Dichroic Glass Jewelry Artist of the Week, Leah from Luv2have

LUV2HAV

I have been fascinated with making things with my hands since I was old enough to hold a pair of scissors and a piece of paper. I have dabbled in just about every craft out there, including sculpting with polymer clay, sterling silver wire wrapped jewelry, beaded jewelry, quilling, card making, cake decorating, rubber stamping, and painting.

I fell in love with fused glass two years ago when I decided to take a class at a nearby studio to make a few pieces for Christmas gifts. My instructor showed me the basics of cutting and breaking the glass, and I happily sat for two hours cutting little pieces of glass and made about 15 pendants! I started out by buying a small amount of glass and renting kiln time at the studio until I was so obsessed I finally had to break down and purchase my own kiln. I am almost completely self taught, I spend a lot of hours reading and I find trial and error to be the best teacher of all. My house is now overflowing with sheets of glass and containers of dichroic glass, along with all the fun accessories I can find! I hope to add a proper studio when we build a new house in a year or so, and that will allow me some more space to add some new equipment. I have a long list of things I would love to buy!

Working with glass has brought me more joy than anything else I have ever tried. I love the tedious work of putting the glass pieces together like a puzzle, and then the excitement of opening the kiln to see what they turned into. I hope to expand my glass work by combining some of it with Precious Metal Clay, silver smithing, and lamp working in the future. There is always something new to learn!
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Thanks Leah! I'm sure these pieces will be flying out the door in no time.

Be sure to click on this link to view the Luv2hav studio.

If you need to stock up for the Christmas rush, visit www.aaeglass.com today. We have limited bottle stopper blanks, both round and hard to find square. Cords, high fire and low fire fusing decals and bails. If you need something that you don't see on the site, just ask and we will find it for you.

AAE

Glass Fusing Decals Released - Limited Quantities

We have released two new floral, glass fusing decals today, only at www.aaeglass.com. These fusing decals are available in different colors (turquoise, purple) and sizes.

These are limited editions and limited in numbers. Once these sell out, they are gone. They CAN NOT be reprinted. Set your dichroic glass jewelry apart with these unique decals.

If you are looking for finished dichroic glass pendants, earrings or bracelets, visit our artfire store to take advantage of coupon code 5OFF. You will receive $5 off EACH item you order from http://www.artfire.com/users/AAE-artglass

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

AAE

Glass Fusing Artist of the Week, Russ Colwell of Helix Elemental Studio

I’ve dabbled in creative endeavors most of my life. Trying my hand at photography and writing and eventually digital art. I did alot of 3d modeling in programs such as Bryce and Cinema 4D, creating very detailed spacecraft and sci fi scenes which I posted in several internet galleries. I don’t have much time for this time intensive hobby anymore so I’ve preserved much of my sci fi work in one of my blogs (helix3d.blogspot.com). For a while I made metal furniture, incorporating mosaics into the tabletops, mirror borders, etc. Christina, my folk artist wife and Helix Elemental Studio partner would help me with the designs and work on these projects. Then one day I took a stained glass class and then followed it up with a glass fusing class. I became hooked on glass immediately. I did some lamps and mirrors and slumped some plates and bowls but resisted the idea of making fused glass jewelry because the market is so saturated.

Eventually I gave in to the temptation and started putting together some dichroic glass jewelry. I then realized why so many folks are making jewelry. It’s a fantastic creative outlet. There’s seemingly unlimited mediums and design ideas that one can incorporate into this wearable art form. Along the way I’ve allowed my designs to evolve, incorporating gems into glass and using fusible decals to embellish my pieces. I hope to eventually find time to try my hand at precious metal clay, silver work beading and wire wrapping. But it’s so easy to get stretched too thin when you’re trying to promote an Etsy shop and be active at craft fairs. So it’s best to take it easy and have fun. Christina and I spend nearly every waking moment on our creative adventures and we have no intention of looking back. We have many new ideas to start work on and I have some new directions I plan to take in my jewelry designs very soon. It’s time to move out the old and make room for the new!

-Russ Colwell

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Thanks Mr. Colwell. Your jewelry is fantastic. Be sure to click on the links above to view Helix Elemental Studio.

Email us for your chance to be artist of the week: info@aaeglass.com.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the release of our 2 new, limited edition glass fusing decals. They will only be available at www.aaeglass.com

Dichroic glass jewelry Artist of the week Elisabeth from www.glisteningglass.etsy.com

Our second Dichroic Glass Jewelry Artist of the week is Elisabeth from www.glisteningglass.etsy.com

Elisabeth makes some beautiful dichroic glass jewelry using fusing decals. These are some pictures of her work. We love it Elisabeth. Thanks for sharing. Decals were purchased at www.aaeglass.com

Elisabeth will be featured in our next newsletter and will receive 10 FREE tree of life fusing decals. Here is some information about Elisabeth's business:

What a privilege to be a featured artist! My name is Elisabeth. I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, a full time mother of two girls.. and a chocolate lab that I consider one of my children also :) I really enjoy peace and quiet when the kids go to bed!! That is my time to concentrate on glass. I am a perfectionist and quality is very important to me. Each piece is a fine balance of colors, textures and shapes. When combined, expresses it's own unique story. Creating and sharing these stories is my inspiration :)

Side Note~ I am currently taking classes at the Pittsburgh Glass Center to expand my knowledge in glass and to learn new techniques. I have just started a new line of Earth Friendly, Recycled Glass. I was so excited to use these decals from A.A.E. on my Recycled Glass Pendants and they look beautiful!! Thank you!! www.glisteningglass.etsy.com

To enter your business for dichroic glass jewelry artist of the week please email your information to info@aaeglass.com. We look forward to learning about your business.