The Delphi Blog

Loving glass and loving to talk about glass and art are two of my favorite things to do. What I will be sharing with others and what others ask me about most often will be the subjects of my blogs for Delphi. But my first thought is always to one issue that I believe causes crafters, artists, and those who wish they could make something beautiful to stay on the side lines and possibly never take a class or open a book. It is this issue that often defeats us before we even start. It is a belief that we have no talent which often brings on a fear of failure. I have heard over and over again, I'm just not artistic (artsy, crafty, talented, gifted, good at). If you have ever felt that way, then you need to hear this. At one time, I felt the same way. Oh yeah! I could copy things when I was young, but I could never do anything ORIGINAL. I did paint by numbers, not REAL painting. I'm just a Mom, and I do crafty stuff. No one would PAY MONEY for my things. Have you heard these same or near same voices running around your head before? Well, you are in good company because most of us suffer from the nagging feelings that we are probably not a Renoir, and in reality,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to the Delphi glass community of creative thinkers and doers. It is also my honor to take over the Social Media Manager role from Julie Bedford, the mind behind Delphi's Social Media Marketing. Julie has progressed in her career and she will be greatly missed by all. As always she is still just a few clicks away....stay tuned in please Julie! The path that led me here is a story of inspiration indeed. Just a few weeks ago I was working as COOfor a health education media company and closing in on my ninth year of employment. While I earned a degree in Visual Art with a concentration in stained glass, it had been a hobby at best over those years. Having the ability to combine my love of glass with day to day work seemed more like a dream than reality. All that changed when a former co-worker referred me to Delphi. Now my day's work supports the overall goals of inspiring creativity and providing education to fellow artists and hobbyist, who in turn have already returned the favor to me. So I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me and let me also pledge my dedication to bringing you the most relevant art glass content ava

For the last several months, Delphi has been collecting feedback from its fans in preparation for shooting a new series of How-To videos. Topics include everything from How to Remove the Blow Pipe from a Glaskolben Ornament to How to Do Easy Decorative Soldering Techniques . Nineteen videos were shot in total, at the Lansing Creativity Center , with the help of Delphi's expert instructors. The videos are now part of Delphi's ever-expanding video library of more than 155 videos. They can be viewed on Delphi's YouTube channel or on Delphi's Art Glass TV video section of the website. View complete video library , sort by crafts or search for specific topics to play, watch and learn today! Do you have ideas for future Delphi videos? Let us know in the comments section below.

Creating a page for your business in Facebook is easy! Follow these steps to set it up. Then remember to update your page frequently with engaging content like photos, business tips, event information, etc. 1. Click on "Create a Page" in the bottom right-hand corner of Facebook.com 2. Choose whether youre creating a page for a brand, a public figure, a charity cause, etc. 3. Follow prompts and fill out information - youll have to attach the fan page to a personal account. Note: Facebook prohibits creating duplicate personal accounts like having a work account and a personal account, so make sure you adjust the privacy settings on your personal page before you link it to your business page . 4. Once your page is set up, youll want to secure a username like www.facebook.com/delphiglass, to do this, go to http://www.facebook.com/usernam e. Choose wisely, you cant change the username once selected. Once your page is created, you can work on the aesthetics. Upload a cover photo (this is the large main image across the top of your page) and a profile picture. Make sure to update the About section with your studio hours, address, website, etc. Now you're ready

New Media Mail delivery is now available. Now, when you order books, DVDs and CDs, you can select Media Mail Delivery to save on shipping. At a reduced rate, the postal service provides delivery in approximately 5-10 days for packages up to 70 pounds containing only published educational materials. Save up to 50% off regular shipping rates when you select this shipping option for eligible orders. If your order includes any item that is not a book, DVD or CD, this shipping option will not be available and will not be shown.

Here's our list of 5 Favorite New Items from the May 2012 edition of Stained Glass News. 1. Hot, Hot, Hot by Christine Stewart Celebrated glass artist Christine Stewart brings us a long-anticipated new title. In her signature mosaic style she serves up 18 projects ranging from fused glass dinnerware to stunning mosaic wall art created with fused inclusions. 2. Inspired by Frankye Cartner and Suzy Huber This stained glass pattern portfolio contains 16 designs for panels in a variety of themes. Each project includes recommendations for using wire, bevels or other accents, and a suggested enlargement size. Projects are certain to provide a fun challenge for beginners and intermediate artists alike. 3. Assembling 3D art just got easier with Handy Wedges These simple non-slip foam rubber blocks offer the perfect solution when you find yourself in need of another set of hands. The triangular shape lends itself to supporting boxes, panels, or nearly any shape as you assemble and solder your projects, all by simply aligning the wedges in different configurations. 4. New Fusible System 96 Glass Colors #X21176 Chocolate Opal #X226

To celebrate the end of the year for Boy Scout Den 41 in Tampa, Florida, the kids had a Mosaic in the Park party. Using stained glass chips nipped into triangles, each boy made a mosaic picture frame for his mom for Mother's Day. The boys wrote personal messages to their mothers on the back of the frames. Their troop leader grouted the frames, and each child had a hand-made mosaic project for Mother's Day. The kids loved making them, and the moms loved the frames. This is a very easy project. It requires no glass cutting by the kids, and no previous mosaic experience. Time saving tips: 1. Draw a border around the edges of the frame and instruct the children not to go past the line - this allows room for grouting the edge. 2. Nip chips into triangles, and nip 1/2 of those triangles into smaller triangles. First the children make designs with the larger triangles, then they fill in any extra space with the smaller triangles. 3. Squeeze a white craft glue all over the frame (instead of adding glue to each individual piece). Go back with more glue once the children have made their original designs, to show them where to fill in with extra pieces. 4. Flat projects

My husband and I recently met a spectacular couple, a genuine cowgirl and cowboy. Besides being fortunate enough to purchase a very sweet horse from them, we are proud to be able to call them our friends. While at their home I learned that her one of her best friends, her horse, had passed away the previous year. "Yoda" had carried her though years on the Rainbow Riders drill flag team, taken her to reigning championships, and safety along countless miles of trails. I wanted to do something special for her, and also try something new for me. I remembered seeing an article in the Delphi newsletter about making fused glass silhouettes from a photograph. While at her home I snuck a picture of her and Yoda sliding to victory, on my cell phone. I downloaded the picture and adjusted it to an appropriate size for a 10 by 10 square plate mold from Delphi. I cut out the image and traced it onto my black iridized COE 90 glass. I used amber streakies and amber clear COE 90 glass, behind the silhouette and border, to thicken the plate with color. I traced my silhouette and began cutting it out with my Taurus 3 Glass Ring Saw . I don't have the special separator blade for the

Inspiration can come from so many places . Sometimes a word or a picture will stir a memory. As I trace the thread of a memory it often weaves a tapestry in my mind of vivid images, ready to be transformed into art. A few words triggered such a moment recently when I remembered a favorite childhood book that Id shared with my children, Frederick by Leo Lionni. I went searching through the bookshelf of childrens books in our home that we'd kept even after the children had outgrown them. I found Frederick, and began flipping through it. Next I picked up The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and paged through the beautiful illustrations. Sometime later I emerged from my journey through The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. I was flooded with ideas and inspiration for projects. The experience brought a smile to my face as I realized that the simple little story of Frederick had been an inspiration my life through. Much like Frederick, Ive always labored to collect colors and imagery, things that arent always tangible but have a value all the same. What things from your me

D & L Art Glass in St. Augustine, FL, will be hosting renowned glass artist David Alcala in its studio on October 6 and 7, 2012. David will be sharing his innovative techniques of working with frit in the vertical along with his revolutionary new product Flexi-Glass . Join D L for Davids Sand To Glass Tour 2012 and walk away with a new sense of creativity and inspiration.

The Crafts Report Magazine is currently sponsoring a Cover Contest for its October edition. Through the end of May, contestants can post photos of their best work on to The Crafts Report Facebook page wall for a chance to win. Read the complete contest details for more information. Crafts Report staff will choose the preliminary finalists, but Facebook fans will ultimately choose the winner by voting for their favorites.