Inspiration

Dimensional or 3-D relief in glass art is making a very strong comeback for Fall 2010, and we predict it to be even stronger in 2011. Adding cast pieces will bring excitement and a novelty look to your work. The process is easy. When planning your project, consider elements of the design that could be made with glass castings. Once fired and cleaned, castings can be foiled and soldered into panels, lamps and lanterns, added to mosaics, or fired into fused art. Your finished project will have a sculptural look and will showcase your glass art abilities. The deer trophy stained glass panel by artist Teresa Batten is a wonderful example of 3-D castings. Each pinecone has a rich textured surface and adds realistic interpretation to the finished panel. The unique design not only captures the spirit of the piece but also invites the viewer to examine the work from different angles. 3-D reliefs can be used in contemporary or traditional designs. The stunning lamp by artist Julie Haan combines several different surfaces, which adds beauty and wonder to the piece. The near-real butterflies add interest and cast glowing shadows that ebb and flow throughout the day and evening hours

One of my favorite memories growing up in Northern Wisconsin was our annual family Thanksgiving Day dinner. With lingering aromas from the kitchen, waiting to see cousins that I hadnt seen for several months, and the anticipation of who breaks the wishbone, the day seemed magical. Each year it seemed we created new family traditions, and our Delphi Family would like to suggest some traditions your family can start: 1. For a fun accent piece for the holiday table, try slumping brown or green bottles as a side dish. The size is perfect to serve Aunt Mildreds sweet potato hash or your family favorite. The color will add punch to the table as well. 2. Make it easy to identify whos drink is whos . We like the idea of creating glass beads strung with silver wire and attached to the goblet stem to claim your stake. As a take away gift, these are wonderful and can be used over and over. 3. Surprise your family and relatives by creating your own unique tableware. Using various size plates or serving pieces, solids and patterns will mix and match for a perfect harmonized and stylish look. Let your imagination go wild! 4. Small decorative weights (pumpkins are this season

Ho! For the leaves that eddy down, crumpled yellow and withered brown... Starting aloft to windy ways, telling the coming of bonfire days. - "Bonfire Days" by Grace Strickler Dawson Ginny from Melbourne, Florida wrote us with this question: "Help! I need ideas and suggestions for my front lawn and porch to welcome in the new fall season. It seems every neighbor has great plans except for me. What do you recommend?" We have some really fun, interesting and quick ideas: This season, scarecrows will take center stage. Each one will be unique and make memories and smiles. Simple or elaborate, each will showcase "their" personality. Feeling ambitious? Create a pair or a family. Make the stained glass scarecrow shown above. Download our Free Project Guide by Delphi Artist Julie Haan. Dress up your walkway or your front stoop. As the nights get longer, and dusk comes sooner, luminaries will make a strong visual impact. Go Green: Recycle glass bottles and jars by cutting them with a bottle cutter , use either the tops or bottoms (or mix and match parts) to shelter tea lights or inexpensive votives. They will last for several hours. Find creative ways to deco

Any ideas on how to make my home more relaxed and casual? Bring outdoors into your home for a fun, and spirited look. Become adaptive with planters, stands, and iron tables. These items can be as charming and functional as they have been outdoors. Think outside the box, be creative and enjoy your new surroundings. For a quick pick up, we suggest: Iron tables: Perfect next to your bed Place a lamp on the top and place next to your favorite reading chair A great spot for the remote, cell phone or any other electrical gadget Place a larger glass top and have a new breakfast area A smaller table is a welcome addition in any bathroom or dressing area In a foyer, this will set the tone for a casual look. (Place fresh flowers on top) In a dining room, cluster candles on top and eat in candle light In the kitchen, makes a perfect beverage center, lemonade, iced tea etc. Oversized Planters and Pots Place a glass on top and an instant coffee table, perfect for magazines! In the bedroom, place extra bed linens inside In a child's room, a toy catch-all For a large gathering, fill with ice and use as a beverage container Place a large floral and stems

From the Paris runways to your child's birthday gift wrapping paper, everywhere are POLKA DOTS! From small "aspirin dots" to "quarter dots" (Size is noted by common everyday round objects) the look is here to stay for a very long time. It is believed the dot originated in Poland with the now famous Polka Dance. Dancers would create wild and colorful clothing emphasizing multi-sized circles/ dots. Need some inspiration to get you started? We have ideas! For your next party, create fun and functional serving and accent pieces. One of our favorites is the quick and easy cheese serving set. The simple pattern will let you customize any color to fit you decorating scheme. Make 2 sets, one to keep and one to give as a perfect hostess gift. Brighten up a boring table, by making either polka dot chargers, or after dinner dessert or side plates. Use each family member's favorite color to designate their plate. Hey, this might be a way to get your children to eat their vegetables! Looking for new and creative napkin rings or holders? Try using clear or solid color glass strips and adding contrasting or multi-color dots.Mix and match, or coordinate for each season.

Did you know that Halloween is the second largest decorating holiday after Christmas? And October 31st will be here before you know it! Now is the time to start thinking about Halloween decorations, especially if you plan to sell your crafts. For a "boo-tiful" look for your home, office or store, we have made simple suggestions that anyone can do! This year's hottest home decorating trends are SKULLS, GHOSTS and SPIDERS. All shapes, sizes and colors, will accent your tabletop, window sun catchers, accent mosaic pieces and of course your trick or treat candy bowl. For fun and quick easy looks, we suggest: 1.) Place a square of orange or black glass in the middle of your table, and arrange pumpkins and spiders for a incredible centerpiece. 2.) Pre-cut glass shapes of various Halloween motifs can be easily made into unique and functional serving pieces, candy dishes, and one of a kind gifts. 3.) Making fused cube candle holders using simple orange and black glass with white ghosts is a fun project. 4.) For a "spooky" porch accent, try making a novelty wind chime; A great visual and audio treat. 5.) Go Green! Recycle bottles with quick and easy mosaics. Choose your

Delphi Glass has many experts on hand to help you, such as stained glass experts, fusing experts and jewelry experts. But, did you know we also have trend experts? As a Merchandise Specialist at Delphi, one of things I enjoy best is predicting color trends. With the help of Delphi's staff artists and instructors we have come up with our choices for late summer. Our choice for the top 3 colors for late summer 2010 are:

I had received an e-mail inviting me to Kenya , and a lifelong dream of mine, going to Africa, was about to be fulfilled. My hosts were sharing their latest adventure: Weve been away and something is tearing up the roofs again, probably bush babies (lemurs), certainly baboons, and probably leopards as well! Id heard that Laurel True had just visited Kitengela Glass Research outside Nairobi, and I called on her for advice. You should go. Another friend who had recently visited Kitengela had advised me to get in touch with Nani Croze. I had thoroughly reviewed www.kitengela-glass.com, but there was no way possible- that I could ever have conceived the journey I was about to take. And now, Id like to take you with me! Necessity, the Mother of Invention Thirty years ago on the Maasai Mara in Kenya, Nani Croze, looking for a way to support her three children, started Kitengela Glass. Struggling to make a living as a skilled muralist, Nanis friends suggested that she work in stained glass. (There is a preponderance of churches in Kenya and, thus, a built-in market.) Nani, a multitalented designer, found that there was no glass available. Indeed, it had to be imported from Eur

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!

This season will showcase a greater emphasis on blues and greens . This is a clear and clean pallet that embodies a sensation of open spaces. It suggests a new beginning, symbolizing growth and a feeling of hope. Here are the shades to watch for: Pale Blue: A clean and clear blue, suggesting sky, air and energy. It feels pure, breathable and induces a feeling of contentment. True Green: A symobl of growth; a fresh color that goes with anything, just look outside at the grass. A flexible color. Works well with existing "2000's" colors, and can be treated as classic or contemporary. A very balanced and restful shade. Turq Green: A soothing and calming color. A hint of spark and invigoration to the eye. A "wow" color that can make you feel like you're escaping to a beautiful tropical destination. Pale Blue Green: A light watercolor. Very airy; gives a feeling of openness and can be used to "expand" a space's size. Taupe: A classic color that has become a basic neutral. A green undertone makes blues and greens pop. When paired with white, this shade becomes part of the new 2010 classics. Pale Gray: This is a warm, mellow gray compared to the past harsh graph

Do you have a question or comment? Please contact us at [email protected] Dear Delphi, I am a stay at home Mom who loves jewelry. I am looking at different ideas on how to make some extra income and not be away from my two daughters. I have some basic skills but I am more interested in what is hot on the fashion scene. Can you help? Thanks for asking, and we think we have some great ideas and simple solutions for you.The big looks today involve color and metal. Some examples of metal that have become extremely popular are fine and medium gauge wires in sliver and sterling. These wires are used as hooks, shapes and handmade intricate designs. The openness of the wire and delicate sheen of the silver or sterling will give enough bling to your designs.I recommend the book Totally Twisted. It is an outstanding reference guide showcasing 20 different designs in a step-by-step method. It also explains how to combine glass and metal wires to create distinctive and unique jewelry pieces.Another great new look in the jewelry arena is beautifully aged stone and earthy designs-with rich patinas and sophisticated designs. Polymer Clay can emulate the real looks of