AAE Glass Extreme Fusing Class Contest Winners

And the winners are...

AAE Glass would like to thank the 30 talented glass artists who took the time to enter our glass fusing contest.  With this type of turnout, you can be assured this won't be the last contest held by AAE Glass. We enjoyed reading the thoughts behind each piece as much as the glass pieces themselves.  It is great to know that AAE Glass decals and products overall, are so well received by talented glass artists who have been in the game for years.  We know this is a passion for you and we want to make sure you have the best tools and resources available to express yourself through glass.  If you haven't seen all of the entrants, click HERE.

Tanya Veit's Extreme Fusing classes seem to have inspired many of these glass artists, as you can see by their comments.  Tanya's energy is infectious and her positive attitude is sure to leave you wanting more.  Many entrants have taken 1, 2 and even 3 workshops from Tanya.  Repeat business is the best business.  The AAE Glass studio in Cape Coral, Florida has been a draw for glass artists around the country since we opened in November.  We have had glass artists visit from all across the country, as well as Canada and London to take an Extreme Fusing Workshop or two, and based on their comments, they will be back for more.  We make it a point to have fun while learning!  

After reviewing all of the entries, 2 prizes were not enough.  We broke down the entries into an Art Category for non-jewelry pieces and a Jewelry Category obviously for the jewelry pieces.  We just couldn't settle on 2.  So if it is ok with everyone, we gave away even more prizes!  Overall, $1,000 of classes and gift certificates were given away and trust me, it was hard to stop there.  We want to thank Patty Gray and David Alcala for their contributions as well.  Both Patty and David will be visiting the AAE Glass studio to teach in 2012.  David at the end of April and Patty in October.  You won't want to miss it! 

 OK, enough talk...Here are your winners

 ART CATEGORY

Grand Prize Winner

Tonya Nelson – Five Pack Designs.

Tonya’s use of creativity and design won the judges over in this beautiful 3 part art panel! Her use of scenery with the decals just goes to show there are no limits on design with AAE Glass decals. Notice the overlapping of the decals with jellyfish! Bravo! We look forward to Tonya’s visit to Florida to redeem her Grand Prize of a free extreme fused glass workshop!

1^st Runner Up Art Category $100.00 g.c. to aaeglass.com

Hummingbird Art Glass Studio –Savannah Fan

The contest was so close, we just had to have a 1^st runner up! The use of foreground and background was spectacular in this piece! (Not to mention the combination of large and small enamel decals.) Such a unique shape and beautiful colors create a realistic scene. Well Done!

JEWELRY CATEGORY 

Grand Prize Winner

Maureen Connor - Meant 2B Cherished

Maureen has really captured the essence of this contest! Using AAE Glass enamel decals in a unique way! Adding color to the decals was nothing short of exceptional and the sky background is beautiful! This is a nicely finished piece with delicate and sophisticated wire wrapping. Congratulations Maureen, see you in your free Extreme Fusing Workshop!

1^st Runner Up – Jewelry Category $100.00 G.C. to aaeglass.com

Blue Dragonfly Glass – AfricanSunset

The beautiful depth and coloring in this jewelry piece captivated us! The design was well planned, and the decal really pops on this piece! Congratulations!

HONORABLE MENTION

The following 3 pieces deserve honorable mention and a $25 g.c. to aaeglass.com

MARY GERMAN

DEBRA NUCKOLLS

FUSED GLASS BY DESIGN

BE FUSED HOT GLASS

AAE Glass Features Glass Artist Joyce Sheehan

AAE Glass recently had the pleasure of hosting Joyce Sheehan of Melt Your Heart Glass in an Extreme Fusing II class.  Joyce brought great energy and soaked up knowledge like a sponge.  Joyce has been a long time friend of the business and the only thing that outweighs her talent is her generous heart.  Joyce helps so many people in need when she isn't making jewelry that we want to support her to the fullest.  Joyce travels to Nepal and Africa to help the local people in need.  Thanks for sharing Joyce and keep up the good work. The world needs more people like you!  You can view the Melt Your Heart facebook profile HERE.

After working with glass for 6 years, I found glass fusion 2 years ago.  I took Tanya Veit's class in August and found it priceless.  My proudest moment was when a piece of my jewelry sold in a store in Pokhara, Nepal.   I am an OR nurse and travel the world helping those in need in third world countries and do glass fusing to keep out of trouble.  I have pieces of my jewelry at Calamity Janes in Lawrence, Kansas and at Satch's Jewel in old downtown Lenexa, Kansas.  Please contact me anytime at Teampj90@yahoo.com.  Joyce Sheehan.

Thanks for sharing Joyce!.

AAE

Color Me Bad Fusing Decals and BluDragonfly Glass

AAE Glass wants to thank Christine Wilson of BluDragonfly for displaying our Color Me Bad decal sheets in such a good light.  These decals can be painted by you! Who doesn't want to add their own touch or flare to their wearable dichroic glass art pieces?  Thanks Christine.

A few years ago I took a fusing glass class at a local studio and fell in love with fusing. After that class I came home and started experimenting with different techniques. I discovered Tanya's website - AAEGlass.com and her decals. After that the direction of my work changed!

All my fused glass jewelry is created in my home studio. All the pieces are started from scratch – I cut out the glass and create the design using dichroic glass and custom-made frit combinations. In some of my pendants I select a decal that best compliments the colors in the pendant. All of the pieces require several firings. Along with fused glass jewelry I also make lampwork (glass) beads and incorporate them into jewelry.

In July 2011 I took Tanya Veit's Extreme Fusing Workshop in Denver. This is the best class that I have ever taken and nothing can compare with the information on fusing that Tanya is willing to share. Recently I have been experimenting with the Color Me Bad decals. They are a lot of fun and allow your imagination to run wild playing with different colors. They look exceptionally dramatic on the dichroic backgrounds. In August 2011 I participated in the 2011 Fairplay Colorado Bead and Fiber Show. My "Pelican" pendant placed 3rd in the juried competition for Jewelry/Wearables.

I will participating in Art Shows this fall in Arvada, Greeley, and Windsor CO. I am a member of the Rocky Mountain Flameworkersorganization which is a group of local glass artists who meet once a month. I am also a Self Representing Artist (SRA #126). I currently have 2 websites for my jewelry ETSY and BLUDRAGONFLY. My work is also available at the Mountain Blown Glass Shop in Estes Park, CO.

I can't thank Tanya and AAE Glass enough for the workshops and the wonderful selection of decals and dichroic glass available on their website. They have added a whole new and exciting dimension to my art.

Christine Wilson

BluDragonfly

www.bludragonfly.etsy.com