A year ago yesterday, I graduated from Alfred University. I didn't hope, then, to still be in Rochester now, but through much effort things have not stagnated as much as I was afraid they would if I remained here for too long. Still... I'd prefer to be on my way sooner rather than later. I'm working two jobs now, and even still making barely enough to live on, let alone to sock away into a "Get The Heck Outta Here" fund.
BUT. Despite my recent lack of involvement in the world of glass art, I still have my toe in the water that is glassworking - Firstly, my friend Sandy let me set up my torch at her house (she's got two already, plus two annealers, so I've got a buddy to work with). I would like to return to flameworking borosilicate pendants sometime very soon, but for now we've just been cranking out beads to make into jewelry and sell. So far I've made 36 pairs of earrings for one particular event, which will be both my and Sandy's maiden voyage into the craft fair-type event circuit. I will post another update about this after the event concludes.
Secondly, I have a commission that is begging for my attention, and I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I wouldn't want to mess it up on the first try, which is an issue because I've never just waltzed into a hot shop and produced exactly what I intended to produce (well, maybe vaguely with vessels a couple times, but never exactly!). Usually it takes me at least a few tries, if not a few visits to the hot shop. So. I think I just need to suck it up, plan exactly what steps I'm going to take (which won't be foolproof, since, for example, I'll need to use a garage - a place to keep glass warm while you work on something else, usually another component to the piece in the garage - and I've seen and had many experiences with things cracking in the garage), assemble a team, and go for it.
I'll post photos of both these things as they progress. But for now, it's Lilac Festival week in Rochester, so here are some pretty springy things.
I finally have some pendants that are ready to be displayed for sale! I got a hold of some cords to string each of the pendants on, some little boxes to house them, designed a little insert for them, which I scanned and touched up and saved to a thumb drive, and finally went to Kinkos today and had them printed on fancy card stock. I cut them all out, made slots for the cord, et voila!
Also currently happening is an exhibition at a new studio called Collier Craft in East Rochester. I have four-ish pieces on display as well as a number of pairs of earrings. The photos of the opening didn't actually turn out so well, but one of these days I'll give you a visual of the exhibition. It's pretty cool! My first show since my senior show at Alfred. It will be open until January 1st if anyone would like to check it out.
