Meet Maxine Of Girlfriday1962

Meet Maxine Of girlfriday1962

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/girlfriday1962?ga_search_query=girlfriday1962&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

How many years have you worked with glass?
Since beginning of 2006 - with a gap in between to have kids. So let's call it 4 years. I had discovered lampwork probably about 6 months prior though, but it took me that long to find out about info and classes and forums and terminology etc... only to discover the workshop across the road from my husband's business stocks glass and has courses... talk about a small world!

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I love cartoons and I always wanted to be a cartoonist when I was little. I have always doodled and drawn cartoons, but took a very particular liking to the far out bent cartoons of the 1930's as well as the old Looney Tunes of the 1950's and 60's. 3 Little Bops would have to be my all time favourite.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
I am a wee bit of a nerd like this... someone will say something to me and I (for a joke) say "Yeah let's turn that into a bead...". I should keep quiet sometimes! I have a warped sense of humour, and ideas come to me any time of the day or night. If I were any more organised, I would have a notepad to jot them down on. At the moment I have a list of shopping dockets with bead ideas scrawled on the back of them.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Gosh... my family think I am a wee bit obsessed, so probably 70 to 80% - not all in one hit mind you! it's normally like a few seconds grab here and there... "Oh I like the colour of that fabric, wonder how I can translate that in glass?"

Do you create daily?
Pretty much. I torch when my kids go to bed... it's like my wind down time. And I am a morning person, so if I get up really early I might light up... until I hear the rumble of little feet coming towards the studio... then it's time to put on my parent hat!How important is it for you to create art?It is an outlet to me... I don't think about anything else when I torch... I don't think about if I have had a bad day or not. I have been looking for a creative outlet for years and I am certainly glad glass found me.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?
No... because I absolutely LOVE working with glass... so any 'pitfalls' are just something I look at, think about for 5 minutes then move on.

Describe your studio:
Messy and waaaay too small... it is in our garage at the moment and I really need a "Chick Shed" of my own.

Tell me something about you:
I have a warped sense of humour - it sometimes gets me in trouble! I love seeing the funny side of things. Erm... what else? I love retro stuff... anything pre 1962 - which is the year of my vintage Triumph motorbike. I drive an old car and am currently restoring a 1946 Chev. I also love sewing, and collect vintage fabrics and sewing patterns.

Meet Donna of Mylingy's Purr-fect Candles.

I am pleased to introduce you to Donna of Mylingy's Purr-fect Candles.
She has a wonderful selection of candles!
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mylingy


When did you start making candles?
March 2003

Where do you make your candles?
What inspired you?
I make my candles in my kitchen. I have always loved candles and have spent a small fortune buying them. One day, I was entering a sweepstakes online and clicked on a link offering "homemade" candles. The lady said she did not have a storefront store and that she made them in her kitchen. Those were the best candles that I have ever bought!! I went back to her website and found a link to "candlemaking 101". I decided to try making my own candles. I used a "Michaels" 50% off coupon and bought a votive making kit. They came out ok but I wanted something much better so I went to Amazon.com and bought all the "used" candlemaking books I could find. I studied the books and learned a lot but it was still confusing so I went to Candlemaking101 online and found links to candlemking groups and joined as many as I could. I "lurked" most of the time but what I learned from these groups was priceless. I started applying what I had learned and through trial and error and a lot of time and patience, I had found a hobby that fed my passion for candles. I could now create my own. I made so many that I started giving them away to family and friends. Next thing I know, someone wanted to buy a dozen votives. I was told that my candles were the best that these people had ever smelled. This was the beginning of my little company and (to my amazement) it has mushroomed into a website (www.MylingysPurrfectCandles.com ), 2 shops; Etsy and Artfire, and numerous craftshows and festivals. I also sell to church groups.

What is YOUR favorite scent?
Hot Buttered Vanilla.
I now have over 700 fragrances and my little business is continually growing. I make candles in my kitchen but I will soon be moving into one of my bedrooms that my husband is helping me convert into a "shop". This is more than a business to me and I put a little bit of myself into my candles and now I feel that my candles are the best that I have ever tried.

Tell me something about you:
I am a Medical Technologist (20 years). I was in the Air Force for 10 years. I am married and have 2 sons. I love cats, I have 9. I love making candles. It was a hobby that blossomed into a small business. My candles are unique. I blend my own combination of soy and waxes to create a product that I feel is superior to anything I could buy. I even have a "secret ingredient" and the only thing I will say about it other than it improves my candles is that it greatly slows down the burn time so my candles last much longer than other candles. My candles are my "passion". If they brighten another person's day, then I am so happy.

Meet Gisellery

Meet Gisellery
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5165797

How many years have you been an artist?

I first started making things when my sons were young (in the 80s). I made them a 3 1/2 foot high Santa with a red velvet suit. I also made miniture framed paintings for the period dolls houses that my father-in-law made. A few years ago I started making semi-precious jewellery, which I still do when time allows.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I've only worked with glass for 3 years. Initially I tried lampworking, but the rest of my family did not take kindly to all the doors and windows being open in the winter due to the fumes from the torch. As I had already bought a kiln, a Paragon SC2, I decided to try fusing instead which soon became an obsession.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

People tell me that I have an eye for colour, so I suppose I think about colours first and then think of designing the piece to fit in with that. I seem to spend more time thinking than actually doing. Suddenly something quite random can trigger an idea even though the final result may be completely different to the inital spark. But yes, first I think of the colour I'd like to work with.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?

I have a day job as well, although due to my creations, I've been lucky enough to have been able to reduce my hours. I'm usually home by 2:00 pm, so I spend a large part of each day thinking about what I want to make next. I do tend to go off at tangents though, and want ot start new projects before completing whatever I'm already working on.

Do you create daily?

I make something most days - I can't just sit and do nothing. I've just bought another kiln, a Paragon Fusion 7, so now also make little dishes as well as pendants.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?

My other half has some health problems, so we rarely go out. I wanted something that I could do from home that would keep me occupied so that I wouldn't miss not socialising much. So working with glass has not been a sacrifice at all. My husband does often comment though that I'm "not there" because I'm creating things in my head. I suppose I've given up exercise and eating healthily. I used to work out every day, but now glass comes first. It's often 8:00 pm and I haven't started dinner, so grab chocolate or cake!! - No sacrifice there then.

Describe your studio.

My studio is mainly our conservatory, with windows on three sides which was intended to be a lovely light dining room. I prepare the glass there, but the kiln is in the spare room. I can create chaos in there within 5 minutes - even in the day job I have to have two desks for my clutter. I'm a sagitarrian rooster, so it's not my fault, I just can't help it.

Tell me something about you:

I'm 51, 5 feet tall. I've been married for 33 years to David but prefer to use my maiden name, it's who I am after all. We have 2 sons, Sean is 28 and Alex is 26 - both still at home. We also have a white German Shepherd called Meg and a stray cat called Kitty the cat. Sometimes I seem aloof when I first meet someone, but only while I'm sizing them up. I have a wicked and somewhat warped sense of humour and tend to show my emotions on my face. I'll often say the most outrageous things to make people laugh, but then life's too short to be miserable.

Meet Mouchette

Meet Mouchette

You can visit her store here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5584336

How many years have you been an artist?
I knew I wanted to be an artist by the first grade. I originally thought I'd be a book illustrator, but eventually found out there were a zillion more talented illustrators than I, and I had way more natural talent with glass.

How many years have you worked with glass?
I started working in glass about 22 years ago. Professionally about 20 years ago.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I am often really motivated by the materials I work with. I'll find some beautiful piece of glass or a wonderful vintage ornament and start designing around it.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
My ideas seem to come sporadically. I tend to have creative burst for a month or two then a lag time.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I'm working on art at least a little bit every day. Sometimes producing stock, sometimes restoring old windows, and sometimes I'll put aside blocks of time to create new work. I feel a bit lazy sometimes too, but but when I do get down to creating- I don't stop till it's done and a lot of pieces will get made.

Do you create daily?
If I'm not out rock climbing or dealing with my internet shops, I'm usually in the studio. I don't create daily, but I do tend to do a lot of prep work for when I am going to be working. I'll pre-cut glass, pre-make tons of curled wire hangers, etc. Pre-pick the glass sheets for a particular art-piece for when I'm ready to start it etc.

How important is it for you to create art?
It is immensely important for me to fill my life with beauty. I'll never stop being an artist, but I find as I get older, I need to balance it out with other hobbies that are not art related. It's easy to get burned out and it actually really helps my creative process if I break it up with other activities.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
I have been immensely lucky in my chosen profession. I have actually been able to make a moderately good living at it. I had almost 18 years of full-time work making windows and teaching classes up until the recent recession. I actually own my house. The main luxury I miss is having time and money for more traveling.

Describe your studio:
For the last 12 years I have worked out of corner of the retail store I managed. As of this year I got laid off and I've finally converted my garage into a full blown stained glass studio. Glass storage shelves. Sink, tables, etc. I still have to run my kiln at the old studio. The 1945 electrical in my house can't handle a kiln without constantly blowing fuses, but my old boss is cool with it.

Tell me something about you:
About me? Well... other than being a glass artist, I mentioned I'm a rock climber. My boyfriend and I are quite serious about it and climb several times a week. My boyfriend describes me as "A forward-thinking Renaissance woman". (when I'm not being "scatterer-brained"). I have a big sense of humor and can be irreverent at times.

Meet Natasha Of ArtsDesireGlass

Meet Natasha Of ArtsDesireGlass
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5856708


How many years have you been an artist?
It's hard to say. I've been making and selling fused glass jewelry for about a year now. But I was an art major in college and worked in painting, drawing and glass casting and blowing. Even in grade school and high school I took private art lessons and loaded up on the art offerings at school. I went to the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts - an auditioned summer program for high school artists of all kinds - and I think I knew then that I would always have art in my life.

How many years have you worked with glass?
Since 1998. I was lucky enough to go to Centre College in Danville, KY where Stephen Rolfe Powell is a professor. He's a world-renowned glassblower and many of the students in the art program switch their concentration - in my case painting and drawing - to glass. It's hard to resist the pull when you've got someone so inspiring to work with. Centre also has great abroad programs and I got to visit Murano, Italy while I was living in France for a semester in 1997. After that, I knew I had to try glass when I came home.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
A lot of times my ideas are triggered by thinking about the artistic process - like layering colors in a painting, elements of composition, or looking at the process of artist I admire.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
About once a month I have one of those 'A-Ha!' moments when I think "Ooooh, I've got to try this". Then I usually let it roll around in my mind for a week or so while I gather the right materials.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Usually it's probably about 1/4 to 1/2 depending on other household chores. Since I'm self employed I can keep whatever hours I like and my husband works full time so I try and keep things running smoothly around the house. But lately the house is a mess because I've been spending my whole day preparing for spring and summer shows! I finally went to the grocery store yesterday since we had nothing to eat or drink!

Do you create daily?
I try to, but some days get absorbed with paperwork and promotion

How important is it for you to create art?
Even when I'm not actively 'arting' I'm always looking for ways to be creative. There's an art to everything, you just have to find it. I guess that's my roundabout way of saying that creating art is very important to me - even if you're not making artwork. Did that make any sense? :)

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
No matter what career path you choose, there are sacrifices involved. When I sold furniture I gave up weekends and when I when I was a membership director there was a lot of travel. I love being around other people and as an artist that is the biggest sacrifice for me. Studio time can be lonely and I'm always happy when it's show time and I can talk to people face-to-face. However, I have found wonderful and supportive friends here in the CGGE who keep me entertained when I'm feeling like a one woman sweat shop.

Describe your studio.
My studio is a spare bedroom which contains my work table where I cut glass, another table for paperwork, and a computer desk with my beloved Mac. The other half of the studio is in the kitchen where I've got a rolling cart with my kiln and a grinder that I put on the counter top to grind. I also take all of my photos by the sliding glass door in the kitchen. I try to keep it pretty minimal since we don't have a very large apartment.

Tell me something about you:
Oh gosh, I never know what to say with these kinds of questions. How about this? In my family my name is 'normal'. My Granny is Ruthalea, Great Grandmother was Leora, she was married to Rufus and my Great Aunts and Uncles were Commodore, Red, Lawrence, Cordia, Rithie and Leota. Genealogy is my hobby and I love learning more about these people and the lives they lived.

Meet Sherri of Intuibead

Meet Sherri of Intuibead

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5219395

How many years have you been an artist?
I have actually been an artist all of my life: sporadically. I started out drawing horses at the age of 6 and wore out a ton of pencils and paper doing so. I dreamed of being an artist when I grew up so when the Art Linklater Art Talent Test was advertised on TV, I sent away for it. However my parents said that my drawings were not good enough for the Talent Test so I let that idea rest. Years later I discovered that my actual artistic medium is glass and have followed my heart.

How many years have you worked with glass?
I took a 5-day intensive lampworking class in 2005 at a nearby college so that would make my years of glass as being 4 years part time. Before the intensive class I took a couple of beginner classes to see what this lampworking thing was all about and to see if I liked it. The answer was enough of a yes to take an intensive class to see if lampworking was something that I wanted to sink my teeth into. Obviously it was and it is.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It's hard to say what triggers my creative ideas as I have ideas come to me as ideas, some come in a "I want to try that" and the best ones come in the form of a challenge either issued by someone or by a piece telling me to remake it. The woodworking catalogs also give me ideas as well. Of course the glass itself "talks to me".

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me when they come to me. Specific times are when I get my woodworking catalogs (I don't woodwork, by the way). New woodturning projects get my spidey senses tingling. When I am in the "zone" while torching, ideas show up and when they do, I act on them. I always say that the glass has a way of speaking to me and letting me know what it wants to be made up as.My work time goes in ebbs and flows right now vs a portion each day. It's not an ideal setup for me right now and I'm in motion to balance that out. Even when I am not glass working, I am still listening for the small still voice to whisper something to me.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
When I am in glass work mode I usually spend a few hours at a time focused on what I am doing.I create pretty much every day and what I am creating may not have anything to do with glass. I'm also an avid knitter, especially socks and I also create in the kitchen as well. I don't fight where my creative urge travels to.I think that it's extremely important to create, not only me but everyone. Left-brain dominant people also need the creative right brain in action to allow for a more balanced lifestyle. It's much easier to deal with life's issues when the creative side of the brain is also very active.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
When I create, I am gifting myself with taking care of me and that idea alone is paramount.What has actually been sacrificed in my life thus far is my artist's life. I have been working way too many hours and spending way too much time and energy at a job. Now that I am fully aware of that aspect I have currently implemented a change process that will allow me to live the life of an artist without having to give up the "luxuries". I don't buy into the "starving artist" concept as there are options, but one has to be open to receiving and acting upon the options.

Describe your studio.
I actually have 2 rooms of my house that are studios. One of the room is my photography/assembly studio and the other room is my glass/torch studio. My photography/assembly studio is well let with natural light and also houses my office as well as a kitchen table that boasts of bead store mayhem (yes I do know where everything is). When I am in assembly mode I want to see all of my options as I don't want to miss out on an idea. Of course my slinky is readily available for thought diversion. Now for my glass studio. I need to be surrounded by nature when I work so on the desert orange walls I have my owl,3 fish, and a bird clock that sounds bird calls on the hour. My torch table is made of grey marble tile and my husband built a fumehood with plexiglass walls so that I can look out the large windows into the pasture when I am torching. That way I can watch the dogs, birds, horses, cattle, and clouds. In front of the window is a live 6-foot tall cactus. Besides tools and glass rods on my torch table, I also have a Shire horse and rooster and chicken figurines to gaze at. Now for my glass: all of my glass is organized into their specific types on a black tile coffee table and a steel storage rack. The specific type organization is very important because the different glass types (COE's) cannot be mixed. To house all gazillion colors of glass rods that I have, I use glass vases from the thrift store. I think that my rods are pretty and I want to see them especially when one calls me to work with it. I also have a whiteboard in my studio to write down ideas, order and items that I need to purchase.

Tell me something about you.
Something about me: I'm multi-faceted and I enjoy the simple life. I thrive on challenges and am always looking for ways to improve myself. I'm big on personal development, especially Bob Proctor. When am I most comfortable? Wearing my jeans and cowboy boots.

Meet Debbie of grapeislandglass

Meet Debbie of grapeislandglass

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5079983

How many years have you been an artist?
I’ve only just become comfortable calling myself a Glass Artist.

How many years have you worked with glass?
About 4 years.What triggers ideas for new projects?
I’m not sure! Ideas just pop into my head. I’ve taken to trying to always have paper with me so I can write them down.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Anytime, anywhere.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Its there all the time.

How important is it for you to create art?
It keeps me sane, I think!

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?
Creating with glass has been a blessing for me. No sacrifices, no loss of luxuries – just don’t touch the chocolate.

Describe your studio.
Like my art, my studio is ever evolving. Or is that ever growing? J My studio is akin to lava, it keeps flowing outward. Right now its in our basement but I’ve been seriously eyeing the barn.

Tell me something about you.
I started with glass because I fell in love with a fused glass coaster. Right around that time my therapist was urging me to find a creative outlet for my grief. So I found a glass studio nearby, The Glass Source, and a fabulous, true Glass Artist, Michael Skrtic, who was happy to teach me. I still try to get to his studio every time I’m in Connecticut.
I live on a small lake in Maine with a great guy who spoils and indulges me. We have 2 dogs, 3 cats, 4 children, 1 son-in-law, and 2 daughters-in-law between us. Life is good!