Undersea Gardens Plate Using 96 Cane and Sumpy's New Ripple Swoop Mold

Carrie Strope Sohayda ~ "Undersea Gardens" 12" x 6"

Materials:

• 1/4 lb 96 Fusing Canes Alternating 3 Red 2 Aqua Inner Helix
• 1/4 lb 96 Fusing Canes Green 5 Line Inner Helix
• 1/4 lb 96 Fusing Canes Cobalt 5 Line Inner Helix
• Spectrum System 96 Dark Blue Transparent
• Spectrum System 96 Clear
• Spectrum System 96 Cherry Red Transparent
• Spectrum System 96 Medium Green Transparent
• Spectrum System 96 Deep Aqua Transparent
• Slumpy's SM-6130 Ripple Swoop Mold
• HoneyDoo Zuper Glue 

Tools:

• Mosaic Nippers
• Fine Tip Sharpie
• Ruler
• Glass Cutter
• Running Pliers
• Safety Glasses
• Kiln
• Papyros Shelf Paper
• Kilnwashed Kiln Furniture

1. Begin by cutting glass and nipping cane.
•Cut two 2” x 12” and two 1½” x 12” pieces of clear glass.
•Cut two 1½” x 12” pieces of dark blue glass.
•Cut two ⅜” x 12” strips each of dark blue, cherry red, medium green, and deep aqua.
•Mark fusing cane at 2” lengths. Using mosaic nippers, cut fusing canes in each color to 2.”

2. Layout pieces according to pattern.
•For the first layer, lay down smaller piece of clear glass in the middle. On either side, place the
strips of glass on edge, and then lay down the  dark blue pieces of glass to the outside.
•For the second layer, place the two remaining pieces of clear glass on top of the dark blue, and lay the cane out across the clear piece in the middle, securing the outer pieces with a dab of glue.

TIP: If you build on a piece of cardboard, you can easily transport and load the pieces into the kiln.

3. Full fuse & then slump.

Pattern Alterations: •To eliminate strips, add ½” to
the width of the dark blue and clear rectangles.
•To avoid using kiln furniture or fiber paper dams,
cut two ½” x 2” pieces of dark blue & clear to hold
the fusing cane in the middle section.

FIRING TIPS:
•To prevent the fusing cane from shifting off of the base layer of glass while firing, use kiln dams
against the ends. If you don’t have dams or fiber paper, you can alter the pattern using the above
instructions.
•If you want to eliminate bubbles from between the canes, space the canes so that there is a little
wiggle room between the pieces.

Suggested full fuse firing schedule:

200 dph to 1000ºF hold for 45 min
50 dph to 1250ºF hold for 25 min
500 dph to 1450ºF hold for 45 min
full to 1000ºF with no hold
200 dph to 950ºF hold for 60 min
100 dph to 800ºF with no hold
300 dph to 120ºF  with no hold

NOTE: This is a fairly conservative firing schedule, but you may need to make changes based on your kiln.

NATA 2013 Youth Art Month Exhibit at the State Capitol

In my recent wanderings at the Nebraska State Capitol, I happened upon an exhibit of art organized by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association on the first floor of the capitol rotunda.

NATA 2013 Youth Art Month Exhibit

The pieces on display not only showed artistic talent, but told the stories of how they were created. I ran across many great lesson plan ideas. (NOTE: I forgot to write down the names of the pictures I took, and so I only have two teachers quoted. If you happen to know the teacher whose lesson plan is listed, could you let me know?)

"Dog portraits made with newspapers seemed like a great idea. I had both the first grade and fifth grade do this lesson. The fifth grade created them first. They worked from a photograph of a dog they found on the internet. There was lots of trial and error as the children tried to created the shapes they saw in their dog's photograph. After all the shapes were glued down pastels were used to give their dog more dimension. I simplified the lesson for the first grade and their projects turned out as nice as the fifth graders." ~from the paper accompanying the piece

Living Art ~ Nebraska's State Capitol

The state capitol building was built between 1922-1934 with funds from a special assessment tax and was completely paid off by the end of construction. The architect, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue died 2 years into construction which laid the way for the incorporation of Native American symbology (as Goodhue is referenced as saying the incorporation of American Indian symbology would make the building look like a tipi.)

 I grew up in Nebraska and took many field trips to the State Capitol building. The building is quite amazing and you hear several stories and references to it if you live around here. I won't go into the rather colorful nicknames it's been assigned due to the fact that Nebraska is rather flat and the capitol building is tall and upright. I'll leave that to your imagination...

Clinton Elementary School Residency ~ Mosaic Glass Quilts

In December, I spent one week with K-5th graders at Clinton Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to creating fused glass snowflakes to take home and enjoy, we collaborated on a glass quilt that will hang in the school for all the students, staff and visitors to enjoy for years to come. I'm thrilled that the International Quilt Study Center is going to host the opening reception in May for First Friday. I can't wait for the kiddos to share their experience!

Pre-installation picture of the six 18" x 24" panels

  We spent the week with color theory and worksheets figuring out the quilt blocks we wanted to use, what shapes made up the blocks we chose, and playing with different color combinations to find our favorites.

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).

More Snowflakes at the LUX

For the second session of fused glass snowflakes this year at the LUX Center for the Arts, we weren't at the LUX! Winterfest 2011 was in full throttle at the LUX, so we were fortunate enough to be able to use a conference room at Ayers and Ayers, Inc. The facilities were incredible, as it's a LEED certified building structure and just has some pretty amazing technology!

I was not the only one who loved the digital "dry erase" board :)

After we finished sketching out our ideas on the board, we sat down to puzzle out our pieces, beginning with the templates for our snowflakes...

Drawing out the templates for our snowflakes.

Next, we needed to get busy measuring and cutting our strips of glass...

Assembling Fused Glass Windchimes

Fused Glass Snowflakes at the LUX

The fused glass holiday season has begun 

at the LUX Center for the Arts!

   My first group of students for the season was ready to jump right in! I got lots of great photos of them all working...Since all of the students are newbies and it's a short family class, the easiest way to get started is to use mosaic nippers and cut strips down to glue together in a snowflake pattern.

Getting started...

My favorite part of these classes is seeing the color combos that everyone chooses...

Color Play with Glass Links

Making these glass link bracelets is somewhat addicting, as I pull out the frit, the molds and the scale to play a bit of mad scientist!

 

After pulling out my supplies (spoon, cups, scale, frits and molds), I begin mixing up colors depending on my mood. Sometimes my inspiration is a flower, or a dress, or even wedding invitations! BUT...