"Picasso" Jewelry

 

This is an example of the "Picasso"method of jewelry design (Tanya Veit).  It is made by full fusing dicro face down, and then carving out Zentangle patterns with small diamond drill bits and a Dremel tool.  You then bevel the edges with the lap grinder and the fire polish to reestablish the glossy finish.  I will admit it does takes some practice, both finding a comfort level with Zentangle and developing a steady hand with the Dremel, but well worth it.  It really adds variety to my jewelry ensemble.

Yes--the jewelry...

For those that know me, I have repeatedly stated that I would not take on jewelry as part of my glass repertoire.  Yet, here I am making jewelry and actually having fun with it!  This is a sample of my current line--a men's bolo tie and matching belt.  As many glass creatives know, jewelry sells, period.  So in order to have a fully balanced gallery set up, jewelry had to introduced to my line and I am glad it did. 

Moonwalk Studio Tour Tomorrow!

Getting ready for Monday evening's Moonwalk Studio Tour!  All looks good but still wishing I had more glass to display.  Patience, Diane.  Patience.

"Sneak Peak" Ridgway's Moonwalk Open Studio Tour

I am working insanely to get ready for my first official studio tour as part of the Town of Ridgway and Weehawken Art Center's Moonwalk Art Tour on the evening of July 22nd.  It will be a sneak peak of the gallery and studio, with the grand opening scheduled for mid-August.  I am expanding my product line to include glass jewelry (it is always a great seller) and will have several pieces ready for the studio tour.  This pendant is fresh out of the kiln, into the setting.

Nearing the Finish Line

I suspect some of my followers have started questioning whether I was going to be able to bring this project to completion.  Although I am behind schedule by about a month and a half and over budget by a few $$, I am pleased to say we are now truly in the home stretch.  I have provided a couple of before/after collage photos as proof that we can see the finish line from here!  

I am in the process of moving the glass and molds now so we can get this party started :)  First however, I have to dig up the collapsed sewer line. Oh well-two steps forward and one step back.....

Still planning on a late June/early July opening....stay tuned.

Gallery Progress

After many, many delays due to weather and local government regulations, we are finally making decent progress on completing the studio and gallery remodel.  The windows installation is wrapping up this week and the stucco repair should soon follow. The kilns, equipment and glass are being moved over the next week+, so production is just around the corner.  The gallery grand opening is also starting to shape up and is looking like it will be the latter part of June (provided the Town of Ridgway does not throw up any more barriers to finishing the work). 

I have attached a number of pics of the WIPs and finished work in the studio.  I will also post the Grand Opening date as soon as it is set.  Enjoy....

Pulling the porch off for the new windows in the middle of a snow storm.

Repainting in spring.

Front porch with new floor and wall--it will be display area for the gallery.

The settee are in the gallery display. Still have the floor to refinish.

The kiln shed!

The floor and wiring are in--ready for the kilns.

Le salle de bain.

We kept the original kitchen cabinets and rebuilt the countertops. 

The Official Aspen Light Glass Studio and Gallery

I have been away from the blog for a few months 'cause a big, BIG project was in the works.  I am now happy, no downright overjoyed, to announce the official new location for the Aspen Light Studio and Gallery in historic Ridgway, Colorado.  We made the purchase a couple of weeks ago and are in the process of a major renovation to convert this 1899 miner's house into the cutest studio and glass gallery.  We will be adding more glass product as part of the new location and a glass teaching center!  We hope to be ready to open in early summer so stay tuned for more details.  I will post the official grand opening information as soon as we are ready to go.

I have been working on this for well over 3 years and my lifelong dream is finally taking shape.  It just goes to show--never give up on what you believe in--just look forward, ignore all the distractions and develop a clear vision. 

Wholesalecrafts.com and AcreLasVegas.com

I was recently juried into Wholesalecrafts.com :)  I have decided to move into wholesaling with some of my production work and will be showing at the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE)  in Las Vegas in late April.  I am excited about casting the "broader net" and look forward to working with retail gift shops and galleries through wholesalecrafts.com.  Of course my principle focus will continue to be frit painting, but this allows me to sell and market my smaller work without all the drama associated with the local area galleries.

If you would like to "visit" my page click here and enter artist #27243 and pw - aspenlight.  Please keep in mind that I am just getting started with my product and hope to have it more robust in a couple of months.  If you are interested in placing an order, the site requires that you register as a retail buyer.

The Framing of Frit Paintings on Glass

Aaaah, the sweet smell of success!  I have finally conquered the impossible--I have successfully mounted the frit painting on glass and then set the base glass in a heavily fortified frame.  Thank you Hang Your Glass for creating the nesting mount.  It works fabulously for what I have wanted to do for a long time.

Cobblestone Bridge Translation Frit Painting

I recently received my second Donna Serafis workshop piece, Cobblestone Bridge Translation.  I am using this piece to design a glass-on-glass frame that will allow transmitted light, but is hang-ready.  I am having numerous requests for a piece that is framed and can be hung like a conventional painting, so I am working with a local frame shop to create a system that should work.  Stay tuned for the result!