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!!

The Anatomy of a Camera

The Anatomy of a Camera

I was recently commissioned to make a fused glass camera, and thought it would be a great opportunity to share the making process with you. To give people an insight into the process of making fused glass.

It starts with a source of inspiration, in this case the end result needs to look like what it is, IE: a Leica Camera, so the image above was found through a Google search, (i'm claiming no credit for the design of the camera, this is what the client wanted)

Deconstruct the image.

Once the design has been finalized we selected the colour palette, then I used Coral draw (computer program) to deconstruct the camera, separating it into basic shapes, and determining how to layer up the glass, this is an important stage, with many factors to consider, how the layers are going to effect each other when fired, whilst constructing in a way to reduce the number of firings. 

Whilst glass can be fired multiple times, the more you fire the more susceptible to devit, the glass becomes.

I ended up with 5 firings, because I split the paint firing in two, at a push it could have been done in three.

First Firing: FULL

As the final piece was to be wall mounted I wanted a solid base so full fused to pieces of Cream Opaque together.

Second Firing: CONTOUR

The hand cut camera pieces are assembled on the fused base and contour fused, the lens was also contour fused separately, and tack fused on in the next firing, I decided on this course for two reasons, firstly I wanted to try a couple of variations on the lens, secondly fusing the lens on in the contour fuse ran the risk of  distorting the base layer of the camera, as the added weight of the lens fusing down, would spread the crisp lines of the camera.

Third Firing: TACK

The Lens is tack Fused onto the piece.

Fourth Firing: PAINT

The final stage was painting in the detail, using traditional glass painting techniques.

Another option would have been to use high fire glass paint such as Glassline or Viquid, but, in my opinion you don't have as much control over those as you do traditional paints, I can achieve a wider variety of effects with Reusche paints. Plus it's what i'm used to and comfortable in using.

Fifth and final firing: PAINT

The final firing was another paint firing, at a lower temperature for the white glass paint, and a little more black, and ta-da! The camera is finished. 

It was an incredibly fun project to work on, and shows you really can produce anything in this versatile medium! All you need is careful planning and a solid knowledge of what glass does at different forming temperatures. So what will you commission next?????

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.

Glass Fusing and Slumping Weekend

Last weekend I taught a fusing and slumping weekend, students are talked through the basic principles of fused glass then introduced to a series of techniques throughout the day, including kiln carving, using metal inclusions, glass dilution and the different ways of layering glass to achieve different results.

Students hard at work on 

A steady hand needed to assemble in the kiln!

work ready for firing!

In the final project of the weekend students have the opportunity to incorporate any and all of the techniques they've learned in creating unique fused glass dishes, the results can be seen below.

If you'd like to sign up for a class follow the link below

Glass Fusing courses a Creative Glass Guild

What's next? Why not try further fusing CLICK HERE to check out the course! 

Life Drawing

Today I thought i'd share some of my life drawing's with you all.
I hadn't been doing much drawing last year and missed it, so I decided to do something about it and joined the life drawing class held at Bristol Grammar School. Details Here  Its a fantastic class, very informal, your left to get on with it yourself, with guidance if needed.  With a choice of models and time frames each week.

Traditional Glass Painting Course

Today I just wanted to share with you some of the fantastic work my students created on the Glass painting course last weekend.
On the course I teach the traditional methods of glass painting, we start with learning how to mix the paint, this is key to a successful piece as if you have the wrong consistency of paint on your palette it will effect the way you paint on your glass.

First up is Tracing, using fine sable hair brushes, you copy the basic lines of the image onto the glass. These lines are then strengthened. Areas of solid black are then filled in through a process known as flooding, Sticks and scrubs are used to tidy up the image, then the piece goes in for its first firing.
Once the trace lines have been fired into the glass its possible to work over the image with matting techniques to build up definition and 3- dimensionality. ( This stage cannot be done on the same day as the pieces need to be fired overnight)
The afternoon is spent looking at matting techniques, and mark making. With a brief look at silver stain and enamels.

                                                                                   

                                                                                                   

Ruth's fantastic fish was painted on waterglass, with details picked on with silver stain.

Wonderful bumble bee by Justine

Pieces after firing

Dates for your diary

I'll be teaching on the following dates at Creative Glass Guild, Bristol

Glass Painting Taster Day
Sunday 28th April 2013
Saturday 8th June 2013
Saturday 17th August 2013

Fused Glass Jewellery Taster Day

Sunday 17th March 2013
Saturday 25th May 2013
Saturday 27th July 2013

Fused Glass Jewellery Weekend

13th & 14th April 2013
29th &30th June 2013
7th & 8th September 2013


Visit www.creativeglassguild.co.uk or call 0871 200 33 89 to book you place now!

Glass Resolutions

Happy New Year!!!!!

So it is a new year which means it is time for resolutions. I got a little waylaid last year by moving to a new city and job, but now i'm 'nested' as it were in my new house/job/life, I can finally throw myself back into my artwork.so this year is all about productivity and expanding Simon Alderson Glass.

Hopefully by the end of the month I shall be reunited with my kiln, which means I will have more freedom to experiment and create. So exciting times ahead! To the right is a preview of what I have been working on recently, playing with reactive glass, which is something I've never really played with before, but it has such fantastic possibilities.

In other exciting news I'm now going to be teaching the Stained Glass Painting Taster Day at Creative Glass Guild, check out my teaching dates below or CLICK HERE to view more details and book your place now!


And finally for those who haven't seen them yet, the panels I made last year were finally installed, and I never got around to blogging a picture so here it is below.

Course Dates for next couple months:

  

Glass Painting Taster Day

Sunday 24^th February 2013

Sunday 28^th April 2013

Fused Glass Jewellery Taster Day

Saturday 19^th January 2013

Sunday 17^th March 2013

Fused Glass Jewellery Weekend

13^th & 14^th April 2013

Restoration and Courses

Well just a quick update to share with you what i have been up to lately seen as how I am a terrible blogger. Here's some pics of restoration work I did with Creative Glass Works. Below the middle panel has been repainted, with Bristre Brown, and yellow and orange silver stain.

Images: Edward Jones, Creative Glass Works

Above four diamond lights were reproduced by sandblasting, painting and staining flash glass.

Currently working on a few ideas of my own at the moment to, yet again revolving around birds, Magpies in particular as they seem to be following me around lately. So i have been doing a lot of saluting!!!!

Finally some dates for your diary

I'll be teaching fused glass jewellery taster days on the following dates at Creative Glass Guild, Bristol

20th September 2012
11th October 2012
22nd November 2012

Weekend Course

8th - 9th December 2012

Visit Creative Glass Guild Here for more details and to book your place!!!

Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012

So I'm very pleased to announce that thanks to Erithacus Rubecula (above) I have been shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundations Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012
The shortlisted artists, from the worldwide competition, will display there work alongside three generations of the Shepherd Family at the Mall Galleries London between Monday May 21st to Saturday 26th May 2012. Be sure to pop along and check it out!!!!! 

Sales from the exhibition contribute to the very worthy cause of the DSWF raising awareness and saving the lives of the worlds endangered species.

For more details CLICK HERE!

New beginnings....

How terribly neglectful I have been! it has indeed been a while since last I blogged, but with good reason as I have been on the move! Having traversed about 300 miles I now reside in the South West. A new job meant a life changing decision to move to Bristol! I've been here about 8 weeks now, and so far it's great! Whilst I love my native North East there are so many more opportunities down here! Bristol has a fantastic creative / cultural scene, and I look forward to diving in and exploring it further.

And the new job I hear you ask? It's with Creative Glass Guild. At last the 'day job' is in a field I love, just to be surrounded by all that glass everyday is so exciting I just want it all!!!! Already learnt a lot from the other great staff, and just wish I could play with the stock all day instead of packing it, but it's good to be able to share my skills and knowledge with customers and have had the opportunity to expand my skills. just the other weekend I took part in the Photograph your Glass course. So I now know how to use my camera properly, so be on the lookout for better photos from me! (as above)

In the Easter week I returned North to finish off the panels I had started in the last post, here's one pair leaded and cemented (terrible phone camera pic) Alas there now not going to be installed for another month or two but, they are finished, so hallelujah! 

So what's next...........

New Year, New Energy, New Work

Well it's slightly late but a Happy New Year to all you blog readers out there.

The new year has so far brought in a flurry of activity, I've gained my first two stockists in Darlington, which you can checkout on the stockist page. I've also been working on a commission for some interior door panels. The client wanted something in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright to brighten up a rather drab dated cabinet. we finally decided on this design.

It's so exciting to be making a real glass panel, it been ages since I've leaded anything!!! The last couple of weekends I've been working on it, cutting the glass and just started leading up the first of the four panels.

 Whilst tiding up and sorting through some old papers I also found a couple of pages of transfers I did in uni but never got around to using, so once I get some findings bought I will be listing some Cave Art items on Etsy. Theres also some images of soldiers from my friend out in Iraq but i cannot quite decide what to do with them yet. so in the mean time heres a sneak peek at the prehistoric glass art.
 

A long awaited book

Well I have been a very terrible blogger the last couple of weeks, so thought it was high time I got writing. The Christmas fairs are over for the year, so i have free weekends again YEY!!! Which means I can get back down to some real work. I'm currently working on a couple of projects/proposals for a few exhibitions next year, don't want to give to much away so come back for an update in the new year for a sneak peek at some designs.

This week I had an early Christmas present, as I finally got my hands on The Art of Painting on Glass by Albinas Elskus. This essential guide to every glass painter has been reprinted by Long Cove Press this year and is available to buy through his website http://albinaselskus.com/  It always remained an elusive book at uni as it was never available from the library, and to buy one of the earlier copy's was about £100 so I was over the moon when I happened to come across it a couple of weeks ago! I've learnt sooo much amazing and invaluable information just from the first two chapters! Cannot wait for pay day to buy some new stains/enamels and get experimenting!!!!!




For now I'll leave you with another pic of a recent commission for a copper foiled mirror, as I go and brave the cold studio for a quick tidy up before the festive season really kicks in!

CHRISTMAS DESIGNERS MARKETPLACE

Simon Alderson Glass will be there along with many other talented peoples!!!!!