Further Fusing Weekend

One of the courses I most enjoy teaching at Creative Glass Guild is the Further Fusing Course. The two day course introduces students to new techniques in glass, frit migration, glass dilution and reactive glasses are explored by students on day one, producing a number of reference tiles based on these techniques, which can then be later referred back to to inform glass designs and decisions.

Reactive reference tiles

The colorants within our fusing glass, may react with each other when different colors are combined, learn how to expect and control this phenomenon, which colours will react with each other, and what can be expected from the reaction.

Students will learn more about volume control, how to bend the '6 mm rule' to your own advantage, with glass dilution and displacement. 

Day two will begin with a disscussion on the results of the previous day, what people enjoyed and thought worked well and what didn't, the rest of the day will be spent designing and making a high quality finished piece to incorporate the techniques learned from day 1. 

Students will be encouraged to think about how they use their chosen mould, designing a unique piece that will compliment the form of the mould.

If you would like to continue your exploration in glass by learning new techniques then CLICK HERE to get more informantion and book your place! Dates now available for 2015!!

Glass Engraving, Blaze and future courses

This past weekend saw my Experience Glass group learning the art of Sandblasting and engraving. Traditional hand tools are used to engrave into the glass, an excellent technique to explore mark making.
Some fantastic work was produced, looking forward to seeing what wonderful creations the students make next time when we learn the traditional technique of glass painting.

If you're interested in learning any aspect of glass making we are now taking bookings for next terms Experience Glass monthly course, starting in October, and we have also introduced Exploring Glass a twelve week course on a Thursday evening at Creative Glass Guild in Bristol. Spend you're evening's exploring the wonderful world of glass, and the numerous possibilities it creates!! Book your place HERE 

In other news, Blaze studios on Colston Street are now stocking my work. the co-op run studio have some amazing items, by some very talented artists, so why not pop down one sunny afternoon and see whats available.

Poppy Appeal Donation

As part of a new range of fused glass jewellery, I started making fused glass poppy brooches last year.
For each brooch sold I decided I would donate £3 to the British Legion.
I'm pleased to say that to date I have sold 13 brooches raising £39 for the Legion  to help support serving and ex-Service men and women.
Poppy Brooches are still available to buy HERE  

Thank you for your kind gift

Dear Mr Alderson

Thank you very much for your kind donation of £39.00 to The Royal British Legion. We really value your support. Your donation will be debited from your card within 2 working days.

Over 9 million people are eligible for our support and 1,000 people call on us for help every day. Your gift will help us continue to provide serving and ex-Service men and women in need of practical, financial and emotional support; as well as campaign for their best interests.

Yours sincerely

Charles Byrne
Director of Fundraising
The Royal British Legion

EXPERIENCE GLASS

My monthly group of students are coming on well, this month we looked at the stained glass process, the students came prepared with designs in mind which we then created templates for, cut out the glass, leaded and soldered together. Quite an under taking in a day! we will cement the panels in the next class then look at the copper foiling process. For more details on the course CLICK HERE or contact Creative Glass Guild

Teach the Teacher - The Benefits of Spectrum System 96

So last week I spent three days teaching local teachers the benefits of using Spectrum System 96 Glass.

The free workshops run by and held at Creative Glass Guild in Bristol were designed to encourage and explore the benefits of System 96 for teachers and students alike.

System 96 glass is a soft, forgiving glass with a long working range and a wide margin of error. It is famously easy to cut; the colors are bright and consistent, and it will tolerate multiple firings without a blemish.

Over the course of the day students were introduced to a series of new and advanced techniques in glass fusion, designed to explore and test the limits of System 96 Glass. Glass dilution, frit migration and reactions in glass were explored and absorbed. These techniques can be learnt on the Further Fusing course taught by yours truly at Creative Glass Guild CLICK HERE for further details and to book your place now!

Reactive Glass - Reactions occur when ions from two adjacent glasses migrate and mingle during the firing
process, where these two glasses join a reaction line occurs, which can add new depth and interest to your glass creations. To find out more about glass reactions and which glasses react with each other come along to the next course!

           Sat 30th November & Sun 1st December
           Sat 15th February & Sun 16th February


In other news I am taking part in Art on the Hill, an Arts trail around Windmill Hill, Bristol, On the weekend of 5th and 6th October..
CLICK HERE for more information and to see what else is happening over the weekend.