High Plains Community Schools Residency Recap

During the last week of September and the first week of October, 2012, I was able to work with High Plains Community Schools in Polk and Clarks, Nebraska through the Nebraska Arts Council Artists in Schools and Communities program. AiS/C makes grant money available as matching funds for school and community projects. If you're interested in learning more about the program, their website has lots of helpful info.

Finished mosaic panels : 9th-12th graders
102" x 36", glass & mirror mosaic

For the first week, I stayed with my gracious hosts Peggy and Maynard in Hordsville, Nebraska, a short 10 minute drive to the Polk High School, where I worked with grades 4 & 5 on fused glass sun catchers and grades 9-12 on the mosaic panel pictured above.

Mosaic Inspirations

Mosaic Inspirations, a gallery on Flickr.

I put together a mini gallery on flickr to assist with classroom discussions of the mosaic design and creation process.
You can view the gallery and discussion questions by clicking on the Mosaic Inspirations link.

Glass Gospel

Daily Nebraskan journalist, Kelsey Lee came over for a visit a few weeks ago. I showed her some different glass techniques and talked about why I love glass. Check out the great video she put together!

Glass Gospel from Daily Nebraskan on Vimeo.

Riley Residency Recap

Earlier this year, I worked with a local elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska to create a collaborative piece of artwork to hang in the school. The students dubbed it "The Legendary Glass Art of the 2nd and 3rd graders of Riley Elementary."

Miss Mollie Magnuson created a wonderful video of the experience, and I wanted to share it with you:

I love working with the kiddos! It's especially rewarding to hear them say, "When I grow up, I want to be a glass artist!"

A Message for You...

Source: Uploaded by user via Random House on Pinterest

I just finished reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and I have not been able to stop thinking about flowers and the messages they bear. Well, they used to bear...
In today's bustle, the language of flowers has been all but forgotte. But, thanks to Vanessa Diffenbaugh, there's a re-awakening. And, being a former Horticulture student but forever a plant lover, I could not put this book down. Now, I'm thinking of the messages I could hide in my yard...

AND, since tomorrow is Mother's Day, I wanted to pass along the message that there are e-cards bearing flower messages available on the book's website. So, go get a card for your mom!

Frit Mandalas Using Glassline and No Days Liquid Fusing Adhesive

If you're interested in purchasing the plates below, they're currently for sale at the Noyes Art Gallery in downtown Lincoln through the month of April. After that, perhaps I'll list them on Etsy. Contact me if you're interested.

Ready to fire in the kiln

No Days Liquid Fusing Adhesive can be used with frits to easily create complex designs. In this set of Mandala plates, I've added Glassline Pens to the mix to add extra layers and dimensionality.

Base layer of clear becomes the clear cap

How to Make Dichroic Purse Hangers

Materials:

Assortment of System 96 dichroic from Slumpy's

Slumpy's new bracelet finding, and Aanraku key fob and purse hanger

No Days Bailbond and a heat gun

Affairs of the 'Art at Noyes Focus Gallery in April

I'm an associate member at the Noyes Gallery in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I have lots of glass jewelry to peruse. But this April, I'll be joining six other artists in the Focus Gallery! That means I'll have some larger pieces available!

Thanks to Doug for the pedestals

artVenture 2012 Fused Glass Plates

"Garden Plaid"

This year's group of Girl Scouts met me at Architectural GlassArts again for our fused glass collaborations. Girls age 8-16 years old participated, with most of the girls being in the 10-12 year old range.

Vintage Chanel Chain Glass Link Jewelry

Martini with Olives Necklace

Ta da! I've finally started using all the fabulous vintage 1970s era Chanel chain that I picked up at the Society for American Mosaic Artists conference in Lexington, Kentucky a month ago!

Faux Brown Stone Necklace

The chain caught my eye right away because I knew it would complement the oval cast glass links that I've been creating. These are now listed for sale in my Etsy shop, so head over and pick one up. These are truly one-of-a-kind. When the chain is gone, there's nowhere to get more!

Faux Turquoise Necklace

Riley Elementary Residency in Fused Glass

Mrs. Northup started the kids on their fused glass journals before the project started

I recently completed a month long residency with the 2nd and 3rd grade classes at Riley Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Funding for the project was provided by grants from Americorps and the Nebraska Arts Council, with Miss Mollie Magnuson of the Lincoln Arts Council (& Americorps) organizing the whole thing!

Cutting glass is fun!

Before starting with the first week's project of cutting glass, Mrs. Northup guided the class in creating both "I'm a Glass Artist" books (to document the process, and in teacher-speak...'Making Learning Visible'), as well as getting them started on a sketch...a highly detailed sketch that filled an entire sheet of paper!

Valentine's Date Night at the LUX - fused glass plates

The Party Table!

What better way to spend Valentine's Day, than hanging out with your sweetie and being creative with glass?!? That's what we did this year at the LUX Center for the Arts in historic University Place, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Christy and Carl with an OU plate?

Six couples joined me for music, treats and fused glass fun! We all worked on plates (and pendants or sun catchers).