"Polka Dots"

I haven't done vases in awhile - here is one that is whimsical. The polka dots are created using vintage glass jewels and beads. They "float" on a clear glass vase. It measures approx. 10" tall and the top is 5" square.

Texas Wildflower Commission

This is a new commission piece that features Texas Wildflowers. The outside dimensions are 31 1/2 inches by 39". Most of the floral details and the decorative framework around the floral areas were created with vintage glass and crystal jewels. The flowers are surrounded with cracked safety glass. Although it doesn't show much in these photos the additional cracks in the glass that do not accept grout remain very sparkly! The safety glass is at least twice as thick as the stained glass so the image has a lot of different dimensions to it. Also, because of the different levels it is quite a challenge to grout and had to be completed in five grouting sessions to make sure I had time to clean all the areas well.

"Colorful Oak Meadow"

This is probably my favorite new piece. It has many subtle colors in it including shades of gold, bronze, lavender, orange, and green. Outside dimensions are approx. 16" x 27". It is opaque but has several layers of texture and glass.

"Glowing Oak"

This piece is dimensional but does not allow light to be transmitted through it. The greens are more toward the grey and brown tones and are not as bright as some of my previous pieces. The small rocks at the base of the plants are polished jade. The outside dimensions of this piece are approx. 15 1/2" square.

"Lavender and Peach"

This piece is dimensional but does not have a layer of glass over the image. It measures approx. 15 1/2" x 28". There is an area of clear textured glass between the inside edge of the frame and the image area. Light does not pass through this piece. Because the surface is somewhat shimmery it reflects the flash from the camera which makes it difficult to see the detail in this piece. I have included the detail photo to help with that.

"Yuccas"

This is a new piece that measures approx. 10 3/4" square so I guess it doesn't really qualify as one of my minatures but it was created using that same technique. The background is clear glue chip glass with the plants added to the surface. There is another layer of glass containing the larger yuccas in the foreground and there are additional layers to depict depth. The pieces that create the border up against the frame are beutiful beige/tan mother of pearl. The first photo shows light passing through the piece and the other two photos are with mostly reflected light.

"Infinity" 3D Sculptural Piece

This is a new piece that is sculptural as well as functional. The top onethird can function as a vase. It was created using hundreds of vintage glass and crystal jewels. The largest portion of the bottom has an infinity effect. Each round glass piece that you look into shows a magnification of all of the jewels! You can see some of this effect in the detail photos. This piece is definately a departure from the other pieces that I have been doing. Tell me what you think.
Thanks,
Kathy

Ft Worth Spring Gallery Night

I set up for the Fort Worth Spring Gallery Night with the Texas Glass Artist Association. We were invited to show our work in the old Cullen Davis Mansion. The food and drinks were great and lots of fun people participated. I sold a few items and met many kind people that I hope to see again. This is photos of my table.

"Moonlit Oak Meadow"

Here is another of the new pieces that are dimensional but don't allow light to pass through the image. The color in this one is pretty subtle and does not show too well in the photos. The image is created using paints, metallic powders, glass beads, rhinestones, and rocks.

"Bronze Duo"

After the "Bronze Oak" piece was completed the customer requested a companion piece be made to hang along with it above an antique piece of furniture. This "Bronze Topiary" was made for that request.

Primary Colors

This new piece has very bright colors - too bad it wasn't sunny for the photos! It also is very dimensional because of the use of up to 3 layers of glass plus glass jewels, broken tempered glass, beveled glass, and glass beads. Many of the clear glass background squares have very interesting textures as well as being iridized. This texture shows up a little in this detail photo.

"Bronze Oak"

This piece measures approximately 19 1/2" square. It is not transparent so needs to be displayed either on and easel or hung on the wall.

"Crown Jewels"

This piece is an evolution from the "Bullseye" piece that I created recently. This one contains many vintage rhinestones as well as beads, vitreous glass tiles, and stained glass. There are multiple layers and the effect is very "sparkly" in the sunlight - therefore the name "Crown Jewels" seemed appropriate. I already have another version of this in mind so will be making another variation soon!

"Hearty Oak"

This is another small Oak tree piece. It has several layers of glass and although it is small, the one inch cedar frame may not be strong enough to support it hung so it may have to be displayed on a small easel. The foilage was first represented by large pieces of glass in various colors of green that were applied to the background glass and then grouted. After the grout had cured the additional leaves are the glass shards that I have used to represent leaves in the past. The underbrush in the foreground also has glass shards for leaves as well as round glass beads to represent berries of some sort.

"Bullseye!"

This window is a departure from what I ordinarily make - I have focused on the materials and the beauty of the materials rather than on a recognizable image. It is made from stained glass, vitreous glass tiles, safety glass, vintage rhinestones, and beads.

This is another commission minature that I completed before Christmas. It is supposed to represent a pot of violets. In many areas there are up to 4 or more layers of glass. The vintage rhinestones that were used to create the violet blooms are really beautiful in the sunlight!

"Springtime Hummer" and "Aqua Hills"

It's time to make a new hummingbird for the spring - they will be showing up before we know it. The background on this piece is different from most I have done in the past. In stead of the usual squares I have chosen to use strips of glass. They alternate between clear textured and clear iridized. This window will be available at Artisans of Rocky Hill in Fredericksburg, TX.

"Aqua Hills" is much smaller - just 11" x 14". The border is mosaic but the image area is just layers of glass, beads, rhinestones, and glass enamels. It can be displayed in a window but also displays on an easel.

Two Florals using Safety Glass

These two pieces measure 24" x 24" - a new size that I think will be appropriate for many windows. In both of these windows the background has been created with shattered safety glass. In the past I have only used this type of glass on a vase. The fractures that don't actually break apart catch a lot of light and really sparkle! This glass is also about twice as thick as the usual stained glass so it adds to the dimensional quality of the piece. In the "Texas Wildflower Square Dance" window many vintage jewels were utilized in creating the flowers so the cut edges of the jewels also create sparkle. The glass surrounding the image is a dark brown which doesn't let much light through so the shape of the circles is dominant.

Class information and more minatures

Here are a couple of minatures that were completed before the holidays. I have been working on several new pieces and will post photos as soon as they are done.

Also, for those who are interested, I will be teaching classes in both my regular glass on glass mosaic technique and my minature glass on glass mosiac technique through the Weatherford ISD Continuing Education program in the next several months. If you would like to check on the classes look at:

http://comed.weatherfordisd.com/