Yay for Public Art!

My friend, Jim Berry of Blue Moon Glassworks took this photo of a small section of a public art mural he is helping with in Austin TX.  Shipe Park is a cute little green space with a swimming pool-  not too far from his business in the Hyde Park neighborhood.  Austin is rich with public art and it's always a joy to see it, when I visit.

This is the second public mosaic mural that he's worked on.  Seeing photos and hearing about their process makes me wish my local government found a way to beautify my area too.  I love not only the end result, but the concept, the teamwork and all the other factors that go with it.

Do you have something like this going on where you live? I'd love to hear about it.

Bead Soup Party

I"m excited that another Bead Soup Party is getting ready to start.  Hostess extraordinaire, Lori Anderson  has announced sign ups will be Aug. 1st.  Even though I'm traveling that day, it's already on my calendar.

Here's the link:     http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

If you aren't familiar with one of her parties, it's a blast.  After asking you a few quick questions, Lori teams you up with someone very different from your style.  You will need to send that person a group of beads and a clasp and vice versa and then you'll make up some jewelry using your new goodies.  (although you can supplement with other stuff).

I did this last year, and found my buddy Laura Zeiner from it.  We even got to meet when I was last in Austin teaching at Blue Moon.  We're just the same height, (neither of us are very tall) and we got along famously.  Did I mention that Laura made a gorgeous necklace from the lampwork beads I sent her?  I blogged here about it before.

So mark your calendar and sign up quickly.  The spots go fast.  If you have any questions at all, please contact Lori at lori@lorianderson.net, 410-819-8161 (before 8pm EST), or via her blog, www.PrettyThingsBlog.com.

And tell Lori I sent you.  Hope your experience is as fantastic as mine was.  Hope to see you there.

Come To Austin With Me for Class!

I'll be teaching "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" at Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks June 25 & 26th  and I'd love for you to join me.  (just scroll down the link- lots of classes listed on that page)

We'll complete a full garden necklace before you leave which features a variety of imaginative sculptural flowers, a lampwork and wire clasp and of course a little creature with wings- (maybe bird, butterfly or bee) to hover over your flowers.  You'll have it done to wear home.  AND we'll also make a tree branch bail that teaches you the technique to apply to other sculptural items to make into bails.

Of course we'll have fun and it sure will be nice to have something totally completed to take home with you too.  And as many of you know, Jim and Rose Berry treat their students so well, you can't help but smile while you're there.  (And Austin is such a cool city!)

Dreaming About Glass Corsage Class

Sara Sally LaGrand has just finished teaching a glass corsage class for our Southern Flames group.  I have to say, it's been torture drooling over everyone's wonderful new pieces.  I will be taking the class next month at Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks.  But for those of you who want to see more of Sara's work, just click HERE for her etsy shop.

I have to say, that now that I've looked at everyone's, I've been waking up and contemplating my color choices for when I get to make one.  What soft glass colors would you put together?  Tell me your favorite combinations...  Give me a little more to dream about.

Two Views of the Skyline

Yesterday, Leah posted that she'd like to see more of my photos from my trip. Here are two that were taken the same night. The moon was full and glowing, so you can see the skyline on the right. But even more fun, was driving and taking photos. (okay, I wasn't driving, but back seat photographing), and this is what my little Sony Camera did when I snapped the skyline.

I call it Austin Skyline on Crack. (joking, of course).

Love the juxtaposition of the two views and each presents a very different mood. Do you have a preference? Which do you like better?

Austin Trip...Early Morning Communing with Nature

I'm back from Austin and had to show you what we did early Tuesday morning before I left. I went Stand Up Paddling for the first time with fellow beadmaker Anastasia and Jim Berry of Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks. I have to be honest- a lot of my time was spent kneeling, because I'm a little shaky still and Ana & Jim were so good. But it was a lot of fun. Lady Bird Lake was serenely beautiful and you can see the skyline in the distance. We spotted turtles, ducks, herons and even swans. I'm hoping we'll get a chance to go again, next time I visit.

Pack of Friendly Dogs

Last week I taught sculptural soft glass at Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks and here is the group of dogs that my students made. I was so proud of them and their cute little guys. This was the first sculptural glass class for most of them. Hooray!

Give Your Torch A Little Lift

I just received my ProJack Adjustable Torch Stand on Friday and am so excited about it.

I found them when I was in Austin and knew that this is the answer to my uncomfortable back when I bend over to torch, when standing up.

I had always sat down and when I was in Robert Mickelsen's wonderful sculptural boro class, I tried standing. I have so much more freedom of movement that way. I really enjoyed everything, but my sore back at the end of the day. This solves my problem of stooping over the table to work.

My understanding is that there are just 4 left and no more will be made. I wanted to let all of you know, before they are gone. Here is the link (click here) to go to them.

I can see using this small scissor jack for other things too. We can all use a little lift some times.

What a great present for yourself, don't you think? They are currently on sale right now too.

My Turn for Watch Me Create

My latest commentary for Watch Me Create will be posted sometime today. I've written about testing the waters by learning a bit of another style of glass- this time fusing/slumping and combining it with some of my lampworking skills.

Last week I was at Blue Moon Glassworks learning some new techniques to combine with the ones I already have and my Watch Me Create post shows what I made. So instead of spoiling the photo opportunity, I'm handing you a quick peek inside of Blue Moon where I taught my class and in turn was taught a lot about glass from other perspectives by my friend, Jim Berry.

The interior of the store is an artist's dream. Lots of tools, glass, machines, completed work by a variety of artists, and books too. The lighting is good, but the atmosphere is even better. Jim & Rose Berry and the rest of the employees make you feel at home the minute you step inside. I like that in a shop. You feel like they want you to be happy & successful and so generously share their time and knowledge in their art and products that they carry.

You know what kind of people they are, when you meet sweet little baby Emmie who comes to work with her Mom Lisa, one of the Blue Moon long time employees. Bob, Mike and Jody also work there and are part of the Blue Moon "family". I guess besides all the wonderful new skills that I learned, I also made some pretty nice new friends in Austin. You know, you can go to a lot of places to learn new skills, but it isn't everywhere where you feel so welcome. And for me, remembering people's kindness will last in my heart and mind a lot longer.

See You Back In Atlanta Tonight!

I've had a great time at Austin Blue Moon's Glass Camp thanks to Jim and Rose Berry, (despite the Scrabble trouncing from Rose). It's been a blast and they've treated me like royalty.

I'm heading out in a few minutes and will be writing again from Atlanta, GA starting on Sunday.

While I was here, I took great delight in the fun outdoor murals, the roof art and all the quirkiness this city has to offer.

And that doesn't include learning how to cut glass, solder, copper foil, a bit of fusing, murrini making, learning technical info, sandblasting, and I know I've forgotten to list all that was included. Jim and I have already started a list for more things we want to try.

One of the most fun parts was brainstorming about future classes. We've been dreaming up collaborative classes that will mix different glass elements- fusing with lampworking, lampworking with mosaics and so forth. Still working on it, but as soon as something is set, I'll be writing more.

See you later, alligator...

Sculpting Santas in Texas

I had a great time teaching Santa Claus beads to 10 delightful students last night in Austin at Blue Moon Glassworks.

One of the best things about going somewhere to teach, is meeting new friends, and hearing how they love glass as much as I do.

I have to say, the facility sure is nice too. I love it when there is enough lighting to really see what you're doing. Also, the large white board is great for writing down the steps, so note takers can relax a bit and just snap a photo of the different steps.

Here is a photo of what we made. The class was designed for folks who haven't done any or much sculpture before, but want to try it.

We work off of basic shapes that everyone knows, and just adjust them to make a sculptured bead. It's easy, when explained what's going on.

So much of sculptured glass is heat control. You know, it seems like that applies to everyone's work. Don't you think?

So today, I've got a lot of fun planned. I am teaching a private lesson this morning to a mosaic artist who wants to learn how to incorporate lampwork into her art. When I met her in the shop, I enjoyed hearing her passion about her art and brainstorming with her. I can't wait to see where we go with it.

Catch you tomorrow with another blog here at http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com

Blue Moon's Glass Camp- Woohoo!

I'm so excited, I can't sit still. Next Sunday I leave for Austin, TX to go to Glass Camp with Jim and Rose Berry at Blue Moon Glassworks.

You see, they offer a lot more than lampworking at their studio and although I am teaching sculptural glass class there in September 2010, this is to learn other types of glass from Jim and to work on possible collaborations that mix multi areas of glass. Woohoo!

So I've got a list of things I want to learn a mile long and I don't know how much of his time I can take, but here are some of the things I've been dreaming about.

Learn how to cut glass really well, and solder it. And to learn how to fuse and how to adjust my kiln and not be scared to death to try something that I am not sure about.

And he's got sandblasting, and cold working tools as well as one of those really cool things that you fill with glass chunks and then it melts it and you pull out the glass in swirls and then play with it. A pot melt?

And of course there's stained glass, mosaics, tons of other stuff too. I've looked at the photo gallery on his website and it looks like a playground any glass lover would enjoy.

If you haven't met Jim and Rose, here is a photo of them.

I'll be teaching a quickie evening sculptural Santa class on Tuesday night while I'm there as well. Jim reported that it filled in 2 days. I know that we will all have a lot of fun and laughs that evening too.

So where to start? I'm leaving that to Jim. I'll just be so happy to get the chance to learn a lot from him and his areas of expertise. And of course I'll be blogging about what I attempt and posting photos too, so you can learn along with me and see what I'm experiencing too.

So if you have suggestions of things I should request, please speak up. So much of this is totally new. I can melt glass, but there are so many other things to do with it too. I just hope I can sleep this week while waiting.

See you tomorrow right here on http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Space Left for Andrea's Class in Austin

Hey gang-
My buddy at Blue Moon Glassworks in Austin, TX - Jim Berry told me that he still has two spaces left in Andrea's revealing the unexpected lampwork class November 5th & 6th.

Here's the link to the class

Andrea Guarino @ Blue Moon Glassworks

If you haven't taken a class from her, you're in for a real treat. Not only do her beads rock, but she's a delightful teacher as well. Students love their high success rate in her class.

Fuming with gold and silver, dichro, complex twisted canes and all kinds of fun stuff is planned for the class.

And, there are some cool bed & breakfasts as well as great restaurants near the facility. What a fun location to hold a class!

Wish it were me heading down there for the class. But I think with those two spaces, what a great way for you and a friend to pop down to that funky Texas city and have a great time.

ps when you sign up, tell them Marcy sent you!

See you tomorrow, http://wwwstudiomarcy.blogspot.com