from an artist's studio: Fusionglass

"Take pART"

“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” Richard Feynman

Fusionglass Co's traveling glass class wants to come to YOUR school!

"Take pART" students work

Our "Take pART" program was developed in direct response to many conversations with teachers when they visit the Fusionglass Co. gallery. They often mention how much the kids love to create and how much they would enjoy our classes, and lament the fact that there is little or no money for field trips and not enough parents free during the day to carpool the kids. At Fusionglass Co.we really feel a need to share the joy of creativity with anyone who expresses an interest. We know through experience that to allow yourself to become immersed in a creative endeavor can free your mind from the day to day worries and obstacles that life invariably throws up. To rejuvenate your soul through creativity brings joy to the creator and the viewer alike.

It's a communication with imagery, It's like saying the words you cannot say.

We wanted to share our art with the kids and decided to look for a way that would allow us to bring the experience of glass working right into the classrooms. After some research and playing around with different ways of transporting the projects, we have found something that works beautifully.

While we do charge a reduced price, we also wanted to help perpetuate such programs by helping the kids recoup the money spent.

We think we came up with a rather brilliant idea:
We have the kids make two pieces of glass, one for themselves and one for a group project.

We can make the group project into many different items including platters, bowls, wall pieces, or a hanging mobile.

The group project is then returned to the school as an auction item for their school fundraiser.

In the photos at right we show the projects before and after firing. Each square is approximately 2"x2 "

The kids can choose to have their square made into a pendant or a key ring.

The pendant/keyring class is the most popular project we do with the schools, tho' they do have the opportunity to choose from about 9 different projects which can be viewed here :
"Take pART" projects

We are so very grateful for the grant received from the wonderful people at
Friends of East County Arts, Inc. With which we were able to purchase supplies and tools for the mobile classes.

The purpose of this organization is to provide funds for the growth and development of audiences for the live performing arts; to present world class artists, and to support the fine arts and artists in the Greater East San Diego County area.

We are eternally grateful also for the encouragement,enthusiasm & friendship from individual members of this dedicated group.

We had 25 squares from this group and decided they were perfect for a platter.

I set them on a background of clear class and used some glass stringers in shades of blue to tie it all together.

The glass is fired twice, The first time fuses all of the pieces together, and the second lower temperature firing shapes the piece.

It's important to check the size of the piece against the mold, Here I've laid the platter on the mold into which it will be fired, if it overlaps in any way there is a risk of fusing the mold into the glass.

Here's a look at how the piece finished. We think it's a beautiful way to capture a moment in time.

"Take pART" Fundraiser

Donate ART & CRAFTS supplies and tools you are not using or have outgrown & you'll be helping us get our "Take pART" program into local schools.

Bring your items to fusionglass Co. any time before October 30th 2014.

Looking for a reason to go through the closets?
Need to move those old art supplies or tools?

We'll have a big sale of all the items received in November 2014
We'll be keeping most items to just $1.00!
With a $2.00 charge at the door. Unless you've donated something.

The funds raised will go towards supplies for the "Take pART" program.

Looking for a way to make YOUR Fundraiser fun? Email us for ideas on how to make your fundraiser a huge success! info@fusionglassco.com

The past couple of weeks have been taken up primarily organizing our 3rd Annual "Tea with the Queen" event. which was held on Saturday May 11th, at Fusionglass Co. And was a simply grand affair altogether. With many of the Queens guests dressed in their best fine figaries, and their prettiest Hats & dresses.

Vintage Hat collection Thanks to Thomine Wilson.

Some of the hats worn to our event this year had not been out of a box for decades! & we really loved hearing the wonderful stories attached to them. Smiling, happy faces were the order of the day and who can help smiling when adorned in a beautiful hat!

We had a fun photo booth set up to record the frivolities. With the long suffering Paul Fernandes standing in for the Queen.
Whom the palace had assured us was a bit too busy to stop by for tea.

Paul did a fabulous job and I don't think anyone actually noticed the difference. But you can tell for yourself from the photos!

One Queen is enough for most occasions but at fusionglass co. we always believe the more the merrier.
We were absolutely delighted to welcome reigning beauty Queen Diane Marie Green Yavorsky, the very lovely Mrs. San Diego, to our event. Diane was delighted to pose in her sash and crown along with our own dear "Queenie". I will be consulting on a project with Diane. But more details about that on another blog!

We had a Tea Demonstration scheduled for 3pm with Bill from

"All Things Bright & British"

in La Mesa. He was in big demand that day. With our event being the third he had scheduled.

He made a fabulous "Bon Teavant" for our occasion, explaining how you should go about making a "proper cup of tea" & serving up all kinds of English goodies and treats, including scones and clotted cream!
He also answered questions about the different varietals available,
and when they are traditionally consumed.

Bill's friendly little store is located in the village, and is definitely worth a visit. With all kinds of edible goodies & gifts from the British Isles and Ireland. They also happen to carry my favorite Barry's Tea!
Look for the Palace guard! You'll know you've found it!

And while you're out this way stop by

"A Unique boutique"

and visit with the lovely Estee Hyman.
Estee brought an array of gorgeous designer clothing and purses for a mini fashion show, and at the last minute too!
Our original boutique had to cancel. Estee was happy to help out with less than a week to pull a number of looks together. She did an amazing job, and was just a great addition to the event. Below are a few of my favorite looks modeled by my daughter (right), and a past intern of Fusionglass Co. We were absolutely delighted to find this very unique boutique! and it's truly beautiful owner.

Model: Siena McKim.

Model: Dealgnaid Solan

Model: Siena McKim

Model: Dealgnaid Solan

I also owe a big shout out and Thank You to the talented make-up artists from

Rockeresque Beauty.

We really enjoyed having Nickie, and the girls here. They did quick make-overs for people, before their audience with "Herm Ajesty"

Rockeresque carries a line of vegan eye-shadows

in the most gorgeous hues.

This year we loved welcoming our new neighbor Joleen from

The Bouncing Bead

She offered specials and had treats and goodies for all who visited!

Joleen and I are planning a new batch of classes for you.
We'll incorporate glass and beading techniques to offer you a whole range of projects! Sign up on the Bouncing Bead link above or join the Fusionglass co mailing list for more information.

Don't forget you still have a couple of weeks to check out the Channel 6 video promo for the Palette to Palate project. If you can find that hair clip you might just be the lucky winner of one of my "Sunny San Diego" pendants. Check out my first blog for details and the link.

Make your own life size cut out!

Here's how our set-up looked

For the Queen's Life size cut out.

I used a basic digital camera to take a photo of Paul.
& Photoshop to change it to black/white.
However most digital cameras will give you an option to shoot in b/w.
I brought my file to Copy-it to have the large scale image of "Herm Ajesty" printed out.
And my good friends at La Mesa Lumber gave me a big piece of cardboard to use as a backing.

I used spray adhesive on the back of the poster to apply it to the cardboard. When dry use a sharp craft knife to cut around the image. The base was something we had in the studio, I think a christmas tree stand would work just as well. I taped a half round dowel down the full length of the back to give it added strength and added a big feather to the hat to give a 3d feel.

The Photo booth was just a couple of King Size sheets hanging on a dowel from the ceiling! By converting the photos to B/w or sepia you get a great effect as you can see below :)