The Countdown Begins: Glass Getaway

I know it’s only March, however, I can’t help but think about summer. Maybe that’s because here in Michigan the snow seems never-ending and just thinking about summer makes me feel better. Hard to say. Anyway, have you given your summer much thought yet? We have a genius idea! Two words. Glass Getaway! Sounds amazing right? Okay, this is new so let me explain. As some of you may know we have 3 classrooms, however, we don’t typically run classes every day but that is about to change. June 22nd - June 30th we will have an event, class, or demo running in every classroom. For a total of 4 stained glass, 9 fusing, 6 flameworking, 3 mosaic classes and more. Now let’s talk details, shall we? June 22nd we kick off Glass Getaway with our FREE Fusing Forum Event. Then, starting Sunday, June 23rd we will have 25 class options and 5 guest instructors - don't miss Joy Munshower, Cathy Claycomb, Kent Lauer, Tim Drier and John Ferrando. Have I convinced you yet? If that wasn’t enough the nice people at Best Western of Okemos have agreed to drop their standard room rate of $147 down to $86 a night! Plus that includes a FREE shuttle ride to and from Delphi each day. See? I didn’t lie. It is genius, some may even say epic! Now, don’t let classes fill up without you reserving your seat. We are counting down the days. See you soon!

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Wanna Heat Things Up In Your Studio?

Finding your perfect match can seem daunting, let us help play matchmaker by highlighting the traits that will help you fall head-over-heels for a kiln – then stay happy together for years to come. Here’s the short list of questions to ask when you’re looking for that special kiln. What size of projects do you want to make? (Leave room to grow together!) How much space do you have for a kiln? What are the electric requirements (plug type, wire gauge)? What features are important to you? What is your budget? Let’s face it – sometimes size really does matter. We’re talking kilns here people! It’s important to know where your kiln will fit in your life, creative pursuits, and space. The heartbreak of outgrowing your kiln is something we see all too often. While it’s hard to know exactly what you’ll be into a year or more down the road, it’s best to consider all your options now. Do you see something that excites you? Choose a kiln with enough room to fit the biggest mold you’re interested in, plus a few inches to spare. The next consideration is space – how will your kiln fit into your home or studio? Your kiln should be set up at least 12” – 18” away from the nearest heat-sensitive surface, including overhanging cabinets, shelves or window dressings. You’ll also want to set your kiln up on an appropriate stand over a heat-resistant, hard surface such as ceramic tile. This will make leveling your kiln easier while making sure your new wall-to-wall carpet or heirloom table won’t get damaged. Measure now to make sure that kiln you’re considering will have enough space to be safely operated once you take it home. Whi

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Capture the Season in Glass

Inspiration
If you mention Thanksgiving to someone, it almost certainly evokes immediate and specific memories and imagery. The themes surrounding Thanksgiving are often tied to autumn colors, bountiful harvests, the iconic turkey, as well as feelings of gratitude and togetherness. And football, let’s not forget the football (Go team!). Decorating for the holidays is a wonderful way to slow down, build the sense of anticipation, and honor traditions. Whether you make a special fused glass serving dish, a glass art garland, swag or wreath to dress your home for the occasion, or a unique centerpiece for your table, glass art lends itself to capturing the imagery of the season in a way that can be enjoyed for years to come. Check out our Pinterest Board to find more examples of art that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, and be sure to share your projects in the Online Artist Gallery . Looking for a free project idea? Try creating your own Indian Corn Fused Dish with our Project Guide.

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Have a Blast in Your Own Delphi Glass Private Party Class!

Everything Else
Do you want to have a girls’ night but you don’t want to shout over the din at the bars? Perhaps your birthday is coming up and you want to do something special. Or, maybe you’re looking for a unique date-night idea for you and your love. While Delphi Glass always has a full class schedule , you can also make reservations for your own private Delphi Glass class or party.   If you learn better one-on-one, this is a fantastic new option for you. If you’d prefer to learn a new craft in the company of your favorite friends, it makes for the perfect bonding experience. While all Delphi Glass classes require you to sign up for them and can fill up fast, when you create your own private party class, it’s your call from a choice of available dates. Simply call us at 800-248-2048 to speak to our friendly team about scheduling a party today.   Birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, bachelorette parties, church or work groups, or for any special occasion, even making it a surprise for a friend or loved one, these private parties at Delphi Glass make being creative even more fun and exciting. Choose from reserving a private a la car

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How and When to Use Kiln Wash

How-To
If you have a kiln, you need kiln wash to serve as a protective layer between whatever you’re firing up in the kiln and the kiln shelves. It helps to prevent glaze from sticking to your shelves, and keep your art from sticking too. At Delphi Glass, we have kiln wash to help keep you and your kiln happy. If you’re new to glass art and haven’t used your kiln much yet, you might be wondering how and when to use kiln wash though.   Firstly, you’ll need to choose the right kiln wash for your needs. They’re made with high melting points but you’ll want to adjust the formula based on the temperatures you’ll be firing at. When in doubt, a higher temperature formula will always serve your needs and prevent problems.   Because kiln shelves are usually made of ceramic, melted glaze spilling, spitting or tipping over onto your shelf can be a disaster. That’s where kiln wash comes in, to help protect against unforeseen circumstances and stop messes before they start. Mixing it up, it should have a watery consistency, a bit like milk. Apply it in several thinly-layered coats and let it dry completely between each ap

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Learn a New Way to Be Creative with the New Class Schedule at Delphi Glass!

Everything Else
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Delphi Glass is proud to announce our new class schedule for summer and fall 2018. It’s your chance to perfect your skills, learn a new way to make glass art, and make new friends while you do it.   No matter what your glass art skill level or interest, we have something you’re sure to love. You’ll find classes for 3D mosaics, realism techniques for stained glass, the basics of screen printing, how to make tempered glass bowls and much more. Plus, in addition to our classes that cover everything from basic to advanced, you’ll find other class offerings taught by some of the most revered glass artists as our guest instructors! If you’ve ever dreamed of working with Liz Haas, Joy Munshower, Wesley Wong, Carol Shelkin, or Tony Glander, this is your chance!   Many of these classes are one-day or two-day offerings, but if you don’t have the time to stay all day, Delphi Glass also offers a la carte classes that last 2 hours in the evenings with fun ways to make memories and art. From fused glass jewelry to sandblasted glassware, all you need to bring is your favorite

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How to Handle Your Old Lead Came

How-To
Even the savviest glass artist will often find random bits of lead came around their studio. Some can be used in new glass art pieces but others are simply unusable. When you have unwanted scrap came, there comes a time when you’ve got to dispose of it.   But lead is a heavy metal. Throwing it into your garbage can create a dangerous situation. In certain exposure levels, lead can be poisonous to people and animals too. Lead poisoning can lead to severe symptoms that damage the nervous system and even cause blood or brain disorders.   If this sounds scary, that’s because it is. So many people throw old batteries and other items into their trash without a second thought. At Delphi Glass, we urge you to do the responsible thing for lead came scraps and dispose of them properly, not just for your health but also for the health of others around you.   When lead came makes its way to your local landfill, it can penetrate the ground and into groundwater, tainting the water supply. Without responsible disposal, lead poisoning can affect countless people through the water supply. Flint, Michigan is just one example of a place in our

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Turn Your Vacation Keepsakes Into Glass Art

Inspiration
Have you taken your summer vacation yet? Most people are just starting to pack their bags. Whether you’re coming or going though, you can take those cool little vacation keepsakes you come home with and turn them into glass art that will help you commemorate your amazing summer trip.   Need some inspiration? Here are our best ideas from Delphi Glass to get you started!   Create a KraftyBlok shadow-box display KraftyBlok is an amazing crafting item because you can do so much with it. From turning your best photos into a lit-up lamp to creating an epic beach scene with shells and sand from the beach you vacationed at, there is no end to how creative you can get with your display. Even souvenirs you purchase from places like Disney World can be worked into a KraftyBlok project!   Make a mosaic frame A mosaic frame is another beautiful way to display your favorite souvenir items. You can also use it to make a frame for your best vacation photos that you can keep up on the wall or shelf year-round. You can find mosaic supplies at Delphi Glass.   Turn your favorite photos into a stained glass panel

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Get the Exact Glass You Need with the Glass Finder Tool at Delphi Glass

How-To
You probably already know that Delphi Glass has an amazing selection of glass to buy for your glass art projects. From stained glass to mosaics to fused glass and beyond, you’ll find everything you need here.   But sometimes, your projects will require specific colors, transparencies and thicknesses. Or perhaps you’re just brand loyal and want to buy glass manufactured by Bullseye, Spectrum, Van Gogh, or others. Whatever the case, you can minimize your sleuthing for just the right glass by using the Delphi Glass Glass Finder Tool .   The dropdown menu selections make it easy to choose exactly what you want so you can place your order faster. Find your fusing COE in seconds. New to glass art and not sure what that means? It’s the Coefficient of Expansion that measures the rate of how that glass will expand and contract when it is heated or cooled. You need to make sure your glass is compatible if you’re fusing it together. The main COEs for fusible glass are 90 and 96, but whichever you choose to work with, Delphi Glass offers an incredible selection of colors to work with. Newer glass fusing artists will do best with 96. As al

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Dare to Dream: Be Inspired with Dreamcatchers

Inspiration
You’ve probably walked past a dreamcatcher before, perhaps in a souvenir shop or at friend’s home, but have you ever wondered what they’re for? They are more than just a beautiful decoration to adorn your home with.   Dreamcatchers were originally created by Native American Indians. The original versions were usually made of wooden hoops covered in a woven web of natural fibers with sacred and meaningful items attached to them. These would include beads and feathers that would hang from the bottom of the dreamcatcher.   They were used to protect sleeping children from evil spirits and bad dreams. Hanging above their beds, the legend was that the dreamcatcher would let good dreams pass through the web of the dreamcatcher while catching the bad dreams. When the sun’s first rays would hit the dreamcatcher in the morning, the negative energy would be destroyed.   Dreamcatchers serve a protective purpose, and they’re also very beautiful. You can make one yourself with stained glass and feathers and incorporate the native elements to make a glass art piece with traditional items used as well. You can even cre

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How Famous Artwork Can Inspire Your Works of Art

Inspiration
Sometimes when we’re creating glass art, we have an idea and we go for it. Other times, we look around us to find inspiration that speaks to our soul. That inspiration can come from looking out the window and spying a beautiful natural scene. It can come from an experience and the depiction of our feelings about it. It can also come from looking at famous artwork.   When we use great works of art to inspire our creativity in glass art, it allows us to incorporate something particularly stunning into our own translations of it. At Delphi Glass, we often see submissions in our Delphi Glass Artist Gallery of glass art that is inspired by great works like Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Sunflowers, Waterlilies by Monet, Munch’s The Scream, and The Kiss and The Tree of Life by Klimt.   Finding inspiration for your own beautiful glass art creations may be as simple as visiting your local art museum to behold classical pieces or even viewing them from the comfort of your own home while online. As glass artists, we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and looking at pieces that are either incredibly famous like the ones mentioned abov

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