HOW Stuff Works: How Glass is Made

From Discovery Channel's "Some Assembly Required," visit a float glass manufacturer and see how they turn raw materials into glass.

Wrapping a Glass Base with Zinc Edge Came

Several people have asked how I attach the hangers to my Glass on Glass Mosaic Mandalas.
So, here is a "short" 20 minute video lesson that describes the process. Enjoy!

View more mandalas at calyxann.etsy.com!

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!"

Jim Flora's "Chance Encounter" in Glass

Thought I'd share the video I finished a week or so ago. I watched it again tonight, and I think it turned out pretty well!


It's a fairly concise description of the whole fused glass process for making a slumped platter with frit. So, if you're curious...check it out!
:)

Chance Encounter (1970)
by James Flora (1914-1998)
www.jimflora.com
used by permission
http://jimflora.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jimflora

Fused Glass Class at the LUX - Spring 2011

Finally got around to making a little video short/slideshow showing our spring fused glass class at the LUX Center for the Arts. Everyone had a great time and can't wait to do it again...after summer vacations are over!

Making Fused Glass Globs

Begin by cutting strips of fusible glass:

You can use mosaic nippers to cut some strips into single layer squares for smaller globs.

Stack other squares into two and three layer stacks and place on a prepped kiln shelf.

Fire the glass squares up to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit and hold for 8-10 minutes.
In a small kiln (like my Caldera), I go AFAP (as fast as possible) to 1500 and hold for 10 minutes, then the next segment of the firing schedule is off. The kiln holds enough heat, and they are small enough that I'm not worried about thermal shock. Plus, I'll be firing these again in a larger project. They'll really anneal in that piece.

Matt Costa - "Mr. Pitiful"

I found this new(-to-me) artist while flying home from Vegas aboard Virgin Air. Posh! I explored all of the videos on my personal entertainment system, and played a few anagram games as well:)

Kaki King - Langerado, 2005

So, driving home from work tonight, listening to KFOG on the radio, I hear this beautiful song being played. The guitarist is Kaki King, whom I've never heard of before. I make a mental note tha tI must check this guitarist out!
Of course, I head to YouTube, because I want to share...and I don't find the song the I was listening to ("Sad Americans"), but I see some amazing footage of this girl playing guitar in a very unusual style! WOW!

John Mayer - Message in a Bottle

Enjoy!

Jack Johnson and Ben Harper - Gone

Yowsers! Hot, hot, hot! Two of my all-time favorite guitarists/singer/songwriters on the same stage playing such a meaningful and soulful song. Just listen to that slide guitar, too! What a find!

Gary Jules - "Mad World"

Ingrid Michaelson - "The Way I Am"

Yael Naim - New Soul

I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world,
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But, since I came here,
felt the joy and the fear,
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

I'm a young soul in this very strange world,
hoping I could learn a bit about what is true and fake.
But, why all this hate?
Try to communicate.
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

This is a happy end, 'cause you don't understand,
everything you have done. Why's everything so wrong?

This is a happy end. Come and give me your hand, I'll take your far away.

[Refrain]:
I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But, since I came here, felt the joy and the fear,
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la....

Can't get it out of my head....

but I love this video with Sara Silverman and Matt Damon!

For a little history, and why the above video is even funnier...

The End of the World...

is nigh! Buy something! Quick!!!

Three Guys Walk Into a Pub...

Bill Bailey, British comedian...see more on his flash-heavy website, if you dare...

Intimidating or....

just plain silly?!? You decide!

Fusing Plastic Bags

I've always thought this was a fascinating technique...I'll have to try it once again, as the last time I tried, I wasn't too successful. Seems like the iron temperature is a spot of contention, or at least question:)

Feeling Groovy!