1. Blogs Sites like blogger.com and wordpress.com make setting up a blog free and easy. Its a great way for students to create online portfolios of their work and document the creative process. Teachers can also use blogging sites to create free mini-websites for their classrooms to post assignments and encourage student interaction. 2. Flickr Flickr is an online image gallery, where teachers can share images of their students work. You can adjust the privacy settings to keep your gallery private, public to some groups, or completely public. Visit Delphis Flickr site for inspiration. Flickrs Creative Commons section is also an excellent resource for royalty-free images that you can use in PowerPoint presentations and projects. 3. YouTube YouTube is a great resource for free videos on almost any topic. More than 200,000 videos are uploaded per day, and chances are, your favorite business probably has its own channel. The Delphi Glass channe l has more than 130 instructional videos for learning new techniques in art glass. YouTube for Schools provides schools access to hundreds of thousands of free educational videos from YouTube EDU. These vi

Here's a great idea for a night in with the ladies ...Jennifer Newman, Delphi's Director of Merchandising, recently hosted a Mosaics and Wine night for a few of her friends. It was a fabulous event (all of the ladies are now addicted to making mosaics!) Here's how you can plan a similar experience for your closest friends. 1. Send out invitations. You can use a free service like Evite to send out stylish invitations to your girlfriends. We recommend no more than a dozen people. Ask them to bring an item to mosaic (a flowerpot, a wooden box, a small table, a trivet, etc.) 2. Plan your menu. Snacks and beverages like sangria, beer, salad, artichoke dip, veggies and chocolate covered strawberries are always well-received. Make it a pot luck and ask each lady to bring a food item or beverage. 3. Gather your supplies. You'll need a few pairs of wheeled tile nippers , an assortment of mosaic tiles (glass and ceramic), clear silicone adhesive and colored grout. 4. Set the mood . Use folding tables and disposable table cloths for easy cleanup later. It's also nice to have finished projects on hand (if you've done this before) or mosaic books for inspiration. Fr

Over the weekend I attended the 23rd Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair. The trendy area of Hyde Park, located in Tampa, FL, was the perfect setting for a show of its kind. The brick-paved streets were lined with booths showcasing high end art - everything from life-sized sculptures and paintings, to handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. One of the exhibitors was world-renowned glass artist and Delphi customer Vincent Pernicano . I recognized his work three booths away. There is something so captivating about his approach to mixed media. Pernicano, who has won several awards for his work, including the 2009 Delphi Art Glass Festival Online Competition, uses layers of colored glass that have been cut into shapes and fused together with glass frit and fusible glass paints to create three-dimensional components. The glass components are then backed with wood and attached to a canvas-covered wood-backed panel and frame that has been pre-painted with acrylics and/or oil paints and sealed with five coates of varnish. Dichroic glass stones are sometimes added as accents to the finished piece. Pernicano lives and works in a small community in Northern Michigan, but his ar

There are some fun events coming up at the West Michigan Glass Art Center , so I thought I'd share... 1. Battle of the Glass Blowers Friday, April 13, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 14, noon-6 p.m. Battle of the Glassblowers is a high energy glassblowing "battle" in West Michigan Glass Art Center's Hot Shop to create incredible glass blown objects. Winners also receive bragging rights! Fast paced team glass blowing competitions and individual competitions are judged by a panel of esteemed judges from our Kalamazoo community. To pique your curiosity, our timed categories include, Fastest Goblet, Fanciest Goblet, and Mystery Winged Object. Come out and cheer on your favorite glassblower! Event is Free! 2. Glass Art Center Auction Saturday, April 28, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. This year's Glass Art Center Auction promises exquisite glass art, entertainment packages and more to delight your artistic soul! The net proceeds from the auction support our scholarship program. Join us for an exciting night of bidding, socializing and snacking. Tickets for the Glass Art Center Auction are $20 per person in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets are available on West Michiga

The representatives in Delphi's Call Center did a little team building project today creating a fun in/out board for scheduling lunches, breaks, etc. It turned out so well, I had to share! For the board they used Diamond Tech Clear Crafting Tiles and Creative Images Color Slide. Click here to see more photos. Would you use something like this in your home or office?

Choosing a winner for the Light Up Our Blog contest was virtually impossible . With more than 30 unbelievable entries, how could we choose just one? Ultimately this peacock gem stole our hearts. Daisy C. from Tucker, GA will receive a Flower Power premium glass pack from Uroboros . You can read her story below. We'll be featuring many other entries on our blog and in our catalogs in the future, so check back frequently and thanks to everyone who entered the contest! View other entries on Faceboo k or view a slideshow of entries. I am Daisy Comer. I leave in Tucker, GA. I have been working with Stained Glass for about 10 yrs. I started with class at Colonial Stained Glass in Marietta, GA. Donna and Susan taught me well. My shop is in my sunroom on the back of my townhouse. It is a nice setting and I love working out there. My cat Boo allows me to use a portion of his space (because from day one he made sure that the sunroom was his.) Now about my lamp. It started with a class that Susan started in November. I selected the Peacock design because it was so unique. This pattern had 200 pieces. I used the Worden Lamp System . This system included the pattern, form,

It seems that Pinners can't get enough Bottle Art. (If you haven't discovered Pinterest yet , you will.) It's a great place for artists to gather inspiring images from around the web. I started a pinboard for all of the bottle art inspiration floating around the blogosphere. Below are 7 projects I've pinned from our very own artist gallery. See more on my pinboard here . What are you making with bottles? Upload your bottle art to the artist gallery and you just might see it pinned to Delphi's Bottle Art pinboard! 1. Bottle Art Necklace 2. Recycled Champagne Bottle Beads 3. Soy Candle 4. Windchimes 5. Planter 6. Bottle Bird 7. Mic rowave Kiln N eckla ce

As catalogers, we send out a lot of paper. We hope that people keep our Delphi catalogs for a long time (and Ithink many do), but then what? The thought of all that paper ending up in the waste basket makes me sad. Imagine my joy to find a pinboard by Catalogs.com filled with creative uses for old catalogs! Here are some of my favorites. 1 . Star ornaments (top left) 2. Stretchy bracelet 3. Catalog button flowers 4. Envelopes from catalog pages I've repinned these ideas and others on my Pinterest pinboard here .

As you know, many of the associates at Delphi are also talented glass artists. I recently caught up with Delphi's Internet Marketing Specialist, Stacy Daniels, who told me about a special plate she's making for her brother and his fiance. She is celebrating passover with the couple - it will be their first Passover together. Passover is the Jewish holiday celebrating freedom from bondage under the Egyptian Pharaoh. It is celebrated with family dinners called seders. Passover this year is April 6-14. Stacy is creating a special seder plate for her brother and future sister-in-law, one she hopes they will use for years to come. You can create a sedar dinner plate like Stacy's using System 96 OpalArt , fusing mold #92308 , frit for decoration and Gold Firing Pen item#5175G for embellishment. See Seder Plate Molds and Judaica Fusing Supplies at Delphi. Also, see what some of our customers have made in Delphis Artist Gallery. Artist Credit: Top right, Angela Chadbourne, Fort Stewart, GA ; Jackie Sitzenstock, Carmel, NY; Shary Weisman, Millsboro, DE

Thank you to everyone who entered our Art Glass Fairytale contest. I'm continually amazed at the creativity of our customers - I had no idea our artists were writers too! It was very difficult choosing a winner for the Fused Glass grab bag. Many of you shared personal stories of hardship or tragedy and how you overcame them through glass. Thank you for inspring us! Congratulations go to Jude Wilder-Roberts for her tale of Uroboros and the Very First Rainbow . You can read her story below. We may also be featuring other entries in future blog posts or catalogs - so stay tuned! Once upon a time in a dreary, colorless land lived a girl named Uroboros. Since there were no colors in the town of Youghiogheny, where she lived, everyone was sad. One day while collecting drift wood on Kokomo beach, Uro found a piece of beach glass. The pale green of the stone made her smile. This was a very strange and unfamiliar sensation to Uro, but she liked the way it made her feel. Uro searched the beach for more of the beautiful stone. When she had some different colors, she headed home to show her parents. Unfortunately, Uro's father, Van Gogh was not excited by her find, but

It's not just writers that suffer from writer's block. Artists fall victim to a similar condition. You're sitting alone in your workspace looking around and...nothing. You've lost the ability to produce a new idea, much less a new work of art. Sometimes the "absence" is temporary - just a moment or two. Other times you mull around for weeks feeling lost. What do you do to get your creative juices flowing again? We asked our Facebook fans to share their ideas. Here are a few of our favorites: Play loud music. Cut and break glass. - Amy M. Step away. Look for inspiration elsewhere. Go to a museum, watch a program about something unusual. Just do something new. - Jacque D. Pinterest ! - Dawn M. Go for a walk. Look for nature to inspire you. -Shirley J. Clean your workspace. Then get out and explore somwhere - even if it's only the mall or a local park. - Deanna A. Look through a Delphi Catalog . - Marjie B. Go to an art show or gallery. - Deborah S. Color in a kid's coloring book. - Jude W. Take a walk in the woods, sit and listen to the birds, walk down to the water and watch a sunset. - De

Show off your art glass creations! Here are 6 easy and inexpensive ways to incorporate art glass into your Thanksgiving dinner table dcor. 1. Glass bottles are easy and inexpensive to use . Cut the bottoms of glass bottles of varying heights. Place over votive candles, and decorate with etching , twine, ribbon and other found objects. Download instructions on how to make the centerpiece pictured top right. I also love these amber-colored bottle hurricanes I found on Etsy (at right). They provide just the right amount of romantic ambiance for the dinner table. 2. Decorate pillar candles with glass frit for extra sparkle ! In browing for Thanksgiving inspiration online, I ran across this great idea by HGTV to roll pillar candles in lentils for a unique table decoration. Then I thought, why not roll them in glass frit ! The frit will sparkle in the candlelight and make your table shine! You'll need an assortment of pillar candles (green, white, rust, orange or yellow), double-sided adhesive sheets, and fine frit in fall colors or clear .

First, gather your table elements. 1. Table cloth 2. Table runner 3. Place mats/chargers 4. China/dinnerware 5. Glassware 6. Cutlery 7. Condiment sets 8. Candles 9. Napkin rings Second, arrange your elements. 1. Forks go on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Work from the outside in, so the cutlery that will be used first should be furthest from the plate. Knife blades should face inward, toward the plate. Cutlery for dessert (spoon or fork) can be placed horizontally above the plate or brought out with dessert. 2. The napkin should be placed to the left of the plate, under the fork(s) or in the center of the plate (as pictured top left.) 3. If serving bread, place a small plate above the forks and include a butter knife. 4. Glasses should be placed above the knives. 5. Dress it up! Add napkin rings and personalized place cards for each guest. Art Glass objects are perfect for jazzing up a dinner table. For more inspiration, read 6 Tips for Decorating Your Thanksgiving Dinner Table with Art Glass. Photo credit: Table setting top left, photos.com

Artists are often asked to donate items for charity auctions and fundraisers. And while most people love the idea of contributing to the greater good, a fundraising auction can end up hurting your career if you're not careful. I found a great article by ArtBusiness.com that lists several pointers for artists seeking auction success. Here are 9 key takeaways from this article: 1. The best events are those that support visual arts organizations and attract buyers from visual arts communities, like collectors. 2. Donate to non-art-related fundraisers only when it's an organization you feel strongly about. You'll be happy with your contribution even if you don't achieve any professional gain from the experience. 3. Find out how you (the artist) and your item will be presented. What will be said about you? Will your art be presented live or by photograph? Will your contact information be published in the program or on the website? 4. Talk to the people conducting the auction and ask what types of items (and prices) will sell best. 5. Donate a good piece of art. You want your donation to serve as a positive reflection of your talent. 6. Include your bio and contact

Feel better when you're knee-deep in frit? You probably do, and now we know why. Ladies Home Journal recently published a great article entitled, "Want to be Happier? Try Making Your Life a Little Harder." Author Catherine Newman cites the work of neuroscientist Kelly Lambert, Ph.D. who says, "When you do meaningful work with your hands, a kind of neurochemical feedback floods your brain with dopamine and seratonin. These happy brain chemicals are natural antidepressents, and we've evolved to release them both to reward ourselves for working with our hands and to motivate ourselves to do it some more." Harvard neurologist Marie Pasinski agrees saying, "We are programmed to reward ourselves when we accomplish things with our hands." The author goes on to say that creating things by hand has been proven to decrease stress levels, provide a greater sense of control and allow you to save money. Anyone who's bought art supplies knows the "saving money" part is up for discussion, but there is no doubt that finishing the project you've been slaving over for weeks is incredibly satisfying. How has glass art changed your life for the better? Email your story to us at featuredart

It's very rare that a video stops me in my tracks. But when a colleague sent me Hilltop Artists' "Black Forest Ham" video , I was hooked for the entire 7 min. and 58 seconds. If you haven't heard of Hilltop Artists , it's an organization that reaches out to at-risk teens and teaches them the art of fusing , flameworking , mosaics and glass blowing . More importantly, it gives kids a sense of self-worth and an outlet for pent-up frustration. With the help of Dale Chihuly, Hilltop Artists, a 501(c)3 non-profit glass arts program, opened in 1994. It provides classes and individualized instruction for more than 500 students each year, and no students are refused based on past behavior, grades, disabilities, or artistic talent. This video won a Telly award back in June for being one of the finest video productions created for the web. I encourage you to watch it and find out why.

I am often inspired by the glass work of our customers and Facebook fans. They are always thinking outside the box and using Delphi products in new and interesting ways. Recently we asked our fans to send us photos of glass art from their very own back yards. We received so many amazing projects, we decided to share a few here on our blog. Joleen Siebert, of Magic Gardens Stained Glass, created these two beautiful stained glass Koi fish panels (top left and at right). The larger panel is made up of 120 pieces of Spectrum , Kokomo and Bullseye glass. The smaller panel is made up of 40 pieces of Spectrum and scrap glass. It is framed in copper tubing. Both are foil construction. She designed these pieces from a spectrum pattern and adaptations of photos she found online. Mark Hall of Hallmark Glass created a whimsical birdbath (at left) using three layers of 5/16" thick boiler plate, with frit made from an old vodka bottle. Mark says he loves to create birdbaths and typically uses 1/4" plate glass rounds (cut out of the same sheet) with colored glass paint between the layers. He often uses crushed bottle chips in the center with mica flakes around the rim, so the

Fairytales, folklore and fantasy provide endless inspiration for garden art. With a little imagination and a few enchanting elements, you can turn your back yard into a magical playground for kids (and grown ups too!) In researching fairy tale garden art for this blog, I ran across many inspiring images and stories. One artist created a magical garden where stone mermaids rested near a cool stream and pixies perched on trees. Another artist added tiny wooden doors and windows to the base of the trees in her garden, much to the delight of the "wee folk." Besides wood and stone, glass is also a wonderful medium for creating magical details like toadstools , bird baths, wind chimes and more. Create a slumped fairy house to tuck in a shady spot, or a table-top fountain to sit under the sun. Fused flowers in brilliant colors provide year-round cheer to pots and planters. Here are some of our favorite glass Fairytale projects: Blooming Bird Bath Dragonfly Garden Stakes Slumped Fairy House Fused Flowers Fairy Wind Chimes For all garden project guides, click here. To see what other glass artists are making, visit our Artist Trend Gallery . View a

When planning your Christmas creations for 2011, channel seasons past. High-quality products and traditional colors (various shades of red, green, gold and silver) characterized the upcoming holiday season, according to experts at the 2011/2012 Christmasworld trade fair in Frankfurt. Fortunately for glass artists, glass was the material of choice for tree ornaments at this years show. Fused, blown and stained glass ornaments will be more popular than ever! Click here for hand-picked Christmas glass. In addition to traditional ball-shaped ornaments, make note of these five standout trends: Nature The biggest source of inspiration for the 2011 Christmas season is nature. Natural materials like wood, bark, wicker, as well as milled wool and felt were mixed with glass, pearls and precious stones to achieve a beautiful but organic feel. Hearts Classic heart-shaped ornaments in delicate shades of rose, red, gold and silver were seen throughout Christmasworld. Stars The Christmas star is also huge for Christmas 2011. It symbolizes high hopes and ideals, which is perfectly in line with a renewed sense of optimism. Flowers/Birds Flowers and birds a

St. Pete Beach, on the west coast of Florida, has long been recognized for its beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets. Now it will have a new claim to fame - an 8' tall by 20' wide glass mosaic mural created entirely by volunteers from the surrounding communities. The mural will adorn the east side of the Suntan Art Center next door to the world-famous Don CeSar Hotel. Glass artist and instructor Pat Chase, who currently serves as the president of the Suntan Art Center, came up with the idea to create a mural out of glass. "[The Suntan Art Center] used to be a Firehouse with large windows out front. When they did the remodel, they took out the windows, leaving a large indented area that looks like a frame for the mural," Pat said. Pat approached nationally recognized artists Frank Saso and Libit Jones about a design for the mural. Together, and with input from other artists and members of the community, the two created the finished concept. The mural includes images that are meaningful to the community - dolphins at play, a large pelican, sandcastle and shovel, stunning sea turtles and more. A painting of the final design is pictured above. Since March 2011, a gr

Some were messy. Some were messier. But only one was messiest. Glass Artist Mindy Meyn was awarded $200 in organizational supplies from Delphi as the winner of Delphi's Messiest Art Glass Studio Contest. With more than 50 photo entries from art glass studios around the world, the competition was stiff. But Mindys mess received more than 70 likes on Facebook and 20 comments, (some nicer than others) making her the reigning queen of clutter. Mindys studio, which she says is at its worst, only leaves her a small space to work in a very cramped corner of the garage. The rest of her garage, she says, is filled with multiple skis, backpacks and a kayak. The contest was so close, that Delphi decided to award Robin Veverka, whose studio is also miserably cramped, a $50 gift card to Delphi. With so many wonderful (awful?) entries, Delphi is considering making this contest an annual event. Thanks to everyone who participated. We understand creativity can get messy! Want to unclutter? Read 13 tips for a Tidy Craft Space or view Favorite Organizational Products.

Yellow, red and sizzling orange are t hree of summer 2011s hottest colors . These colors are stunning in glass. In fact, red has always been a coveted color in stained glass, and remains one of Delphis best-selling hues. According to Jaymes Richardson of Civility Design (www.civilitydesign.com) for HGTV, When you have accents of red, it draws attention to other things you might not even notice in the room, Richardson says. The whole idea is to entice, intrigue [and] invite without clubbing you over the head and dragging you in. Red and orange are great colors for art glass accents like candleholders, bowls, vases, sculptures, etc. And yellow glass accessories are great for brightening a room with little sunlight. Create a pendant lamp in yellow or red for a dramatic pop of color. David Bromstad, host of Color Splash on HGTV says, Hot colors like reds and oranges will energize you and get you ready to tackle the day. Just be leery when you fire your next set of red or orange dishes, as these shades supposedly stimulate appetite (they say if youre on a diet, eat off of a blue plate). Red, orange and yellow all look great against neutrals like white, tan, grey

Last weekend, while killing time in Detroit before a flight, I wandered into the Henry Ford Museum. If you haven't had a chance to visit this monstrous attraction, make plans now. Its incredible. I was there for three hours and saw only a small portion of what the museum has to offer. There are huge machinery collections, transportation exhibits and much, much more planes, trains and automobiles, oh my! I was especially intrigued with one particular machine. The Corning Glass Ribbon Machine. Before the invention of this machine, every light bulb was hand blown. As you can imagine, this process was painstakingly slow and expensive. But then a man named Will Woods came along and changed the world. This is his story. In 1898, Will Woods was a 19-year-old kid looking to pursue his dream of becoming a glassblower. He traveled to the Corning Glass Manufactory in Corning, NY to learn the art. Thomas Edison had commissioned Corning Glass to manufacture the envelopes for his first electric light bulbs in the early 1880s. At that time, skilled glassblowers called gaffers could produce just two bulbs per minute. Eight years later, Corning Gla

One of the biggest trends in jewelry for 2011 is layering . Layering necklaces appears chic without looking stuffy. The key to pulling off this look is combining different textures and lengths. Gone are the days of never mixing gold and silver. Dig through your jewelry box for charms, chains and forgotten items, and wear them together for a fresh look. Necklaces in different metal finishes, a string of pearls, and a brightly colored cabochon make an elegant statement on a plain white t-shirt or LBD. In 2008, we saw this layered look emerge on runways the world over, but it was a subtler approach (perhaps pairing a shorter gold chain with a longer one.) Now, anything goes. To keep it from getting tacky, (you dont want to end up looking like your crazy aunt Marge) follow these tips: The chains should be of varying lengths and staggered. Try mixing metals such as gold, gunmetal, silver and copper in varying shades. Wrap a strand of pearls, gems, glass beads or organza ribbon around one of the chains to add texture and sparkle. Delphi now offers metal ball chain in various shades and sizes (see photo at right). We also carry organza necklaces i

I love all things nautical. In fact my husband has completely banned me from purchasing any more striped shirts. But theres something so fresh about pairing bright blues and stark whites with splashes of red and coral. Its a trend that works on men and women, as well as in the home. The nautical theme in art and fashion has been around forever. Fashion icon Coco Chanel first made this tren d popular in the 1920s when she began to emulate the fisherman she met while yachting. Every spring/summer the trend pops up again, and according to top fashion designers like Michael Kors, its not going anywhere. For the home, nautical accents are appearing inside the pages of Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens, and all over design blogs on the Internet. Fused glass starfish and shells, like the ones pictured below by Elida Koenig, would make a beautiful table centerpiece. I also love the intricate solder work and striking blue sails of the stained glass sailboat (pictured below). I can picture it sitting atop a buffet or bookshelf to brighten up a living room. The sea glass mirror, also pictured below, by Rhona Siegal would liven up a neutral wall. Glass art lends

In the winter of 2005, Craig Mitchell Smith wandered into a class at Delphi Glass in Lansing, MI. Six years, and thousands of creations later, Craig has taken the world by storm with his artistic vision. He is not a newcomer to the art world (his background is in painting, interior design, landscape and floral design), but glass changed everything for him. And what started as a hobby has quickly become a full-time job. His sculptures, some enormous in scale, have been spotted on television, in museum shows, garden exhibitions and now in his very own public gallery. In 2010, his glass cardinal ornaments hung on the National Christmas Tree in Washingon, D.C. When Dan Daniels, CEO of Delphi Glass, saw Craig's work for the first time he was speechless. He recognized in Craig a talent unmatched in the industry - the next great glass artist. Since then, Craig has become the darling of Delphi Glass, and is scheduled to appear in an upcoming catalog. Delphi Executive Director, Lisa Parks, caught up with Craig to ask him a few questions on his recent gallery opening and newfound fame. DG: You recently opened a new gallery in Okemos, MI. Tell us a little about the Gallery

When Charity Stewart's mosaic mirror made of old Starbucks Gift Cards was posted to our Artist Gallery as part of our Recycled Arts Contest , I couldn't help but notice. Cheerily nicknamed "Momma Mosaics", Charity creates brightly colored art that is whimsical and playful. She has mastered the art of using paper under glass, and repurposing found objects. We caught up with her to ask her a few questions about her signature style. How did you get started in glass? I discovered the joy of glass at the age of 12, when I was introduced to stained glass art by my grandmother. She inspired me to explore my creative side as we worked side-by-side in her tiny basement studio, cutting and grinding pieces for a large window panel. Those lessons in creativity launched my interest in glass art and eventually led me to classes in fusing and mosaics. Why mosaics? Have you ever been obsess ed with finishing a puzzle? Making a mosaic is similar, but unlike a puzzle where the end result is always the same, mosaics give you have the freedom to create the puzzle as you go. My designs are never really too preplanned, I enjoy the flow of the process and often find tha

Glass Artist Karen Mamel had all but packed away her glass tools when she opened her E-mail inbox. Sharon Jones of Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring, Florida was inquiring about a stained glass window in a newly built chapel. A man was donating the window in honor of his beloved wife. She had previously built windows for two other Florida Hospices and spent much of her free time visiting patients and volunteering for the organization. A cancer survivor and nurse, she felt a particular connection to the patients. She called friend and pattern designer, Lynda Chandler, to explain the challenge. The project was a five-and-a-half-foot round window facing west, Karen said. Beyond that, she had rece ived little direction. Sharon at Good Shepherd had seen our work before and trusted us to come up with a good design. Karen and Lynda got to work. The pair met more than five years prior and discovered a mutual love for the arts. Lynda, a botanical illustrator, had a talent for bringing landscapes to life on paper, and Karen, an accomplished glass artist, was looking for someone to design custom glass patterns. Their first project was a stunning 27-foot window in their church.

Glass artist Carol Lancour sent over these "before and after" photos of an old glass light fixture she found in her garage. She mosaicked the forgotten item and repurposed it into a glimmering garden orb. (Carol is the same artist who turned concrete blocks into stunning planters for her backyard.) Genius! Looking for Recycled Arts Supplies? Free Recycled Arts Project Guides here.

Last year, we asked our Facebook fans to tell us how they use regular household items as tools in glass art creation . We got a fantastic list of ideas! When we asked again this year, we got a few more great tips to share. Here's the list, Part II. Thanks everyone! Folger's coffee buckets for scrap glass A cut-up cardboard box instead of a grinder shield The plastic tops of milk containers for holding flux while working Spoons for frit to roll beads in; baby spoons to hold small amounts of frit Silverware basket from dishwasher to hold tools Canning jars to hold frit Wooden toothpicks for mandrels Stainless steel bowls and containers for slumping Page protectors to keep patterns dry while grinding Cut an apron out of old plastic tablecloth to use while grinding. Use a kitchen apron as a pattern - no sewing involved! Read Household Items You Can Use as Tools, Part I.

Carol Lancour can find beauty in just about anything. She jokes that she can look at a chunk of concrete and see potential. And while she says her friends think she's crazy, there is a greater purpose behind her vision. "For me, finding something discarded and repurposing it into something beautiful and useful is its own reward," she says. "I strive to make every project I undertake aesthetically pleasing, well-made and purposeful." Carol used to paint and draw to satiate her need to be creative, but she turned to glass when a friend showed her how to cut up stained glass for mosaics. She bought her first set of cutting tools from Delphi in 2000. "Glass comes in every beautiful color, refracts light and sparkles in the sun," she says. "I like the durability of something so fragile." Carol began creating mosaics with her cut up glass, starting with a mosaic flower pot. Her projects eventually grew to be much larger. "I don't know a lot of other people who do large-scale mosaic projects with pieces that are mostly hand cut and -inch or smaller, she says. Her favorite recycled project is an herb garden planter made from cinder blocks excavated from her back yard and

If you delight in dichroic, consider entering Coating by Sandberg's (CBS) Dichroic by Design Contest. It's the fifth annual contest, and the entries get more impressive every year. See the dichroic guitar project by Michelle Wilcox (pictured top left) that won last year's contest. But if glass instruments aren't your strong suit, don't be discouraged. CBS accepts projects in multiple categories including blown glass, lampworked glass, fused glass, glass jewelry, glass sculpture, glass marbles, architectural and miscellanous. All of the artwork must contain at least 25 percent CBS Dichoric glass, and you can submit up to three entries. To enter, submit a photograph of your artwork to Coatings by Sandberg, Inc., ATTN: Contest Coordinator, 856 N. Commerce St., Orange, CA 92867, USA. The deadline for submissions is 9/30/11. CBS is giving away more than $5,000 in prizes, including gift certificates and glass packs. In addition, CBS features choice submissions on its Facebook page, website, marketing and advertising literature, etc. In other words, you could be famous! For more information on the contest, visit the CBS website. And if you're looking for a great deal on

Spring projects are popping up all over our artist gallery. Likewise, magazines and home d cor stores are filling up with familiar springtime subjects like butterflies, flowers, eggs, bunnies and chicks. Each of these Easter symbols has a special meaning (and since our Facebook fans have told us they love Easter), we're devoting extra effort to this colorful holiday. Butterflies Butterflies are a popular spring subject in home dcor, fashion and art ( Pier one and Artful Home have some amazing butterfly items for inspiration!) The butterfly represents change, resurrection, transformation and celebration. A butterfly brings a sense of freedom and joy to any project. Check out Delphi's new Artist Trend page to see some amazing butterfly projects from Delphi's Artist Gallery. Easter Lilies Easter Lilies are arguably the most popular Easter flower. The white blossoms represent purity and new life. Daffodils and tulips are also popular spring flowers. Their colorful blooms ar e a welcome change from the snowy winter landscape. Easter Eggs Easter Eggs became a popular Easter symbol in Medieval Europe. Eggs were forbidden during l

In keeping with our recent theme of Recycled Art, we're featuring glass artist Patti Lenckus. Her scrap glass mosaics are made from leftover glass otherwise headed for the landfill. Read how she got started in this Earth-friendly endeavor. Stained Glass Artist Patti Lenckus of Norman, Oklahoma has been saving her scraps for years. She has a five-shelf storage cart with bins, and she meticulously divides each piece of scrap by its color. Last year, she started using this glass to create mosaics. My first project was a picture of a flower vase created on an unfinished wooden tray that I found at a local craft store, Patti says. I had so much fun that I decided to teach a mosaic class at the local art center to share what I had learned. I taught my students to make pictures from scrap glass on a piece of floor tile. Patti also taught a class called Glass on Glass in which her students created flowers on glass trays. She even found a use for the tiniest pieces of leftover glass. I use them in the image discs on the end of my kaleidoscopes, she says. She finds a use for all of her scraps regardless of texture or color. Bright, opaque glass is good for using on thing

You may never feel the same about a jar of jelly ever again. Linda Kester Hamilton has always had a creative soul. She currently works as a graphic artist from her home, and is a small-time producer of DVD productions using photos, mementos, film clips and new photography. She also does intricate beadwork and dabbles in a variety of other media. After moving last year from the central coast of California town of Aptos, to Alamogordo, New Mexico, she found the change in local recycling facilities alarming. She began to hold onto things she would normally recycle or throw away, namely her wide mouth jars and lids. "I remembered a teacher in high school had shown us how to make candle sticks using the same method I use today," Linda said. "Now, there are more modern crafting supplies to get neat things accomplished and I am very thankful for that." In high school, she remembers cutting lace from her canopy bed set (hoping her mother wouldn't notice) to add texture to her candle holder projects. Aside from reusing her bottles, (her bed lace) and other recycled materials for texture and embellishment, Linda also fills her jars with shredded tires to add weight. This is

For an art glass enthusiast, discovering the Stained Glass Studio of Clearwater, FL is like a fried foods addict finding the fairgrounds. It's sensory overload. Large panels hang from the ceiling, small panels are posted on lightboards, and a large mixed-media piranha looms in the front window. You could spend hours in the 2400-square-foot studio and not find all of the art glass treats sprinkled around. Owner Kathleen Bromley is like the Willy Wonka of this proverbial chocolate shop. Her studio, located on US 19 attracts tourists, snow birds and locals of all ages, and she has diversified her offerings to appeal to multiple audiences. We went to visit Kathleen at her studio while a class was in session. Her students were learning how to make glass kaleidoscopes. She broke away from teaching long enough to introduce her staff and give us a quick tour. She, like her shop, is warm, inviting and colorful. Someone you feel like you've known all your life. Perhaps that's one reason behind her loyal customer base. Once you meet her, you're hooked. Or maybe its her business model, with its great selection of products and bustling staff, the air is thick with creativity. Wh

I may be 27, but I still love stickers . I don't think we ever really grow out of the desire to be rewarded for our accomplishments. In fact, merit badges, trophies, ribbons, etc. are even more valued as we get older and feel overworked and underappreciated. That's the thinking behind the new "Badges" feature on DelphiGlass.com. (We can't give you a raise, but we can give you a sticker!) These badges show up on your Artist Gallery profile as well as anytime you leave a comment or product review. Think of it as a public display of appreciation. Now everyone can see how awesome you are. You can earn a badge for posting a project in Delphi's Artist's Gallery, entering a Delphi contest or listing your ArtFire studio or Etsy shop. You can also earn a "Top Contributor" badge for leaving 10 or more comments and/or product reviews on the Delphi site. There are a few other ways to earn badges. Learn about them all here. Tell your friends, and wear your new badges with pride.

We are all looking to make connections. The success of social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube prove it. We want to connect with people who have similar interests and affinities. We want to share our likes and dislikes with others-our time and talents. Perhaps this is why Delphi's Art Glass Festival has been so successful, especially in recent years. The Michigan Art Glass Festival brings in art glass enthusiasts from all over the world to meet Delphi instructors, art glass industry experts and fellow glass artists. More than 1,000 art glass enthusiasts poured into Delphis Creativity Center in 2010 and more are expected this year. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and learn more about art glass, said Lisa Parks, Executive Director of Delphi Glass. Its so neat to see people reunite who havent seen each other since previous Festivals. The level of competition increases each year as well. We are always amazed at the projects we receive, Parks said. It seems the bar is raised every year. All of the entries are put on display in the Lansing Creativity Center for visitors to peruse. Admission is free. The second arm of the Art Glass Festival is t

If you're looking for a reason to go Las Vegas, (as if you need a reason!) consider attending the 2011 Glass Craft and Bead Expo. The expo, held every Spring, comes alive with hundreds of classes and exhibitors, and this year will be no different. Classes will take place March 30 - April 3, and the show floor will be open April 1 - 3. Here are just a few of the unique classes that caught my eye. The full class line-up is available on the Expo website . Beginning Dichroic Boro Marbles by Josh Mazet Offhand Flamework Glass Blowing by Suellen Fowler Working with Reactive Glass, Opaline Color Shifts, Shadows and More! by Gail Stouffer Kiln Formed Dimensional Glass by Diana Wondergem Screen Printing on Glass by Tony Glander Up-Cycle It: Kiln Casting with Recycled Glass by Petra and Wolfgang Kaiser Beginning Fritography with Michael Dupille There are also several classes on photography and Photoshop software, and Internet success for your business. If you do plan to attend, please stop by the Delphi booth. We have a large booth every year with Delphi experts on hand to answer your product questions. Delphi also donates supplies to GC&B Expo ins

@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } A few weeks ago I attended an arts festival in Tampa. And while I was pleasantly surprised to see so many glass artists showing, I noticed that many of the artists were displaying similar items. In fact, the show could have been called the Dichroic Cabochon Show. There were trays and trays of these cabochons at every booth, and while they looked beautiful sparkling in the sunlight, I wondered how many were actually selling. Artists making projects to sell at shows, giftshops or online, should try to diversify their offerings. Go one step further and offer something a little bit different. Flip through fashion magazines, peruse mall storefronts, and log into craft site forums to find out whats really selling. Here are some interesting pieces I found online (that I would love to wear!) There are so many possibilities with Dichroic glass; dont get stuck in a cabochon rut! Looking to purchase dichroic glass?

Looking to expand the scope of your bottle cutting projects? Listen up. Diamond Tech International has just created a new bottle cutter, the Generation Green (G 2 ) bottle cutter. Its clever design allows users to cut anywhere along the bottles curved body and to cut rings of various sizes. The tool is adapted to cut almost any size glass container including wide-mouth jar and oversize wine bottles, a feature customers have been specifically asking for. And its lightweight frame allows users to cut bottles in a few quick steps. Sturdy construction and a 6-wheeled turret cutting head helps ensure long product life. The G 2 can be used for creating a variety of projects, ranging from hanging pots and votive holders to glass jewelry. It earns Delphis title of Earth Friendly because it allows artists to repurpose used bottles into components for glass art. In addition, it is constructed entirely from recycled materials.

By now, you're probably aware of Delphi's partnership with the Beads of Courage program. For those of you who aren't, here's a quick overview. Beads of Courage brings handmade beads to children receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses. A bead is awarded by the child's healthcare provider for treatment milestones like blood transfusions, chemotherapy treatments and surgeries to document the child's treatment journey. The success of Beads of Courage is completely reliant on artists and volunteers. Since 2004, more than 500,000 beads have been donated by lampworkers, clay workers, woodworkers and other bead artists, and we want YOU to get in on the action! We're so passionate about this cause, we've pledged to donate 100,000 beads to Beads of Courage, and we need your help. We're asking you to make a few extra glass beads the next time you're in your studio. Send them to Delphi and in return, we'll give you $5 off your next order of $40 or more*. One-hundred percent of the beads donated will be given to Beads of Courage. If you have friends that are bead artists, tell them about our cause and plan a bead making party! Make beads of every color to represent diff

According to historian Paul Crist who wrote An Early History of Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company in 1998 , the stories behind the company sound more like the makings of a soap opera than a business plan. But despite the companys somewhat fractured past, Kokomo has upheld its reputation for exceptional glass products. Since 1888, it has been producing some of the finest glass in the world, and remains the oldest manufactory in America of its kind. Charles Edward Henry opened Kokomo Glass Factory in Kokomo, Indiana after he managed to negotiate a free factory site and cheap gas rates with community leaders. The once agriculturally based town was booming with business opportunities thanks to the discovery of natural gas. Glass production began on Nov. 13, 1888. The company specialized in colored opalescent glass, which at the time was a relatively new product. The superintendent and chemist of the company, Henrys business partner, worked tirelessly to perfect the formulas and processes needed to make the unique glass. Journal archives show that Kokomos first order was for Tiffany Glass Co. It was six cases of mixed blue and white opalescent glass. At this time glass was sold b

When youre in a creative slump, try slumping with a new mold! Delphi just added three new molds from Creative Paradise to its selection. Ive attached information on each of these molds, along with project ideas to get you inspired. These fusing molds are made from ceramic clay and are highly durable. But be sure to cover them well with kiln wash before use to prevent cracking. Four coats of kiln wash is recommended. Slumping 3-D Sunflowers Step 1 . Trace the slumping mold onto a piece of paper, so you know how large your glass can be. Begin arranging glass on this pattern, starting with the flower base glass. Step 2 . Arrange flower petal glass in layers and fuse. Step 3. Arrange the fused flower on top of the mold and slump. Slumping Pattern Bar Plates (pictured top left) This unique dam mold makes it easy to make pattern bars or thick fused glass. Interior measures 2-1/2 x 6. Step 1 . Cut up small pieces of your favorite glass or use scrap glass to create a base layer. Step 2. Use long strips of fiber felt (item#4824) to create the channels. Fill around the fiber with scrap glass. Step 3 .

Please remember to continue voting for Beads of Courage to win a $25,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh project. Beads of Courage helps children RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of courage during treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses. Through the Program children receive different colored beads each which symbolize their unique and challenging treatment journey. You can vote once every day until the end of July. VOTE NOW!

The Ring of Fire Artist Challenge , lasting from May-June, sparked the interest of artists of varied media all across the country. While Delphi received entries of paper, glass, ceramics, wire, jewelry, etc., it was a select group of 10 products that united them all. Every eligible entry incorporated at least one of 10 unique products making up the Ring of Fire. These products included copper metal mesh, millifiori, clear glaze, dichroic scrap, recycled glass tiles, metallic tiles, color slide, krafty blok, fine silver wire and pressed flowers. Below is a complete list of contest winners. Congratulations to Grand Prize winner of the Jen-Ken Deluxe EZ-Pro Kiln , Kristin Simpson, with her Garden Whimsie entry. Also, congratulations to Lisa Norvell for her Mountain Meadow Surprise entry which will be featured in an upcoming Delphi catalog. Stay tuned for other great contests like this one in the near future! Delphi Awards Delphi's Favorite: Mountain Meadow Surprise by Lisa Norvell People's Choice: Copper Flowers in Raku Vases by Lindsay Schubel Best Use of Ring of Fire Materials: The American Dream by Brenda Gartman Hottest Project for the Summer:

In its 38 years of business, Delphi has become increasingly well known on the American art glass scene. What started with a handful of products sold in the family's garage, has become the country's largest selection of glass, classes and workshops. Now, Delphis art glass supplies are becoming more familiar even further from home. In what some may see as an unlikely place for Delphi products to reside, the Michigan-based company recently announced its partnership with Anguse International, a well-established glass company in Taipei, Taiwan. But Taiwan is not as implausible a place for art glass to exist as one might think. Its art and cultural scene is vibrant - teeming with woodcarvers, stonecarvers, ceramists, paper artists and glass artists. In fact, traditional crafts like these are becoming increasingly more popular with modern artisans. According to the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan, Oriental glassware art has taken a new lease on life in Taiwan: Liuli Gongfang and Tittot are two examples of glass artists who have earned international acclaim in recent years. And interest is growing. Ray Chen and May Wang, owners of Anguse International, originally an architectural gl

Youve seen the commercials on TV and read about it on the can . Pepsi is refreshing everything. They've been giving millions of dollars away in grant money to good ideas across the country. And Delphi is trying to help one idea in particular get the funding it deserves. The Beads of Courage program brings brightly colored handmade beads to children coping with life-threatening conditions and painful treatments. For each treatment, the child is given a bead to symbolize his/her strength and bravery during the procedure. Chemo. Radiation. Spinal injection. Surgery. Pictures of the patients show them wearing multiple necklaces with dozens of beads. These kids have been through a lot. Beads of Courage is asking Pepsi for a $25,000 grant, which will bring the program to 10 new hospitals and serve 10,000 children coping with life-threatening illnesses. Jean Baruch founded Beads of Courage, Inc. in Arizona while working on her PhD in nursing. Since then, the organization has established programs in more than 60 childrens hospitals throughout the US, New Zealand and Japan.The program has gone through extensive research determining its impact on the young participants, their famil

My second day in Lansing was the day Id been waiting for. Classes. I met instructors Val Oswalt and Roy Kapp. When I say experts, Im not kidding. (Those of you whove taken classes with them know what I mean.) Online marketing expert Stacy Daniels joined me for the fusing portion of instruction. After much discussion over terms and techniques, we created small glass tiles for firing. These would eventually be slumped into small jewelry dishes. Here are a few beginner fusing tips I wrote down: 1. Theres no real benefit to using 90 COE over 96 COE (or vice versa) 2. Never fuse more than one layer of glass over your mold (create your layered effect first if you so choose) 3. Molten glass wants to be inch thick. Plan your piece accordingly. 4. All kilns are different. Dont be surprised if you have to adjust your firing schedule. 5. Take notes to keep from repeating mistakes in the future. Next on the docket was flameworking. The whole thing appeared so intimidating with the torch billowing out fiery blue and orange gas. Watching Vals hands move with such precision and coordination amazed me. Flameworking is a delicate dance - moving the glass rod and ma

Tulips are my favorite flower. They symbolize the coming of spring, new beginnings and the end of winter's cold, dark days. Tulips are not too showy or too dramatic. They are subtle but striking. I think they are perfect. Like most flowers, different colors of tulips represent different feelings and emotions. According to ProFlowers.com, red represents true love, purple represents royalty, white stands for forgiveness and yellow conveys cheerfulness. If you're a beginning stained glass artist and you're looking for a simple lead project that will be treasured for years to come, try this Free Tulip Pattern from Glass Patterns Quarterly . You could make a tulip of every color!

In my family, the Fourth of July is right up there with Christmas. Family comes in from all over, matching shirts are distributed, lawn chairs are hosed down in preparation for the local parade, and sparklers are lit even before the sun goes down. When "us kids" were younger (we're now all in our 20s), there was always a Fourth of July craft planned to keep us busy. Now that we're older, we've moved beyond the Uncle Sam toilet paper holder puppets, but still look forward to our time together. Here are a few grown-up craft projects for Independence Day to share with your family. If nothing else, I hope these images inspire you to enjoy and appreciate this Fourth of July- happy crafting!

I was 22 weeks pregnant and already humongous , if that's not too much information. I boarded the plane hoping that I would have a somewhat comfortable flight from Tampa to Flint. After getting settled, I make a To-Do list for my trip. 1. Try not to knock over anything breakable with enormous belly. 2. Try to keep emotional outbursts to a minimum even if first few lampworking beads are lumpy piles of goo. 3. Remember to wear protective clothing so as not to light body parts on fire. 4. Arrive a novice, leave an expert.

Every summer around the Fourth of July, I can't help but get nostalgic about all things Americana- apple pie, front porch swings, popsicles, and cuddling up in one of grandma's quilts after a long day in the sun. There's something so comforting about the colors and smells of the summer season. When I first saw this pattern, it brought back even more red, white and blue memories, and I thought it was worth sharing. Here's the patriotic pattern courtesy of our creativity partners at Glass Patterns Quarterly. Enjoy your summer! Design by Pat Stanley. Fabrication by Dave Burnett. Visit www.GlassPatterns.com to order a back issue, or subscribe to their magazine to get their latest designs sent right to your door!

The Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) is currently hosting Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art - a celebration of Louis Comfort Tiffany's artistic contributions. According to the FIA website, the exhibition offers more than 40 stunning objects in an array of colors, sizes and decorative styles featured in five sections exploring themes of fabrication, design inspiration and changing lighting technologies. The show also includes tools, materials and photographs demonstrating how objects were designed and made. Tiffany is known for his stained glass windows and lamps, but he also created glass mosaics, blown glass pieces, ceramics, jewelry and metalwork. The first Tiffany Glass Company was incorporated 1885, which later became known as Tiffany Studios. His company concentrated on stained glass windows and lamps, but designed a myriad of other interior decorations. Tiffany Lamps: Articles of Utility, Objects of Art Johnson and Rabiah Galleries 5.23.10 - 8.15.10 www.flintarts.org Community leaders founded the Flint Institute of Arts in 1928 as a place for art classes and exhibitions. The FIA is located in the Flint Cultural Center and is known as one of

I admit it. Im a fake. When Delphi hired me to be the Social Media/PR Specialist, I was looking for a reprieve from my graphic design job at a small local magazine. I longed for a more creative outlet. A place where I could learn new things, write about them and interact with others. Delphi was a perfect fit. Only problem was I didnt know a thing about art glass. Id witnessed my mother, a botanical illustrator and painter, create a few large-scale stained glass patterns for her friend (a real stained glass artist), and that was the extent of my experience with the craft. I knew nothing of fusing or sandblasting or lampworking. My experience with mosaics extended no further than my fifth-grade Tessellation project. I felt worthless. I started researching online, talking to Delphi experts and interacting with artists on Facebook and Twitter. I was learning a lot, but I still felt like a phony among glass geniuses. What I needed was complete immersion. That finally came in the form of a trip to the Delphi Creativity Center in Lansing. And herein begins my journey. Stay tuned for Part II...

Chances are, right now, in reading this blog post, youre avoiding an overdue task . I too was avoiding a laundry list of work-related tasks in writing this. Procrastination is a part of life, and its certainly always been a part of mine. As a teenager, my parents would accuse me of putting off everything from piano practice to math homework. Id vehemently deny their charges hissing back, I work better under pressure!The truth was, I often felt overwhelmed, under-productive and anxious. Over the years, Ive been able to combat my avoidance issues using 4 tools. The trick is constantly reminding myself of these actions, because they do not come naturally to me. 1. Just Say No! I say yes to everything. Need someone to head up that event? Sure! Want me to design 12 posters for the Car Wash? No problem! Take your kid to daycare? Of course! Saying yes inevitably leads me to bite off more than I can chew. I often say yes because Im afraid if I dont, the chore wont get done, or wont get done as well. I finally realized, so what? Chances are, if it doesnt get done, or done as well, it wont be the end of the world. 2. Keep your To-Do List Short. Once you decide what you are goi

We tell ourselves not to judge a book by its cover, but the simple truth is, we are attracted to whats attractive. On a recent hunt for a birthday present for my mother, I came across several beautiful handbags in several different boutiques. What ultimately influenced my final purchase decision was the complimentary gift-wrapping offered by one of the storeowners. The handbag itself wasnt any prettier or better quality than the others I was considering, but the packaging was beautiful. Brightly colored tissue, a big sturdy box, quality wrapping paper and an oversized hand-tied bow. No, it wasnt sealed with a kiss, rather a large gold embossed sticker with the boutique name and logo (theres nothing wrong with a little discreet self-promotion). Here are a few tips for better packaging-it might just buy you your next customer! 1. Show your customers what theyll get. The boutique I mentioned earlier had a gift box mounted on the wall near the cash register, so I knew what to expect. If youre selling online, provide a short description (or picture) of the packaging you provide. 2. Remember the details. Small items like earrings can be posted to a piece of cardstock cu