Gray Matter

Formal Table Setting!   I challenged myself to do something big that I could donate for a charitable raffle.  The group provides braille books to blind folks all over the world.  My inspiration was “From Darkness – Light” and of course somehow I needed to work texture into the set, either visual or physical texture.  So, I grabbed my sketchbook and began to doodle.  I came up with the idea to make 12 place settings of dishes.  The designs were then re-created on the computer.  Once happy with the design a screen-printing technique was utilized to create the decals for the medallions and borders of the dishes out of enamel and platinum powder.  Each decal/design is unique to the dish it is on.  Size and designs vary!  The dishes were hand cut using 3mm Bullseye Elephant Gray and clear.  The gray is the bottom with clear tops/caps.  Each piece was fired 3 times (fuse, slump, and decal).  I was so excited about this project I couldn’t stop.  Next step, design and embroider napkins!  Of course then I had to make the sterling silver napkin rings to go with them and the last piece – blow glasses (clear with black lip rings).  The next step is the fundraiser – so wish us luck!

• Bullseye 3mm glass in clear and elephant gray
• enamel & platinum decals
• sterling silver
• linen
• clear blown glass