I Feel My Colors

When looking for inspiration for my frit blends or lampwork beads I frequently use my "emotion du jour" to guide me.  Different emotions have different color tones if you just relax and reach for them.  Sometimes the milder feelings will yield the most subtle color blends while the strong ones leave you wondering "why didn't I ever think of trying that before?" The trick is not thinking of color - just reach for one as you feel like it!  Sometimes it doesn't work out, but when it does, it really does! 

Lampworking South Texas Style!

And what, pray tell, is that exactly?  Ha!  Let me tell you...  (chuckles)  Step into my studio!

You don't have to be afraid...  well, not too afraid...  My studio really is pretty normal.  One wall is taken up entirely of glass frits and rods - it's like playing in a rainbow.  Directly in front of the door you'll find books, tools, bead release, more frit (MORE frit?), goggles and a hat to try to keep me from setting my hair on fire again (don't ask - it really smelled bad).  On your left is a long low bench covered in ceramic tile with two torches and a kiln.  My OxyCon (a wonderful little machine that replaces tanked oxygen) sits under the bench and pulls out when I'm working.

Now, Texas lampworkers that work in some sort of mostly outdoor setting probably work in short sleeves or tank tops.  Me, I work in a tank top, cut-offs, and either flip-flops or bare feet.  Yes, I am fully aware that there is glass lying around, some hot, some even sharp.  One of the people that I work for calls me "stupid girl" from time to time because my common sense tends to take a hiatus periodically...  well - you try working with fire in a small space when it's 107 degrees outside.  Your brain will bake as well! (grins)

Usually about the time you have a bead nicely formed on your mandrel one or both of two things will happen:  either that annoying bead of sweat that has been tickling your brow will start to slowly slide down your face, lingering just at your eye or nose causing a super-maddening itch that steals nearly all of your concentration, or you will begin to get fly-bys from the local red hornet's nest.

The red hornets, wasps and bees down here are really a problem and build nests in everything.  I usually work with a can of hornet killer within easy reach, and have discovered that hornets can make up to two passes through your torch and still live.  (grumbles)  They will also wait until you absolutely cannot move before they land on your hand, face or lap.  I've gotten pretty good at trying to ignore them but I've still gotten stung.

The other fun south Texas lampworking challenge is the brown scorpion.  There is absolutely nothing like reaching behind you for a rod of glass, pulling it out, over your head and to your torch only to find a little brown, extremely pissed off passenger attached to it.  That's about the time that they jump off - on you, your lap, your workspace...  OhMyGodWhereTheHeckDidItGoIHaveToFindItOhS---OhS---OhS---!

Other than that, it's a breeze - just practice, practice practice - time, repetition, and blood, sweat & tears!  (And the real world just doesn't understand why artisan handmade lampwork beads cost more than mass produced ones... They should take a tour of my studio.)  (evil chuckle)

I Dream of Fire....

     Welcome to our newest local independent lampworking studio here in the San Antonio area!  Dream Fire Glass Studio is located at 11916 Persuasion almost at the corner of Rhapsody.  Come inside, have a cup of coffee, take a look around.  Nina "Sam" Hibler will treat you right! 

     When you first walk in you will see Sam at her desk in the back room - the "fun" room - there are lots of toys back there as well as...  well, I'll get back there with you in a minute.  Back to the first room.  Where were we?  Oh yeah..  when you first walk in you see Sam at her desk in the "fun" room, but don't run back there too quickly!  Take a minute too look around the front room.  Woah!  Look at all of the Shineys! 
     Displayed on shelves are awesome necklaces, earrings, some slumped bowls and plate sets...  And then you get to the loose beads...  And the pendants...  And the little brightly colored striped animals...  And the...
     OK.  I have to turn around now!  Effetre!  A rainbow of it!  Woah!  Sam sells it by the rod or the quarter pound.  Sam, you're going to need to stock up on both transparent straw yellow and transparent light brown (chuckles).

     Ahhhh...  My favorite room!  I call this the "fun" room.  Sam's desk is in the corner so there's usually banter.  Along the entry wall is a mouthwatering array of Bullseye glass...  Now when I started to melt silica I played with Effetre - and then I met Bullseye and threw my old love over (with a few exceptions ;) )  I love the look and feel of it...  I'll just stop there (laughing).
     When you keep turning you are met by a column of frits - a rainbow of frits.  Raku blends, Faux Boro blends (which is why Sam will need more Straw Yellow and Light Brown :) ), Aventurine blends, and fun warm and cool regular frit blends - these are all Iron Mountain and Mintleaf frit blends.  The COE is 96 so they play nicely with her Bullseye and will work with the Moretti as long as you don't go overboard.
     On the back wall hang what every glass worker needs whether you work hot or cold...  Tools!  I call them toys...  One can never have too many toys - I mean tools.  What happens if the one that you're using wears out in the middle of your project?  Where will you be then?
     Hanging on the entry wall across from Sam is my favorite wall art - extra chairs for classes.  I loved her idea of just hanging them up and out of the way when not in use!  Oh!  coffee is there as well...  Can't forget the coffee....

     But where is the GLASS studio, you want to know?  Please keep in mind that Sam has been open for only two weeks.  She's building it in the NEXT room.  Awesome room!  Through the door in the "fun"room is the workroom.  right now there is a huge tape outline in the middle of the floor and eight tall chairs out there.  Yesterday when I dropped off the frit I heard a saw whirring away, and Sam was quite excited to know that her table was being built.  Lines have been drawn for the Oxy/Propane, and plans for their housing/containment drawn up.

     Come by and see Sam, check out the store, chat, pick up some glass, and check out the upcoming class schedule - once the workshop is completed!

     The studio is open the following hours:
     Wednesday:  11am-7pm
     Thursday:  11am-7pm
                      (Except the last Thursday of the month they will close at 6pm for the
                         San Antonio Glass Guild Meetings) 
     Friday:  11am-7pm
     Saturday:  10am-5pm
     Sunday:  Retail space closed.  Workshops only
     Monday & Tuesday:  Closed.  Appointments only.