The Delphi Blog

Raise your hands if you are totally psyched about what is happening in todays arts and crafts world! In true Arnold Horshack form OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH! What has gotten me so excited - the rise of Mixed Media Collage! I have a confession to make, even though I work mainly in the art glass world - I am so the closet Mixed Media Collage junkie ! No wonder, my love of combining tiny pieces of tesserae to create mosaics translates perfectly to combining layers of mixed media to create a similar effect. Mixed Media Collage brings so many techniques together to create wonderful masterpieces. Its all about the layering and composition. And it teaches us so much about what looks right and what doesnt. Now mind you, I said I was a junkie, not an expert! But I would like to share with you my addiction and the method to my madness or the madness to my method. To begin creating a collage you usually start with a sturdy backing, or substrate to create the foundation for your work. For a mixed media art collage, this may be a canvas, a piece of cardboard, a piece of wood, a page of an altered book or my favorite - a sheet of metal. Just mak

Check out these Project Ideas Now for some news from Stained Glass News SGN, in conjunction with Aanraku Glass Studios and Spectrum Glass, has announced details of their their 25th Anniversary Contest. Nine winners will be chosen to receive cash prizes as well as glass and supplies from Spectrum Glass Studios. To enter the contest make one of three new Aanraku projects using Spectrum Glass - either art glass or System96 - and send a photo of your work to Stained Glass News in Newaygo, MI. You can use any glass crafting technique and enter as many projects as you like. Buy your supplies from Delphi Glass or your favorite local glass retailer, then visit stainedglassnews.com/contest for complete rules and entry form. You have until December 31st to mail in your project. Winners will be announced in the March 2013 issue of Stained Glass News . Project Categories Cash and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each of these three categories: 1.) Aanraku Square Wooden Box (9 or 7) 2.) Aanraku Set of Bookends 3.) Aanraku Tea Tray Server (you must use 2 tiers or more)

Whats behind Delphis new line of Premium Wrought Iron Stands ?An American manufacturing company, Professional Metal Works, Inc (PMW). We sit down with Jim Rice of PMW to ask him a few questions about the quality products his company produces. Delphi: How did your company get started? Jim Rice: Professional Metal Works, PMW for short, was established in 2000 by Fred Boling who had over 25 years in the metal fabrication industry.Shortly thereafter in 2001 Fred was joined by a partner, Jerry McKenna who had worked with Fred previously and himself had over 25 years of experience in metal fabrication as well. Delphi: What makes your company unique? Jim Rice: Both Fred and Jerry capitalized on their experiences and knowledge that their business can be very successful by providing customers what they need and want high quality precision metal fabrications delivered on time and at a fair price.At PMW we take our delivery commitments very seriously and are also extremely responsive to our customers to make sure that they are getting the quality in the parts that they need and expect. Delphi: Why is it important for companies like Delphi to buy produc

Think of it this way: you're attempting to capture something that doesn't actually exist. A mythical creature that can change shape, even meaning at any given time; and you're expected to do it, again and again, over and over, til the end of time. Sounds all kinds of easy, right? It's actually about as easy as it sounds. Creativity is the mythical creature, I'm the person that's supposed to capture it. That's my life as an artist. More specifically, a stained glass artist. My love of glass started at a very young age--the exact age doesn't matter--but I know I was short enough to be patted on the top of my curly head by hundreds of people while they called me small boy since I was too painfully shy to introduce myself. I was dragged through hundreds of cathedrals and museums here and abroad. I saw the works of the masters in every gallery but no Picasso or Giacometti or Degas ever related to me the way stained glass did. There was just something about the interaction of the windows with their environment and the way it played with light and its surroundings that made me fall in love. So, how does one capture creativity? Patience is a great starting point. Noticing eve

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." - Thomas A. Edison Along the way, I've had some wonderful artists and friends share tips on how to make our endeavor successful, and these that I've chosen to pass on below may be the ones that have made the most difference. 1. Pick a path and focus. There are so many wonderful avenues that can be explored with fused glass.... or other glass mediums.... that for many of us, it is difficult to choose and focus on one area. Of course it may be necessary to take several classes to learn a variety of techniques in the beginning. I loved jewelry, contemporary design w/stringer and sizzle sticks, pattern bars, rod making, etc., but sooner or later, it is wise to pare down the list and focus on work that when viewed by others has a theme. In time, you can create a body of work that will become your signature. Spend some time looking at art of all types. Think about what it is in those particular pieces that just speaks to you, and begin moving in that direction. Georgia O'Keefe, Monet, and Klimt are especially exciting to me visually. Bold, beautiful, bright colors are my f

Delphis 40 th Year Anniversary is quickly approaching, which will be commemorated with the release of the 2012 Annual Catalog.Our constant commitment to making art glass accessible to everyone by providing the largest selection of supplies and art glass has truly made us innovators. One of the ways we stay on the cutting edge is to bring tools and products that enable the process of creating to become enjoyable and rewarding for everyone. This month we are featuring two of our vendors whose products support the mission of Delphi and embody innovation. We recently caught up with the President of Creator's Stained Glass, Inc. and Inventor of the Cutters Mate, CirclePro and Strip Pro, Ray Nicholas. He told us the story of what sparked his creation of these tools.He began creating stained glass in 1992.His services become so in demand that by 1996 he had developed the Cutters Mate to create efficiencies in cutting glass through the cutting systems four key features crucial to the perfect cut: CSG-10 carbide cutting head Oil-fed cutting head Constant Pressure built into the weighted handle Most importantly, the cutting head remains at a 90 degr

Part 2 of a 2 part series on the basics of glass fusing. In this week's article Donna gives advice on indispensable tools for beginner glass fusers. In the beginning, I used one larger tool, and that was a Super Star Grinder . It is still running, running, running! Others have come, and some have gone, but this one is still here. For smaller cold working projects, diamond hand pads do a nice job. The next cutting tool that I bought was a saw. My Taurus 3 Ring Saw has worked extremely well for me, and I love what I can do with it that I couldn't do before, but I worked for 2 years before I purchased this nifty item. As for cutters and breakers, I have many, but for me, the Silberschnitt breaker pliers are a must for small (1/4") strip breaking.....saves so much glass. I use both plastic and metal breakers, and they are not expensive. Toyo is my favorite brand for cutters, but there are others that I understand are wonderful. The pencil cutter is great for my hand, but you need to handle several yourself to see which is the best fit for you. I do love the Morton cutting system ....especially the crates! They are wonderful for catching the shards that eat the s

Your studio is your haven, your cave of creativity, your "me" space! It is as personal as the work that comes out of it. One thing that studios everywhere could probably use is some ORGANIZATION , and thanks to Delphi's second annual studio contest we can all learn some secrets to keeping it clean. In 2011, we featured those of you who had the Messiest Studios. We had 50 photo entries in that contest, and boy we really enjoyed seeing the functioning chaos. This year we explored the opposite end of the spectrum, hoping to gain some insights, tips, and methods to keeping an art glass studio neat and tidy. Whether you have a large dedicated space for your studio, or like most you are repurposing a section of your home to accommodate your ever growing passion for glass, these tips will help you get organized. Tips from the Contest Participants Clean up before you start a project. Use reclaimed building materials or upcycle old kitchen cabinets. Repurpose vintage display or office furniture found at thrift stores. Example record album rack converted for glass storage or commercial baking racks for storage of slumping molds. Use labele

Did you know that Friendship Day and Sister Day are both on the first Sunday in August? Want to do something special for a couple of those special friends or family members in your life. How about making a friendship bracelet that you and your friends will love and cherish for years to come? Each person will get the same or similar bracelet, signifying the unity of people represented. This special friendship bracelet uses fusible glass to create beautiful 'lifesaver candy' beads from glass frit. Supplies you'll need: System96 Medium Frit - Clear, plus any other transparent or opaque colors you might like Nano Beads casting mold Here's how to make your bracelets: 1. Select a colored frit to represent each friend or family member(don't forget yourself) - the number of colors represents how many 'lifesaver beads' you'll make per color. For example, 5 people = 5colors of frit, and five bracelets will ultimately be made. 2. Prep the mold first by spraying with Boron Nitride ( see video ). 3. When using frit molds, it is very important to follow the suggested fill levels to get the best bead. With the Nan

Part 1 of a 2 part blog on the basics of glass fusing. In this week's article Donna will tell us how to set up your work area and gives suggestions on finding the perfect kiln. Often potential fusers ask about the cost of getting started in glass. I found that it isn't as expensive as one might think because the list of necessities for the beginner is not too long. So what would the list look like for someone who had NO experience at all? Well, this is what I began with, and I think you might find these ideas helpful. Space to Work - A place to cut glass can be fairly small. The most important detail is a floor surface such as concrete that will be easy to clean. I tried commercial tile in my first studio, and the shards were soon embedded under the work area. Obviously, you want to keep the surface as clean as possible so that small glass shards are not tracked into other areas. I've found that a pair of shoes dedicated to the glass area is very wise....voice of experience. Where do I put a kiln? - If you live in the south as I do, a hot kiln can make the work area dreadfully hot if it is in the same room. On the other hand, it is great for heating in the wint

After the fun and success of last years Messiest Art Glass Studio Contest , Delphi is looking to reward the glass artist with the Most Organized Art Glass Studio. It just might be you! Is your studio full of custom made shelving and labeled containers, with a place for everything and everything in its place? Have you devised an ingenious method for organizing art glass supplies? Then Delphi wants you to share photos of your art glass studio. The entry with the most votes will win a $200 Delphi Glass gift card. Contest Details - Like Us on Facebook to get access to this contest. Then submit photo(s) of your organized art glass studio and provide a 30-100 word description of your favorite organizational methods and products! Submission Dates - July 6-18, 2012 Public Voting Period - July 19-28, 2012 Winner Announced - July 30, 2012 Prize Details - $200 Delphi Glass gift card. Gift cards are non-refundable and may not be redeemed for cash value. Gift cards are redeemable online, by phone, or at Delphi's Lansing Creativity Center in Lansing, MI. An organized studio ultimately results in efficiency and more time to Be Creative! So stay