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.