Spruill Gallery's Holiday Artists Market Open House Tonight!

Join me for the Holiday Market Open House tonight.  And come see my 2011 Series of handmade snow globes and glass ornaments. 

Traveling with Glass Rods

It seems like there are times when we need to carry our glass rods somewhere.  Whether it's to a class, a friend's house, or maybe even to demo.

I wanted to show you what I use.  I requested this to be made on Etsy.com.  I saw knitting needle organizers and thought that would make a great way to carry my rods, protect them and partially cushion them too.

So I contacted one of the shop owners and asked whether she could make me one.  She showed me which fabrics she had in stock.  We designed it so it has two pockets .  You might not be able to see the taller pocket in the back.  They are varying size so I can sort my glass.  (this photo was taken at the end of class, so no ROY G BIV for me right now)  I also asked her to make it taller than usual, so my rods could fit in as well as there's a fabric flap that flips over the top to hold them in.  I wanted it to be washable, and a solid color on the inside, so I could see the rods better too.

And finally, I wanted it long enough to carry a good amount of glass.  Nothing too short.  This one carried more than enough for my four day class that I just taught with lots of spare, "just in case" glass.

If I could change one thing, it would be cool to have a clear plastic front pocket in at least part of it.  I could then see if I have stashed very short rods.  

I also have one for my mandrels. I keep my spares in one of these roll ups too.  That fabric is washable, VERY sturdy and double sewn.  

Do you have a good way to carry your glass around?

Meet Guppy ~ From Plushie to Focal Bead

Meet Guppy. Guppy is the favorite stuffed animal of one of my customers' little girl. Apparently, Guppy isn't allowed to go everywhere the little girl goes, so her Mom decided to find her a stand in who could.

So she contacted me through my etsy shop and sent me a variety of photos of this beloved pink seal. I was touched. Obviously this is a well loved "friend" and as a fellow Mom, I have my memories of how attached my kids became to certain toys.

So let's talk about the process a little. How did I get from step A to step B?

I looked at the shape, the texture and the face on Guppy, to decide how to form this and where the hole needed to be.

Then I picked my colors, which you fellow glass artists know are limited, when it comes to pinks.
I used the Effetre pink and CIM's Gelly pink for the two shades.

My first two efforts, (not shown) were pretty scary. I had tried to give Guppy some texture, so she'd look more like a plushie, but she looked more like a seal wearing a lion costume, as I added fur around her little face. Needless to say, those two got scrapped, but they were helpful in figuring out the body shape and flippers.

On to a smoother and more refined Guppy. No textured fur. I built the body like a large donut shape at first. I wanted to get my height of the body with that. Then I started adding on to parallel sides. A little bit on the side where I would attach the head and face and a lot of glass onto the back side. It looked a little like an asymmetrical torpedo. I wasn't worried about the exact shape at first on the back flipper end, but wanted to get the mass of glass in place.

I added the head in the Effetre pink and flattened the part where the CIM pink face would go. Two dots where the eyes would be added and then the face. Just a bit of black stringer for the simple eyes and nose. I chose not to make the whiskers, because when they're fine lines, they tend not to look very good...at least when I make them.

I shaped the front flippers with a little bit of detail made with pliers and then heated the back flipper side and slightly pulled it out for the elongated shape. I added to large dots of CIM and gently mashed them for the back flippers. A little more plier work for details (and maybe a touch of razor blade for more definition and we were good to go. Guppy is on her way to be wrapped for Christmas. What a fun gift and an everlasting memory.

You can see more angles of Guppy in the sold section of my shop. Just click here to get to it.

Do you have family favorite items that can be translated into glass memories? Or have you done it already? This was my first custom order like this and I really enjoyed making it. I could easily imagine a little girl loving that pink seal.

Meet Skamp

I wanted you to meet Skamp, who was a recent custom ordered bead through my etsy shop.

I am currently working on four fur friends for a customer in Hawaii and have one other pup to photograph too.

Custom pet glass portraits are a lot of fun. I ask for good photos front and side at least of your pet, and any size requirements, special markings, etc. Then I go to work and make these small interpretations, which can be worn as jewelry pendants, used as holiday ornaments, or little sculptures to hang out where ever you want.

Besides pets, I've also done children, grandchildren and some pretty funny requests- from penguins wearing blue viking helmets, to cats wearing a pirate patch...I love them all.
Visit my etsy shop to see more of my work, http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com