Oakley Studio Glass

This winter I was approached by Laura Hoke who requested that I design a grouping of my glass pieces to go into the conference room of PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Raleigh, NC. I was given the dimensions and photos of the recessed and lighted space created for a piece of art. Imagine my surprise when I arrived to assist with the installation and this space is what I saw. Getting off the elevators on the 12th floor there was nothing but glass between me and where my glass would be! What a tremendous conference room high above Midtown Raleigh, filled with technology and art - a great combination. Thanks Laura for the opportunity!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Lisa's Pumpkin Patch

Glass pumpkins are here - just in time for Halloween decorating. You can find them today at Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor, and at the Mint Museum Shop in Charlotte by October 11th. Just like in a real pumpkin patch, they are all different sizes, colors, and orientations. All signed and dated, they range from 2" to 4" and sell for $29.

These were inspired by my kids, who want to decorate the whole house for Halloween. Now they want big ones.... maybe next year!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Glass Blowing Demonstrations October 2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th

Please join me as I open my studio for glass blowing demonstrations the next two weekends, October 2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th from 11am to 5pm each day in conjunction with Cedar Creek Gallery's 43rd Annual Fall Pottery and Glass Festival. I will be rotating with two other glass blowers in my studio so you will get to see a fairly continuous glass demonstration all day. In addition there will be glass demonstrations in the Four Winds Glass Studio, pottery demonstrations, wood turning demonstrations, live music and more. Click here to see the entire schedule of events.

Also, Friday, October 1st 6 – 10pm will be the opening and Artist Reception for Cedar Creek Gallery's newest show, Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild: A Tradition of Excellence. It will feature the work of sixty-five of the guild’s premier artists, many of whom will be on hand for the opening. Harrison Harper will be blowing glass from 5:30 - 7:30pm in my studio as well (this isn't on the schedule of events).

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Studio Visitor

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Replacing the Crucible

Summertime is way too hot to blow glass. So usually glass blowers sit back in the air conditioning with our feet up, sipping cold beverages. Okay, that was really a joke.

When the furnace is down our minds turn to studio maintenance. It's certainly not my favorite thing to do, but it's necessary. I have to admit with all the help I had pulling the pot this year it was actually fun (I really didn't do any of the work). John Martin, Harrison Harper, Elijah Leed and Nate Halsey all helped make it happen with lightening speed. Thanks guys!!

Why does the pot (or crucible) have to be removed from the furnace? The crucible is made of a high temperature ceramic, made to withstand temperatures in excess of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. The glass is corrosive to the crucible so over time little pits develop. If left too long these pits could actually grow large enough to be a hole all the way through the pot - and the molten glass would run out into the bottom of the furnace. And that means unplanned down time and LOTS more equipment maintenance.

Usually I take the furnace apart and proactively replace the crucible once a year. Prior to doing that I can melt colored glass. Residue of color added to the crucible will tint future glass, so if you melt clear glass you really can only melt clear glass... until you are ready to replace the pot.

It's quite an exciting time! This year we melted turquoise, cobalt and black glass. I will admit I let a little glass drip over the side of the pot thinking that might look good. And it is quite beautiful.

Once the furnace was all put back together we started "firing up". The process of heating up to 2300 degrees and melting a pot of glass takes about a week, since we don't want to crack the new crucible. Now we are back blowing glass - the glass is hot and we're sweaty!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Larkspur Party, Raleigh, NC

Join me in the gardens of Frances and Holly Alvarino on Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and 6th. I'll be there with over thirty wonderful regional artists.

I'll have lots of garden ornaments in all colors, big and small. Right now I'm working day and night to have bright new colors and styles of jewelry just in time for summer.

Bring your friends. It's a laid back group of talented artists in a fabulous garden right in the heart of Raleigh. You're sure to enjoy yourselves!

6401 Litchford Road, Raleigh

Saturday, June 5th 10am - 6pm

Sunday, June 6th 10am - 4pm

For more info visit www.larkspurparty.com