FUSED GLASS 

The art of “glass forming” is believed to have originated around 2000 B.C., with the Egyptians and Romans being the most advanced. Between approximately 1500 B.C. to 500 A.D. intricate bowls, beautiful jewelry and decorative wall tiles were created using a method called “fusing.” Although the blown glass technique eventually replaced fusing, the twentieth century brought artists who rediscovered and perpetuated the art of fused glass. By definition, fusing is joining together by the application of heat.  I cut the glass, stack the pieces next to and on top of each other, fire them in the kiln and await the results many hours later. When fusing, the glass is in control and this can be very frustrating.  I design precisely and then just have to let it go!

DICHROIC GLASS

Dichroic glass is produced by vacuum depositing multiple thin layers of exotic materials onto a supporting piece of glass.  Because dichroic glass reflects light of one color and transmits light of other colors, I am never really sure what the piece will look like until it is cool and I can remove it from the kiln.

LAMPWORK BEADS

Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with a variety of tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century. In the mid 19th century lampwork technique was extended to the production of paperweights, primarily in France, where it became a popular art form, still collected today.  Most artists today use torches that burn either propane or natural gas. It was not until the late 1960s that lampwork became recognized as a serious art form by German born lampwork glass artist Hans Godo Frabel who utilized his scientific glassblowing training to create relatively large pieces of lampwork glass art in borosilicate.

BEADED BAGS

In the 17^th century, needlework was considered an appropriate skill for young women.  The smallest of the glass beads began to be used to enhance embroidery and a variety of accessories.  The first bags made entirely of beads appeared at this time.  These were small bags for carrying coins made by weaving beads with a needle and thread. In the 18^th century, fashions were influenced by the opulence of the French court and clothes were embellished with beads and gold threads. Toward the end of the 1700s, and after the French Revolution, European fashions became less elaborate. In North America, during those 300 years, the glass beads brought by the European explorers as gifts started replacing natural ornaments such as quills in decorative needlework.  As American Indian beadwork evolved, glass seed beads became a traded commodity.  The Euro-Americans imported European fabric, trims, and accessories—including beaded purses.  American Indian tribes incorporated European patterns for their own tribal use.  Eventually, the Indians of the Northeast designed and produced items such as beaded bags specifically for Europeans who had developed an interest in Indian beadwork.
 

"GREEN" BEACH BAGS

I collect plastic bags from friends and family – colored ones are particularly sought after!  The bags are cut in one long strip and then crocheted into a bag.  These bags are very strong, durable and washable.  The handles stretch but don't break and sand shakes right out of them.  Recycling is something we must all do, so lets make it fun and save our planet in the process.
 

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL

Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut lead crystal glass and related products produced by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zurich, Switzerland.

Daniel Swarovski was born to a glass cutter in North Bohemia, today a part of the Czech Republic.  In 1892 he completed a two-year apprenticeship in his father’s small factory where he gained expertise in cutting glass.  He registered his invention of a machine that went on to revolutionize the crystal cutting process.  He realized that he needed more water, power and a factory building in order for his plans to manifest.  In addition, he needed to move away from competitors to keep his inventions a secret.  So, he chose to settle in Wattens, Tyrol. 

Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction.  In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings.  Aurora Borealis, or “AB” is one of the most popular coatings and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance.  Coatings may be applied to only part of an object; others are coated twice, and thus are designated AB 2X.