Sundays Class- Vessels

I wish I had pictures of the finished product! But they were still in the kiln when I left WUB.

These are similar to what we were learning.

First we made latticino and reticello and made that into a stopper saving a little more for decorating out vessels.

Like this:














Erika's perfect hollow

 The next step is to practice building our hollows.

 Now making the cane and working on hollows was fun but we needed a little break to blow bubbles of a different kind before we got down to blowing vessels.

Everyone make a couple of vessels and we wrapped up the day with a demo of
"fancier" stoppers

More Classes at WUB

Saturday Morning we got to see the beads everyone made in the Fiesta bead class on Friday. All the beads were gorgeous. We soaked a few in Sparex to remove the fire scale from the turquoise. I use CLR at home but Wired Up Beads teaches metal classes and so there is a pot of "pickle" ready to go. I wish I had the after picture of Babette's bead(front right) it is beautiful turquoise now.




I think Myrt liked the class!

Saturdays class was all about the fish! Well we did throw in a few sea urchins and starfish too but it was all about the fish. There are no bad beads only potential fish and the best thing is you just can't mess up a fish. The things that "ruin" a bead only make a fish .............well fishier

WE had a real treat during lunch not only did we get yummy food but Patti gave us an impromptu lesson on using some of her Wubber tools. I am working on getting her to come and teach at Dream Fire to teach!

Then it was time to get back to "frying fish"

This one doesn't seem to mind his tail being on fire!

Here is the fish I left behind as a thank you to WUB








The day wasn't over yet. The Grapevine Bead Society meeting was at Wired Up beads that night and they ask me to demo. Fishy eye murrini or maybe they were monster eye murrini for next months GBS challenge.

Fiesta Beads at WUB

Friday was Fiesta Bead Class at Wired Up Beads. I had a great bunch of students and we made some awesome beads. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon!
Ginny H even got to sit down at a torch and have some fun.
More later on the WUB trip.

First week of September

September seed pods

How does the time slip away so fast? For anyone with children the answer is easy. No matter where they are in their lives or how old they are they need you. This time of year is dedicated to getting those kiddo's to school. Most of them are settling into the first week of school and we are all trying to find a routine.
Right now I am actually longing for a routine. A day to day routine when things are planned and executed. What is that saying "man plans and the gods laugh"? Yep they think I am hysterical .

Fall is time to do "The Texas Teaching Tour" It is time to head both North and South Texas to visit some mighty fine studios. I will be in Dallas-Grapevine area /Southlake Texas this next weekend teaching at Wired Up Beads check out their web site to see the classes offered. I am hoping to have a little trunk show at a friends house in Dallas Monday and Tuesday before I head back to San Antonio.

I won't be home long because it will be time to turn the car South and to McAllen where I will be teaching at McAllen Stain Glass .

I will back long enough to teach agroup of Houston Hotties a Dichroic glass Class!

I need to get the camera out and take more pictures. Well that's it for today it is time to get ready for Fiery Friday at the studio.

Mini Class - Starfish

At the request of a student I will be teaching a mini class on starfish.
It's almost cruel to blog about it because right now the class is full.
But not to worry I will be teaching an under the sea class at WUB this fall and then here at Dream Fire too.
Next Tuesday June 26th in the morning ( to beat the heat)  we will be making starfish in many colors.I sold all my starfish so this is a pitiful  picture of one I donated to an ISGB all members show project.

We will be making much bigger and more beautiful starfish next Tuesday.
You never know when a mini workshop will pop up. I plan to have several mini workshops in August. So watch the website and the blog!
Stay cool and work your glass hot!

The Last Flowers in May

It is the last day of May.
The spring flowers have faded in the heat.
Glass flowers can bloom all year long. Yesterday was the first of two Sculptural Flower classes here at Dream Fire Glass. The students really rocked the class. Look at these great bouquets!



Marla's flowers




Jan's Flowers



















If this is something you would like to learn the next class is scheduled for June the 10th.
Call the studio to sign up.

Wow April is almost gone

I keep asking that question in this blog. Where did the time go?
I know time flies when you are having fun but I didn't realize I was having that much fun!
Taxes are not fun I know I did those since the last post. I have been having fun with the Fiesta open torches and the Berries class this week. I'm working hard to get a pendant finished and photographed for the ISGB pendant show. The beads are done now I have to get her put together.

You can tell from the quality of my photos the camera is on it's last leg. It still takes some good pictures but a new camera is on the wish list. I will miss this on it is a Kodak EasyShare a really old one. It was so easy to use and it took some really nice pictures but with all things made of plastic "stuff" Breaks and the toggle that controls everything no longer works and it doesn't recognize the card anymore so I can take exactly 11 pictures and can not change the settings. Now aren't you glad I share that!

I have been working on flowers of all kinds. There are 2 classes I am teaching here at Dream Fire Glass Studio you might want to take if these flower beads are what you want to make.
Sculptural Flowers- May 26

Encased Florals May 27
In this class you will learn to make floral cane and use it to make the flowers on the outside and the inside of a bead

Fiesta is coming!

Fiesta is just around the corner here in San Antonio. It is time to start decorating your front door with a big bright Fiesta wreath. Get those bright bold clothes out of the back of the closet. Make sure your Fiesta hat is covered in colorful streamers, flowers, medals and what ever floats your boat. Hee Hee - floats your boat get it?( We have a River Parade where else do you have a parade on a river?)

This last Saturday at Dream Fire Glass we prepared for San Antonio's annual celebration by making Fiesta beads. We make Star pinatas, Whirling Flamenco skirts and some flower garland beads. The little girls wear the paper flower garlands as crowns.
Here are some of the lovely beads we made in class

I also taught this class at Glass Craft Expo in Vegas and the students made equally lovely beads I just didn't get any pictures to post.

Viva Fiesta!

Bullseye, Carlisle and Jen-Ken Thank you

You may already know that I am teaching 4 classes  at the Glass Craft Expo in Vegas this March.
I have been to Glass Craft Expo and assisted in some fusing classes but I have not taught a flame working class there.
So it is really my 1st year teaching at Glass Craft Expo. So I had a little learning curve. Each instructor is responsible for their own glass, kilns and torch set ups. The 1st call I made was to Jen-Ken  to get Chili-Pepper kilns for my classroom. Thank you Jen-Ken. Next on the list was my favorite Bullseye glass rods.They are sending all the glass we'll need for my classes. Thank you Bullseye But I was missing one important item TORCHES.
This week the phone rang and the caller ID said Carlisle I literally answered the phone "Oh I'm so glad you called I really need to talk to you". So now I have my torches for the classroom set up and all! Thank you Carlisle.

Vegas list is done!
Plane tickets - check
Room - check
Glass - check

Kilns-check

Lovely assistant- check

Torches check

Students - check
Ready set go!
I can sleep better now that Glass Craft Expo is all taken care of.

Fun in the Torchroom

I have a minute to catch my breath and post some photos.
The beginning bead class this weekend was fantastic! Great students and great fun.
I did forget to stop and take a picture of this class. Darn!
I've been saving a few photos of fun and learning going on here at Dream Fire Glass Studio.



Fiery Friday





Fiery Friday

Very productive Fiery Friday














 Beginning Bead Class


Hot Head Torches to start out!

The fun and learning continues........
Here's what 's happening in February
This coming weekend Saturday February 4th is the Heart Class.
Hollow Beads on Sunday February 5th
Open torch February 8th and 22nd
Fiery Friday February 10th
Bangle Bracelet with hearts February 11th
Torchwork for the Fuser February 12th
Beadmaking 1 is at Southwest School February 18th
Beadmaking 2 is back here at Dream Fire February 19th

Dream Fire Glass Studio will be closed February 25th
So I can help with the SAGAG workshop
Well that's it for today
I will leave you with a few hearts fresh out of the kiln

2012

Happy New Year!

I think the very first day of the New Year is a gift.

To me the New Year is shiny and new, full of promise and possibilities.

At our house we eat black-eyed peas, reflect on the last year and plan for this New Year.

2012 will be the year Dream Fire Glass Studio will have lots of firsts and I’m excited about that. The first six months are planned and classes scheduled. The Grand Opening is in 13 days…….. more about that in the next blog.

I will be travelling and teaching more this year starting with Glass Craft Expo in Vegas.

2012 will be a year of change.

My husband and I will become “empty nesters”. I’m excited for my son. He is starting the journey of his life. I’m looking forward to the extra time together with my husband. He may have to come drag me out of the studio though. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time at the torch.

The sun is setting on this first shiny new day of 2012 so I wish you a Happy New Year and I hope it is filled with wonderful things for us all.

Sam

.

2012 Workshops!

Yeah! The brochure is done and going to the printer!
The website is updated with 2012's workshops.
This is an accomplishment in it's self and with my poor old computer that locks up with each task it was a monumental task.
I am glad it is done!
There are exciting workshops for 2012. Great visiting instructors and generally a whole lot so fun and learning planned.
Check it out!

Fiery Friday was a blast as usual. Look at what Nicole made during Fiery Friday. She's pretty good - for a fuser - I'm just teasing her she has become quite accomplished at the torch. Her twisted canes end up in some beautiful fused pieces.

And a reminder the open house and shopping opportunity are this week end starting Friday.
I am busy putting together some pretty trinkets to adorn yourself or gift your friends.
This is a post and run- back to work

Winter is Here!

Winter has arrived in South Texas.  For the rest of the country our "cold" weather would be a welcome
cool "ish" day. But for those of us who can survive 105 without melting anything below 55 is cold.
It has been a steady daytime temperature in the 40's and at night has dipped down to freezing and last night was 29 Brrrrrr.
The new studio is cozy and warm until the hood is turned on! As with most flameworking studio's it is a battle with the outside air and the A/C or heating unit trying to keep the inside air a nice temperature. So the last few days of beadmaking have been well lets say refreshing!
I'm getting ready for a Holiday Open House and Shopping Extravaganza here at Dream Fire Studio.
Friday December 16th 4pm-10pm (store is open 11am-)
Saturday December 17th 10am -6 pm or later if there is wine left

Dos Mimis who share the studio space with me are busy fusing all sorts of fun things for customers to give as gifts. I have been working making plenty of cute earrings and necklaces for gifts ready to buy and give.
I think I must have Christmas candy on the brain as you can see above.
I know it has been a month since the last post. Time just flies this time of year and I have been quite busy.

The new schedule for 2012 will be up on the "new" website by the end of the week. I have the brochures ready for printing and will announce the visiting instructors too.

Save the date! January 14th 2012 for the grand opening of Dream Fire Glass Studio. It will be a party for sure. Yes even a Pinata with more than just candy inside.
Well that is it for now got to get back on the torch.

Road Trip(s)

September is a road trip month.

The 1st trip is September 2-4 to McAllen Texas down in the Valley.
Friday is their 1st Friday Art Walk in McAllen. I'll be participating.
Then I will be teaching Beadmaking I and II on Saturday and Sunday at Yoli's studio.
McAllen Stainglass is located in the most beautiful Art Village. Yoli and her studio were featured in Art Glass magazine this July/August issue.
Nicole Lozano of Glass Touch will be coming with me to assist just in case I need and extra pair of hands .

Don't worry if you need to drop by the Studio in San Antonio my Son or Hubby will be there to assist you on Friday September 2 and Saturday September 3.

The next trip is September 16-18 to Wired Up Beads in Southlake TX that is in the Dallas Forth Worth area.I will be teaching a Sparkle and Bling class on dichroic glass Friday and Saturday then a cool Button class on Sunday.

Wired Up Beads studio

Now if you are going to need any glass or supplies while I'm away this trip please come by Dream Fire Glass Studio early as it will be closed Thursday September 15th through the weekend. From time to time the studio will be close to accommodate my traveling teacher schedule. To make sure you are in the loop please sign up for the newsletter by clicking on link on the top right of the blog. This will allow you to sign up to get emails from me about the studio and  special announcements.