Yesterday, I went to CreateIt Studio for a glass fusing session. CreateIt is a place that does pottery painting, but you can also create mosaics and fused glass pieces. They won’t be doing the mosaics in their new location, so go now if you want to make one. I am sorely tempted, let me tell you. I have wanted to make a mosaic for years.
I have been to the pottery painting places and they are really fun. When I saw the glass fusing that Bonnie, the granddaughter of one of the CQFAers, did, I HAD to try it. A group of us from CQFA went and tried it, thanks to Dolores who pinned me down for a date. Thanks, Dolores!
True to form, I didn’t hem and haw, just got down to work. I really did the project quickly and simply, so I was done way before anyone else.
The fused glass technique is really easy. Basically, you place bits of colored glass down on another piece of glass in a pleasing manner and are done. I think part of the reason I was done so fast is because I already had an idea in mind. The others didn’t and had to play around a bit. I think I feel more comfortable and successful if I have an idea in mind when trying something new. I think I might loosen up a bit if I tried this more than once.
My first job was in a stained glass store, where I learned to make leaded glass windows. As a result I am not afraid of glass, but have a healthy respect for the sharp edges. As with quiltmaking, the glass cutting tools have GREATLY improved, so I just nipped and cut quickly and was done. The gluing down of the pieces, which was done to keep them in place until the firing process, was the most time consuming.
After finishing the trivet, I wasn’t really ready to leave. I decided to add to my casual serveware collection by painting a piece of pottery as well. You might remember the pieces I made in January at Color Me Mine.
I am thinking salsa and guacamole would work well in this piece.
I wanted those long, red, roundish pieces but Dolores took them all. I am not bitter, don’t worry. There weren’t enough of them anyway. I love the small bits that Dolores put in between the squares on the border.
Reva was the first one to use the cut outs. I followed her lead when I found the spiral and it was the right color.
Diane’s piece looks like her silk paintings.