Friday, January 25, 2013

Focus On Life 52 Photos - Week 4 ~ Create Art


The Prompt Sally gave us for week 4 of focus on life 52 photos was "create art"
in Sally's own words-
This week let's CREATE ART! There is no wrong way to be creative! Immerse your self in what you already love to make or take this prompt as the little push to try something completely new! Then show us! 
I decided to go with something completely new. Thanks for the push Sally!

Last Saturday I headed out for St.Pete to check another thing off my bucket list.
Anyone who knows me is well aware of the love affair I have with glass, especially stained glass.
I have in my studio most of the tools required to create stained glass and had fully intended to muddle through on my own to learn the craft, something I have wanted to learn for a VERY long time now, but I am so much better with a little show and tell, so I signed up for a beginner's series of classes at

 Pictured here L-R are the owners, Bradley and Eloyne Erickson,
along with Christi and Dawn, all of whom are glass and jewelry artists and instructors in the studio.  Bradley also operates the fine art graphics end of the business in the adjoining studio space. ( another artist, Ragon is missing from the photo but was  a great help getting me settled in and picking out my glass  in the morning)
My hat is off to all of you for creating such a welcoming atmosphere so conducive to learning and for having the patience to share your wealth of knowledge and skills to make my experience in the class a success.

The studio itself is huge and filled with the most amazing natural light, large worktables at the perfect working height for glass, fantastic music streaming from Pandora and all the supplies and beautiful glass neatly organized around the room, not to mention all the finished works of art hanging in the front windows for inspiration.

 The classes are set up in convenient 2 hour sessions with an hour break in between and so I opted to take all 3 sessions offered on Saturday to save travel time and get as much done as I could since I was short on time.
Each session brought with it a new group of participants at all different stages of working, some beginners like me in each session and others coming in for studio time to work on individual projects of varying degrees, both in stained and fused glass.
One of my tablemates was an ambitious young man working on only his second project of which he chose to recreate his family's crest in glass as a gift for his Father.
I shared with him one of my favorite sayings
 "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing"
 I on the other hand was very grateful once I got started to be working on a suncatcher of manageable size and design for a beginner.  Step by step, each of the instructors guided me and taught me the skills I would need to go on from here and I feel very confident in being able to take what I learned and tackle a more ambitious project myself now too.
Clockwise from top left- all the pieces of glass, cut and fit to the pattern layout, copper taped, initial tacking and soldering to stabilize the piece on both sides and then the final soldering on each side and framed in zinc.


 Bradley was kind enough to send me a copy of the picture he took of me  (which I altered) with my completed piece which he had posted on their facebook page here.

 I couldn't possibly go to St Pete and not stop in and see my dear friend Barbara, her studio and shop, Painting With Fire,  is right across the street from Grand Central Stained Glass and is actually how I originally found it. I was visiting Barbara and Jim last year this time when they were busy with all the renovations and getting ready to open her studio.
As you can tell,I snuck in during my break and surprised her as she was luring some more interested students to the dark side! I had really hoped to visit with her longer but her schedule was pretty full so I'll just have to take another trip out there, go ahead, twist my arm!
The street where all of this is located is Central Avenue and it is an historic district full of wonderful studios and shops and eateries and I would love to wander along when I have more time and see more of the area.


I did manage to squeeze in a delicious lunch at Nitally's Thai Mex Cuisine, right down the street from the studio, some Pad Thai with shrimp and iced tea which arrived in a quart canning jar.  I can't even remember a time when I went to a restaurant alone so that is another new thing for me but it was nice. The restaurant was filled with interesting things to look at and was decorated very bright and cheerfully. I would enjoy coming back here as well, maybe with some friends next time.

Now hop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what everyone else created this week!

63 comments:

  1. I am so very jealous right now! I adore stained glass and almost signed up for a class at a local arts center, but I just could not make the dates work. I, too, am totally fascinated with stained glass and your suncatcher is fabulous! And you visited Barbara, too! What a lucky lady!!!

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    1. Yes indeed! I hope you too find a way to take a class someday, I left there so excited to FINALLY know how to do this! I can't wait to work on a new piece.

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  2. Well, this is just fantastic! How exciting that you took this on and with such impressive result. I'd love to learn torch fire enameling but I just can't take on one more thing, maybe someday. That pad thai looks so delicious, such a great post

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    1. Well, the way these prompts are going, maybe even before the end of the year you will find yourself taking it on! As for the pad thai it was delish and I was so excited when I finished my project, that I left the leftovers ( what you see on the plate) in the studio fridge, so I guess I'll just have to go back and get some more :)

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  3. A kindred spirit: I share your love for glass and I did exactly what you did about a year ago... less Barbara's studio (since I am about 2,000 miles North :)) so happy you enjoyed your experience - the sun catcher is beautiful!

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    1. That's great Alicia, have you worked on any glass since? I would love to see some pics! I think it could easily become and addiction!

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  4. Super!! Love the art of stained glass. my husband dabbled a bit in this when he was younger and always wants to get back into it! Loved seeing your photos from your creative day!! And hey, there's my friend Barbara Lewis! YAY!

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    1. Thanks Lorelei! It was a fun day all around, that area has so much to offer.I can understand your husband's desire to work with it again, I found it very relaxing because you get so focused, like making jewelry, very zen like. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Laura, this is so beautiful! Love stained glass. And you lucky lady getting to pop in on Barbara in her studio.

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    1. Thanks Lori, I think a lot of us artists are drawn to stained glass for the color, design and jewel like quality of it. I even find the individual sheets of hand rolled glass a work of art in themselves. I hope to be able to have a longer visit with Barbara next time, her shop looks amazing!

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  6. what a wonderful thing to try!! i ADORE stained glass, and what a beautiful piece you made :)
    *just gorgeous*
    have a great week!
    [no. 19 - i overslept]

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    1. Thanks Claire for stopping by and commenting, and it's Saturday, you're supposed to oversleep! :)

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  7. What a great post - I almost felt like I was in the studio with you. I have a dear friend in St. Pete whom I am overdue to visit. Can you recommend any bead shops?

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    1. Thanks Paula, actually , I was just a visitor there myself and would love to go back and do some looking around. If I find any, I'll let you know, but maybe your friend knows of some?

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  8. It's wonderful to do something new and different. My parents made stained glass and I tried but just did not have the patience. You obviously have made that leap. It's a lovely sun catcher.

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    1. Thanks LeAnn, it does take patience but the process became very zen like, not unlike working in clay really, shaping, trimming, design and color choices, but you're right, clay is much more forgiving!

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  9. What a wonderful art day you had! I would love to learn stained glass art. Maybe it should go on my list!

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    1. Absolutely! I have been putting this off for so long, am so glad I finally checked it off! You would probably love it too!

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  10. What a fantastic day~ Your stained glass piece is impressive and beautifully done!

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    1. Thanks Juli, it was pretty fantastic, I look forward to returning!

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  11. That looks so fun! I've never worked in stain glass before but would to take a class like that - how cool. Love your finished photo!

    (I'm #41 this week)

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    1. Thank you! I think most stained glass shops offer classes as does some of the bigger continuing education/ adult education curriculums, you should try to find one!

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  12. Laura, that looks like so much fun. I bet it is a learning experience and yours turned out so beautifully. Wonderful work.

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    1. Thanks Tanya, I think the positive experience and outcome were highly dependent on the instructors. Good ones make all the difference!

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  13. Hi Laura,
    Oh I am envious of you I have always wanted to learn how to work with stained glass ever since I was a young girl. I will learn one day it is on my bucket list. I love your sun catcher it is very pretty and I bet the beveled glass center sends rainbows out across the room. I did not know you lived in Florida I was thinking you lived in Virginia for some reason.
    Therese

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    1. Hi Therese, we do live in Virginia, just visiting here right now and trying to soak up as much as I can! I too have always wanted to work in stained glass. My uncle did and he actually made the large stained glass ship that resides in our restaurant. When I was younger, (like 14 maybe) he tried to teach me, I cut out a heart, not the easiest shape to start with, got discouraged and only copper taped it, never even soldered the edge. I think I had it in my mind that it was really hard to do so shyed away from it until now. Regret not doing it sooner, you should do it!

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  14. Oh what a pretty piece you created Laura!! Love it. My sister-in-law used to do this and several windows in their old victorian style house were decked out w/the most gorgeous stained glass she created,..I'd pratically fall down the stairs looking at the little windows at her goregous art!! I'm glad you got to try this and hope you get to do more of it!

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    1. Thanks Shel, I too am mesmerized with glass. I consider the glass itself a work of art before it even gets cut and put into a panel.I hope to be able to do more too!

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  15. Very jealous! Your stained glass looks so wonderful and a date with Barbara - awesome!!

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    1. Thanks Courtney! I am really looking forward to returning and really getting to visit with Barbara, it's been since last year since we had a real visit!

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  16. I'm green with envy! First, you make a wonderful sun catcher out of stained glass (gorgeous), and then you get to meet Barbara, followed by a fabulous lunch!!!

    I have designed several stained glass windows, the biggest project was four huge windows for our church,but I can't imagine actually making them. Bravo for this accomplishment, and now you are on your way to more elaborate pieces!

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    1. Thanks Alice, I have to tell you, once I got started I got a newfound appreciation and respect for all those huge windows!That is so cool that you actually designed them! Would love to see pics. It was a great day but having some friends along would have made it so much better!

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  17. Stained glass is something I have had a love affair with all my life but never learned how. I am so impressed with what you made - how gorgeous is that. I think the picture of the studio is what I love about stained glass - COLOR!

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    1. Thanks Katherine, you'll have to give it a try one day like I did! It felt really good to scratch that off the list and know I could do it. I am the same way about the color, each piece of glass has such intrinsic beauty, even before it's cut and put into a panel, especially the hand rolled ones with all the striations and bubbles!

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  18. Love, love, love your stained glass piece!!!! I am also jealous you are so close to Barbara and her studio :) Your pad thai looks fantastic and I am drooling because we don't have any good pad thai in our area. It looks like you had so much fun and thanks for sharing the pics!

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    1. I only get good Thai here on vacation as well, none home where I live. St. Pete and Barbara is only about an hour away which isn't a bad drive. can't wait to get back there!

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  19. Wow fantastic! really looks like you had fun and the photos are great loved seeing the process!

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    1. Thanks Niky, it was a great day! I took some of the photos so that when I do this again I'll remember all the steps :)

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  20. The stained glass class looked like such fun. Steve has always wanted to try it and we have a great stained glass supply shop here in town (http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailconfirm?k=f-0RKVWC0N0gzfB20-KDgZ5ztOI). Just haven't put it together, yet.

    But even better than that (for me) was your surprise visit to Painting with Fire Studio and dear Barbara! We'll all have to get together down there in Florida one day! I would LOVE that! for sure!!!

    So good to see you getting your creative mojo on! Good girl!!!

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    1. Of course, that "feedburner" address is totally WRONG! BooBoo!!! The address for the stained glass shop is http://www.anythinginstainedglass.com/

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    2. Thanks Carol, will go to the site and have a looksee! Steve would be great at it with all his precision architectural skills!Now, is there room between the woodworking and the torches and beads for a stained glass setup, that is the question :) I have been thinking of all of our friends being down here, would be great one day! You are with me in spirit!

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  21. I'm so happy for you that you were able to do something you've wanted to for so long! Your sun catcher is beautiful and it sounds like you really enjoyed your time. I hope you're able to do much more with your new found skills!

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    1. Thanks Annette, me too! Time will tell, that danged working for a living thing can really get in the way sometimes! :)

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  22. That's awesome! What an eclectic bunch of artists we turned out to be....:-)
    Beautiful work!

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    1. Thanks Lori, I know , isn't it wonderful? I feel revived just doing all these prompts and getting to know everyone on a deeper level. What Sally has done here is really special!

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  23. Wow! Your piece came out great. It's wonderful that you were finally able to try your hand at something you've been wanting to do for a long time. How neat that the studio is right across the street from Barbara's!

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    1. Thanks Cynthia! That street is wonderful with all the studios and shops and the historic aspect of it is themed from the Arts and Crafts time era which is my favorite so even the signs are beautiful! I can't wait to go back!

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  24. Your stained glass piece is so pretty!

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    1. Thanks Lola, I definitely have a newfound appreciation and respect for all the magnificent windows out there!

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  25. You get a gold star for checking something off your bucket list. What a wonderful way to create art. You should be proud of your new suncatcher.

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    1. You can tell by the weary eyes and the huge smile that I am indeed proud to have completed it! I hope when I get the chance to work on more that I remember what i did ! :)

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  26. Beautiful first piece of stained glass. I have a dear friend who use to do stained glass mosaics, and also has been wanting to take a class with Barbara. She would be so jealous of your day in St. Pete.

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    1. Thank you! I have done mosaics and am really excited to be able to make some now with shaped glass and not just little chips and squares.I hope your friend gets to take a class with Barbara in person, but if not, she just came out with some great videos!

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  27. Beautiful! I see why you said you could use my painting to set in glass! I was wondering what you meant :) What fun! I would love to try this craft!

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    1. Thank you, Your sense of color would lend a great touch to stained glass!

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  28. The stain glass studio looks gorgeous, what a fun place to create. It looks like you did a great job on your finished piece.

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    1. Thanks Mary, it was a fantastic atmosphere there, a beautiful work space!

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  29. What a wonderful day! Art, good friends, experimentation with new media - I don't see how your day could have been better! And I love the picture of you with your suncatcher.

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    1. It really was a perfect day, everything just flowed so easily, love days like that!

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  30. I have also taken classes here they are the best , help is everywhere, everyone is so nice and so talented , I am going back Tn to Florida for the month of Feb to take more classes in painting on glass. I am so happy I found this studio. Thanks to groupon ,

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    1. I didn't find it through groupon although I did hear others mention it. I received the email about the painting on glass and would SO love to be here for that but unfortunately I will be back to work and vacation will be over. Will have to add it to the wish list!

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  31. Laura, I couldn't wait to see the finished piece after I received your email last week! GORGEOUS!! The closest i've come is fused glass, and with that i wasn't very good at cutting the glass pieces, but fused glass is a little more forgiving then stained glass! Looks like you had a wonderful Saturday!! Love the photos!! Barbara looks a little surprised. LOL!

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    1. Thanks Sally! I actually did glass fusing at John Campbell Folk School with my daughter as a time alone together project back in 2004 and that's what led me down the path of jewelry making. It's funny how things lead around and back to another medium!

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