Forest Through The Trees

What a fun project this has been. I got the opportunity to go up to northern Michigan this past October. My husband and I were married for 26 years - yep! While driving, my camera was working overtime and we were constantly pulling over to the side of the road to get the magnificent beauty that you can only find there.

This glass is a result of the inspiration from that trip. I am working on putting it into a stained glass panel framed in bevels and probably copper tubing. I'll update this once the piece is done.

People often ask where my inspiration comes from... well, it comes from every day life. This time from the beauty of fall. This photo is actually taken of this piece while it is still in the kiln prior to firing. I used System 96 Cathedral glass and crushed it into various sizes and shapes. It is even more beautiful now that it is fired but it is so fun to see the before and after. So, keep watching. When I get it all done, I'll post the finished picture here as well.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Class Idea: As usual, I like to let my students know of class opportunities. This Saturday, if you would like to learn how to fuse or work on a fusing project that you have already started, I will be open for classes from 10am-2pm after my free mosaic class at 9.

Enjoy your surroundings and remember how they make you feel. You may want to put it into glass one day!

Misc. - Yesterday, Lead Free Solder, Mosaic Class...

What a day yesterday! I was glued to the tv. If only a fraction of the expectations of this new presidency can be accomplished, how exciting that will be.

My FREE mosaic class for this Saturday from 9am-10am will be followed by class times ranging from 2-4 hours for those interested in glass classes of any kind. For those coming for my FREE class, we will either be working on Tara, my mannequin that has already been partially completed with a Breast Cancer theme, or a new mannequin idea called, "First Ladies". I'm kind of excited about this so if you do come, please bring ideas with you. If you don't have any ideas, that's ok, I have plenty for both of us. And, mosaic glass is FREE also. I have a lot to get rid of. It is sorted by colors already. Take the whole box and it's FREE. Pick a piece here and there and it's only 50cents a pound. I really would like to get rid of it. This is also great for 4H groups, church groups, schools, etc. So... pass the word.

Solder - I have made a concerted effort to use only lead free solder. Green is the buzz word of today and I have been toying with this idea for a long time. For those of you who do stained glass... you know it is more difficult to work with, does not take well to patina, and does not polish up as easily as it's leaded competitor. That said, it can be done. Workng with lead free solder is better for you and our environment.

I have contacted the manufacturer of the solder I use most often, Canfield, and asked them for their input. On their web site I read that you may have to try different fluxes, play with temperature, etc. When I hear back from them I will let you know what I hear. If you have suggestions along the lead free solder line, let us know. For some technical information from their site, go to: http://www.canfieldmetals.com/stained_glass.htm .

Enjoy the day! Pat

Crowds of 1 to 2 million expected at inauguration

Originally I wanted to post some information about my classes on Saturday, but I couldn't help but get excited about today. No matter where you stand on the issue of who won this presidency, you can't help be realize what a historical event it is.

I was told the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, in my home town, was hosting an event for people to watch the inaugurtion. So, when I got online, I found several events in our area. Here is the information for the TCA that came from the Daily Telegram web site. Here is the link for other sites: http://www.lenconnect.com/news/x497788232/Inauguration-viewing-sites-planned : The public is welcome to watch the inauguration on the big screen at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St. The open house-style event, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is free. Cowboys Grill will offer an inaugural lunch menu. Reservations are needed, and can be obtained by calling the TCA at 423-6617. I am going to do my best to make it there.

I would love to hear how you are planning to spend the day!

Pat

OF NOTE: By the way, be sure to check my web site. My free mosaic class and other classes are posted there. It is Saturday, so don't wait. My plan was to work on my mosaic mannequin, Tara. Maybe going to the inauguration event will push me into a different direction on Saturday.

Birdhouse by Toni Herrick

Product Information: Birdhouse by Toni Herrick. This birdhouse is part of the Flights of Fancy Art Auction to benefit the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. This auction features the work of local visual artists and will culminate in a swanky party at the Tecumseh Country Club on September 13, 2008.

I was looking for information on Toni Herrick and found this photo of her donation for the TCA Auction. It is a wonderful, fun, and colorful piece that I thought you would enjoy seeing!

CLASS IDEAS: Don't forget to check my web site for upcoming classes... pre-registration required for all of them. Open shop time, free classes, and glass classes of all kinds are coming up quickly.

Maya Angelou, Letter To My Daughter

Letter to My Daughter: Dedicated to the daughter she never had but sees all around her, Letter to My Daughter reveals Maya Angelou’s path to living well and living a life with meaning. Told in her own inimitable style, this book transcends genres and categories: guidebook, memoir, poetry, and pure delight. Like the rest of her remarkable work, Letter to My Daughter entertains and teaches; it is a book to cherish, savor, re-read, and share.

http://www.mayaangelou.com/AngelouBooks.html

This is a wonderful web link to Maya Angelou's new book, Letter To My Daughter. For those of you who know me, I love to hear her talk and read her books. On the web link above is a link to her UTube introduction the the book posted here. I have read it, and when I do, I can hear her voice reading to me. It is a wonderful experience. For those of you who would like to hear a beautiful woman give her outlook on life, her experiences, and the gift of her unforgettable voice, click on the link... read the book... let me know what you think.

A couple of years back I got tickets to see Maya with a friend in Detroit. They were upper balcony seats worth about $20. The usher said, "Your seats are broken, can I offer you another?". We followed her down, down, down, down, all the way to the 2nd row on the main floor right in the center. It was an experience I will never forget. I am anxious to hear your responses. I do have an extra book. If you are in the vacinity of my Tecumseh, MI studio, I would gladly lend it to you!

Pat

SOLDER CLUB - 40% OFF SOLDER

~SOLDER CLUB Membership: 40% Off Solder (plus shipping if necessary). Today, that would mean 60/40 solder normally $14/lb. would be $8.40 & lead free solder normally $36/lb. would be $21.60. (2# minimum with each order).
~15% DISCOUNT CARD (excluding kilns and large equipment)
~$10 OFF Chicago Electric Heat Gun (Normally $31.95) upon membership signup.
Good for use with No Days Fusing Adhesive, and No Days Mosaic Adhesive.
~FREE No Days Fusing Adhesive Sample with purchase of heat gun.
~FREE No Days Glaze Sample with purchase of heat gun.
~FREE SHIPPING on first order.
~GIFT ENTRY valued at $150+. This quarters gift includes : 1# 60/40 solder ($14), 1# lead free solder ($36), Bevel cluster ($38.75), Melted glass bottle ($20.00), Round fused glass piece ($30), Roll of 3/8” copper foil ($17.35). Drawings from solder club member list on the 1st of May, Aug., Nov., Feb.
~ADVISE via email… priceless. Ask questions about projects your working on, considering, have seen, etc.
~SEE STORE FOR DETAILS.

SIGN UP AT THE STUDIO SALE TODAY FROM 9AM-3PM.

Check out this short UTube site on soldering stained glass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7NBCNY1Tck .

Forever Cherished Productions

Forever Cherished Video Productions is a company owned by my niece Shelby and her fiance Aaron.

This information about their business was taken directly from their web site and a link to their site can be found here as well. Check it out and refer them to your family and friends!

Experience: Aaron Mayberry graduated from Full Sail University earning a degree in Film and Video production. Since then, in addition to countless weddings he has worked on many different projects, ranging from short films to commercials and feature films, doing everything from camera operating to directing and co-producing. He was also a member of the Fox 66 news department in Flint, Michigan.

Located: Based out of Metro Detroit, Forever Cherished serves all of Michigan and surrounding Great Lakes States.

Equipment: We offer both standard definition(SD) and high definition(HD) camera packages. We also use wireless lavs, which are tiny microphones that will be invisible, and allow for great audio during the ceremony so that none of those special words you've exchanged will be forgotten.

We use the latest versions of all the top software, including Avid Media Composer, After Effects CS3, Adobe Encore CS3, and more! We also have a vast array of wedding music to score your wedding day!

The Difference: We want to prove to you that both our professionalism and artistic-creativity will make the difference. We know that this is a once in a lifetime moment for you, and we want to help you cherish it, forever!

http://www.forevercherishedproductions.com/index.html