They're *Fabulous!*

I unloaded the kiln yesterday to find two great mirror frames. One needed another firing, and the other was complete. The complete one (I'll refer to it as the green one) was tricky. It had a border of thicker glass all the way around the perimeter with a cap of clear glass on the top. This is a perfect place to trap air and make some huge, unpredictable, piece-wrecking bubbles. I knew this when I built it, and I really wanted it to look a certain way. So I went ahead with it anyway. I fretted all day as the kiln was cycling on and off. Each time I heard the kiln click, the little devil on my shoulder told me "It's not going to turn out. You're going to get some funky air bubbles. It probably won't be salvageable." I was all nerves. After pacing all night while the kiln cooled, I opened 'er up, and it's almost perfect. No ugly air bubbles, and the design works well.

On to number two. This mirror frame required two firings; the first fused the blank of glass into one sheet and created the indent that will house the mirror.  The first firing was a great success. I left the glass on it's custom 'mirror frame mold' while I added a beautiful branch of cherry blossoms and leaves on the edge. The branch/blossoms element is made of 56 tiny pieces of glass fitted together just so, and glued into place on the mirror. Then, I lampworked (manipulated glass in a torch) some amber stringer (a thin thread/string of glass) into bulbs-on-stems for the center parts of the flowers. I don't know if these are called sepals or what - it's where the pollen comes from, I think. These elements were tiny, and I used tweezers to put them in place. I felt like I was playing the game 'Operation.' I got it assembled and started the kiln again for the second firing. It required two firings because I needed two different temperatures to achieve the look I wanted. The first firing created a flat surface - a full fuse - for the main body. It was my intention to have the branch and blossoms stick up a little bit and retain some of their texture off the main body. This is known as tack-fusing and doesn't require as high a temperature as full fusing - hence the second fusing.

I opened the kiln this morning, and WOW!!! It looks just like the image I had in my mind. It worked perfectly, and, I must say, it was well worth the fuss. The fuss of cutting all those tiny pieces, lampworking those little stringer blobs, and two firings. It's great. The kiln gods have smiled on me this time. (And I never take that for granted. Fusing is very technical and sometimes the smallest things going wrong lead to a ruined piece.) I will make an offering of thanks before I fire again, lest my next piece meet with demise.

I'll post photos of the newbies soon. Back to the studio!!!

Off to School

This morning was less than ideal. With Hubby off at work, I was left alone to get the girls (twin 4-year-old daughters, Aileen and Izzy) off to school. While I had prepared breakfast the night before, a delicious zucchini bread with hard-boiled eggs, I did not think to find Izzy's missing flipflop - nor did I know it was missing. So although we had dressed, eaten, brushed, and combed in plenty of time, we didn't leave extra minutes for choosing different shoes and the ensuing tantrum. The temperature in the room got turned up quite hot for a few moments, and I threatened to keep her home. This was an idle threat - I have 2 mirrors to design and a kiln to unload before preschool is done. Anyway, we made it. Izzy didn't want to let go of Mom when I dropped her at school, but after hugs and apologies on both sides, she happily joined her sister in class. I was off for home.

Once here, I realized the stuffed animals Aileen had plopped in the bike trailer were no longer in tow. I had left the cover off the trailer, and I fear they bounced out. These are the girls' *favorites* including *LEONARD* the lion Aileen takes EVERYWHERE and uses as a comforting tool! So I hopped back on the bike, and retraced my path all the way back to school. No animals. I went so far as to go into school and check Aileen's locker. No animals. As a last possibility, they may be in the classroom with the girls. Fingers crossed.

So I have finished my morning tea, rather peacefully considering the small anxiety I feel for having possibly lost Aileen's best friend. I am off to the studio. I have two mirror frames to unload from the kiln along with a few experimental dishes. Photos will follow. Then, for the upcoming art show at the Portage Center for the Arts, I have two more mirrors to design and build, and a grouping of tableware to complete. All in 5 days. I work best under pressure, and I'm feeling some pressure.


P.S.  Rest easy, dear friends. Aileen and Izzy put their animals in the backpack's secret pocket - the pocket I neglected to check. Everyone is safe, sound, and happy.

Hello! Welcome to my brand new blog. Here I will document the goings-on in my glass studio, with a few glimpses into my home life. The two are so enmeshed, as you will see; it is difficult to completely separate them. Please tune in frequently for updates on new work, new ideas, and new techniques.