We celebrated Art Glass month by having an Art Glass contest. From May 9th to May 12th, the contest pieces were on display and the "Peoples Choice" Award voting boxes were out. At the Open House on May 12, 2007 we announced the "Peoples Choice" awards and displayed the winning art pieces.
During the Open House we had demonstrations on Silver Art Clay, jewelry fusing, lamp worked beads, glasskolben ornaments (blowing small Christmas ornaments using propane torches), mosaics, stepping stones and stained glass. McKinney High School AP Art Student displaying his photography works, and Sona and some other instructors from the Art House of McKinney helped children paint small pictures and demonstrated how to throw pottery. We have tried to take pictures of everything that went on in the event and added descriptions of what they were demonstrating.
We took a lot of pictures of the events that went on, so many that it's too much for one page. The following list has links that take you to the different pages covering the Stained Glass Open House:
Demonstrations and Workshops |
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Glasskolben Demo
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Glasskolben is the name for the small "blanks" of glass pipe used to create simple globe ornaments (although you are not limited to just a globe shape!). There are two sizes of blanks, and you can use a simple propane or MAPP gas torch to heat them up and blow them out into globes. It does help to have a hothead or a larger torch head. You can fill the blank with powder or frit, or stringers, or other types of glass pieces, then they become incorporated into the walls of the globe. It takes a little practice, but usually by the time you have done 2 or 3 you get the hang of it and can make nice items! Since they are relatively thin, they do not need annealing, but they should be allowed to cool slowly to prevent thermal shock. |
Silver Art Clay Demo
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Silver Art Clay is a fun way to make fine jewelry! It works and acts just like normal ceramic clay, you can shape it, work it, mold it, and take impressions just like normal clay. After it dries, you can work it further and smooth it out, or add more features. When you fire it to the correct temperature (varies, but 1300-1550 is a normal range) using a torch, kiln, stovetop, or clay furnace, you end up with 99% pure silver in the shape you want it! You can use several types of gemstones, there are gold versions, you can repair it, add coloring with a process similar to patina, and work it to a brilliant shine once completed. Sallie Bly, a certified instructor, will be around to demonstrate how to use this unique material. (PS - Yes, you can incorporate glass with this clay, but there are some things you should know before trying that technique!) |
Jewelry Fusing Demo
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Come watch Melinda show you how jewelry can be made using glass fusing techniques. She will be running a make and take workshop - for a few dollars you can create a small glass fused piece, we will fire it and it should be ready to take home in a couple hours. (It will still be warm, but we will package it for you.) This workshop will likely stop by 2 PM in order to give the kiln time to fire the last round of pieces and be ready by 4 PM. |
Bead Making Demo
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Come by and watch the art of bead making using a torch and glass rods! Watch us make beads in minutes (it takes a few more to let them cool down) and show you some simple techniques in bead making. |
Stepping Stone Demo
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Watch and learn about the craft of making stepping stones and mosaics. |
Mosaics Demo
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Watch and learn about the craft of making mosaics. |
Fusing Ceramics and Glass Information, Stained Glass
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Come by and talk to Angela, our ceramic artist, about fusing glass and ceramic items together, and watch demos of stained glass craft. |
Glass Pattern Design
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Christie is a published pattern author, and showed people about pattern design and software. |
