Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Art of Glass





I have a fascination for glass beads. I admire the wonderful pieces of work in miniature, their color, their reflection, and their sparkle have me in a trans. My husband informed me last night of a class this week, so I picked up the phone and made us both a reservation! This afternoon, I could hardly wait to attend a class by the master artist Marco Jerman of Jerman Art Glass.

As soon as I saw her work bench, I knew immediately I was going to have fun!





Marco is on the left showing me how to begin the first bead. I wore special glasses to protect my eyes from the flame.



Then my husband was instructed the same technique.


We each got to make 3 beads, the first was with dots, the second with stripes and the third with a combination of both. This is what Rog made. Aren't they gorgeous? I am so glad he decided to do it too as it meant more beads for me in the end! LOL



Here are the ones that I produced in the class. They are all far from being perfect, but I thought they turned out quite well for a first timer!





This lizard she had on her table, just tickled me! She also had many beautiful bugs, starfish and frogs and other things.



Love the textures on this one! Unfortunately it broke in half, but since it is so precise, I am thinking that I will make something with my fiber art and glue the flat surface down and built other beads around it.



This awesome piece Marco made reminds me of an Easter Egg! Since we didn't dye Easter eggs this year, I found it appropriate to purchase as a momento of the class along with a few others from the first photo.



If anyone plans to visit SE Ohio, I highly recommend Marco's class. She is just an awesome teacher! Class was only $25.00 and lasted an hour, although we were there for most of the afternoon. I could have stayed longer, but I know I will be back!

Last week I was also in a beaded frenzy, as we stopped at Penny Antique Mall in Cambridge. One of the vendors also had beads and I had a blast picking out all sorts to add to my stash. They are nothing like the Flame worked glass beads, but still some nice additions for my collection of growing beads!



Another tickled find at the antique mall was a print set from the early 30's! I was quite impressed to find that most of it was still intact! I am missing 3 lower case letters and the number 4 though.

I love anything to do with lettering and this was my favorite find of the day!


This week I also finished quilting the Raspberry Lemonade quilt.




I must now go back to working in my studio soon as I just got my flooring FINALLY! I will be looking forward to it getting it down and all of my things back in order. Just hopefully soon!!!

12 comments:

Ohhh Snap said...

Congratulations on taking your first bead class :D. You all did great! Gorgeous beads, TFS :D

Pam said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pam said...

All the beads are so colorful and beautiful. Looks like a fun class with a reasonable fee.

Love the lemonade quilt. I just love the quilt you did for me. My sister was over today and was eyeing your great work. Wanted to know what I was going to do with it. Think she might have been hinting but it's mine.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Well done on the beads, they're very impressive. The cost of the class was very reasonable. Love the print set, what a great find. The quilt is beautiful, lovely colours :-)
Anne x

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Oh Wanda, how lucky of you and Rog to take that glass bead class. I love beads too! I love the feel of them, the colors, the look of all the designs.....EVERYTHING! Wow and that is a very good price for the class. I want to go to Ohio Now! :(
Both of you did great on your beads. Please tell your hubby I said so. :)
So happy to hear that your Flooring finally is there. I am excited for you.
Hugs and Happy Easter!

Val said...

What fun! I'm not far away here in Pittsburgh and will have to try that someday. And happy Easter!

quiltmom anna said...

Your beads are beautiful- there is something really special about hand made things. It looks like you and your husband had a really fun day together. It looks like you really enjoyed your time.
The lettering kit is lovely too.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Anna

Pattyskypants said...

Amazing! Sabryin & I took a class yesterday, too! Are we the luckiest women in teh world??? YES! Love the beads and would LOVE to take the class! Outstanding bargain at $25! xxoo

Kim D. said...

Wow, your lamp work beads are beautiful and looks like you both had a fun day! I would love to take a class some day, I've admired some similar beads on Etsy. The lettering kit is an awesome find and your raspberry lemonade quilt is lovely.

Tymes Past said...

Thanks for visiting my blog...the Barn Sale is definitely worthwhile...Julie and friends manage to pack that barn with so many wonderful items and the way it is displayed makes it feel like a huge treasure hunt...hope you can make it...

Your beads are beautiful and being a lover of all things vintage, I adore the printing set--what a great find!

Chris Daly said...

How fun! I've always wanted to take a flamework class

Nancy said...

The beads are just gorgeous. Are they what are called "lampwork" beads? So, so lovely. Hmmm, I sew for antique dolls and wonder if that technique could be used to make tiny buttons?