Preoccupied in June

I realized it's been a while since I wrote a blog entry, so jotting down the latest before the month of June gets away from me, and we jump into July. We've been a little preoccupied lately, and putting some glass projects on hold. "Why" you may ask? The picture below should help explain where our attentiveness has gone lately. While on a family bike ride we found these abandoned kitties in some thistles and sticker bushes, meowing and crying for someone to take care of them. We couldn't find a mother, so we scooped them up and have been caring for them ever since. Our son and his wife are helping us out with the sweet little kittens. They are very entertaining at this young age. 😊

Our family rescued 3 little kittens in June.

Siblings

They are quite young, so need lots of attention. We're thinking after a Vet visit next week, we should know more about them and are pretty sure these rescues just might end up part of our families.  I'd say we were in the right place at the right time. So, as far as new glass works, not much to share this month, other than a few pieces: A blown glass Black Sheep nestled atop a nice piece of burl wood, which was commissioned recently, and another commission of  a blown glass solar system. 

Blown and Sculpted Black Sheep on Manzanita Burl wood.

A commission of the Solar System, (Not exactly to scale.) hand sculpted and Blown in the Lamp Work flames.

 We are also expecting our 6th grand baby and 2nd granddaughter any day now. She is a little overdue, so we are patiently waiting for this little baby bundle of joy to arrive any day now. I was busy making an old fashioned baby quilt for her this past month also, and got it done in the nick of time. Some months, other things just have to take priority over the glass. June would be one of those months. I can tell this summer is going to be gone in an instant. Goodbye June, hello July. Until next time, be safe with the fireworks, and have a happy 4th. 🎆🎇

I try to make each new grandchild their own unique blanket.

New Year Goals

Universal Understanding Fused Glass Art Work


January brings with it a sense of renewal and new beginnings. This held true for us in the Studio as we wrote down goals to apply to our artistic glass and creations which we plan to work on in 2016.
Before we got back to the grind though, we actually took time to enjoy winter fun in the mountains with our adult children. It always feels good to rejuvenate out in the crisp, cold Idaho outdoors. Plus our dogs almost demand it, and of course, their needs are fulfilled first.

Some of our dog pack enjoying the snow

Family fun in the snow

Playtime in the mountains

Fused Trout Art work

We plan on creating more slumped and fused art this year, experimenting as we go. Pictured above are samples of some of our latest trout scenes.

Our cure for the January blahs, build a snowman

Now that we have had some fun with the snow outside, it's time to light up the torches and create a variety of roses for the Valentine holiday coming up. We try to include small amounts of playtime with work time, as it helps us to come back with a renewed commitment to our craft. Remember, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Which reminds me, it's time to take the dogs out for some playtime in the snow again. We'll check in again next month to give an update on our Valentine gifts.

Roses cooling down in our kiln

Universal Understanding

Earlier this summer I had an "Ah-ha" moment while on a morning stroll with our furry companions. I was hoping we could enter a new piece of art work into our State Fair this year, and put on my creative thinking cap while briskly walking the dogs. My better half and partner has always had a fascination with anything regarding Space, the "final frontier," and an idea started formulating in my mind of how he could combine his love of glass with his love of the Universe. I hurried home and described in detail what my vision was to him. (This happens quite often, when formulating new ideas for pieces of art, with us both bouncing ideas off of each other.) He immediately began the research involved to take on such a project, and decided slumped and fused pieces were the way to go for the Universal effect that we  were collectively tuned into. 

Countless hours and kiln firings later, our solar system was complete and ready to be put into orbit, along with distant galaxies. Below is the final result of the piece that will be on display at the State Fair the first week in September. It is quite a large piece measuring 36" x 48", and has a 3D effect, with the planets set on standoffs at different heights. Many hours were put into getting the planetary detail put together in a way that was originally envisioned .  We are interested to see what the general public thinks of this particular piece of slumped and fused glass art. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by the Eastern Idaho State Fair and take a peak at it, and let us know what you think.

Our solar system is included in this piece titled "Universal Understanding"

Below are some other projects worked on during the months of July and August as well. We have been experimenting with some unique shapes and fun designs of slumped and fused clocks as well. 

Slumped and Fused Wall Clock

Slumped and Fused Standing Clock

There were also a few more western themed and wildlife, nature pieces created. We can't seem to stock our Etsy store with enough hummingbirds, before they "fly" off the shelf! 

Hummingbirds with flowers are a top seller

Pair of wolves on the hunt

Blown glass bucking bronco ornament

And finally, we're currently working on a large order for some float glass Christmas trees. Yes, I'm sorry to say, it's already time to start thinking of the holidays, especially in our line of work. We will be spending a good amount of time in the Studio restocking our shelves with a wide variety of ornaments, so stay tuned for ideas for unique gift giving for the not-too-distant future.

Preparing scalloped and engraved float glass Christmas tree ornaments