Class ... Color Mixing and Murrine for Newbies

I promised I'd talk a little about my other class that I'm teaching for Blue Moon this week.  It's a one day class for people with zero or little torch experience.  Color mixing, twisties, murrine, stringer and all kinds of things that fit into those categories.

Blue Moon has a lot of mosaic and fusing students, so this one can give them more fun and exciting ways to stretch what they are already doing.  Isn't that what we look for...how can we broaden our artistic vocabulary?

It is also fun for beginning and early intermediate beadmakers.  It's a laid back, feel comfortable with soft glass, its elasticity, heat control (one of my favorite topics!) and learning how the traditional color mixing we did as kids in painting, doesn't always work in glass.  I find in my work, often I need a specific color that isn't offered in our rods, so sometimes mixing is the best way to achieve it.  (What I would give for the perfect Golden Retriever opaque glass!) But you know, necessity sometimes teaches us great lessons, and I'm having a lot of fun, passing it on to others.

Color Mixing Glass

Perhaps it's my old watercolor painting influence, but I love custom mixing colors in glass.  Whether it's actually mixing the two together, or layering transparents over opaques, it's always fun to see if I can get an exact shade that I am seeking.  

I mingle Vetrofond, Effetre, CiM and even some Devardi into my mixes.  Some play together better than others.  It doesn't seem to depend on the brand, but more the actual specific glass color.

And since I do this so freely, I also am teaching a class on color mixing.  My first class was in Austin at Blue Moon.  It was designed for non torch users- like mosaicists and fusers who could translate it into use for their specific projects.  But I was surprised at the number of flameworkers who signed up too.

Just wanted to show you a few and ask you, if you mix glass colors or layer, what are some of your favorite combinations?  

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.

Magical Christmas Ornaments and Holiday Bead Class at Blue Moon Glassworks

Come join me for a really fun 2 day Christmas bead and ornament class in sunny Austin, Texas at Blue Moon Glassworks November 19 & 20th.   We'll be shaking things up a bit and making some traditional and as you can see, some rather non traditional holiday beads and ornaments.  All of them designed to bring a smile to your face and to anyone who you chose as the recipients of your new talents.  (or you can keep them as your own private keepsakes!)  And please note:  if you have taken one of my previous  classes, these are all new beads- no repeats.

I hope you'll come join in on the merriment, new skills and techniques.  You know how Jim and Rose Berry are such awesome hosts.  Please contact them to sign up, by CLICKING HERE.  Ho, ho, ho!