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Ring of Fire Artist Challenge Pushes the Limits of Creativity

Delphi Glass and ArtFire, the premier marketplace for handmade crafts, announce a new online art contest. The Ring of Fire Artist Challenge is open to all artisans. Entries are being accepted now. Contest ends June 30 and winners announced July 9, 2010. Following its annual festivities for National Art Glass Month, Delphi has organized another online event with the help of its partner ArtFire. The first annual Ring of Fire Artist Challenge is designed for all artisans of all crafts and abilities, inviting them to use common art supplies in new and creative ways. Artisans are asked to choose one or more items from the 10 products that make up the Ring of Fire. These items range from patterned dichroic glass and fine silver wire to mosaic tiles made entirely from recycled glass. Winners are chosen by popular vote and jury based on technical skill and creativity. A beginners category

May 03, 2010

Plans for 2011 Glass Cruise Underway

Who says that learning cant be fun? The Kay Bain Weiner Foundation, which is dedicated to sharing information about glass art, recently proved that its certainly possible when it sponsored a fun and successful cruise to the western Caribbean to help support its educational goals. Glass Enthusiasts Coming Together On January 10, 2010, the KBW Foundation sponsored a cruise on Celebrity Solstice that set sail for the western Caribbean. This was the Foundations first glass art conference cruise. There were over 148 glass enthusiasts on boardbeginners to experts from Alaska to Florida, from California to New Hampshire to Israelto participate in this inaugural event. Workshops, lectures, and demonstrations devoted to the various types of glass art, the business of glass, and the beauty of glass made up a large part of the experience. The theme of the event, Accelerate Your Creativity, rang true for all of the attendees as

Jul 27, 2010

It's Here! The Fall 2017 Glass Patterns Quarterly Holiday Issue!

Looking for new ways to Be Creative as we roll into fall and winter? The holidays are just around the corner. Halloween will be here before we know it. Then it’s on to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and more. Get all the holiday inspiration you need for making your most stunning glass art projects to make the season truly shine with The Fall 2017 Glass Patterns Quarterly Holiday Issue. Inside, you’ll discover a wide variety of projects designed for glass enthusiasts of all levels from beginner to advanced to find the perfect way to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Halloween projects, Christmas panels and ornaments, and a fused glass snow scene candle cover are just a few of the fabulous offerings you’ll find in this exciting issue. You’ll also find ways to spruce up a purchased lantern with new glass panels and agate accents. The “What’s New” section features the

Sep 29, 2017

National Book Lover's Day Gives Me an Excuse to Celebrate

National Book Lovers Day is a lesser known holiday - much to my disappointment. Its celebrated on August 9th every year. I love books. I love books so much that in my house, every day is Book Lovers Day. Im hoping youll join me in celebrating for this one day at least though. A book is a gift you can open again and again. Garrison Keillor A home without books is like a room without windows. Horace Mann Books have always held a special place in my heart. They open up a world of new possibilities to me. Each time I come back to a book, I bring fresh experiences and perspective to it, which lets me take something new away from it. Art books are no different. In addition to the bones of the process, the invaluable instruction that they present, they offer an opportunity to dream and create.

Aug 07, 2013

Meet Delphi's Fall Guest Instructors

We are excited about the Fall 2013 line up of talented glass art experts teaching classes at Delphis Creativity Center in Lansing, MI. Each artist brings their own unique skill set and techniques that any student from beginner to professional artist would enjoy. Tim Driers intricate hollow forms will amaze flameworking fans. Learn valuable new skills from this master glass blower. Gain fusing expertise in Janet Schraders classes. Janet has many special tricks to impart that will take your fusing knowledge to a new level. Kent Lauers glass magic will enthrall coldworking enthusiasts. Youll also learn glass gem making from this master of beveling. One look at Patty Grays fantastic glass art will have fusers thirsting to learn her secrets. Patty will share some of her unique methods during her Advanced Fusing class. Get to know each artist and their work, then see which class is right for you. Class

Aug 23, 2013

Meet Gloria Badiner- Delphi Guest Instructor

We are excited about the Spring 2014 lineup of talented glass art experts teaching classes at Delphis Creativity Center in Lansing, MI. Each artist brings their own unique skill set and techniques that any student from beginner to professional artist would enjoy. First up is cast and kiln formed glass artist, Gloria Badiner. Badiner is a former scientist and studio artist living and working in rural Southwest Michigan. Her studio, Arts & Artifacts, makes commissioned and custom kiln formed glass for architects, designers and furniture makers. Commissioned work includes cast panels, high relief tiles and sculptures as site-specific installations in businesses and residences. Her sculptures include fused, kiln cast, sand cast and dalle de verre works mostly on an intimate scale and are often mixed with copper, silver, stone, bone and found elements. The themes of night and day, nature and human ritual are strong themes woven into her

Feb 06, 2014

Meet Delphi's Spring 2014 Guest Instructors

This Spring Delphi is excited to host two amazing glass artists at the Delphi Creativity Center in Lansing, MI. Mosaic artist Carol Shelkin and master of beveling, Kent Lauer, will both be teaching this Spring at Delphi. Each artist brings their own unique skill set and techniques that any student from beginner to professional artist would enjoy. Get to know each artist and their work, then see which class is right for you. Class sizes are limited so register now to ensure your opportunity to work with these amazing artists. Carol Shelkin Carol Shelkin creates contemporary fine art and intricate mosaic designs that feature eminent care and attention to detail using hand-cut, high-quality stained glass. Her life-long passion for art has been honed through studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and under the tutelage of mosaic

Apr 11, 2014

Mosaics: Piecing It All Together

Mosaics add charm and whimsy to any room in your home or corner of your garden. Mosaics are not only beautiful to display, but they are truly a lot of fun to make. Traditional mosaics are made by cutting tiny pieces of glass and fitting them together with just enough space between each piece for grout. Traditions change, however, and todays contemporary mosaics are not only made from glass but broken china pieces, buttons, shells and even Grandmas rhinestone jewelry. To begin, choose an item on which to mosaic- fountains, small bistro tables and stepping stones are good starting places, but generally mosaics can be applied to any and all surfaces. If youve chosen a smooth surface, rough it up first using fine grit sandpaper or score it using a craft knife. A rough surface will allow the adhesive to form a better grip. Next, decide on a pattern for

Apr 25, 2011

Glass Fusing Q&A

No oneknowstheexactorigins of glass fusing although there is evidence that the Egyptians were familiar withrudimentary techniques. The Romans however arenoted by scholars for developingrefined glass fusing skills. Although technology has changed the way modern glass fuserswork,the technique isessentially the same as those developed by the Romans centuries ago. The basic technique involvesstacking two or morelayers of fusible glass, which are then placed in a kiln and gradually heated to between 1450-1500 Fahrenheit.At these temperatures the layers of glass fuse, or melt together and become one. Unfortunately, glass kilnsare large andexpensive,whichkeeps most Hobbyists from pursuing this art form. Now there are new kiln options, including theThe Fuseworks Microwave Kiln. This device works in most household microwaves and can fuse glass in about 3 minutes. Here are some common questions we get on fusing in this modern-day kiln. The following are Q A complied by Diamond Tech, the manufacturer of Fuseworks

Jul 28, 2010

Michael Dupille: Frit and Fabulous

Something better than pumpkin spice is coming…Michael Dupille will soon be at Delphi’s Lansing location for a 3-day class on frit fusing. Micahel Dupille, making Seattle frit and fabulous since the 1970s, brings with him his expertise, charmingly referring to his technique of painting with glass from crushed glass bits or frit as we know them along with firing methods as fritography. Considered a pioneer in the field of kiln-formed glass, Michael’s sold out class will be held for those who seek to garner his wisdom at any level from beginner to pro. The 3-day event will begin with a class on Beginning Fritography. Those in attendance will get the special chance to learn and explore new techniques that will help them design on a completely new level and add more sophistication to their pieces. Michael will also show how to create distinct shapes, give surfaces unusual finishes, the proper

Sep 15, 2016

Donna Sarafis: Basics of Fusing Part 1

Part 1 of a 2 part blog on the basics of glass fusing. In this weeks 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 isnt 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,

Jul 11, 2012

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stained Glass Artist

There are only 52 days left until Christmas. Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If not, Delphi has you covered with some bright and shiny ideas for the stained glass artist in your life. Here are some we think will be very well received if you tuck them under your tree. 1. Stained Glass A stained glass artist can never have too much glass to work with. We carry a huge selection of stained glass. Why not order some new and exciting colors for your favorite stained glass artist? Try something different like the Van Gogh glass that is almost too pretty to cut. Plus with glass packs and sample sets, your recipient will get a gorgeous array of glass to work with in one fabulous package. 2. Studio Pro Caddy If you’re stained glass artist has tools all over the place in their studio, perhaps a Studio Pro

Nov 03, 2016

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stained Glass Artist

Nov 03, 2016

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stained Glass Artist

Nov 03, 2016

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Stained Glass Artist

Nov 03, 2016

How to Get Over Your Fear of First Time Glass Fusing

For many beginners, getting into glass fusing can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re completely new to any kind of glass art. But fusing glass as a way to express your creativity is a fantastic outlet. It’s one you’ll really enjoy and really surprise yourself with once you give it a try. Here are some simple tips for glass fusing for the first time. 1. Just go with it So you’ve never fired glass before. No big deal. There are lots of firsts in our lives. Don’t expect the first thing you create to be the world’s next greatest masterpiece. Just let it happen and you’ll get a feel for the craft. 2. Start simple This is not the time to pick some ornate design to create. Stick with a simple and small-sized piece. Once you get the hang of glass fusing, you can make anything

Mar 02, 2017

Become a Leader and Be Creative!

Delphi Glass offers supplies and instruction for a myriad of art glass and other crafts, from the very simplest for the beginner hobbyist all the way to the most complex for the experienced artist, including glass fusing, wire wrapping, metal embossing, etching, carving, jewelry making, copper foil, sandblasting, glass sculpture, glass casting, copper enameling, beading, glass blowing, mosaics, ceramics, and others—a seemingly endless list of creative opportunities. In our Lansing, Michigan facility, Delphi offers a full schedule of classes and events. Utilizing four on-site, fully-equipped classrooms, more than 100 different courses are offered for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Some classes last just a few hours while others may meet for several days. Classes are taught by popular guest artists or in-house experts. We believe in helping people be creative and making the glass arts enjoyable and rewarding. Delphi Glass fulfills its commitment to the arts by assisting creative projects

Apr 21, 2017

Don’t Forget About Mom! Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. But don’t panic if you don’t have anything for her just yet. Delphi Glass has some great ideas for what to get Mom this year. If you’re looking to do something different than flowers and chocolates, here are some fantastic last-minute ideas that are sure to make Mom feel special. 1. Cook and clean for her Mom works so hard all the time caring for everyone else. Show her how much you appreciate everything she does by making her favorite meal. Don’t forget to clean up afterward. You can also opt to take her out to eat, but make sure you make reservations or else you might be waiting a long time to get seated. 2. Make her a photo frame Nothing is more unique than creating a beautiful frame with a photo of you with Mom. This free photo frame project guide

May 09, 2017

Show Us Your Stuff at Delphi's 25th Annual Art Glass Festival

Ask anyone what the most wonderful time of the year is and you’re bound to get a lot of responses about the winter holidays. But here at Delphi Glass, our favorite time of the year has to be during National Art Glass month when we host our Annual Art Glass Festival. We love it because we truly have some of the most talented customers around. Every year, it seems the entries get more and more incredible. Click here to visit the gallery of our previous Art Glass Festival winners. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro at creating glass art projects, we encourage you to enter for a chance to win great prizes ranging in value from $100 to $400. We have a wonderful variety of categories that you can enter your work under. Some of them include beads & jewelry, blown glass, flameworked glass, kiln formed glass, lamps,

Mar 14, 2016

Mosaic Art and Home Décor: Adding Elements of Distinction to Your Home

Mosaics are one of the most beautiful ways to add a unique touch to your garden or home. They can be crafted to form stunning pictures or patterns. You can also use mosaics to take something ordinary and make it into an extraordinary one-of-a-kind item for your home. Candle holders, bordered mirrors, vases, coasters, and wall hangings are just some of the things you can create with mosaics to make the décor in your home really stand out. You’re really only limited by your imagination as to what you can create when you make mosaic art. Mosaics can be done in a variety of ways, incorporating different materials to create your own distinctive pieces. From tiles and glass which are by far easier to cut and shape to making use of broken bits from bottles or other recyclable materials, mosaics take small pieces and incorporate them together to

Jun 08, 2017

Where the Sidewalk Begins: Delphi Glass Sidewalk Sale is Back!

Every year, Delphi Glass holds a special one-day only Sidewalk Sale at Delphi’s Lansing Creativity Center. This year, save the date for Saturday, July 29, 2017. From 10am to 5pm, you can come in and get incredible savings in-store only. Visit Delphi Glass in Lansing to save 50% or even more on the power tools you need to bring your creative glass art ideas to life. Kilns, grinders, ring saws, band saws, and just about every other tool you use will all be marked with the best savings of the year. The savings are only available by coming into the Lansing location so it’s worth the trip to save on one-of-a-kind items, closeouts, discontinued products, and a selection of sheet glass too. You can get everything you need to be creative for even less than before which means you’ll be able to create more than you can imagine.

Jul 07, 2017

A Beginner's Trip to Lansing-Classes (Part 3)

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.

Jul 02, 2010

Glass Works Stained Glass Studio, NC

When Mike Hartwig and Kevin McDaniel opened Glass Works Stained Glass Studio in 1997, they made it their goal to create a place where do-it-yourselfers could feel comfortable. Whether artists came there to buy supplies, ask questions or learn something new, Mike and Kevin wanted to offer it all.Both men had more than 25 years of experience in stained glass work including design, construction, repairs as well as teaching classes and operating a stained glass retail business. They knew what artists needed to be successful. In that same vein, they constantly sought to offer their customers new and exciting products and services to keep them interested. What inspires me most is being of help to our customers, Mike said.Whether it is someone looking for a piece of leaded glass for their home or church or just looking for that certain item to complete their own project. The products we

Feb 23, 2011

Michelle Rodriquez: A Cowgirl and Her Kiln

How did you get started in glass? My husband Rich and his father used to have a custom stained glass window door company in Santa Clara, CA, so one day he offered to teach me stained glass. You also do beautiful beadwork, which came first, beading or warm glass? The beading came first and then my husband signed us up for a fused glass lesson at Ocean Sky Beads Glass in Oceanside, CA. I was so taken by it, that I asked him for a kiln for Christmas. Who or what inspires you? Discovering or making up new techniques inspire me the most, but I am also inspired by horses, animals and the sea. You seem to be inspired by Southwestern culture and style, tell us more about that. I grew up in Imperial Beach, CA, which is a border town to Mexico. I used to body surf at the

Sep 23, 2011

DIY To the Rescue: How to Make a Frit Piston

As a self-described cheap glass artisan who lives in rural Maine,finding or making the tools I need myself (rather than buying them online and having them shipped) is a must. As a total beginner, I found that making frit with my scrap glass was actually messier and more dangerous than I had originally suspected. Hammering away on my back deck proved to be a situation which resulted in wasted scrap glass...and tons of cuts.I finally admitted finding a proper tool to make my own frit was a necessity (to my deck AND my hands) - but $50 (plus shipping) for a Frit Piston was just not in my budget. So I took an hour to roam the Home Depot (which, yes, even in rural Maine you will find one) for ideas on how to hack my own solution. What I came up with, after wandering the isles for an

Nov 01, 2011