The Gift of Glass

Each year, I like to make gifts for teachers, close friends and family.  This year I mass produced stained glass Christmas lightbulb ornaments that were given to teachers and my close friends.

I think they turned out great.  I used one of my Cricut Christmas cartridges to make the template.  I made 10 and gave away all but one.

I had to keep one to put on my tree.  I kept one of the aqua colored one and it looked amazing.  I love how textured glass catches the light.  On the left, no light bouncing off the front, on the right, how it looks when the light catches it.

I also tried making a paperweight for my mother-in-law.  For my first attempt, I was very proud of it.

The seashells and sand came from the beach that is a favorite of us both: Ridgevale Beach, Chatham, MA.  I used four different kinds of glass.  Clear with ripple, white and milk swirl, aqua with ripple and dark blue.  I cut enough glass to finish one for myself and plan on doing that soon.

Blast From The Past: Glass Blowing

I had a fascination with glass ever since my Grandparents took me The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY.  It was amazing watching those artists, spin, pull, shape and blow glass.  I could watch that for hours.  I vowed as an eight year old kid that I would learn how to do that some day.  I DID!  It was awesome.  While going to art school at UMHB I found out from my adviser that there was a glass blowing class offered only once a year during the summer.  I signed up right then and there.  We went to a local studio owned by Bob Rynearson called Ryno Glass.  Bob was an amazing teacher and I was able to produce these works under his guidance.

Salmon colored cup.  Approximately 3 inches tall.

Blue and purple speckled bowl.  Approximately 5 inches across.

Tulip shaped red and white cup.  Approximately 4 inches tall.

Fused glass pendant.  Approximately 2.5 inches in length.

Shaping the glass using wet newspaper.

Opening up the blue and purple speckled bowl.

I had such an amazing time blowing glass and wish that I had the hook up to pursue this more.  I love being creative, I love art and this by far has to be one of my most favorite experiences EVER!  I hope to be able to do it again. 

Above is just my favorites, I managed to create 8 cups/bowls and 5 pendants while taking the class.