Glass class

Last night was the last glass class. I have so enjoyed the classes. Last night we made jewelry with dichroic glass. I will not have those pieces back for a week or so but I can share everything else I made over the past 3 weeks. Remember, like with quilting classes, this was a learning experience. There's some big time "yuk" but there are a few winners, like the little plate I made in the first class.

This is a pendant lamp shade that I made in the first class with the blue bowl. I wasn't going to share it because it's a Christmas gift for my SIL for her kitchen. She (and my brother) are remodeling the kitchen and using tiles in greys, browns and blacks. I'm really happy with the way this turned out. I've already sent her a photo of it because I couldn't wait. Hopefully it will work in her kitchen.

In the second class we did some "weaving" and casting. These are my cast pieces. I actually made 3 of them but one is stuck in the mold. Apparently it wasn't coated well enough with the release agent. Glad that wasn't on me! I'm not sure what I will do with these. They are kind of cool but I can't see wearing either of them as a pendant.

Here's a failure for you! She wanted us to work with decals so I did and I think it's awful. This would have been cool with just the blue dots on lime. I'm glad for the experience but they can keep the decals. This can be smashed up for future projects. 

Here's another fail. It actually looks better in the photo than it looks in real life. The gray stripes are copper foil. Yes, I expected copper, not ash. This can be another one for the smash pile. Both of these plates are 6" square.

Here's my big win of the class. I LOVE this plate. It's 12" square. All 5 people in class made a wove plate. Only 3 survived the firing unfortunately. I'm glad mine was one of them!

I do not have a lot of hope for my jewelry pieces but I'll share them when I get them. As with everything I do, I went all anal retentive and used a lot of tiny glass scraps for my pieces and spent a lot of time sanding them down to fit together like a quilt. It's going to me much ado about a mess.

Now, I am having a big internal debate about going forward with this craft. I absolutely love working with the glass and I think I can get into this hobby for about $1200 to cover a used kiln with glass and supplies that would last about a year. It's a lot of money but that's not the dilemma. The dilemma is time. Will I have (or make) the time? I have talked myself in and out of it 15 times in the past 5 days. I REALLY enjoy doing it and I don't expect to spend a lot of time working with glass but I'd love a couple of hours a week and that would certainly be enough time to create gifts and things for myself without winding up with closets full of glass.

I don't know. I'll figure it out eventually! Meanwhile I will just enjoy my woven plate.

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Because I NEED another hobby, that's why!

Comments

[Sue H]

Love your woven plate! I understand your dilemma though...

[elle]

I feel for you. Time? yes, it is a problem. I do like these though.

[Laceflower]

For someone who lives in a small town you sure have alot of artsy stuff going on! It's fun and alluring trying new avenues of creations. Good luck in making THAT decision.

[Becky in VA]

Your pendant lamp and woven plate are so cool - and your dilemmma is a nice one!
Happy piecing, appliquing, designing, dyeing, blogging, cutting, ironing, quilting, lotion/soap making, ornatment making, postcard making, exercising, socializing - not necessarily in that order - and maybe creating in glass. You really do inspire me!

[Deb Levy]

Amazing stuff!

It's only money...I say forge ahead and try it! If it works out that you really don't have the time, you can always sell (or donate to a school) the kiln and supplies.

[Jean S.]

Life is short, enjoy yourself. Unfortunately,you we only have so much time so what are you willing to exchange for the glass. I can handle two crafts at any given time. Quilting is a given and the others are changed out as the mood strikes me. Have fun!

[Frances M. Arnold]

Gorgeous plate. I am glad that you will have it to enjoy for a long time!!! I feel for you with your decision. I have started several different hobbies (although less expensive ones) and then found that I didn't really want to take any time away from quilting. Cant wait to hear what you decide and how you decide it!!

[Debra]

I wouldn't smash the 2 plates--I really like them. They would certainly be wonderful gifts should you need something in a hurry.

I probably have about 100+ wooden cigar boxes in my garage. My dilemma is always, "I should start doing assemblages with found art objects". I haven't gotten any closer to doing them (this year) but I am always hopeful I will next year. I try to stay very focused but sometimes trying something new is really the activity that eliminates some of the tedium or boredom of the current activity (until the tedium of that activity takes over!). We all need variety, in the end.

[Stephanie]

The woven plate looks like polka dots! Love it. Hobbies can be tricky -- one we get started...

[Freda Henderson]

Vicki, I love the green and blue plate...also everything else. Glad you enjoyed the class.

[quiltdivajulie]

I love glass - but I am not going to get into it as a hobby . . . because of time and dilution of energy (still have the day job to contend with).

My own self-imposed limit - I wish you well making your choice!!!

[Cindy Is Crafty]

I love the big plate. It is really cool! You with another hobby, that is priceless. When will you have time to make boobies? :O)

[Kathy]

Doooooo it! Love the woven plate.

[shirley bruner]

that woven plate is fabulous. i think you should make those and sell them....i would buy one. and i like the copper plate, too. i have always wanted to try glass crafts.....but i don't need another hobby.

[Gina]

Oh that woven plate has got to have you saying yes go for it! I've often wished I could take some glass classes but for the same reason, lack of time, I haven't done it yet. But you've taken that first step so I hope you find time to continue.

[Kathy]

I really like these, especially the "failed" copper one. I think the gray stripes are great. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

[Carole]

Gorgeous pieces! I say go for it! Only because it's you! Anybody else I would say, think about the commitment etc... but you.... heck you are the queen of time. I think you have a time turner or something! After you get all comfortable with this hobby, you might want to try stain glass! Lovely hobby! ;o)