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Featured Artist: Kexin Wen

Featured Artist: Kexin Wen When and how did you get started in stained glass? Ive been interested in stained glass for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would sit in churches and watch the (often) biblical depictions come to life when a stray ray of sunlight cast its illumination our way. Sun shadows dancing. I dabbled in many media over the years, trying to find an outlet for some of the visions careening inside, but none of them took. Drawing, painting - even watercolours - no amount of professional training could guide my hand in a satisfactory way. But then there was the glass. I lived abroad for a few years, and wound my way through Europe on my way back to the States when I finished my Peace Corps Service. My last international destination was Paris, where one of my closest friends lives as an organist. Two beautiful autumn

Ring of Fire Artist Challenge Pushes the Limits of Creativity

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

4 Ways to Stop Procrastinating Today

4 Ways to Stop Procrastinating Today Chances are, right now, in reading this blog post, youre avoiding an overdue task. I too was avoiding a laundry list of work-related tasks in writing this. Procrastination is a part of life, and its certainly always been a part of mine. As a teenager, my parents would accuse me of putting off everything from piano practice to math homework. Id vehemently deny their charges hissing back, I work better under pressure. The truth was, I often felt overwhelmed, under-productive and anxious. Over the years, Ive been able to combat my avoidance issues using 4 tools. The trick is constantly reminding myself of these actions, because they do not come naturally to me. 1. Just Say No. I say yes to everything. Need someone to head up that event? Sure. Want me to design 12 posters for the Car Wash? No problem. Take your kid to daycare? Of course.

Featured Artist: Cheryl Syminink

Featured Artist: Cheryl Syminink Its clear from all of your pieces that you love working with bright colors. Where do you get your love for color? I just love color. Without color, life can be dull. Color helps to create mood, passion, emotion and can bring out the best in people. How would you describe your artistic style? I believe that my style can be categorized as beachy. I love the beach and surfing, but I also love the woods and nature, so sometimes its nature inspired. You have done several beautiful mosaics and stained glass panels, and I also understand you do some fused glass work and bead making. Whats your favorite medium and why? I love making mosaics because thats what led me to glass in the first place. I go through spurts though. Ill make a whole bunch of mosaics and then make beads in between. Then Ill switch it up

A Beginner's Trip to Lansing: I'm a Fake

A Beginner's Trip to Lansing: I'm a Fake I admit it. Im a fake. When Delphi hired me to be the Social Media/PR Specialist, I was looking for a reprieve from my graphic design job at a small local magazine. I longed for a more creative outlet. A place where I could learn new things, write about them and interact with others. Delphi was a perfect fit. Only problem was I didnt know a thing about art glass. Id witnessed my mother, a botanical illustrator and painter, create a few large-scale stained glass patterns for her friend (a real stained glass artist), and that was the extent of my experience with the craft. I knew nothing of fusing or sandblasting or lampworking. My experience with mosaics extended no further than my fifth-grade Tessellation project. I felt worthless. I started researching online, talking to Delphi experts and interacting with artists on Facebook and Twitter. I was learning a lot,

Dragonfly Garden Stake

Dragonfly Garden Stake Lately, Ive been spending a lot of time in my backyard. My father (a retired horticulture professor and perpetual gardener) has been preparing my quarter-acre lot for a vegetable garden. As soon as I saw this project guide, I could envision stained glass dragonflies peeking out amidst my beans and greens. They are perfect for adding a little sparkle to your summer landscape. DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN HERE Materials Wissmach Sky Blue and Crystal Stream X for Wings, 1/2 Sq. Ft. (or other glass color of choice) Wissmach Dark Blue/Medium Green Opal for Body, 1/3 Sq. Ft. (or other glass color of choice) Flux Solder 7/32 Copper Foil 20-, 22-, and 16-Gauge Copper Wire 2 Small Green Nuggets 1/8 Copper or Brass Rod Black Patina Directions This is one of many of the garden stake designs in Leslie Gibbs book, Garden Art in Glass. There is a lot more information

Working with Stained Glass on a Schedule

Working with Stained Glass on a Schedule My time is limited and I can only work in 2-4 hour intervals. Are there any preventative steps that I should take to assure that my work will be in good shape when I return? Many hobbyists find themselves in the same position, and this is a very good question. We cant cover every possible scenario, but hopefully we can help. Obviously, there are areas where it wont make any difference if you get interrupted. For instance, pattern prep, glass cutting, fitting, and grinding. However, if you do find that you need to stop in the middle of applying copper foil, youll need to think about how long it will be until you can resume the job. If it will only be a few days, there isnt anything special that youll need to do. But if it will be longer than that (or you live in a particularly humid area),

How and When to Use Kiln Wash

How and When to Use Kiln Wash If you have a kiln, you need kiln wash to serve as a protective layer between whatever you’re firing up in the kiln and the kiln shelves. It helps to prevent glaze from sticking to your shelves, and keep your art from sticking too. At Delphi Glass, we have kiln wash to help keep you and your kiln happy. If you’re new to glass art and haven’t used your kiln much yet, you might be wondering how and when to use kiln wash though. Firstly, you’ll need to choose the right kiln wash for your needs. They’re made with high melting points but you’ll want to adjust the formula based on the temperatures you’ll be firing at. When in doubt, a higher temperature formula will always serve your needs and prevent problems. Because kiln shelves are usually made of ceramic, melted glaze spilling, spitting or tipping over onto

Celebrate Hanukkah with Glass Creations

Celebrate Hanukkah with Glass Creations The Holiday Season offers the perfect opportunity to create custom glass art celebrating traditions. Unique decorations and dishware featuring iconic designs are sure to become favorite centerpieces of your holiday decorations. Hanukkah is no exception - the Festival of Lights immediately conjures up images of dreidels and Hanukkah menorahs. Find a fresh take on the menorah and design your own in fused glass following step-by-step instructions courtesy of Aanraku Glass Studios, or make festive gift tags, plates or candle ornaments for Hanukkah with Free Project Guides. Looking for more ideas to create glass art projects for Hanukkah? Browse glass art Judaica supplies.

Congratulations to the 2013 Art Glass Festival Winners!

Congratulations to the 2013 Art Glass Festival Winners! Art Glass Festival is the most anticipated event of the year at Delphi, and its no secret why. We get a chance to see all the fantastic glass art that talented artists like you have been making. We would like to say thank you to everyone that participated in Art Glass Festival 2013 - and a special thanks to our contributors, their generous support makes this event a success. Our contributors provide all of the amazing prizes that are handed out to the winners of both the store contest as well as online. During the month of April, the Lansing Creativity Center comes alive with inspiring art as it plays host to the Art Glass Festival gallery. The exhibit opens with an Artists Reception where artists from near and far share their discoveries and achievements in glass art. Check out all of the exciting photos from this years reception on

Regular Solder vs. Lead-Free Solder

Regular Solder vs. Lead-Free Solder I have some questions about Lead-Free Solder. Does it tarnish over time? Can you use patina on it? Does it flow like regular solder? Is it better than regular solder? We are sure that you arent the only one with these questions. Lets start with the question of whether or not its better than regular solder. Since the harm from lead is caused by ingestion, any project that will come in contact with food or food containers should be made with lead-free solder. In addition, anything that is handled, like jewelry or kaleidoscopes, should be made with lead-free solder. Hands have a terrible habit of making it into the mouth before they get washed. So, yes it is better than regular solder in these situations. As far as working with solder, you should be diligent about cleaning your hands after touching any solder. Dont eat, drink, smoke, or do anything

Observing a Kiln During Firing: What's Normal?

Observing a Kiln During Firing: What's Normal? Why does my kiln make a buzzing sound? Here are some of the sounds that a kiln makes The heating elements hum when they turn on.That is because they vibrate in the brick grooves due to magnetism between the coils. This sound is normal. It diminishes as the kiln gets hotter, because the elements soften. The clicking noise of a switch-operated kiln is also normal.It is the sound of an infinite control switch cycling on and off. When the clicking turns into a popping noise, the switch is probably about to fail. You should keep a spare on hand. Relays are another source of clicking.To turn on the elements, a digital controller sends twelve volts to the relays. The relays, in turn, act as switches and send full voltage to the elements. The relays click every time they turn on. A chattering noise, however, indicates that a relay is about

10 Tips for Creating a Custom Booth on a Budget

10 Tips for Creating a Custom Booth on a Budget Here are a few rules to follow when creating your custom booth 1. Your vehicle size determines your booth dimensions when it is broken down. I cannot tell you how common it is that someone creates a booth that will not fit into their car or van. 2. Keep it simplesmooth, clean lines in all wall coverings and table treatments is the current look. Simplicity is key. 3. Dont use materials for your display that will distract from your product line. 4. Keep the opening of your booth at least 6 feet wide (7 to 8 feet is even better). You need people to enter your booth before they will buy. Narrowed-down openings say, dont come in. resulting in less customers entering your booth. 5. Use multiple levels in your display. The more levels you create and display your work on, the more interest you create from the aisleprompting

Plans for 2011 Glass Cruise Underway

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

How Your Glass Art Can Help Others After a Natural Disaster

How Your Glass Art Can Help Others After a Natural Disaster First it was Texas with Hurricane Harvey. Then just a couple weeks later, the entire state of Florida was engulfed with vicious Hurricane Irma. Both hurricanes left devastation in their wake with total destruction of property, flooding, and even claiming lives. It’s been a rough few weeks for the south of the country, but the spirit of the people affected is strong, even if many areas are still without electricity while the outside temperatures continue to climb. For those affected, hurricanes can be traumatic even if no loss of lives or property has taken place. It hammers away at the spirit and brings about more stress. Plus for many, it keeps them out of work with no way to make up the losses. For those that weren’t in the path of either hurricane though, it gives the opportunity to lend a helping hand. One great way to make

New Fusing Technique- So Hot It's Boiling

New Fusing Technique- So Hot It's Boiling If youre like most fusing artists, you like to try new things all the time. Pot melts fantastic. Raking amazing. Boiled glass stunning. Wait....whats boiled glass? Boiled glass is the hottest new way to get a stunning organic looking design in your fused art. Each piece will be completely unique, and is effortless to achieve. 1. Select several (3-4) pieces of tested compatible fusible glass to use. Both 90 COE and System 96 work well. We recommend using strong, contrasting colors with a layer of white or clear to help keep colors bright. 2. Cut glass pieces to size. Important note Glass likes to be thick when fused. Because your project will be stacked more than thick, it will spread out during firing. Either dam the glass to prevent it from reaching the edges of your shelf, or cut glass small enough to ensure a safe fit. 3. On a

Me, Myself, and My Torch

Me, Myself, and My Torch Well, hello there Carlise, my name is Cere. Its nice to meet you. As a flameworker, the most powerful tool at our disposal is the torch. From raw gas to burning flame, the torch provides the energy needed to take glass from solid state to molten magic. As someone that typically works with Borosillicate glass (32 or 33 COE), I tend to work towards the hotter parts of the flame, however, if you work with Moretti (104 COE), or soft glass, you may find the cooler areas beneficial to you. No matter what kind of glass you are melting in your torch, when properly familiar with the parts and type of the flame, you can bring your work to new levels. Q Oxidizing, Reducing and Neutral What kind of flame do I have, and what does that mean to me? A When being worked, many glass colors are sensitive

Bedazzled Earrings: A Microwave Fusing Project

Bedazzled Earrings: A Microwave Fusing Project By Rita Levine Skill Level 2 (Adult 1-5 1 being the easiest, 5 being most difficult) Time to Complete 45 Minutes Materials Fuseworks Kiln Fuseworks Kiln Paper Fuseworks Glass Cutter Wheeled Glass Nippers Ruler Westrim pearl assortment Sterling Silver Plated Square Cabochon Mini Links - Delphi 85435 2 hat pins Earring wires Scrap fusing glass 90 COE Chain-nose pliers Round-nose pliers Instructions 1. Place white glass on a clean flat cutting surface with the smooth side of the glass facing towards you. 2. Start on an edge of the glass holding the cutter firmly in one hand. Keep the cutter perpendicular to the glass. Push the cutter gently and evenly across the glass. Decrease pressure slightly as you reach the opposite edge of the glass; lift the cutter off the glass at the end. 3. Breaking the score line can be done with breaking pliers. Hold the glass in

Teaching Tips for the Classroom

Teaching Tips for the Classroom We each have our own unique style of presentation and interaction with our attending students. That being said, I believe that there is a set of principles relating to the teaching process that might be useful to review and clarify so that they are readily available for future reference. Advance Planning You and your students will benefit if you ask them to bring either images or actual samples of their work. You will need to identify the point where each one is in his or her career so that you can work to move them forward from that point. Each will be different, and the more informed you are, the better youll be able to serve their needs. Do this as early in the class as possible, if not before. I also find it helpful to communicate via e-mail prior to starting the class with an encouraging note. Check

Setting Up Your Stained Glass Workshop

Setting Up Your Stained Glass Workshop I am about to set up my new workshop. I was just wondering what you think are the most important things to include? Since every situation is different, we cant give you specific answers, but here are some things that you should give some thought to. We think that the two most important things in a workshop are safety and comfort. You obviously want everything in your workshop to be as safe as possible. Ideally, you will want to have proper ventilation, plenty of lighting, safe storage areas for glass and chemicals (do you have children?), grounded electrical connections, no extension cords, safe disposal for glass and supplies (trash cans as opposed to plastic bags), and easy to clean surfaces (no carpet on the floor). Comfort is the next most important consideration. The height of your work surface is very important. If you arent comfortable, you wont be able to

A Beginner's Trip to Lansing: The Introduction

A Beginner's Trip to Lansing: The Introduction I was 22 weeks pregnant and already humongous, if thats not too much information. I boarded the plane hoping that I would have a somewhat comfortable flight from Tampa to Flint. After getting settled, I make a To-Do list for my trip. 1. Try not to knock over anything breakable with enormous belly. 2. Try to keep emotional outbursts to a minimum even if first few lampworking beads are lumpy piles of goo. 3. Remember to wear protective clothing so as not to light body parts on fire. 4. Arrive a novice, leave an expert.

The Colorado Project 2010

The Colorado Project 2010 July 17 and 18, 2009, saw a unique event in Colorado lampworking history. The Colorado Project, a nonprofit organization committed to building the glass communitythrough philanthropy, held its first annual event in Denver, Colorado. Shack Man GlassStudio in conjunction with Glasscraft, Inc., hosted the two-day event. People from allover the country came to participate and show support. Glass Artists with a Mission The purpose of the event was to create a collaborative glass art installation consistingof a four-foot-by-eight-foot mask to be sold at auction to raise money for LearningLandscapes, a University of Colorado program that rebuilds playgrounds in disrepair. Composed of lampworked pieces of crucible-pulled color and a huge bead necklace andheaddress, the mask was impressive to say the least. The community aspect of the eventwas emphasized by having nearly 150 glassblowers rotating through lampworking stations at both Shack Man Studio and Glasscraft to produce the beads for the

Guest Instructor Jan Schrader Demystifies Mica Powder

Guest Instructor Jan Schrader Demystifies Mica Powder Imagine creating waterfalls that actually shimmer or night stars that really twinkle. Delphi is bringing in guest instructor Janet Schrader to show students at the Lansing Creativity Center how to do just that. Janet will show students how to achieve different textures, colors and effects with mica powder. Mica can be used to liven up Christmas ornaments, jewelry, mixed media projects and more. Each student will make a pendant and several samples to take home. Class will be held Thursday, Jun 24th from 6 00 pm - 9 00 pm. Glass Artist Janet Schrader lives outside Olympia WA where she has been doing glass since 1979. She has won both local and national competitions for her stained glass and jewelry designs. Always wanting to find something exciting and different to do with glass kept Janet creating and developing new designs and one-of-a-kind works of art. The same desire for something

Beautiful Mosaic Wall Hanging-Step by Step

Beautiful Mosaic Wall Hanging-Step by Step For all of you glass hobbyists who would love to work with mosaics but havent gotten up enough courage, this article is for you. This project will give you the chance to create three tiles that are meant to be used as a wall hanging. We used the same process as the one for making stepping-stones. But the main difference in making a wall hanging is the thicknesswe will use only half of the recommended amount of DiamondCrete for the 12 square mold. Our design is an elegant Victorian motif that can be built as shown in three 12 square tiles and hung about 1 apart, or the project can be simplified by using just the center design. Leave out the two pieces to the far right and left of the center design and this would look fine by itself as a wall hanging or a stepping-stone. Just remember

Delphi Reaches out to Customers in Taiwan

Delphi Reaches out to Customers in Taiwan In its 38 years of business, Delphi has become increasingly well known on the American art glass scene. What started with a handful of products sold in the familys garage, has become the countrys largest selection of glass, classes and workshops. Now, Delphis art glass supplies are becoming more familiar even further from home. In what some may see as an unlikely place for Delphi products to reside, the Michigan-based company recently announced its partnership with Anguse International, a well-established glass company in Taipei, Taiwan. But Taiwan is not as implausible a place for art glass to exist as one might think. Its art and cultural scene is vibrant - teeming with woodcarvers, stonecarvers, ceramists, paper artists and glass artists. In fact, traditional crafts like these are becoming increasingly more popular with modern artisans. According to the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan, Oriental glassware art has taken a new lease on