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Glass Yard Art for Spring!
I should be creating new Spiders of Good Fortune for Don to take to upcoming local art shows. The problem is that it’s Spring and I had another inspiration calling that I couldn’t resist. It happens every year when the weather turns warmer and I’m thinking about yard art and decorations.
So, I pulled out the beautiful slag glass that Don and I bought when we went to Austin a few months back. And since slag glass is considered recycled glass (see definition all the way at the bottom), I wanted to make something with predominately “green” items this time. I had some huge (nearly as large as my hand), old chandelier glass which as been tucked away for years. I couldn’t use it in my new pieces because most the chandelier glass wasn’t in perfect condition. That made them perfect for catching the sun outdoors. Of course I added all kinds of beads, because I just have to, and in some cases I used Don beads that have flaws which prevent them from being sold in our store. They now have new life!For the hangers, I stuck to my recycle theme. Sometimes when Don is making beads in the hot torch, a bead will come loose from the bead release and adhere permanently to the mandrel (metal rod). I’ve been collecting them for years now, making a bead bouquet in a vase on my work table. At Don’s suggestion, I bent them into hooks that can easily hold a heavy slag glass hanging.
Aqua & Teal: I love the hour-glass effect of this piece. Besides the thickest piece of chandelier glass I have, there are other pieces of chandelier glass (see that large clear octagon on the upper left), along with aqua and teal glass beads. I even found a teal bead on a mandrel to make the perfect hanger.
I have six to show you here but there are a few more down at the store. You can see them all at the store this Friday. Don will be taking them to Craftacular Second Saturday “the rain check” on Saturday March 17 from noon-4pm, 1025 Studewood Street, Houston, Texas 77008 http://www.hello-lucky.com. . The hangings will be back in the store on Sunday. So, if you want first dibs, come visit on Friday. They are all about 14″ long. Price: $28.00 each.
Blue Tip: The upper part of the slag glass is clearer than it appears here (not so much blue in it). The lower tip of the slag is a brilliant blue, which reflects into the top half when light hits it. The color is imbedded in the glass. It’s not a separate piece. And it’s really spectacular. The huge chandelier glass pendant is accompanied by another long piece, the icicle. The Don bead hook, which you can’t see in this picture, has a cobalt blue bead.
Peach and Topaz: There are three topaz Don beads above the peachy slag glass. The huge chandelier glass pendant has a very slightly smoky hue to it that goes perfectly with the topaz and peach beads.
Red Fish: Red slag glass is rare. Red and nice yellow seem to be the hardest colors to find. This piece of red has a mostly opaque center with brilliant red transparent edges all the way around. It is spectacular when the sun hits it. I used the large smokey chandelier glass on this one. The stars of the show are two diachroic fish that Don made. One of them no longer has a bead hole and the other has a minor fin flaw. Still, they are great looking fish and I wired them to hang around the red glass. I decorated the rest with red, amethyst and clear glass beads.
Blue Trade Beads: The slag glass is a beautiful aqua blue and I decorated the whole piece with sapphire and aqua blue beads. The large chandelier glass pendant is thick and clear. And see how perfect the sapphire blue bead hanger goes with the rest of this “water” hanging.
Red Inside Clear: You have to see this piece of slag glass to really appreciate how distinctive it is. It’s a big clear piece with red and green and other dark colors inside. Predominately red, I didn’t even know about the green until I was trying to take a picture of it with the sun coming through. It was just impossible to shoot so I settled for using the flash on my camera. It gives you a better feel for how it looks in the sun. I used the smokey chandelier glass to complement some of the darker colors in the slag. And you can see that nice long icicle chandelier glass. The bead hanger is one of my favorites and it also has red with other dark colors running through it.
We have two cobalt and sapphire blue hangings at the store, and a beautiful pink one too. I also have two smaller pieces (one pink, one topaz) with a slightly different twist. The two smaller ones are $18.00 each.
For those of you who know about my sister, Susan Pickering Rothamel, and her wonderful art creation kits, you will want to tune into HSN this March 20th. Susan will be premiering her newest art kits at 9:20 am and 2:00 pm. She would love your support, and besides having the most wonderful art creations, she has a way of pulling the creative juices out of every would-be artist. You should visit her website for more information: http://www.usartquest.com. She has terrific 2-minute videos on practically every item she offers. Susan started her business almost 20 years ago with her own artist glue, Perfect Paper Adhesive. Today, she has followers all around the world. A harder worker you will never ever see. If you love art, watch HSN this Tuesday.
I’ve also been making new ribbon bookmarks like mad this week. I love telling people that it takes three artists to make one bookmark. My girlfriend, Ruth Brown, who lives in Colorado, beads the ribbons and sends them to me. Then I use beads that Don makes, and other cool do-dads to make the dangly at the bottom of the bookmarks. Three artists for a really great $8.00 bookmark. And they come with a pretty card too. You can’t ask for more than that!
Come see us at the store, or visit Don at Craftacular this weekend!
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Valentine Bead & Jewelry Show
Saturday & Sunday, February 11 & 12, 2012 – 10 am to 5 pm
10910 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77043 (next to the Room Store)
We will line the hallways with jewelry artists, bead makers of all kinds, sellers of fine art and wonderful handmade gifts. Perfect for the man or woman who is looking for a completely original Valentine gift. This is a Glass Art & Bead sponsored event, and we hope you’ll stop in and say hello to Pam and all the artists who show their art in our store. We also have a new expanded area called “Spare Moments”, where our jewelry artists can hold classes. We are planning jewelry classes all weekend and you can read about the ones we have already planned below. We’ll post more as they are available. Of course we will demonstrate the art of making lampwork glass beads all weekend. And yep, there will be food and drink and music. And candy, lots of chocolate candy. Yummy.
There is a man who sits under the huge dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural Science, and makes hearts from dinosaur bones. No kidding. He cuts and polishes dinosaur bones, creating the most beautiful heart pendants. His name is Pat Napolio and he will be one of our visiting artists at our 3rd Annual Valentine Bead & Jewelry Show. Pat will have his whole set up and will be demonstrating and making his hearts all weekend.
Make a Magpie Bracelet
Instructor: Joanne Mann, Jewelry Designer
Saturday & Sunday, February 11 – 12, 2012, 11:00 am to Noon
A contemporary version of the traditional charm bracelet, this fun bracelet is uniquely you. Using beads and charms, create a one-of-a-kind statement bracelet. The cost includes the bracelet, your choice of 4 beads (more available for purchase), and headpins. Students are encouraged to bring their own beads and charms to add to the bracelet. Joanne will have some tools, but students are asked to bring round nose and chain nose pliers, if they have them. Class cost: $25.00
Make your own Ear Wires and Clasps
Instructor: Rikki Mitman, Jewelry Designer & Mixed Media Artist
Saturday and Sunday, February 11 – 12, 2012, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
What better way to finish your unique handmade jewelry than with ear wires or clasps that match perfectly? If you can use pliers and hammers, you can do this too – and your work will say “professional designer” from start to finish. You will learn to make three clasps: Simple, Latching, and Folded; a Figure 8 clasp loop; three ear wires: Secure Kidney (these are the ones that hook closed), French Hook, and Spiral Front; and Coiled Earring Studs. Students should bring round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, a ball-peen hammer, and steel bench block or small anvil. Some tools/anvils will also be available to share for those who don’t have them. Class will be taught using copper wire. Cost is $35.00.Make a Lampwork Heart Bead Necklace
Instructor: Liz Bunn, Lampwork Bead Artist
Saturday and Sunday, February 11 – 12, 2011, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
And where would Valentine Day be without a beautiful handmade heart necklace? Liz Bunn, famous for her stunning lampwork beads, is teaching a basic necklace beading class, featuring her lampwork heart pendants. You’ll learn how to make a necklace similar to the ones above.
Cost: $30.00.Introduction to Wire Work Jewelry
Instructor: Jeanne Lyons, Wire Jewelry Designer
Saturday & Sunday, February 11-12, 2012 – 11:00 and 3:30 daily
These classes are for those desiring to try a new craft or who just want to see what it’s all about. Learn two techniques that can get you off and running with ideas to create your own jewelry. First, experience the most commonly used wire jewelry enhancement, the spiral, and create your own copper coil ring. Then learn how to make wire wrapped loops, and make a glass pearl drop pendant with a Swarovski crystal. With these two techniques and a little of your own creativity you can make pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings.If you have a special bead (with a hole) you would like to become a pendant bring it along. If you have any of these tools, bring them along: round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers, flush wire cutters, nail file/board.
Class Size – 3, 4 max. Please be aware I will be monitoring my booth during classes. Anyone interested in Friday afternoon classes? I’ll be available from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. Please contact me to schedule and tell me what you’re interested in doing. lyonsjeanne@gmail.com. Fee of $25 includes all supplies and materials.Lampwork Bead Demonstrations
Rikki Mitman & Liz Bunn, Lampwork Bead Artists
Saturday & Sunday, February 11 – 12, 2012, Ongoing demonstrations
Our Valentine show wouldn’t be complete without our artists demonstrating how they make lampwork glass beads. It’s fascinating to watch them work in the torch flame, and see how they create their unique beads.If you are interested in attending any of the above classes, please reserve your space by emailing Pam at pam.pickering@comcast.net. You’ll receive up-to-date information about the classes about a week before the Valentine Show, and you’ll pay the artist directly when you arrive for the class. The dinosaur bone polishing and the lampwork bead demonstrations will be on-going and don’t need reservations. If you want to be a vendor at our show, please contact Pam.
Don the traveling bead maker . . .
Don will be showing our art at local shows throughout 2012. He loves to have customers come and visit with him in his booth. To talk with Don and see what new and astounding beads he’s come up with next, please visit . . .1st Saturday Arts Market
Saturday, February 4, 2012, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
548 West 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008 (in the Heights)
This is a wonderful market for artists and patrons alike. Food, music, art and great people make this a destination on the first Saturday of every month. Don will be sharing a booth with Steve Sellers, a friend and master silver jewelry designer.40th Annual St. Francis Art Show
Friday, February 10, 2012, 6:00 – 9:00 pm “Preview Party”
Saturday, February 11, 2012, Noon – 9:00pm
Sunday, February 12, 2012, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
345 Piney Point Rd., Houston, TX 77024
Don will be at this wonderful show, even as we throw our own Valentine Bead & Jewelry Show just across I-10. Besides seeing our latest art, you can also see what some of our other family members are doing. Marion Howard (our sister-in-law), will be showing her canvases, and Don’s brother, George Howard, will have his stunning photography. Don will be at the St. Francis Art Show the same weekend as our Valentine Show, so make a point to visit us both! We are only about 10 minutes apart.
