January Tune Up

 
 Most of this month found us both down for the count. Bronchial crud is not easy to get rid of. We had to go to the Doc. to give us both a tune-up. In between the coughing spells we got to work on various projects, and also managed to give the Studio a tune-up of sorts. We added a wall so I could have my own space for packing up orders. I have really needed this area, especially when the orders start piling up. And of course there is a need to start fresh in the new year, so we organized the room and repainted it too. It feels much better to enter our work space since making some much needed improvements.  Now to work on the front display area before the Valentine lessons start in a few weeks.  (You wouldn't believe how quickly dust settles on the glass.) 

Not many new projects to report, other than the tennis ball snowmen ornaments we worked on. They took up a good chunk of the first part of the month. It was reported they were well received by the tennis club members. Makes all the labor worth it to have happy customers. 

Working on a commission of  tennis ball snowmen.

We worked on a few miscellaneous orders too, like the pouncing fox and cobalt blue dolphin, pictured below. Also a variety of roses and tulips. (Customers seem to buy lots of Spring flowers from us in January, they must want to kick the January blahs with some pops of color.)

Pouncing Fox

Cobalt Blue Dolphin Ornament

Our glass roses and tulips come in a variety of colors.

We haven't had as many deer this year, but it was nice to step outside the Studio and see a couple of bucks in the backyard recently. There have been some poaching incidents reported around our area, so it gives me solace to see two bucks surviving both winter and bad humans. We've also seen many birds of prey, but they are harder to get a snapshot of. And owls hoot away at night, perched in our tree tops in our backyard, waiting to snag one of the many rabbits around the property. Have I mentioned how much I love witnessing the plethora of wildlife and the nature around here? 💓

Two bucks in our backyard.

The first full moon in January was a sight to behold in the early morning hours. It made me long for a zoom lens so I could get a better shot of the man in the moon. 😊 As you can tell by the picture below, we are experiencing a good Idaho winter this year. As I get older and wiser, I realize how important the snow pack is for our summer months. So, while it may be cold and dreary this January day, I accept it as a good thing. A good snow pack means a good storage of water for those hot summer months coming down the road. Well, time to stop daydreaming of Summer and get ready for our "Hot Date Night" Valentine lessons. See you next month.

The first full moon of the year, setting over our sleepy little town.

Creative Works in the Studio

 This month was spent going outside the box on many special requests generated from various customers. We started out the month by working on a design for a gift/award that was handcrafted for a prominent Company in our city, Melaleuca. They requested that their logo, a Melaleuca leaf and droplet, be created out of glass...along with an American and Chinese flag to symbolize a new business partnership for them.

Creating National Flags out of glass

Initially this project was a real puzzler, with countless hours put into the design, trying to get it just right. The glass leaf was hand sawed and carved and fire polished in the kiln. The droplet was fired with gold in the kiln, multiple times. Overall, I think the end result was what they were after.

Russ also had time to create an unusual glass water fountain for our own front patio area,  shown in the video below. 

We had fun creating the piece below with an Upcycled wine bottle that I hand engraved. It's accented with colorful blown glass flowers and a butterfly attached with copper wiring.

A pretty Upcycled piece of Wall Art

 A variety of  blown glass flowers were also created for an Etsy customer this month.

A variety of purple hues were used on these sculpted glass flowers.

 Another client wanted some Tinkerbell-like pixies created. The picture below is what we came up with. 

Pixies with Butterflies resting on glass flowers

 The flowers below are part of an unfinished order we are still working on. They were a challenge, but the end result is worth it.

The blown glass Dolphins were a special order from another Etsy customer. They will be woven into a handcrafted Japanese basket.

Cobalt blue glass Dolphins

 Pictured below is the beginning stage of our float glass water fountain. Russ hand cut each piece and it required multiple firings in the kiln. 

First stage ready to be fired in the kiln.

 The leaves were cut and sawed into, then laid on kaowool for the desired texture.

Glass leaves ready to be fired.

Another month full of new projects, it keeps us on our creative toes! Thanks for tuning in to what's new from our Glass Studio. Until next time, enjoy those summer days.

Finished project