Barn Art Glass Studio - making a woven fused glass dish

I've been spending time in my studio learning a few different techniques. One of which is glass weaving. You can use this technique to create functional pieces, such as bowls or just for a conversation piece on your coffee table.
I'm going to out line the process for you. It's pretty basic in principle.

Start by choosing two complimentary colors. Decide on the finished size of the piece you are going to make. It helps to have an idea of what you are trying to achieve when you start. Don't get me wrong, there have been times when I open the kiln, and say "ah, that's not what I wanted it to do." That happens quite a bit when I'm slumping through a mold. This project had pretty predictable outcomes, though.

For this project I chose a dark transparent burgundy and an opal white. Once you've decided your colors, start cutting the pieces in the desired length and width. I chose 1/4" wide strips that were 8 inches in length.

Using simple math, determine the approximate number of strips you will need for your project. I was assembling an 8x8 square, so I cut enough strips for it all at the same time.


I assemble the strips on a base of clear tektra glass. This will allow for the finished piece to appear to have spaces between the strips, but will in fact be solid and can be used as a serving or candy dish.

The trick is to have patience when you are assembling and remember to build alternating layers so your piece will appear as if it is woven.

Once you are done, and happy with the placement of your pieces, I use glue to hold the pieces in place so that when I transport it to the kiln for the first firing, it will not slide of the base or lose the pattern.

After the glue is tried, you can full fuse to achieve a flat piece, which will still have a defined pattern, or you tac fuse for a more dramatic layered affect. You can experiment with your pieces and see which affect you like best.
Once you've done your initial fire, you'll want to shape your piece. For this piece, I chose an unusual shape using my Kaiser Lee mold set. At left, you can see the shape I slumped the piece into.

Kaiser Lee molds are very versatile and I've not had any problem with glass adhering to the product if you follow the directions included with the boards.
You can find out more about this mold system at http://kaiserlee.com

Below, left  is the finished piece, you can see the shine of the glass and in the center picture, and the interior curves.

The open weave method for kiln casting is versatile, you can also assemble your piece without the clear base for an open weave, which can create a very dramatic piece. Your options are limitless, so use your creativity and see what you can come up with.

Once you've mastered two colors, move on to three or four. See what you can come up with.
Until next time, that's all from the barn

Where did summer go?

I can't believe I'm getting ready for my second show of the season already. Apparently the late start to the summer has everyone rushing to catch up, myself included.
I had several things going on this summer, plus my studio isn't air-conditioned, something I hope to resolve before next summer, so I didn't spend a lot of time out there until the past few weeks.
I'm playing catch up now and trying to get some of my new items finished for the Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa this weekend.
I'm scheduled to be on the south side of the square, so stop in and say hi, if you're in town. I'll have some of my new pieces for fall there and of course, my new line of fused glass belt buckles.
Hopefully, the weather will hold and everyone will have a wonderful time.
I've learned something very important through this year's heat spell, when the humidity is that high, nothing remains unaffected. I'm still finding things in my studio that are either rusted or ruined from the high humidity. Thus, another reason for an air conditioner to help eliminate the extreme temperature fluctuations.
All is well, now, I've recovered and only lost a few items. I'm always hurrying around at the last minute trying to put the finishing touches on something, but I promise to be set up and ready to greet you when gets open Saturday morning.

Some new designs for 2011

Black and purple fused glass mounted on a vintage candle holder

Saphire fused glass set in sterling silver on vintage spoon bowl

Sterling silver double hearts

Sterling silver hoops with black swarovski stones

Sterling silver small heart

Clear and black crackle glass

February Shows

Here we are starting the month of February. Most people, myself included, find February to be a rather boring month. It may have fewer days, but it seems to take forever to get through the month.

I hope having two shows this month will help break up the dull dreary days.

It's nice having a few extra minutes of sunlight in the evening, but we all know that will come to an end when daylight savings time starts again.

I've got a few new pieces made for the February shows.
I've posted a couple.

The first show is Saturday, February 5th in the lobby at Maple Street Memories from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
I'll have a full display as will Amy Perkins with her Scentsy and newly added Tastefully Simple line of products.

We will both have some Valentine's special so hope you stop by.

I'm also marking down some inventory 20% to 50% in order to make room for new designs I have in mind.

The second show of the month is Saturday, February 19th from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the St. Malachy School gym, 403 W. Clark St.


With at least 21 vendors, door prizes, coffee and cider for customers, it's worth venturing out.

I've made a few new bracelets in different styles as welll as sets and single pieces in sterling silver.

I don't seem to run out of ideas, just time. I had to take some time and clean house. Not exactly my favorite thing, I'd rather have been in the barn.

So, since I've got you all caught up to date on Fabulous February, hope to see you all!

Take care,

Val

Brrrrrrrrrr, I'ts Cold Outside

Well, it's cold outside, but I've got some really hot ideas. It's early in the year, but I feel like I've already reverted to one of my old habits of procrastination. I've been ready to start a new piece in bronze since last summer, but haven't started. It's now becoming my new obsession. I've had several ideas of what I want to make, but I haven't made a definite decision.

I want this new design to be bold and make a statement without being overdone. Sometimes, that puts you on the edge of what you envision and what your end result turns out to be.

Sketching designs isn't always how I start, sometimes I just get an idea in my head that I think would look good and I start. That's the method I call "flying by the seat of my pants." It isn't a good method and it often results in disaster and disappointment.

We're finally getting our first taste of winter here in Iowa. I could have gone without it after last year, but oh well, as they say, "this is Iowa, wait a few minutes and the weather will change."

I was watching snow blowing across the already drifted back yard, when I noticed the little swirls within swirls. Now, I don't think this is the way it always is, it depends on the direction the wind is blowing. I tried to duplicate what I saw. what I came up with is something that looks like it could be ocean waves, or snow, or sand, or whatever you can imagine.

Now I get the drift of visualizing designs in another form before you start working on it. I've been skipping the step, but now I can visually understand what I see and where I can take it. My next big decision is whether or not I'm going to use this design in bronze or silver.

Hopefully, I will decide, design and have it to show by my next blog spot. Until then, stay warm and safe and if you are venturing out on the 5th of February, I'll be having a show in Creston, IA at Maple Street Memories, 222 N. Maple St., the greatest scrapbook store around!!

If you'd like to sign up for my monthly newsletter, send an email to me at: barnartstudio@gmail.com

You can visit my store at http://www.barnartstudio.storenvy.com

Val Allen

Barn Art Studio

Pricing handmade jewelry isn't as easy as it sounds or why aren't my designs selling?

It's official. We have hit the busiest season of the year. If you thought summer flew by, just wait for the next month.

I have sunken to a new level. I have enlisted Google apps to help we stay organized and prioritize my schedule.

I have basically three schedules to maintain. 1) real job as tech coordinator at a small Catholic school, 2) teaching at the local junior college, SWCC 3) designing and creating jewelry using the various mixed media that I enjoy so much.

It's the last minute crunch and although I have a list of things to do at home, I want to make as many new designs as I can so customers have a good selection of my work.

But, what is enough? I'm not an international discount chain, I don't buy from third-world countries. Each piece is designed and created by me. I don't duplicate my designs exactly, that's how my work stays unique.

How can I justify making new items? I have items that haven't sold since last spring, even at reduced prices.

This time of year, everyone is looking for a bargain, myself included, but there is a limit as to how low I can price my designs. I seldom make an hourly rate equivalent to the amount of time the piece took to create, but if I can't at least recoup the cost of the materials, I can't continue.

I know my prices are lower than others who make similar designs using the same materials. I've seen these items as shows and for sale on the Internet.

I've had people confirm they have seen items similar to mine going for much more money in the cities.

I've priced my pieces in a range where they aren't the most expensive pieces, but they are more expensive than some others who make jewelry in this area.

I have priced my work in a range I feel is appropriate for the local market. I use sterling silver in many designs and my cost for this precious metal varies with the market. I try to keep my prices consistent.

I have  high overhead for the materials and tools required for the type of designs I make compared to someone who makes beaded items that can be packed up and carried almost anywhere you need to be.

It might sound like I'm complaining and maybe I am. I read an article about pricing your jewelry and the author said it was important not to price it too low, as that cheapens your work and the work of your fellow artists.

So, I don't want someone to come up to me at a show and exclaim how outrageously high my prices are, but I would like to make some  profit, isn't that part of the reason I'm doing this?

I wanted to make a new necklace using rose quartz. I played with the stones for awhile before I finally started putting the necklace together. They are cold and fairly smooth, although you can feel the faint crevices which form in the stones naturally.

 I started and stopped a couple times. I decided what I wanted to make.

As I selected each stone, I strung it on brass wire, looping each end. I made jump rings from copper and attached them to form an openwork sphere between each stone.

Here is a rather poor quality picture of the Rose Quartz piece

I decided to make this piece more of a choker length at 18" rather than as a long draping piece partly because of the heft of the stones, but also due to the fact that my fingers were getting too sore to shape the wire.

I finished the piece, priced it $30. Using any of the methods for pricing, it is still priced too low. So why didn't sell?

My theory is it didn't just grab some one's attention enough for them to make it a must have purchase.

I'll keep trying to come up with pieces that really have that "must have" look to them, but what I see isn't always what a customer wants. Hm........ maybe that's why I do so many custom pieces?

I'm gearing up for my last planned show of the season. It's a fundraising event for the local animal shelter, C.A.R.E. and will be held in Creston, IA at the restored depot uptown. If you're out and about stop in and say hi, or buy.  (That's a joke)

Until next time, wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.