Pets Class at Blue Moon in Austin

I'm excited to be heading back to Blue Moon Glassworks in Austin Texas to teach two classes.  One of my favorite classes, is the Pets Class, where we make a variety of pets- dogs, cats, a bird, hamster and most fun of all, is when each student brings reference photos and designs and creates their own personal pet, or the animal of their choice.  I taught it last summer at the Gathering and it is as much fun for me to see the delight in the student, as it is for the student to take home a glass miniature of their furry (or feathered) friend.

I'll tell you a little about the other class on Thursday. (tomorrow's blog is already reserved- see you then)

Getting Ready For Blue Moon In Austin

I am excited to be teaching in Austin next week at Blue Moon Glassworks. My two day Pets Class is so much fun. It is the same one I taught at the ISGB Gathering last year. We will work on a range of dogs and cats, of course, but will also touch on a small rodent (we actually had a pet rat when my kids were little, but no fear, this one is the much cuter hamster) and of course we will do a bird too. But my favorite part is when each student will use their photos and will design and make their own personal pet! I love how excited students are when they make their special family member...like an inner glow comes forth. Totally awesome.

Tomorrow I will tell you about my other class.
If you are interested in classes Blue Moon, you can reach Jim and Rose Berry by emailing.
Jim@austinbluemoon.com. Or check out the website at www.austinbluemoon.com

ps  I had to include a photo every blog, so this is yesterday's test kitty with a bird on her head .  Haven't made this style before, so have plenty to tweak.  But wanted to show you my first try.  It will be fun to see where it goes.  Can you tell I wanted to try one with color?

Christmas Ornament & Bead Class at Blue Moon Glassworks in November!

I wanted to let you, my blog readers know first, that my 2 day Christmas Class in Austin, TX at Blue Moon Glassworks will be the weekend of November 19th & 20th.  This is going to be a blast, because I love Christmas and so do owners Jim and Rose Berry.  So we're going to do it up BIG!

We'll be making really fun glass beads and ornaments in which you will be able to put your own special twists on.  Elves, angels, dogs dressed up with hats and antlers are not only a blast, but you'll be working with a variety of sculpting techniques that will give you the skills to make lots of wonderfully unique miniature ornaments, focal beads and special treasures either for others or to keep for yourself.

Of course heat control is one of the most important techniques, but we'll also be working with some silver, reactive glass, setting a CZ or two, canes and other ways to add sparkle and magic to your beads whether wearing them yourself or making them into tree ornaments.

You can email or call Blue Moon Glassworks to register  -  512-380-0770.  I hope you can join me for the fun and holiday magic.

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!)

Faces Everywhere!

I'm not sure why, but I seem to notice faces in a lot of inanimate objects.  Do you?
This is a vintage hammer, owned by my buddy Jim Berry, of Blue Moon Glassworks.  He was showing me how cool it is because of its age, but I was noticing that it looked like it was smiling at me.  (and no, I don't see dead people, either.

This is what it looks like from the side.

So then I found this hook...again, another face.

You see it, don't you?  Looks like he's been telling lies.

Where do you see faces?  Or don't you?

Sara Sally Did It Again!

I just finished taking Sara Sally LaGrand's fabulous corsage class.  I loved it!  We had a great group of students in Austin, TX at Blue Moon Glassworks.

Sara's mellow, but so professional style of teaching was a delight.  We were relaxed, but very motivated and challenged.  So much to think about- color combinations, proportion, new techniques and more.  Whew!  I must say I was tired at the end from having so much fun.

So here is the pin that I made.  Now that I've made one, I would do it differently next time, but I learned some good lessons.  And I will make more, but they will be more my personal style.  And that's a sign of a good teacher- one who inspires and gives you the tools to take it in your own direction.

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.

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!

Woohoo, On The Road Again

Hey, I'm on the road again. This time, I'm back in one of my favorite places, Austin, Texas at Blue Moon Glassworks with Jim and Rose Berry. Except for Rose's utter joy at whipping me at playing Scrabble each visit, I sure love coming to visit this very delightful couple.

I came down to help out as a classroom assistant and to take Michael Barley's class. Lucky me! Here is a photo of Michael teaching at Blue Moon last year.

I've taken classes from Michael before. I enjoy his laid back teaching style and personality. His beads are gorgeous too. Nice combination.

So I will continue posting on my blog. And after I return and download my photos, I'll add some posts about my trip and what I learned. (but not top secret info- as a teacher, I understand why it's fair not to share exactly what I learn in class. This is a way how they make their living after all.)

And I'll see you tomorrow as always. Live from Austin, TX...home of "Hey Cupcake" and of course, Blue Moon Glassworks.

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

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Cutting flat glass has never been my forte, but while visiting Austin, Jim Berry of Blue Moon Glassworks has taken the time to show me the different cutting tools and how to do it properly.

I figure, if he can teach me, he can teach anyone.

So yesterday, that was one of my goals. To learn how to cut circles, swirling lines, inside cuts and to feel adequate about it.

I am happy to report. I can do it. Woohoo. I know I'm not about to become a stained glass artist, (so much happier melting than cutting), but you know, a girl needs to be adequate when the situation occurs.

So today, we're on to learning to fuse and tonight I'm teaching my Santa Bead class. Such a fun adventure down here!

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