Saturday, December 6, 2014

Great Gifting



‘Tis the season for giving. This wonderful time of year, we open our hearts and put other people’s needs and wishes ahead of our own. But in this fast-paced, cyber world where we have hundreds of friends at our finger tips, it’s surprising how disconnected from each other we can really be. There’s no better way to make a special, personal impression and show just how much you care than with a beautiful, hand-made piece of glass art.  

So, I’m sharing some of my favorite gift ideas. I love these fun and festive designs. They make giving easy, because they’re always well received, year after year.  
Glitzy Wine Bottle Cheese Tray
Here’s a new twist on an old concept. Decorate flattened wine bottles with fired dichroic scrap. Don’t forget to include the kids. Gluing the bits and pieces is a family-friendly activity. Dress up the bottle further with ribbon and a cheese spreader from the Dollar Store. Four nuggets glued to the bottom of the bottle ramp up the sparkle you get from the jewel tone embellishments.  


 Fire the bottles at 300 degrees an hour to 1400 degrees. Hold for 15-20 minutes. Drop to 960 and hold for 40 minutes. Allow the kiln to cool to room temperature.
Wine Bottle Charm

You’ll have them laughing out loud with this humorous ornament. It’s a breeze to make. The base is made with a 2” x 1 ½” piece of iridized black and a 2” x ½” piece of dichroic glass. Cap the two pieces with a 2” x 2” piece of clear. Write your message on the top of the clear glass with fusible paint and fuse. Glue a bail on the backside of the fired glass abd thread with ribbon. Cut a wine bottle silhouette from stiff, decorative scrap book paper. You can download the pattern/template FREE from my website. Print the label on colored paper and glue it in place. Hang the charm on the bottle for a quick, personalized gift for those hard-to-buy-for friends and co-workers.    

Fire 300 degrees an hour to 1465. Hold 10 minutes. Drop to 960, hold for 20 minutes. Allow the kiln to cool to room temperature.

Lucky Horse Shoe
You don’t have to be a horse lover to have good luck. This project is another great way to use your dichroic scrap. The base layer is two pieces of clear glass. The design layer is constructed mosaic style with random shapes of dichroic glass. Mix up patterned and solid material for those attractive, eye popping combinations we all love.  You’ll find this pattern, as well as others FREE on my website.

Fire 300 degrees an hour to 1465. Hold 10 minutes. Drop to 960, hold for 20 minutes. Allow the kiln to cool to room temperature.

My gift to you this busy holiday season is the peaceful, guilt-free studio time you’ll enjoy while creating these fanciful gifts.  

All the best,
Lisa




Thursday, November 6, 2014

News from the Studio



Extra Blue Hydrangea, Bom Blue Orchids and Lavender Roses in an 8 inch vase

There is never a dull moment around here. For the past month, I’ve been busy fusing, slumping and drilling sinks for my upcoming webinar and a how-to DVD. Both will be available in January 2015. The launch of my Signature Collection in October was a huge success. The original series is getting rave reviews. To meet the increasing production demands of the series and improve work flow, I brought in a new Revolution saw and a second, shiny Clam Shell kiln.
In addition to keeping up with production work, I’ve been playing around with test vases we hope will make distinctive centerpieces for our daughter’s October 2015 wedding reception. We’ve settled on the crystal-like all clear version. Jessie made her first test floral arrangements in them and I’m really impressed by her talent and their stunning beauty.  
 
The Vase Contestants

The Winners
And to top it off, its horse show season. This enthusiastic barn mom has spent several weekends dodging stinky road apples while toting a video camera, bottled water and a shoe shine towel around different show grounds. Niki and Rori are an amazing pair. They bring out the best in each other and have had increasing, well-deserved success in the show arenas.

Niki and Rori Bringing Home the Blue
Being Silly

There’s no moss growing under Joe’s feet. He has a new power tool / toy; a fancy table saw. I’ve benefited with arts and crafts style chair-rail molding in the kitchen and wood shelves in the glass studio.
 
The studio is calling and it’s time I got back to work. But before I go, I’d like to extend an invitation for you to visit my newly redesigned website for a peek at my Signature Collection plus information on exciting upcoming events, classes and webinars. 

More good stuff!

You’re Invited – STUDIO OPEN HOUSE
Lisa Vogt Custom Art Glass Studio Open House 
November 15, 10:00 - 5:00

Join us for an exciting one-day-only show and sale. For the first time in over 5 years I’m opening my private studio to the public, for the premier showing of my new Signature Collection. See a working production studio in action. Get inspired while watching hands on demonstrations illustrating various innovative techniques today’s top glass artists use to make original, gallery quality artwork. View my latest creations and shop for one of a kind treasures in the gift pavilion. Don’t miss this rare opportunity. I look forward to seeing YOU Saturday November 15, between 10:00 & 5:00!

Lisa Vogt Custom Art Glass Studio - Open House
27503 Hialeah Way, Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544
Saturday November 15, 2014, 10:00 – 5:00

Bringing it HOME to you! Check out my Glass Patterns Quarterly Make a Fused Sink with Lisa Vogt webinar January 20 & 22, 2015. Details are posted on the What’s Happening page of my website.

Prefer personal instruction and a hands-on experience? Get away for a glass retreat in warm, sunny Florida. Join me on February 17 – 20, 2015 for an intense 4-day Fused Vessel Sink workshop. Register online. Class is limited to 4 students.

Get Fired Up for the 2015 Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas
April 8 – 12, 2015

Class registration is now open and the seats are going fast! Make plans to attend this creative, high energy show. You won’t be disappointed. I hope to see you in one of my classes!

WE-16 FIRED UP! FUSING FOR THE ADVENTUROUS - SOLD OUT!
TH-08 PAINTING WITH FRIT - SOLD OUT!
FR-18 CAST AWAY!!
SA-22 FIREWORKS The ultimate advanced technique glass fusing class
SU-01 FUSING ART DESIGN NEW CLASS

Until next time, happy glassing.
Lisa

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Friday, October 24, 2014

Quality Time




It’s been a busy week in the studio. I’m in the middle of several big projects and keeping each job on track had me jumping from one task to another. I’m not complaining, but rather happy to have so much variety in my work day. The down side is not stopping to clean up after myself. As a result my once clear tables are buried under boxes, stacks of glass and seemingly random tools. Last night I totally ran out of clear work space. And so this week I’m going to share in pictures, rather than in words, because I have a cluttered studio that needs cleaning.   



 
 
NEW WEBINAR Bringing it home to you! Don’t miss the GPQ Make a Fused Glass Sink with Lisa Vogt webinar on January 20 and January 22, 2015. Register online.



 
NOW REGISTERING Fused Vessel Sinks Class. Hands-on, personalized, 4 day workshop. February 17 – 20, 2015. Only 4 seats. Register on my website. www.LisaVogt.net


Do what you’re passionate about and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Lisa

News from the Studio. Subscribe to my newsletter on my website.