is an original brick which I wanted to retain so I carved a little patch piece to help support it.<br />
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This is the messiest looking section of my repair but I know it'll be sturdy and functional.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX2Qt4FsB2GyX4BPbBaSsfIiU_MJIMDS-I0TxtvfwjQP94Gc2AleoMuzvbBGPcjv5rO168MP05G4fb0Qkzfz6neRErAZGwMqJLadbXyX4_8cyM3NNhZGhT1J8zKKHTAdObPY8cQSvFas/s1600/cement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX2Qt4FsB2GyX4BPbBaSsfIiU_MJIMDS-I0TxtvfwjQP94Gc2AleoMuzvbBGPcjv5rO168MP05G4fb0Qkzfz6neRErAZGwMqJLadbXyX4_8cyM3NNhZGhT1J8zKKHTAdObPY8cQSvFas/s320/cement.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This cement looks sloppy right now but as soon as it's dry I can sand off the excess, which should leave the floor looking pretty good. Even if I didn't sand it, it would be ok since it's under the kiln shelf but if you know me, you know I'll want it to look as perfect as possible. I debated grouting the side bricks but since the original ones aren't, I'm going to skip it. They're cemented in place against the side walls so unless they move, I think I'm done with the floor.<br />
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I'm pretty pleased with how far this kiln has come and I definitely gained a lot of confidence in my repair abilities!Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-6326875018853688372010-03-05T14:17:00.000-08:002010-03-06T08:06:10.981-08:00Who needs kiln maintenance?One of the best things about kilns is how maintenance-free they are. A quick vacuuming now and then to remove fiber powder or the odd piece of frit that slips away is really about all they need.<br />
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Oh yeah, and then there are the relays that control the click of the on-off-on-off electrical flow that's necessary to heat up and maintain the various temperatures we ask it to hold.<br />
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Eventually, relays fail. It's a known fact and an acceptable risk. Relays are easily replaceable, kinda' like a big fuse; I've done it myself when my last one died.<br />
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I'd heard that relays typically die in the "open"--or off--position, so you may find your kiln has shut off early. Now and then they'll die in the "closed"--on--position, which is what has happened to me both times I've experienced it. [Edit: a reader informed me after I posted this that I was misinformed; relays most often fail in the closed (on) position. Even more reason for me to adopt a replace-before-they-fail policy, in my opinion!]<br />
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The first time was no big deal. I programmed my kiln, left the studio and returned an hour later to find the controller displaying a temperature of over 1800°. Turning off the kiln didn't help (since the relay was stuck in the on position) so I had to unplug it from the wall. It wasn't a big deal, other than my glass art having giant bubbles blown through it. I purchased a new relay, read the instructions that came with my kiln, and replaced it. Plugged the kiln back in and everything was good to go.<br />
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Now, this is where I should've learned an important lesson. Relays aren't expensive; why wouldn't I simply put my kilns on a maintenance schedule and replace the relays annually or so, just in case? I'm still shaking my head over that one.<br />
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So the other day, I'm running both kilns nearly full time (because this kind of thing only happens when you have a show deadline) and since it's been about seven hours since I've been out to the studio, I decide to check that everything's powered down.<br />
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David walked out with me and said he smelled something burning but I'm familiar with the scent of burning Thinfire so I told him not to worry. That was until I saw the lid to my kiln warped with heat and showing a bright orange glow around the entire perimeter. The display was reading 2350° which is hundreds of degrees hotter than my kiln's 1700° rating. I felt quite calm, knowing what had happened, so I pulled the plug and let the kiln cool, sure in the morning I'd just replace the relay and get back to work.<br />
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Of course, the difference this time (and another good lesson to be learned) is that I don't know at what point in my firing the relay stuck on. It may have been at that temperature for almost seven hours...<br />
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Here's what it looked like when I opened it in the morning:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9EuqA-zCX7mUCsas45VcOST4LOTi65J6PldU-w8buo-0uQq-t67UpY-Z9Y3OmWIpmApYtDwhE4AXBLFP1pBrztBzmisfP9HKVZfZDY0r1mWg4G5BUiNl33Fl6x0RPUIkKDmWLJ976Hg/s1600-h/elements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9EuqA-zCX7mUCsas45VcOST4LOTi65J6PldU-w8buo-0uQq-t67UpY-Z9Y3OmWIpmApYtDwhE4AXBLFP1pBrztBzmisfP9HKVZfZDY0r1mWg4G5BUiNl33Fl6x0RPUIkKDmWLJ976Hg/s320/elements.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Those wires hanging down are the lid heating elements; that's not a good sign. The swirly muck on the shelf (which is ruined now) is my glass art. Looks like glass spin art or something.<br />
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Here's another view, looking down into the body:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2VjxqMV8gFfFJEyWDP3QoFMK8bU8DBDvfHp6U2d63vq2_RcvBkymIfH-5iHbll3VVC83Rx7IYVkMj5N4R1LsLv59364drdyMx2H_H7HzEBPiTWavTGG2ENxK4MinvCy6CR2RiZu0OZA/s1600-h/shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2VjxqMV8gFfFJEyWDP3QoFMK8bU8DBDvfHp6U2d63vq2_RcvBkymIfH-5iHbll3VVC83Rx7IYVkMj5N4R1LsLv59364drdyMx2H_H7HzEBPiTWavTGG2ENxK4MinvCy6CR2RiZu0OZA/s320/shelf.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Now you can see why two things are important; 1) level your kiln and 2) kiln-wash the bottom of your kiln in case glass ever runs off the shelf for some crazy reason.<br />
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This didn't seem that bad to me until I removed the shelf and realized that what I actually had was a giant crater where glass had pooled and boiled to the point where it completely eroded the firebrick:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_YFkGDp_7lO14WAYUwZcl0IIvxfAa9GCtZzL1GtOxLdiftncX3O72zYjEqLSlgsXp1_944-UIUfuwKFs9BtSC0PuiGtdGTua87hN29I5ABvpZ47n6NldyFxk1WWobLpgR6S6mgUoME/s1600-h/hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB_YFkGDp_7lO14WAYUwZcl0IIvxfAa9GCtZzL1GtOxLdiftncX3O72zYjEqLSlgsXp1_944-UIUfuwKFs9BtSC0PuiGtdGTua87hN29I5ABvpZ47n6NldyFxk1WWobLpgR6S6mgUoME/s320/hole.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That photo above is deceptive. It's about 2" deep and runs very close to the heating elements in the side of the kiln.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So after taking stock and realizing my only choices were to buy a new kiln or try to repair this one, I contacted Paragon and sent them the photos. It's going to be time consuming and still cost quite a bit but I'm feeling somewhat more confident today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what I have to do; I'm so incredibly lucky that I already own a new lid with elements for this kiln. I had contacted Paragon a few years ago when I was unhappy that my elements were sagging a bit. They offered to ship me a new lid (with the elements encased in channels now) for the price of shipping. So I've saved about $300 there. I have to drill holes in the stainless steel lid to fit it to my kiln but I'll leave that to David. I've got to disconnect the control box and ship it to Paragon where it'll be retrofitted with two relays instead of one (this is something Paragon had offered on these kilns). I could just replace the single relay it has now and see if I'm ok but since I'm not using the kiln anyway it seems wiser to let Paragon do their thing. I have to get rid of all the melted glass because it would continue to heat and contract every time I use the kiln if I left it. So that's what I did today. I put on my safety equipment, grabbed a couple tools and excavated the floor:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL63C7Q2eHopp9hAW6rB95e2u8fXHQZVs0LZKBkCXnJGn4aTVpis6W69L8kODYcEZRZ-CWCCHTa2R5kwnS0GVXtLXp3LY5bZNg_9wUg8VfpI3fhyphenhyphen4Bhhi-gt5GlfNY7Kj7KZwadxj8wYg/s1600-h/crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL63C7Q2eHopp9hAW6rB95e2u8fXHQZVs0LZKBkCXnJGn4aTVpis6W69L8kODYcEZRZ-CWCCHTa2R5kwnS0GVXtLXp3LY5bZNg_9wUg8VfpI3fhyphenhyphen4Bhhi-gt5GlfNY7Kj7KZwadxj8wYg/s320/crater.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The crater that's left is about 3" deep. I'm concerned about the elements being exposed. The next job will be to either flip the floor of the kiln (still waiting to hear from Paragon about how that's done) or carve out cleaner rectangle-shaped holes so I can cement in new fire bricks. Here's the garbage I pulled out of the hole:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlLUD8IMT1jHxXWcnQU2onRgcypWJr23o1pDZV-Vy6vtuOd9OQjJxjI9jzUsorgdB51_-V2ljfZOoc9M6IV6ODlEbAFWuDi22BTsXppD2qrFmAx-ujnWyfh0Ur4UyreEM6jYsmXiY5FM/s1600-h/junk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlLUD8IMT1jHxXWcnQU2onRgcypWJr23o1pDZV-Vy6vtuOd9OQjJxjI9jzUsorgdB51_-V2ljfZOoc9M6IV6ODlEbAFWuDi22BTsXppD2qrFmAx-ujnWyfh0Ur4UyreEM6jYsmXiY5FM/s320/junk.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's going to be a lot of work but so far, so good. I'll be stocking up on relays and hopefully will never deal with another melt down! While this looks awful, the fortunate thing is that my kilns are all safely installed with plenty of space around them. They sit on metal kiln bases on cement cinder blocks on a cement floor. Stay tuned; I'll post photos as I continue attempting to rescue my little workhorse!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-82431633745416527032010-01-13T12:30:00.001-08:002010-01-13T13:09:42.362-08:00DeclutteringWith the holidays over and everyone back to work and school, I'm in a simplyfing mode; emptied out my makeup drawer and pared it down to the stuff I actually use. I'm eyeing my closet and remember reading that most people wear 20 percent of their clothing 80 percent of the time, so that's my next pruning project.<br />
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I probably get into this frame of mind every year but it's more noticeable to me as I look at a couple new sets of trays right out of the kiln. I often like to cut-once-and-make-two when I work, to maximize my glass usage as well as create pieces that complement each other. I had some patterned glass in my scrap pile and let them dictate these new designs.<br />
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It was only after firing the first two that I noticed I hadn't used any dichroic bits or frit or stringer. Strange for me, since I always tend to accessorize a piece just a little before closing the kiln. In fact, I often have to remove a few bits before firing, since I love adding details.<br />
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These pieces seem simpler, cleaner, dare I say, decluttered? Obviously the patterned glass adds detail, as well as the carving but they are much more restrained than what I usually make. Maybe my vacation from the studio uncluttered my mind a little, too!<br />
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Another interesting thing about these pieces (they measure 11" square and 12" round, by the way. I seldom photograph pieces before slumping but wanted to show how similar they are while flat.) is the amount of tiny bubbles.<br />
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For the green square and coral round, I used my standard fusing schedule. These pieces were both arranged on the kiln shelf and then capped with clear. Notice how many bubbles they have, which isn't always a bad thing, especially the way they've formed around the carving:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtxAGAKh0hyphenhyphenfcU5tBbM7-l76WCNvZyIBpche7aoWWSimQld4bAFre3j6PX2q7puPF1ZkVGqO_tu3gmhyphenhyphenQc5aRxEhyphenhyphenurlYrYVMEmm3kOZgp0a98zb8Pe2Qw67M2xrPMSUYprPyG3eBWx4/s1600-h/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtxAGAKh0hyphenhyphenfcU5tBbM7-l76WCNvZyIBpche7aoWWSimQld4bAFre3j6PX2q7puPF1ZkVGqO_tu3gmhyphenhyphenQc5aRxEhyphenhyphenurlYrYVMEmm3kOZgp0a98zb8Pe2Qw67M2xrPMSUYprPyG3eBWx4/s320/green.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XT_GVZaCqka8myb-Ti3euHHiEIXE1Hb2c_r4o93R4jHiZ7cddQa0KDwoAIQrA7stLWjzh8lLwIGjap1oLFxsD8-kK0qm4GfvDUY6077cRXj-kAwUPxwDIW8iUIioAWYh4pckaHnfW3U/s1600-h/coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XT_GVZaCqka8myb-Ti3euHHiEIXE1Hb2c_r4o93R4jHiZ7cddQa0KDwoAIQrA7stLWjzh8lLwIGjap1oLFxsD8-kK0qm4GfvDUY6077cRXj-kAwUPxwDIW8iUIioAWYh4pckaHnfW3U/s320/coral.jpg" /></a><br />
</div> For the next two, I incorporated a bubble squeeze of 50° per hour from 1150-1250°. I don't always use a bubble squeeze, mostly because I'm so impatient but also because I didn't really think I'd noticed much of a difference in the glass. But these two are much less bubble-cluttered:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX8NsuU9eIrl0eYkZl2teGua0jrEEgvINjUN6DwN51v0QpxU74kpvqxaAhDlLt_eE6DvrjvIWGFYyKghuX8gR9ZShloyQ7mczlp81E8do1qvf0o2fYpTBB7HbH96Zee64mC-8E8p6PRU/s1600-h/pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX8NsuU9eIrl0eYkZl2teGua0jrEEgvINjUN6DwN51v0QpxU74kpvqxaAhDlLt_eE6DvrjvIWGFYyKghuX8gR9ZShloyQ7mczlp81E8do1qvf0o2fYpTBB7HbH96Zee64mC-8E8p6PRU/s320/pink.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDA3WaHJdXO7l8Rtso17kw3SZxY2qo-e9S-lnEBOLGhyAyMIs1wuEqF7NxUz9aCljypC1-x2bPLq-dk7rS3pqEseKUsL7XjNtZdGDD0RW5-uqqNqROTjaUlKQkcrFgupBhqGAnGymC4o/s1600-h/purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDA3WaHJdXO7l8Rtso17kw3SZxY2qo-e9S-lnEBOLGhyAyMIs1wuEqF7NxUz9aCljypC1-x2bPLq-dk7rS3pqEseKUsL7XjNtZdGDD0RW5-uqqNqROTjaUlKQkcrFgupBhqGAnGymC4o/s320/purple.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, better with lots of tiny bubbles or not? I'm still deciding but I'm finally convinced at what a difference moving slowly through that temperature range makes. I'll definitely move this schedule to the front of my kiln notes book.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of notes; I spent some time over the holidays with my glass sketches, notes and clippings. I have several Moleskin books full of ideas, as well as notepads, folders and tear-outs from magazines, catalogs, etc. As I was flipping through everything trying to decide which ideas deserved testing, it occurred to me that a better filing system would make my life a lot easier as well as give me better, more useful access to my notes.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think a big index card box might be in my future. That way, I could record descriptions and concept sketches and then divide and file them by type or category. I could reorganize them easily and move more promising ideas to the front. I could take a card or cards out to the studio for reference. I love this idea! I can still use my Moleskins when I'm out and about (they're my favorite low-tech organizers) and when I decide an idea is worthy enough, I'll transfer it to an index card.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I might just get my desk decluttered yet!<br />
</div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-56929047644617450652009-12-09T12:44:00.000-08:002009-12-09T12:44:50.110-08:00Looking forward to 2010Whew! My last show of the year was Saturday and it was such a nice end to the season. Due to slower sales at last year's San Francisco holiday shows, I decided to opt out this year (I've participated six years in a row) and concentrate on smaller venues closer to home.<br />
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For sales in this wonky economy I've worked to develop some lower price-point items especially for gifts. With the exception of two shows that were excruciatingly slow, I'm encouraged and excited that sales were strong. I said I'd never make coaster sets but hey, selling dozens of sets at $35 each is the equivalent to selling a few larger pieces, right?<br />
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While shows are always a lot of hard work, I get so much out of engaging with my customers. Talking with them about their likes, dislikes, needs and wants is so incredibly energizing. It's always hard not to want to run back to the studio in the middle of a show and get to work! A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share their opinions with me, purchase my work, and inspire me to stretch my creativity.<br />
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I keep my notebook handy and jot down comments and new ideas and sketches when time permits. I keep track of color schemes that sell best (and which don't)—often different from what I'd assumed would be popular (the reason I sometimes force myself to work outside my preferred color range). Contact with the public is vital to my art; seeing my work through my customers' fresh vision helps define my next approach.<br />
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I had almost decided to discontinue jewelry in 2010 but it's so fun to watch as shoppers choose that perfect piece, and my jewelry continues to sell well. I always offer a "buy five get one free" sale for pendants which is apparently hard to resist. I've sold hundreds of pendants over the years and love hearing from repeat buyers that they get compliments every time they wear them. Hmmm, maybe jewelry will continue to be part of my inventory.<br />
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So for the rest of December, I've given myself the gift of time. I'm giving myself a few weeks to review my notes, refine and research the best ideas and do a few experiments. I need to finalize my indoor photography set up and take some new photos, since I usually rely on the sun for lighting. I've got a crate of "curious glass" (basically one-of-a-kind colors or swirled combinations) and intend to challenge myself with some different color palettes. I've got sheets of gold foil and fine silver so maybe I'll be tempted do make a little more jewelry. I'm still playing with the concept of thicker pieces which I tiptoed around during my residency at Pilchuck...<br />
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Our Christmas tree is already up (when I'm crazy-busy with shows it's usually much later) and the mantles are decorated. I'm going to collect the big glass vases my stringer tubes are stored in and bring them in for decorating (the vases, not the stringer!) I'm going to relax a bit, play a bit, bake a bit, be thankful and treasure these moments with my family.<br />
<br />
But when I turn the calendar to January, it's time to get back to work (and the treadmill)! I wish you and yours a rejuvenating holiday season!Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-10859041526096354852009-11-03T16:08:00.000-08:002009-11-03T16:31:52.173-08:00Blog, Facebook and Website, oh my!I'm still new enough at promotion-through-the-internet to be feeling a bit overwhelmed with exactly what I should be doing! <div><br /></div><div>I've had a website for several years; that makes sense to me. I need a place to showcase my work and point galleries to when they're wanting to see a current collection of my inventory. I've recently streamlined my site a bit by putting up a more concise group of photos in the hope that I'll be able to update more frequently.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, I was introduced to blogging and told that since it's so quick and easy, it's the perfect way to let customers know what's newsworthy or what's inspiring me today (notice I said "today"; if you know me, you know how quickly I jump from one concept to another). Each week, I've got a notation on my desk calendar that says, "BLOG!" along with my list of potential subjects. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago I stumbled across a Facebook business page that I apparently created with the intention of interacting with my peers, customers and other interested folks. Imagine my embarrassment when I saw that I had a small following of "fans" but no content on my page! So now I've added that to my growing "to do" list. Facebook is sort of like instant promo; I can zip in from the studio and in just a few seconds knock out a post and upload a photo of a piece still warm from the kiln! I was honored recently to see that Lani MacGregor, the owner of Bullseye Glass (where I buy my sheet glass and supplies) likes one of my photos!</div><div>I've added my Facebook link to the list on the right.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess as an artist who primarily works alone with my ipod and five cats, these are the kinds of strokes that are hard to resist. These days, you can bet that if I'm not in the studio coaxing glass to be my friend, I'll probably be playing show and tell and trying not to ignore any of my internet obligations!</div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-80791763207476722012009-10-22T09:15:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:35:22.853-07:00I survived ARTrails!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In fact, I'd say I rocked it! Being a new artist in the catalog this year, I figured I'd get a decent share of interested visitors. I didn't expect sales to be so great in this economy. I had a steady stream of cars (with only a handful of drive-bys; what's up with that?) and customers were genuinely engaged and so complimentary.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the aspects of ARTrails is that it's an educational venue. So often at shows I find myself explaining over and over how I create my art. Many people assume I'm painting on clear glass. The concept of stringers and frit and inclusions are foreign to most, so seeing the step-by-step process is the key to understanding.</div><div><br /></div><div>The beauty of setting up at home, aside from the obvious convenience, is that I had enough room for my sales display and everyone got to see my tools, various forms of glass and other materials I use, the kilns and even the 30 new solar panels we've installed to run them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before putting everything away, I took some photos of my step-by-step examples. I think I'll create a photo collage or small album to take with me to future shows. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd like to extend a very big thank you to everyone who came out and welcomed me to the program!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-33940706475350405652009-10-22T09:14:00.000-07:002009-10-22T13:16:46.993-07:00Step-by-Step<div style="text-align: left; ">During ARTrails I had the luxury of enough space to have these pieces spread out on my work table for visitors to see the process.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">I made little signs for each step;</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 1</div><div style="text-align: center;">After drawing my design to scale, I choose colors from my sample tiles:</div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWPKQVQ50N52X_CtydjuLUMeYpKbG3jjLc7_ivSRhcwmYQfwSiVcZN_JSE5lKhIcEeMmee_po7U0LXjRlMYYnnN7AO2WQj9yIXMLfjzyVVTwOwL9W8bGaTDRHBDprS2KZ2zfwHO59850/s1600-h/step_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWPKQVQ50N52X_CtydjuLUMeYpKbG3jjLc7_ivSRhcwmYQfwSiVcZN_JSE5lKhIcEeMmee_po7U0LXjRlMYYnnN7AO2WQj9yIXMLfjzyVVTwOwL9W8bGaTDRHBDprS2KZ2zfwHO59850/s200/step_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395520383207890786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 2</div><div style="text-align: center;">All glass is cut, using my drawing as a pattern:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uON74c9MAkQ_zwj34uGeF5ZigXZHaARgmK5FLA8gc2S9djx2qu8pmPW0oc8FB-OsaRHwu2qZqIbmjqOS3zm6ldCrQzebSDLQHt9HYlya6oFUKQBTfCgv2IE2ciWyu9EYovK9HNet2TI/s200/step_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395460220733861330" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 3</div><div style="text-align: center;">After careful cleaning, I assemble the glass and place on a kiln shelf </div><div style="text-align: center;">(people were amazed that nothing is glued!):</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhS5pDW7_Y5Dh6xkXaJdCRYCm0CvusPHjIwsnR1WfhDnexG6HAqBqJ6K6sY7KNT7FLi1KmZeWP6nKIpM1PUzsBxOkMWp9frb-GG11Zq_mPN7aB9jnrgI8ou6jhC187RGWAeCeSn3ScgnA/s200/step_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395460225940918322" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 4</div><div style="text-align: center;">The fully-fused tray, ready to be slumped:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2uCL_P12vyVtsmjlV_3QJltUvGWvOfgqI3_eGbQIwu7MGFKBnXt4Az9OVtCrQcttP8lNQCXIufn1aSKxdM5QFYSAeLY2y6PnRLVARLQpf3AHSMeRT3IfCoWkfFRuY5Bk_wcH6gPGLCQ/s200/step_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395460235204147634" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 5</div><div style="text-align: center;">The flat tray, balanced on a ceramic mold (this is a dish from the kitchen store):</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtvkM7yD1_5rxei0YeCJtcyZ7xixtL_VP2dN224FRTV59aVuwyhxCFzyQqIG80OjhnT-UpgK1XRlHeZIRDTQzS_dIyyjNrYeKfEphFdS62Qv4DTjECPl63p81EVoX74WlLyJqFEUNlwg/s200/step_5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395460243383069362" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">STEP 6</div><div style="text-align: center;">The slumped dish, still in the mold to show how it fits after a second firing:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GrdxLTAe2L_fBHcPc__PQzRsiECMSiKUtmxCpQuBArI6qLI1vPgNciD84PGGirOxoxz190LkTDWdT3_jVvOfqjvuFvAZNGGypgvfX3Xx88rNfGQgNwMsvaXdVsnBTK-mh9dJgr17HY0/s200/step_6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395460791076404082" />Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-24962875425832038932009-08-07T11:00:00.000-07:002009-08-09T15:13:16.535-07:00Scraps happen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs49TvhdVsHXmaTF6RSs3wqOFkMzCfqSAd56RhKYmmv26nQbcvUnCUH05QWEhLPMDRumToV-o0ArSKg3mm98o-tGErMAlnu5jdrPpJni1m46DEhcyna4BfCDAz7z0PcFfHZLm-7yOOtY/s1600-h/spectrum.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 86px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs49TvhdVsHXmaTF6RSs3wqOFkMzCfqSAd56RhKYmmv26nQbcvUnCUH05QWEhLPMDRumToV-o0ArSKg3mm98o-tGErMAlnu5jdrPpJni1m46DEhcyna4BfCDAz7z0PcFfHZLm-7yOOtY/s200/spectrum.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367288225041125378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9Bk2HIVTEg1_CS5iD5kDH7ztKb3PL13KSSreGNbKAy_xq7K7KkR9HRBSWHFvPHYTlmHiBKRy29hcSZC9-yDN3knk-OkzvTMENgNaF6hFShGHn6CaZ1jU3iC18MW2HoHbWVlnYTAkEFw/s1600-h/petal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9Bk2HIVTEg1_CS5iD5kDH7ztKb3PL13KSSreGNbKAy_xq7K7KkR9HRBSWHFvPHYTlmHiBKRy29hcSZC9-yDN3knk-OkzvTMENgNaF6hFShGHn6CaZ1jU3iC18MW2HoHbWVlnYTAkEFw/s200/petal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367288223946272578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKTHAtUQrgz112O-rAX24ZtYlBerAt_WU_lRKv-kidmJwBSeYQngdzm0cBN6FZoBuKYi3ZDaynWIBYqMp9yLc0rK_gAK9u7pKU9WlBPnzkWxRkJQ119ul1XCp0eEAHIHK70etqsfhwFI/s1600-h/stream.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 64px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKTHAtUQrgz112O-rAX24ZtYlBerAt_WU_lRKv-kidmJwBSeYQngdzm0cBN6FZoBuKYi3ZDaynWIBYqMp9yLc0rK_gAK9u7pKU9WlBPnzkWxRkJQ119ul1XCp0eEAHIHK70etqsfhwFI/s200/stream.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367288215006551570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7a_pp1A1AQoTnjmG2JYl1H8jozYwzL8EC9c7V38IyDkQHNM5XALan6i2F0R_41Oduyxd3W2RZsbcdH7Rj3XLh8qx0CjMkmC4vrweIjvQKtpa4GzN-eS1BhBK6oRZ1Irrgpg6QkbhYb8/s1600-h/mod.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7a_pp1A1AQoTnjmG2JYl1H8jozYwzL8EC9c7V38IyDkQHNM5XALan6i2F0R_41Oduyxd3W2RZsbcdH7Rj3XLh8qx0CjMkmC4vrweIjvQKtpa4GzN-eS1BhBK6oRZ1Irrgpg6QkbhYb8/s200/mod.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367288210659730994" /></a><br />As anyone who works with glass knows, the materials are expensive so almost nothing is discarded. In my studio, I've got plenty of glass storage for full sheets (which are simply Bullseye crates on their sides, screwed together), and my husband has built me racks for half sheets and roughly 10x10s, sorted by color. From there, I progress to plastic shoe box-type bins for smaller but still useable scraps. Once the bits are too small to bother with, I donate them to a fusing studio for students to use in jewelry or other projects.<div><br /></div><div><div>While there's nothing like pulling a new full sheet of glass from the racks, there are times when the scraps begin to overtake their storage bins. That's the sign that I need to get even more creative and find a solution to regain some control over the growing piles. </div><div><br /></div><div>While pot melts are a popular way to use scraps, I'm just not that enthralled with them. Random swirls or blobs of color (often muddied up due to poor color choices or chemical reactions) just don't inspire me. Although I have to say, having recently worked with Steve Immerman at Pilchuck and revisiting his website, I'm probably just completely intimidated by his awe-inspiring pot melt and strip construction pieces. If you haven't seen his work, you've got to check out his Clearwater Glass site (http://www.clearwaterglass.com/).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd much prefer to incorporate what I've always called Intentional Design. At this point in my glass work, I like and need for my designs to make some kind of sense to me. I'm just not a "let the pieces fall where they may" type of artist.</div><div><br /></div><div>My garden stakes were born from the scrap bins. Obviously working small is an ideal way to use lots of little bits but now and then I'll pull a bin or two out and just push pieces around until something inspires me. Like I said before, there's nothing like pulling out a full sheet of glass—it feels like a bright new canvas—but it's also educational for me to challenge myself with the opportunity that a pile of disparate scraps present.</div><div><br /></div><div>PS: If you haven't been to my website lately, its <i>finally</i> been updated!</div></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-32104885886587135202009-07-09T14:49:00.000-07:002009-07-09T15:18:59.985-07:00Just returned from Glass Boot Camp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvaa90e7prl8ZP9MQBT7kKaR9Ei4VydOi7-U5KnahnoFck3wQ0HrqlhHCV-RCfjM1k05eBwzmGkAjFslwSJ9uHITSMwRLkzqpmWfTTiNVrmXniarJiD7APtS34cGSJNN6zgMUG0nLHnc/s1600-h/pilchuck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvaa90e7prl8ZP9MQBT7kKaR9Ei4VydOi7-U5KnahnoFck3wQ0HrqlhHCV-RCfjM1k05eBwzmGkAjFslwSJ9uHITSMwRLkzqpmWfTTiNVrmXniarJiD7APtS34cGSJNN6zgMUG0nLHnc/s200/pilchuck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356585170912438146" /></a><br />I received an invitation from Steve Klein to attend a week-long Professional Artist in Residency program at Pilchuck Glass School in May. Since it wasn't being advertised and I'd been recommended by Lani McGregor from Bullseye Glass, I had to make a fairly quick decision to attend.<div><br /></div><div>The first thing I did was visit the web sites of all the confirmed participants. A word of advice if you find yourself in a similar situation: don't do that! For the next month and a half, I stressed over what a tiny fish I was going to be in a very big pond. But then again, it was going to be a creatively-charged, celebrity loaded pond, so I knew I couldn't let the opportunity pass.</div><div><br /></div><div>We spent the week exploring new directions, expanding existing work, sharing frustrations and feedback. Pilchuck is in such an incredibly beautiful setting that it almost feels like sacred ground. I quickly overcame my intimidation as I realized this was simply a personal challenge and that each and every one of us was working independently and sharing globally.</div><div><br /></div><div>None of us came home with finished pieces. I came home with a suitcase full of test scraps, sample tiles and two pieces that will eventually evolve into an entirely new direction for a portion of my work to assume. I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that I absorbed and my head is packed with ideas and images waiting to be transformed into artwork.</div><div><br /></div><div>I knew pushing myself to attend would make for an inspiring week. What I didn't realize is that a week of boot camp intensity will, I'm sure, continue to fuel my glass passion for years to come. </div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-80758063838212574392009-06-16T11:12:00.000-07:002009-06-16T11:46:19.315-07:00Original Concepts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmqq6LJ7RY5fep5IDetHiEJAKPEK01B_NCA9sr8tSBY5-O96HU_ChaSUm7x5htYFw9LyhyUrBSoLMNxZYK39N5pO997YU0Mun1RVYFMUbOiLGOh8KLFDxuauGTQco6fl0A0jtCHZkHzY/s1600-h/originality.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmqq6LJ7RY5fep5IDetHiEJAKPEK01B_NCA9sr8tSBY5-O96HU_ChaSUm7x5htYFw9LyhyUrBSoLMNxZYK39N5pO997YU0Mun1RVYFMUbOiLGOh8KLFDxuauGTQco6fl0A0jtCHZkHzY/s200/originality.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347997293199191026" /></a><br />Whew! I'm just back from two weekends of open studio with Art at the Source. Thanks to all of my customers, new and returning, for making it a fun, profitable event! It's great for me to have my work selling through galleries but nothing really compares to the face-to-face interaction with the public. Shows enable me to get valuable feedback and comments from buyers and potential buyers which forms much of the direction my work takes. I always come home energized and full of ideas, ready to get busy and create!<div><br /></div><div>I also see these shows as an educational opportunity for the up-and-coming glass artists out there. I can't tell you how often I'll be engaged with a visitor, talking about what inspires me or showing off a new piece and then realize, through their questions or comments, that they're obviously either a glass artist or a glass student. Why can't people just be upfront with that? Last year I actually listened to two women in my booth discuss how much they loved a piece, and then pull out a camera while one said to the other, "take a picture so I can make one like that."</div><div><br /></div><div>So when I notice the fused glass earrings or whispering to each other or questions that only a glass artist would ask, I'll usually take that as a cue to share my message about how we're all individuals and what we bring to our art has to be ours and only ours. Obviously we're all inspired by what we see, whether it's another artist's work or flowers in the garden or fabric or paintings or whatever. But it's so important to respect the experiences, experiments and investment that another artist has in their work and resist the urge to simply take from them. Being inspired is great; stealing is not.</div><div><br /></div><div>At a workshop I took a year ago, the teacher was talking about originality and how vital it is that your work expresses YOU. I love a comment she made: "No one can beat you at your own game." She went on to make some points that I have written and displayed to keep me focused. </div><div><br /></div><div>• How do I like to work? What do I like to do best?</div><div>• Look inward. Dig deep for influences.</div><div>• Look outside of glass.</div><div>• What defines me? Color? Texture? Clothing? Style?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll add to the list: Introduce yourself and share where you are in your journey. I'm thrilled to talk about glass and art and inspiration when I know I'm talking to a fellow artist. As an artist making a living at my craft, I'm not thrilled to provide a free education by being duped into believing I'm selling when I'm actually having my brain picked.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know there's very little that's new and original but tapping into ourselves can only result in art that's as unique as we are. There are so many resources available through classes, books and online forums to help unleash the inner artist. There's just no reason to "borrow" anyone else's ideas.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-11483121588487461612009-05-30T13:30:00.000-07:002009-05-31T08:27:09.099-07:00Using my own glass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq6eBgOvBHYXI7HxY9HceYvift2VThrA2RhWPRLwjpqYMxZuOVzx3nJQ5dNQ4hi7lPc3zPAyklnRQosFQuHjSrc-XkO1d-oLdiCEoUyVVpVByw7P_RcNO1qJ5HdL0k4UfnyeVN29nRE4/s1600-h/dessert_calligraphy72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq6eBgOvBHYXI7HxY9HceYvift2VThrA2RhWPRLwjpqYMxZuOVzx3nJQ5dNQ4hi7lPc3zPAyklnRQosFQuHjSrc-XkO1d-oLdiCEoUyVVpVByw7P_RcNO1qJ5HdL0k4UfnyeVN29nRE4/s200/dessert_calligraphy72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342009977976376770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZI-lz0IzAhqDHKkPUfS_yXyfhx1pTynQMVvCEG8ZQt8t86DMSC0dgKa6XfmUsJiNmw8vm0QdcWpHqM7sFMHbDbOhOn3TLiCkP4uSWe6bxcsiwIcZ_RjMK-LF5xa2OIvjquFhfCfx6VQ/s1600-h/dessert_spirals72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZI-lz0IzAhqDHKkPUfS_yXyfhx1pTynQMVvCEG8ZQt8t86DMSC0dgKa6XfmUsJiNmw8vm0QdcWpHqM7sFMHbDbOhOn3TLiCkP4uSWe6bxcsiwIcZ_RjMK-LF5xa2OIvjquFhfCfx6VQ/s200/dessert_spirals72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341723640418676882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WItlExkwXxnTWBMR0G3Di_slMxTlHFP5nxWEYeCOcUr5G7Xo7p0Ep0lp4WVtpr1QS2uHusW4S-W51psoVlEuLv44Qv1J9oUma5y8sIYSXljI6i05KbP5I9DVyoV79BoBxQGCBEvSEg/s1600-h/dessert_leaves72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5WItlExkwXxnTWBMR0G3Di_slMxTlHFP5nxWEYeCOcUr5G7Xo7p0Ep0lp4WVtpr1QS2uHusW4S-W51psoVlEuLv44Qv1J9oUma5y8sIYSXljI6i05KbP5I9DVyoV79BoBxQGCBEvSEg/s200/dessert_leaves72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341723640623389138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa2NF8DlcWl1QFgZIK8IWO2bDTO7gpzvUCfz4dT3IjvNgvhd8iIOLQc7KgN6GkbRzoa_W0-Bv6XaqLWmBtxs9M5LUwTzefDPwGcdnptbJ6F0GVl87w0zbn1gA64lTO1oby1WpZfhb_Ys/s1600-h/dessert_grasses72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxa2NF8DlcWl1QFgZIK8IWO2bDTO7gpzvUCfz4dT3IjvNgvhd8iIOLQc7KgN6GkbRzoa_W0-Bv6XaqLWmBtxs9M5LUwTzefDPwGcdnptbJ6F0GVl87w0zbn1gA64lTO1oby1WpZfhb_Ys/s200/dessert_grasses72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341723636085017874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CevIWvYp5ixbEyxwVn90jqzDVDsJhZykplxUuJFusAykl0LZJ_ZSRxsxmpTPSv7VTnZYzO19o5f8LI4_1BF4SU-TqbGjOWAHBK69CZVTQ2758eA2Cjb3hyGoMr-eGSCoFBEvPhsjxn4/s1600-h/dessert_dragonfly72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CevIWvYp5ixbEyxwVn90jqzDVDsJhZykplxUuJFusAykl0LZJ_ZSRxsxmpTPSv7VTnZYzO19o5f8LI4_1BF4SU-TqbGjOWAHBK69CZVTQ2758eA2Cjb3hyGoMr-eGSCoFBEvPhsjxn4/s200/dessert_dragonfly72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341723632218579378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPEzjckg6srK5BAQO1t4w4nIIvdJiRBc_rE1sSd5QFzWc9mYDufH_SYkncVtLTf1tKsMnka-09VJ4iZEiROOpprQMoWbXX4L7wHgBr5DBxv8FGhqMrt_KTdm26dLMHKxktOyQVVevrZM/s1600-h/dessert_circles72dpi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPEzjckg6srK5BAQO1t4w4nIIvdJiRBc_rE1sSd5QFzWc9mYDufH_SYkncVtLTf1tKsMnka-09VJ4iZEiROOpprQMoWbXX4L7wHgBr5DBxv8FGhqMrt_KTdm26dLMHKxktOyQVVevrZM/s200/dessert_circles72dpi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341723629378745554" /></a><br />First off, my most exciting news: after working in my studio for over six years, we finally bit the bullet last weekend and painted the unfinished walls! As I've mentioned before, my studio is actually space that I've commandeered out of our garage through a process very much like osmosis. First, I had one wall for my art, then David built me a giant work table which took up one bay and now all my show equipment and extra inventory is taking up much of the last bay.<div><br /></div><div>But since my growth—and spread—occurred so quickly, the walls have always remained the taped-but-not-textured tan sheet rock color; not very inspiring, to say the least. With how much time I spend out there and with the deadline looming for Open Studios in October, we decided the time to paint would be now, before it gets much hotter. So that's how we spent our Memorial Day weekend. The results look great and I'm loving being out there now but I'll bet your weekend was more fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>With that out of the way, I got a chance to incorporate some of my new patterned glass into a few pieces. When I'm trying out an entirely new idea, I tend to work small, for several reasons. Obviously, if I don't like the results, I haven't wasted a ton of glass; and I get to produce a good enough range of pieces to see if I like the direction they're taking.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll usually sketch a design, draw my cutting pattern and then whip out a bunch in different colors. For me, it's hard sometimes not to be biased and stick to only my favorite colors so I push myself to use the full palette of my glass stock. The interesting thing about these little sample dishes is how easily they come together. I'll choose the patterned glass I want to use and then a couple accent colors, which are simply determined by the patterned glass.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm just so excited to have some sheets of glass that are unique only to me in these test pieces! While they're all slumped in the basic "sushi" mold, I prefer to call them <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">dessert dishes</span> because I don't like sushi and these little eye candy plates would make almost anything taste better, so they're perfect for dessert. These little gems measure only 6" square but I know they'll wind up being good sellers since they work well as multiples or singles, they're an affordable size, and they can just as easily hold a bar of soap or candle, or something decadent.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've added another show to my schedule this summer. It's the Tiburon Art Festival and last year it was so much fun. 65 artists all arranged along Historic Ark Row which is a street filled with great little boutique-type shops, restaurants, homes and more. The link is posted in the right-hand column at the top of the page.</div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-85965531398397073772009-05-18T12:44:00.001-07:002009-05-18T12:59:33.231-07:00Making my own glass!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAphYNO3RnP4arNPtewwMLzjVuuLZPj7iSk-3RCSC3ivr1iucqb3KPEHwgPm0Y2ppyTCIVedHAxMJZvsjhrydz6Q8_u_ZkPiALe9sxS2rzo2_LCGk54KX0JYggLVUusMWjKOs7Ij5oPOQ/s1600-h/powders.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAphYNO3RnP4arNPtewwMLzjVuuLZPj7iSk-3RCSC3ivr1iucqb3KPEHwgPm0Y2ppyTCIVedHAxMJZvsjhrydz6Q8_u_ZkPiALe9sxS2rzo2_LCGk54KX0JYggLVUusMWjKOs7Ij5oPOQ/s200/powders.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337256020426155074" /></a><br />I took a class in Portland, Oregon last year where the primary focus was working with glass powders. I have dozens of jars of Bullseye powders that I've never even opened so it was a good opportunity for me to learn a new technique and start to use my supplies. (For those of you who don't know the story, my darling David flew to Phoenix several years ago to pack up and drive an entire glass store's inventory 14 hours home!)<div><br /></div><div>So I came home last year with all sorts of wonderful ideas about how I'd finally be able to incorporate my love of letter forms and calligraphy into my art, and then as we all know, life gets in the way. It always seems like I'll have plenty of time for R&D during my "off" season between shows but my experience has been that there's always something to eat up that time. I packed my box of sample tiles away and continued making art for shows and galleries.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I did my big studio sweep last month, I came across that box and (as usually happens when I'm cleaning!) spread out all the pieces, which inspired me to squeeze in some play time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've been having a blast sifting, sprinkling, spreading and scribbling with powders. The possibilities are endless and it's such an incredible freedom to make my own, custom, I'm-the-only-one-who-has-it glass! It also soothes my impatient soul because since these are single layer pieces, they fuse more quickly than completed art.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm quickly amassing a palette of textures and designs to incorporate into my layouts. It feels like a nice step forward into making art that's even more a part of me.</div><div><br /></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-66328495100813103132009-05-10T16:02:00.000-07:002009-05-10T16:06:22.013-07:00Happy Mother's Day<div>Today, in honor of Mother's Day, my boys are doing the laundry and tidying the house while I play in the studio. We've got dinner reservations at a favorite restaurant so I've had the entire day to do a few experiments and make some custom glass with powders. What bliss.</div><div><br /></div><div>My mom was a mosaic artist. Actually, she was very good at every art form I remember her tackling but I think she was at her best during her mosaic phase. When I was a kid she began and made a few basic bowls and platters and tables.</div><div><br /></div><div>I owe my glass art skills to my mom, who taught me leaded glass in the 70s when I was a teen. We’d work late on the kitchen table making suncatchers and inventory for hippy-dippy craft shows and then work even later filling the numerous orders we’d receive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Years later, in retirement, she happened upon a garage sale where she purchased a huge inventory of Italian vitreous mosaic tiles. She leapt back in with both feet and transformed her side yard garden into an outdoor mosaic studio, making incredible stepping stones, planters and side tables. I'm lucky enough to have two of those tables on my deck.</div><div><br /></div><div>My mom passed away last year and I miss her every day. In her garden there are quite a few of the intricate stepping stones she loved making. They’re a bit grown over and look so comfortable being part of the landscape. She placed them with care and every time I see them they remind me of her talent. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have the first bowl she made; it's on my kitchen counter holding fruit. Every day when I pack my son’s lunch I touch that bowl. I treasure it more than most anything she had and so appreciate that it’s something she made with her own hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of the glass art I make goes into inventory for sales or is delivered to galleries. I’m thinking it might be nice to save back a few of my favorite pieces, just in case my boys might like to have something their mom made someday.</div><div><br /></div><div>It’s pretty cool when a customer tells me they collect glass and want to add one of my pieces. I love the idea that something I’ve made will be displayed among things they enjoy. The thought of my children as adults someday and having a few of my pieces is very comforting today, as I miss my mom.</div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-76646475587975136562009-05-02T18:16:00.000-07:002009-05-02T18:30:02.288-07:00It may be a virtue...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGoJ9c29ncvGZOdC8ULSDk95ipmNUAbkxczwHw8sF8tMygA8KOZW3oJCAyqmaKBRbcSPTd7Ttgem9MtkoStGH6xEw9NIVzHdckgVCeJXYTvkw_Lfs48SNY4PCYfv0_eDNNDJJP0YclIY/s1600-h/patient.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGoJ9c29ncvGZOdC8ULSDk95ipmNUAbkxczwHw8sF8tMygA8KOZW3oJCAyqmaKBRbcSPTd7Ttgem9MtkoStGH6xEw9NIVzHdckgVCeJXYTvkw_Lfs48SNY4PCYfv0_eDNNDJJP0YclIY/s200/patient.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331403200186285698" /></a><br />...but I'm never going to learn patience! "You'll just have to be patient," my much-more-patient-husband David tells me, over and over. <div><br /></div><div>I've never been patient and I know I'll never become patient. Case in point; this photo of my kiln, loaded and almost full, which is the efficient way to fire. See the big empty space? The space that would have nicely fit another platter or bowl? It's empty—and remained so—because it was too late in the day for me to make another project and I simply couldn't wait to fire it up!</div><div><br /></div><div>Really, who could wait? If I'd have had the patience to wait until the next day to make another piece, by the time they all fired it would be the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">next, next day!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>I love working with glass. (Working? More like playing!) One of the first questions I had when I began was, how can I speed this up? Fusing glass is a slow, slow process. Almost anything you do to speed it up puts the glass at risk: risk of shattering, blowing bubbles, not annealing properly, etc. When I've researched a problem now and then the answer is almost always, "slow down."</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe discovering glass art is the universe's way of forcing me to be patient. </div><div><br /></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-91387016936089911932009-04-27T15:24:00.000-07:002009-04-27T15:55:36.204-07:00Working smaller, not cheaperWith the lousy state of the economy right now I've had a couple of my galleries ask me if I wanted to lower any of my prices on work they're carrying. I can't see any reason to diminish the value of my work by lowering the price but I certainly understand the need to make more affordable art right now.<br /><br />My experiment is to make more smaller pieces for the next who-knows-how-long. I've reworked a few of my favorite best selling pieces into smaller versions. Here's an experiment from a few weeks' back. I've taken what's essentially the same 8" sushi tray design (personally, I prefer to call them Dessert Trays!) and designed a few variations. This is a good way to push myself into trying colors, accents and combinations I may not ordinarily consider.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp56od2WuwnOEtkvReCS3NBhWaDMzS3WErFoxem6pMLpczRBdM9gOLkFxgy-Az_EaCQ3dHUmk7PtydKdnignJjyxXGAdVlaxMPL3Du7N4svsBZSarFjBe5qRCdWlJlMp6-uSDOg5Iyk4c/s1600-h/graffiti_spectrum72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp56od2WuwnOEtkvReCS3NBhWaDMzS3WErFoxem6pMLpczRBdM9gOLkFxgy-Az_EaCQ3dHUmk7PtydKdnignJjyxXGAdVlaxMPL3Du7N4svsBZSarFjBe5qRCdWlJlMp6-uSDOg5Iyk4c/s200/graffiti_spectrum72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508569684577154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUvmB_V2BE2aYYdUtboChRhCiJJHxPeiStdHhUgZsQWEFycqngdnQDDZQpIeIIYR-3zE8_0GOfoTkrVdZW-0h-K7QwLM-mKfFIwzQ9hfCb3P4v5C8-525wzRy5508NniGnciiGPZwPkQ/s1600-h/charcoal_spectrum272.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUvmB_V2BE2aYYdUtboChRhCiJJHxPeiStdHhUgZsQWEFycqngdnQDDZQpIeIIYR-3zE8_0GOfoTkrVdZW-0h-K7QwLM-mKfFIwzQ9hfCb3P4v5C8-525wzRy5508NniGnciiGPZwPkQ/s200/charcoal_spectrum272.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508398090818098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxUXDfAic7H0sAQDkkCIFpYNMbAoSSXu1NZMuG40kT_dbBJk-FFY4UfQcfAZVVBJAd8b47DrXYczrSZEzo9EntZ91rX3HPcCcgnCTOBDH2qlTy3udaQ0vqe571lIZLod3X33uVL7cERc/s1600-h/sea_spectrum72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxUXDfAic7H0sAQDkkCIFpYNMbAoSSXu1NZMuG40kT_dbBJk-FFY4UfQcfAZVVBJAd8b47DrXYczrSZEzo9EntZ91rX3HPcCcgnCTOBDH2qlTy3udaQ0vqe571lIZLod3X33uVL7cERc/s200/sea_spectrum72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508393987768370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWl3Oa85pgnSR5Ac1RPj6C8GFz38TTPOvUEF1m2ePOuaIHONSKATrnfey7aKQ8cuGdYLK0S9VaHlLu6n9A38fv6NaFy_Ex2DkCZoOwuraRV8X_CW5BSyHx-Tzh3b1XytQNxfX7je3G_w/s1600-h/leaf_spectrum72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWl3Oa85pgnSR5Ac1RPj6C8GFz38TTPOvUEF1m2ePOuaIHONSKATrnfey7aKQ8cuGdYLK0S9VaHlLu6n9A38fv6NaFy_Ex2DkCZoOwuraRV8X_CW5BSyHx-Tzh3b1XytQNxfX7je3G_w/s200/leaf_spectrum72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508390449610514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp6Oggi4rH1nut8q7SNMuvStRG1dih1JyAj8ozJpGK2CXSBXKnmMxY7GOCntSzbHmL1DCnqELKLfQhgFaN_nB9oNUJMH1QcdryZE47lK5Ug818P0BcH3E6MDh5z5AKzFiA02V2kxQrco/s1600-h/circle_spectrum72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp6Oggi4rH1nut8q7SNMuvStRG1dih1JyAj8ozJpGK2CXSBXKnmMxY7GOCntSzbHmL1DCnqELKLfQhgFaN_nB9oNUJMH1QcdryZE47lK5Ug818P0BcH3E6MDh5z5AKzFiA02V2kxQrco/s200/circle_spectrum72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508390574492626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrQzw4W9tWaYeRynmw5HrhvMQdsCElemDu-zLbLs0hLpncQgwGovRAnS1wKxUZ3_IUKIyMNWkMeCADi8dn16xOKd1urUneUTYOH4Ag0Lnzy0cntbqGLqGKIfmDYrRyBgaAkhfz_J9Uw8/s1600-h/tomato_spectrum72.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrQzw4W9tWaYeRynmw5HrhvMQdsCElemDu-zLbLs0hLpncQgwGovRAnS1wKxUZ3_IUKIyMNWkMeCADi8dn16xOKd1urUneUTYOH4Ag0Lnzy0cntbqGLqGKIfmDYrRyBgaAkhfz_J9Uw8/s200/tomato_spectrum72.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329508385589481458" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2170386335256900804.post-48711175278115611972009-04-26T15:29:00.000-07:002009-04-26T15:41:17.655-07:00I'm in!I got the final approval today that after <span style="font-style:italic;">four years</span> of submitting my application to be juried, I've been accepted to join ARTrails. This will be my first opportunity to show and sell my art from my own studio and I'm over the moon with excitement!<br /><br />This is the who's who of artists in my area and I've been asked if I'm a member at nearly every show I've done for the past six years. It'll be nice to finally say yes.<br /><br />Here's the description on the Arts Council website:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A program of the Arts Council of Sonoma County, ARTrails is an annual fall tradition and Sonoma County's largest and most visible arts event. Celebrating its 23rd year and voted "Sonoma County's Best Outdoor Art Event", ARTrails provides a rare opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their studios and learn about their diverse creative processes and techniques. Through hands-on demonstrations as well as intimate conversations, ARTrails artists will take you into their world where colors, shapes, materials, and textures merge into unique and collectible works of art.</span><br /><br />I'll post the link so you can see the incredible group of artists who participated last year. You can bet the minute the new catalog is printed I'll be letting you know.<br /><br />So please, if you're out and about in October, plan to stop by and say hello. I'd love to show off my newest pieces and introduce you to my humble playground.Valerie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03740464206721963200noreply@blogger.com0