I like to learn new things and I love taking classes to learn new skills. You may remember that pine needle basket class that I took in January. Several years ago Mom and I took a stained glass class that we enjoyed a lot. With both of those, I love the class and enjoyed the technique but couldn't really see myself really investing in either hobby.
When my friend, Lora, and I took the basket class we decided that we would like to take more classes together and decided on a fused glass class. She is already a talented stained glass artist but had not done any fused glass. When a local studio opened a fused glass class for November we sighed right up!
This class is a little more dangerous for me because I already know that I love fused glass as I've been collecting it for years. I have art glass all over the house and it is rivaled only by my pottery collection.
Class meets every Tuesday night and this is my first project that I made last week! It's only 6" square but I was happily surprised to arrive at class last night and find out that my projects turned out OK!
I layered various colored glass pieces onto a clear base. The shop (Jomoco Studios in Richmond) did the tricky part of firing and slumping and I couldn't be happier whit my very first project.
Each week we are learning 2 - 3 new techniques. So I'll have a few more projects to share next week.
The other project that I made last week was a pendant lamp for my sister-in-law to hang in her remodeled kitchen....whenever my brother gets it done. (Carol, I think you are going to like it! I am so happy with the way it turned out and I think it's going to go with your new tiles really well.)
As for this project, I don't know if I will keep it or give it as a gift. For now I have it by the front door to hold my keys.
Meanwhile, I am pricing kilns. I really could get into doing this in a big way....but never as big as sewing and quilting!
ooh! That is nice and I'm happy there is no chance for another hobby for me. LOL
Posted by: elle | November 14, 2012 at 12:37 PM
I love how your glass project turned out! I hate when a new artsy/craftsy thing comes along and taunts me to give it a try.
Posted by: Terri | November 14, 2012 at 12:41 PM
It's beautiful!
Posted by: Becky in VA | November 14, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Oh Vicki!!! That is beautiful!I have always wanted to learn to work with glass. Gorgeous and thrilled that you did!
Posted by: Jeannie | November 14, 2012 at 02:28 PM
Uh Oh! A new addiction :) It turned out very nicely. I see a lot of fused glass and for a first piece you did a great job.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | November 14, 2012 at 03:16 PM
Wow - it's gorgeous! I would have to avoid that class like the plague, because I could go for making such lovelies in a big way :*) Stained glass is another one I have avoided. One expensive hobby is all I can handle right now. Looks like you may have a real knack for this =^..^=
Posted by: Teresa in Music City | November 14, 2012 at 03:55 PM
I have a kiln for fused glass. I bought it 2 years ago and have never turned it on. I am afraid of it, afraid I will burn the house down. I have glass, shelf paper, shelf wash, etc. Everything is ready except me. Maybe if you continue to share your adventure, I will get up the courage to play with my toy. or not :-(
Posted by: Gari | November 14, 2012 at 04:23 PM
it's a beautiful piece... and I think if you spent the time {and money!} as you did to get started in fabrics... ooh! You'd be having fun and burnin' the midnight oil! I told one of my friends today that "I think I'm just hopped up on crafts, period" when we were talking about finding birch bark ... Oh well! It's sure alot of fun!
Posted by: Leslie McNeil | November 14, 2012 at 04:54 PM
I can see some block designs being created in glass! And they will look gorgeous!
Posted by: Virtual Quilter | November 14, 2012 at 05:15 PM
How could you ever part with this exquisite little blue fused glass square dish? It is so very beautiful. What a wonderful work of art. Sighhhhhhh.
Posted by: Gabriela Divine | November 14, 2012 at 07:08 PM
You know that we are certainly soul sisters! I LOVE fused glass, art glass, stained glass, crackle glass and have so many in my house! I am totally jealous that you are doing this class without me... although it would be a long commute for me...LOL! But my, I love what you made and can't wait to see what else you made... Bring it on, I am sure I will LOVE!
Posted by: Jackie | November 14, 2012 at 08:27 PM
I Love It! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kathy | November 14, 2012 at 09:13 PM
How cool! YOu shold check out the Laurel Gallery. It is a stained glass place and they hold classes, too.
http://laurelgallery.net/
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | November 14, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Oh that is so cool! You should defineatly be proud of it!!!
Posted by: Alycia | November 14, 2012 at 11:35 PM
A perfect pairing of hobbies -- quilting and stained glass. My husband learned stained glass making at a husband/wife owned shopped called The Glass Thimble. She was a quilter (quilt shop and classes upstairs) and he was a glass maker (glass and classes downstairs.) Your tile tray is amazing.
Posted by: Stephanie | November 15, 2012 at 06:55 AM
What a lovely little dish! I can't wait until you make more and then sell them so that I can buy one! The art museum here is going to be offering a pottery class and I think I am going to take it. I have always wanted to learn how to throw pots. They are also going to have a field trip to a couple of glass artist's studios and I think I will have to go on that trip.
Posted by: Patty | November 15, 2012 at 08:40 AM
I would love to take that class with you! I love art glass too, but don't have very much of it. I also took a stained glass class and made a couple of windows. It was fun too. Your plate/dish turned out very, very nicely. Certainly does not look like a beginner made it. You just might have a hidden talent for making art glass!
Posted by: Terri | November 24, 2012 at 01:32 PM