Winter 2020 Newsletter
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Glass Lessons

What has working with glass taught us?
Cutting glass: You guide glass to do what it's going to do anyway, which is break. Beyond a certain point applying more pressure makes things worse. Sort of like working with people.
Fusing glass: wait for it. Rushing the kiln can spoil weeks of work.
Bead-making: control your temperature, don't let it get too hot. You have to know when to back off (lesson and photo courtesy of Sandy Spear).
Share your own insight on our Facebook page.
Leaks and other home repair issues in the last month meant moving lots of accumulated possessions, including taking 2,000 of my how-to glass appliqué books out of the attic and shuffling most of my studio around. I got to reflect on what a great push glass has given me for learning new skills, exploring the limitations of the medium, and sharing knowledge with others as student, teacher and art show participant. The resulting friendships, even more than the glass pieces, are treasures.

How people learn about glass has changed in the last decade so most of my books went into the recycle bin (yes, I still have a few if you're interested). Instead of buying books people are going on-line. Several local glass teachers, including Richard La Londe (he also still has a few of his two wonderful books for sale), Michael Dupille,  Gil Reynolds, and other local instructors offer videos through their own websites, Glass Patterns Quarterly's on-line lessons, Bullseye Glass's education section, and any of a number of other on-line course sources.
But video can't build connections with other glass workers like in-person classes do. The little asides that get shared can lead to whole other avenues of exploration. Go to our classes/resources page for links to local instructors.

If you want to combine classes with travel, the big Las Vegas Glass Craft and Bead Expo show comes up near the beginning of April every year (can someone give us a report of their experiences for the spring issue?) and many local instructors teach there. The Expo seems to have changed policy: Rather than allowing students to sign up during the show, as in the past, one part of the website says you have to have registered for classes by January 31st. https://www.glasscraftexpo.com/glass-book.php shows you what's going on this year so you can plan for next year.
Jennifer Kuhns will be teaching Installation Techniques for Mosaic (like in this photo of her work) both at the Glass Craft and Bead Expo in Vegas the first week of April and then at the Society of American Mosaic Artists conference in Tuscon, May 12-17.
Teachers I've talked to mention an upsurge in in-person class enrollments and interest in glass of all sorts but we also note that more students are looking for condensed one-day experiences rather than the typical 6 to 8 week stained glass class. Your local craft school, glass-shop or studio may offer something like this. Even if it isn't on their calendar, they may offer it by request.

There are also open lab times at many glass shops where you can work next to, and exchange ideas with, other glass students.  NW Art Glass in Redmond WA, Glass Expressions in Burien WA, the Bullseye Resource center in Portland OR, and probably many others, offer this option for students who have taken at least one class from them (fee structures differ: please inquire).
Even though Stan and Colleen are retiring, Covenant Art Glass In Everett WA is getting fully stocked and scheduling classes . They'll be introducing the new owners very soon.
Another way to build those personal connections is by taking studio tours, visiting art shows and organizing get-togethers. See "Announcements and Events" below for links to meet-ups and other glassy events in the next few months. Mark your calendar for Refract, the 4 day celebration of NW Glass organized by Chihuly Garden and Glass and many others, October 15-18, 2020. They are putting together the schedule for this 2nd year now and expect it to be up on their website by June. Some events filled within days last year so you might want to pay attention .
 NEXT ISSUE: "Pass it on: glass for the next generation". Please send us suggested topics, photos of new work, events etc..
Karen Seymour, Editor

What's New? 

Debbie Patana of Inspirations Glass just finished this glass lace bowl (lace was then backed with sheet glass and finally slumped)
Lori and Joel Soderberg of JLS Glass reminds us it is February with their combed glass heart, "Forever Love"
Katy LaRue and a dozen other glass artists will be showing off their new work at the NW Flower and Garden Show Feb. 26-March 1 in Seattle's Convention Center

How'd They Do That?

Sharon Dunham sent us these before and after photos of powder carving she did at Shirley Bishop's studio as part of February's play day for Oregon Glass Guild members. Powder carving is a process of sifting layers of powdered glass onto sheet glass and carving through them to show the layering and the sheet glass below.

You can see some of Sharon’s work at the Gathering of the Guilds May 1-3 in Portland's Oregon Convention Center. Applications are still open if you want to sell your work: the "group booth" lets you show just a few pieces rather than having to come up with a whole booth full of work .

Note that OGG is changing its name to Pacific NW Glass Guild to highlight the fact that they welcome members from Oregon, southern Washington and beyond. They hold events on both sides of the Columbia, like this play day in Washougal. If you live in the general area and like the idea of monthly "play days" and other glassy events, consider joining or renewing your membership now. Sharon writes their newsletter.

 Announcements & Events

Looking for other glass folks?
  • Oregon Glass Guild (soon to be Pacific NW Glass Guild) meets nearly monthly; they also have a newsletter
  • The Whidbey Island Glass Guild holds periodic gatherings and sponsors events: contact Gina Mitchel: 1shopcat (usual symbol) gmail.com
  • Seattle Glass etc. Sunday Brunch potluck every few months: contact Karen Seymour to get on the email list, next meeting is probably April 5, 2020
February
11-15    Bullseye Glass Resource Center, Portland OR, winter sale
15         NW Garden Bling Mosaic Challenge, Concrete, WA
26-Mar 1   NW Flower and Garden Show, Seattle WA
March
            (take a class)
April
5?        Glass etc. artists' potluck brunch at Seymour Stained Glass (in Seattle, call first: 206-525-1577)
25-26 Art In Bloom Seattle's Garden Art & Studio Tour, Seattle WA
           (say hello to Karen Seymour, your FriendsInGlass.org editor, at site #2)
May
1-3     Gathering of the Guilds, (including the Oregon Glass Guild), Portland OR 
2-3    Best of the NW, Seattle WA
8-10 & 16-17 Camano Island Studio Tour, Camano Island WA
20-24  Pilchuck Spring Tours, Stanwood WA
Your favorite glassy event isn't here? Send us a note or post it to our moderated Facebook page.
We've simplified the Classes/Resources page. If you offer classes (or want to help someone who does) please see if I have you listed/linked correctly. If you have a specific class coming up please post it to our moderated Facebook page.
You sell/teach glass art and you're not in our Gallery? It's free. Without you and your other glass friends our database isn't nearly as useful to the the Pacific NW glass community. We want a photo of yourself at work for the artist directory and 3 images of your art for the gallery plus a bit more info so prospective buyers, galleries, students, and others can contact you.

FriendsInGlass (you know the symbol) mindspring.com or (206) 525-1577
Thanks!
Karen Seymour
Copyright Friends In Glass 2020 -- All Images are used by permission and those copyrights are retained by the artists
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