My Art Bra for 2014

Making Art Bra's is fun and knowing the money is going to a good cause always makes it even that much better.

Personally, I am not real excited about the use of radiation and chemotherapy.  But, I have also never been diagnosed with an illness that would suggest those are my best options.

I do know, many women I know have been helped as a result of these treatments and the money raised from this event will go towards furthering the research and treatments for so many women.

The event is great.  The cause is a good one. The art you will find will stir the imagination.  And, it really is just fun.

I was considering making a candle holder out of this and changed my mind when I took this top down photo.  I love the way it looks just like it is so why change a good thing.  I actually made this for another event and the winner never picked it up (her loss right?).  So, I will be making a few adjustments and entering it this year.

Mark your calendars.  Save a little money to buy something cool.  Think about donating an "Art Bra" yourself.  That term is very open to interpretation by the artist.

Pat Deere
Make it a fabulous day!

Link:  Art Bra Lenawee

Another "Art Bra" from a previous event...

I don't remember what year I made this one but it was fun.

I think I like it because it could be hung but doesn't necessarily look like a bra, unless you are at an event and know it is supposed to resemble one.

This was made with two melted glass baby food jars.  The red flower was given to me by a friend.  Sorry, I don't remember who it was but people are often giving me glass objects.

I love the little wings under the rose because I bought them from a man who would recycle old car parts.  He had all kinds of molds that he would make little objects with.  That was YEARS ago.  I still have quite a few of them.  They don't solder in easily and have to be wrapped in foil to make them work but I love them.

And the crystal at the top was intended to be hung.  Over time, the top broke and there was no longer a hole to hang it with.  So, with a bunch of misfit pieces, one of my favorite art bras was born.

This is what I meant when I said the Art Bra Class I will hold for the next 3 Thursdays would be kind of a free for all.  Whatever I have in my studio, mostly whatever, would be open for use by students.  And, almost everything would be included in the class.  Of course, I have to have some exceptions.

Thursday, 6pm-9pm, or whatever time you have.  Would be great to get something going!

Pat Deere

Art Bra Class - Let's Get Started This Week

Glass stringer is like using colored pieces of glass spaghetti.  Usually it is fused into glass that has the same COE (coefficiency of expansion), but maybe you will come up with another idea for it's use.

I decided we will do this class on Thursday evenings.  If anybody is available this week, let's get started.  If you want to come next week, that's ok too.  But, we will have the last class January 30 because the art bras have to be submitted by February 3rd.

I am excited about this class because I will open up lots of stuff in my studio for your use.  You know we collect lots of things as artists and keep them forever.  I've got metal scraps, old canvases, pastel paints, acrylic paints, mosaic glass pieces... and on and on and on.

My studio will be open on Thursdays from 6pm-9pm.  The class will be $35 for 3 hours, or $30 if you can only make it for 2 hours.  Most materials/kiln time will be included unless you would like to do something more than what I intend.  Details will be talked about in class, or call me ahead of time.  Kids are welcome if they come with you for $10 more per class.

Each day I will show different techniques.  No particular schedule - just whatever seems to be of interest to those in class.  Maybe I'll bring out the torch and create some beads.  Maybe I will solder,  Maybe we will cover mosaic techniques.

Bring your ideas and your questions and that is what will drive this class.  I can't wait.  Let's see what we can come up with.  In fact, this could be a group art bra, or you can make your own.  What are you waiting for, let's get started!

Pat Deere 
Links:  Art Bra Auction Info

Strength Courage and Wisdom

Ok.  This is it.  I was given a mesh mask that was my husbands stepmothers.  Some of you recognized it as a radiation mask.  She gave me the mask well over a year ago and asked me to do something with it.  It took me a while to figure out the best approach.


Because it is flimsy, using glass, the medium I most often use wasn't an option.  I wanted the mesh of the mask to show through and with glass, I would have had to solidify the mold which would have hidden the mesh.

 

I considered painting, but that would not have done what I envisioned either.

 

Finally, I came upon a bunch of beads used on a window display when I had a studio downtown Adrian.  As artists, we keep everything.  I guess there was a reason I never gave these beads away.  We also don't throw anything out.

 

Little by little the mask came to life.  If you ever put one on, it is very confining.  It is easy to imagine what it must feel like when your face is locked into place with this mask during treatments.  I wanted it to be something fun, bright, colorful and inspiring.

 

The lettered beads read, Strength * Courage * Wisdom.  Enough said.

This made me think... there is an Art Bra Auction in Tecumseh.  Anybody up for an art bra party in my studio?  We have to work fast.  Entries are due February 3rd.  Watch this blog for more info on dates and times.

And... do me a favor.  Go hug a survivor!

Pat Deere

Art Bra Auction Info

Some People Are Amazing

Some people truly are amazing.  This mask belongs to one of those people. 

Anybody know what it is?

I will share the story down the road but for now just know this is my latest project.  I was given this mask with a request to make it into something special.  I have had it for - maybe a year or more.  I couldn't decide what medium to use.

Glass could be difficult and I didn't want to hide the mesh it is made up of.  Considered painting but that wasn't going to work out the way I envisioned either.  So, it is in the process now and I don't want to post pictures until I am done.

I would like to see some of your favorite masks and the stories behind them though.  Feel free to share and I will post them if I can!

Feel free to send them to me via this blog or via my Facebook page.  While there, be sure to "LIKE" the page to keep up on classes, events, and projects!  

Pat Deere

Holiday Market Today from 5-8pm

Hathaway House from 5-8pm.  Create customized greeting cards like this one, using your artwork, your photos, or professionally taken photos of your family or employees.

Click this link for more info:  Hathaway House, Holiday Market

This card was created using a combination of tools.  The frame is a stock item, the photo inside are ornaments hand blown by myself to make a truly unique Christmas card.  As a Dr. Seuss fan, I love the variety of colors and textures in these ornaments.

Would your original artwork make a wonderful card this year?  Let me help you.  Stop by the Holiday Market or give me a call!

Pat Deere

Ornaments are ready to claim! The addiction has begun.

Ornaments from my previous Elementary Glass Blown Ornament class are pictured below.  Most of the students wanted to get together for another big blow!  This time we will be using ornaments that are 1.5mm thick, and 40mm in diameter which will give them an opportunity to be a little more creative and have ornaments that are not quite as susceptible to breakage.  Although, in a beginning class, we spend a lot of time getting used to the feel of the glass.  How long does it take to heat and cool?  How strong should my breath be?  Am I continuously spinning my glass as I heat and blow the ornament?  How much frit or stringer is in the bulb and how does that effect the ornament?

Students should take a look at what ornaments are theirs and let me know.  I would also be interested in the best date to get together for another "blow off" week-end.  We talked about buying a box of 100 ornaments and splitting them, students purchasing a bottle of MAPP glass, and continuing to feed our addiction!

If you weren't in on the first class, let me know if you would like to join the next group!

Pat Deere