Meet Jen of foolishthings

I am pleased to introduce you to Jen of foolishthings
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/foolishthings

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I dont think anyone ever really knows whats going to trigger a new idea. Sometimes they just drop out of the sky out of nowhere, all ready to go. Other times its like watching a person on a bicycle slowly riding towards you. You have an idea, and it slowly gets closer and closer, from a black speck in distance to right in front of you, ready to attempt- fleshed out enough to try. I got an idea at the tire store the other day, waiting for a rotation. Who knows. . . I get ideas throughout the week (maybe on average 6-8) typically though, these ideas are in other mediums (metalwork, glassblowing, paper), but exploring these other ideas beyond a general sketch isnt typically feasible, afterall, the tools required, and materials neccessary, not to mention my possible lack of any execution skills, prevent me (currently) from trying out.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Living An artists life isnt a sacrifice, its a risk. The true sacifice is when you dont pursue the ideas, dont try out the direction. A career is a plane ride. When you become an accountant or a dentist, you exit the plane when you land at your destination, its safe. You know where youre going to land, what time, how much yearly salary, so on. Go artisitic, same airplane, but you sky dive mid-flight, jumping right out the bay door, hoping your passion and/or talent open your parachute. You dont kmow where youre going to land, or even if you'll survive the jump. So you may not survive the leap, but the view is so much sweeter.

Describe your work area/studio:
My current workspace is in my dining room. I keep telling myself thats how Martha Stewart started out. And if its not, well I dont wanna know. I'm looking for a more appropriate location, because a minimum distance of 1 mile may be required for me to no longer find glitter specs housewide.

Tell me something about you:
The best thing to know about me is I'm happy. I just turned 40 this year, been married for 13 years, I'm a cancer, hate sour patch kids candy, have never been able to do a cartwheel, not a real drinker, and smoke about 4 cigarettes a day. But I'm trying to quit. Really. But probably not today. I'm not an heiress or independently wealthy, which I'm okay with that. I live in a small beach/surf community surrounded by locals that are too fantastic for words. My kids dont lack for love or life, but I wish our schools were better. I feel good about trying something bigger or different to show them I'm not afraid to try and fail. I've succeeded at plenty, so a little failure isnt going to kill me. I get to talk to great people worldwide, like you, who have their own pocket of the world I get to chat with. I like the community idea.

Meet Yafit Haba of Yafit Glass

Meet Yafit Haba of Yafit Glass

You can visit her shop here:

http://YafitGlassJewelry.etsy.com

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass for the last 15 years. I started with stained glass projects and then learned the glass fusing technique. I'm mostly making fused glass projects but I also enjoy doing stained glass projects combining wires, beads, and metal pieces.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Most of my items are functional pieces. First I think of the functionality of the piece, how it should look, will it be convenient to use? Then I think about the shape of the piece, I make the mold if needed and then create the glass piece. When I think of the design of my piece I sometimes look at some pictures and clip arts and get ideas for elements that I can include.
For some of the projects I got the idea by looking at the pattern of the glass, the transparency and flowing lines. If for example the glass has the colors and flowing patterns of sky or water I’ll use it to combine those elements in my project.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come all the time, some fade away very quickly but some become realized. I get ideas from nature, pictures, ceramic and metal sculpting, talking with friends and even from my students. I try to get out of the limitations of the glass fusing process and think of three dimensional projects, I find it more interesting and challenging.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I think that all of us as artists live our art, we think about it as we open our eyes in the morning till we fall asleep. When I cook I think about glassware because how the meal is served is part of the desire to eat. When I work in my garden I enjoy the flowers and leaves, I think about garden decorations and how to capture the beauty of nature in glass. I don’t have to be working in my studio to think about my art, it’s happening all the time as art is a process.

Do you create daily?
I try to create daily, although in some days the time flies by and I’m still busy with my family and household duties.

How important is it for you to create art?
The art is part of me, it's a way of expressing myself and a very good way to relax. When I don't create for few days I feel that something is missing. I’ve always enjoyed creating, over the years I learned many techniques with different materials: sawing, crochet, wood working, ceramics, mosaics, painting, glass fusing and stained glass. It’s a pleasure when many things around me and in my house are my creations.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
I’m a chemical engineer, I was working with plastic materials for years and gained my PhD in this discipline. I don’t work in my profession and I chose the artist life to be able to spend more time with my family and work flexible hours. I could make much more money if I had been working in my profession and as you all know it’s not easy to make a living as an artist. I think the real question is what your priorities in life are and for me my kids and family are first priority. I’m lucky to have my three wonderful kids and lucky to have my husband who support me in this decision. I strongly believe that if I hadn’t been exposed to materials science my art would have been different so there is nothing to regret.

Describe your studio:
My humble studio is located in the garage. I have two kilns, one for big projects and the other is a 'baby' kiln for jewelry and small projects. I have all the basic tools needed for cutting and grinding. I also have ring saw which my dad bought me as a present recently and I just love it! Since I'm also teaching kids and adult workshops I have shelves loaded with glass sheets, glass beads, stringers and frits so people can choose what they need for their project. I decorated my studio with projects I created or were made by my kids in children workshops. Two big tables located in the middle of the room and I tend to keep it busy and messy when I'm not teaching .
I have a big cupboard where I keep all of my pieces ready for sale before I deliver it to local shops that carry my items. It’s definitely not a fancy studio but I love it, this is my place to experiment and create and it’s only mine.

Tell me something about you:
I was born and raised in Israel with a Jewish identity. The art I make is actually who I am and that is why I do a lot of Judaica. There’s a very wide variety of items that can be included under this category: pictures, mezuzahs, holiday plates, candle holders, menorahs, jewelry, home blessings and more. Some of my pieces are two dimensional and some are three dimensional. I enjoy designing new products with new shapes, for example if I make a menorah, it could be either flat or standing. Flat menorahs can have different shapes and designs but even more challenging are the standing menorahs where you have to think how to make it stand stable and long lasting.

To learn more about my art please visit http://www.yafitglass.com/

Meet Linda of Stained Glass by Nonnie

Meet Linda of Stained Glass by Nonnie
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nonnie62

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have worked with glass for 5 years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Ideas come from nature, a song, a painting, especially the great masters. My favorite thing to do is find a portrait by the great masters and execute it in stained glass. My first glass portrait was "Girl with a Pearl Earrings" (Vermeer, Dutch 16th century), which I did for my daughter for Christmas. It's an 20" x 26" panel, which hangs from a custom-made stand, similar in design to a quilt rack.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me all hours of the day, several times a week. Most of the time I'm at work and can't do anything about it, so I keep a journal where I write down the idea/thought and later go back and elaborate.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I obsess about my art, and I think of it about 75% of the day. I even dream about it.

Do you create daily?
I create daily. I'm either thinking about a design, drafting a design, refining a design, making a pattern, or executing the design in stained glass.

How important is it for you to create art?
It is absolutely essential for me to create art. It's like breathing. It's necessary for me to live. when I'm not creating, I'm out of sorts, grumpy, and just generally miserable.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Choosing the artist's life has been a blessing, a calming influence, a stabilizing, energizing force. NOT a sacrifice.

Describe your studio:
My studio is two parts -- the creating part is my office, a big art table, good light, lots of pencils, pens, watercolors, chalk, sewing supplies, ribbon, craft supplies. My workshop is the physical place where I transform my ideas into stained glass. Here I have lots of glass stored in racks so I can just go to the inventory and pick something. I have my grinder, my polisher, my power tools (chop saw, mitre saw, router, sander), hand tools, glass-making supplies.

Tell me something about you:
I am a married mother of two grown children. I work full-time in the field of science, so my right/left brain conflicts all the time. I am a dreamer. I love challenges, and there isn't one challenge so far in my life I haven't met and exceeded. I plan to retire in a few months and do stained glass all the time as well as manage my two etsy shops. I live in central PA, but grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia.

Meet Joe of Jwinterbowerglassart

Meet Joe of Jwinterbowerglassart

You can visit his shop here:
http://www.jwinterbowerglassart.etsy.com/

How many years have you worked with glass?
About five years, many of them full time.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I like the peacefulness of nature and would like to someday be able to sit down to my torch and recreate the beauty I see there.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
What if I mix this with that? What if I apply it like this, instead of the usual way. The ideas come through experimenting. I don't have a big think tank, lol.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Probably about 60% between taking care of my family and the stresses of everyday life. But there is a corner of my mind that is always rolling ideas around.

Do you create daily?
I do try to get out there and make something every day. There is an irresistible pull that propels me towards it. I continue to take classes to learn new techniques and that helps keep my creative juices going.

How important is it for you to create art?
I believe we are made in God's image, and he is the "Creator", and therefore has given us the same enjoyment in creating. I do think it's important.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
Well, I'd love to make a living doing it, lol, but my priority isn't money. It's the joy of the chase, like a hound dog on the trail of a rabbit. I don't consider it a sacrifice.

Describe your studio:
I sit at a desk in my garage, not fancy at all. I can look out and see our back yard with it's birds and squirrels and our two Collie dogs playing and it's peaceful and I'm in my "happy" place.

Tell me something about you: I love my wife, she's put up with me for 26 years, you know, and the best is yet to come!

Meet Melissa of Millcreekglass

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/millcreekglass and

http://www.millcreekglass.com/home

How many years have you worked with glass?

I have been working with glass since 1985 when I took my first stained glass class. I completed four or five projects a year and have two large stained glass windows in my home from that period. In 2005 I took a fused glass class and became so enthralled I cut my hours at work so I could spend a whole day each week doing glass. Then in Fall 2009, when my job was eliminated, I decided it was time to jump into glass as my full-time job.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Almost all of my work now is inspired by nature, so I come up with new designs based on walks outdoors, looking through field guides, and getting suggestions from friends

When do ideas come to you? How often?

It seems totally random when ideas come to me, and is usually when I am not trying to think of something. I keep a little notebook with me in my purse so I can jot down ideas whenever they come to me or else I am sure to forget about them! I’d say I get one or two good new ideas a week.

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

Some days it is almost 100%, but it is never less that 50%. Recently, a local store finally took my glass on consignment after many months of back-and-forth communications. The surprise to me was that they wanted all of my inventory. I had to work round-the-clock to have enough for a show 2 weeks later. Usually my kiln is not running every single day.

Do you create daily?

Some weeks yes, others no - but right now this is my full-time job so I am always working on the business one way or the other. When I am not creating, I am working on my web site, thinking about marketing, etc.

How important is it for you to create art?

It is an integral part of me that has always been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My mother is an artist so I was brought up encouraged to express myself artistically through all kinds of different mediums. I can’t not create art - it is like breathing.

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

Four months ago I made the decision to try and make a go of Mill Creek Glass as a viable business and I’m still waiting to see if my gamble is going to pay off. I’ve had a fulfilling career and was ready for the change so it is different than someone who is spending their whole career as an artist. I’d say right now it is not a sacrifice, it is a joy.

Describe your studio:

Ooooooh, I love my studio!! It is in the bottom room of my house that has a big sliding glass door looking out on my garden. My kiln is in one corner, with my glass cutting and grinding station next to that. I have two 4 x 8 foot tables in the middle of the room to work on. On another wall are long shelves with all of my frit, stringers, etc. as well as reference books. My glass is stored in a cart that my husband made for me with areas for large sheets, quarter sheets and then bins for little pieces. I hate throwing anything away. I have dragonfly ornaments hanging from the ceiling and on the walls because I love dragonflies, as well as lots of other artwork by me and others. And then I have a radio and a place to plug in my iPod so I can have music while I work! It is my little piece of heaven!

Tell me something about you:

I have a Master’s degree in Zoology and worked for 25 years in Natural History museums in Education and Administration. I was always looking for ways to use my creativity in my job and found it in doing exhibits, planning crafts for classes, creating costumes and designing graphics. I hope to continue nature education through my glass work and am planning on creating interpretive information to accompany each of my pieces that tells a little bit about the animal or plant in the design.

Meet Jessie of Wirewrappeddesigns

Meet Jessie of Wirewrappeddesigns
You can visit her shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wirewrappeddesigns

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass for three years, I started making jewelry 7 years ago with wire. I took classes at Diablo Glass Studios in Roxbury, MA in fused glass and flamework.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
The world around me, I am also trained and pratice as a landscape designer so I am very influenced by the beauty of nature especially plants which are my passion in my landscape work. I also love the simplicty of geometery and color so I experiment with new paints and glass colors as they become available. I find that both my glass work and landscape work influence one another.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
I sketch a lot to develop new ideas but I also just go into my studio somtimes and start cutting glass and painting. The paint is really easy to wipe off until it is fired so that allows me to repaint a piece as many times as needed. I develop new designs two to three times per week.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I think and work on my art a few hours each day, sometimes I get in a really good groove and its easy to spend five hours in my studio before I realize what time it is.Do you create daily? Absolutely!

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is an important part of my life because it is the aspect of my life that allows me to freely express myself. There are not a lot of things in your life where you are given that luxury.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?
No, I have two professions that are both artistic in nature and I can't imagine doing something that wasn't. I think people consider an artistic life a sacrifice because of money but happiness is worth more then any paycheck!

Describe your studio:
My studio is in our half finished basement. I have a desk where I cut and paint all my glass. Then off to the side is my kiln and an old bureau that holds all my supplies. On top of the bureau is an old desk top that had lots of comparments that are perfect for holding all the different sheets of glass. To finish off my studio I added a bright green shag rug!

Tell me something about you:
I live in the Boston area and I'm a wife as well as a Mom of a three month old so I balance a pretty carzy schedule but creating art is my passion and dream, it was something that I didn't believe you could make a living of when I was younger. But now I'm in my 30's and I'm making a go at it!

Meet Jaime of Ajjewelry

Meet Jaime of Ajjewelry

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ajjewelry

How many years have you worked with glass?

I have worked with glass for 5 years. When I finally figured out how to light my torch (I was terrified of it!!) and get the glass onto the mandrel, I was hooked after my first bead. Within 2 months I could make simple animals.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Everything and anything. I love to shop...I don't normally buy, but I see everything as new ideas to include in my work.

When do ideas come to you? How often?

Everyday and even in my dreams! I often wake up knowing what I have to create. When this happens, everything else tends to be set aside until I have complete it.

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

All the time. I see everything as a possible new color scheme,texture, new ideas for jewelry that I just have to somehow work my beads into..... What inspires me is nature, messy kids rooms (funny how many colors there are), fabrics, magazines (clothing ones are the best for color combos), sunsets, foods and I think you get the idea now.

Do you create daily?

I am always creating, it is who I am. There are very few days that I am not creating something.

How important is it for you to create art?

Art is just a part of me, it always has been. For me it is like breathing, it is completely natural and not really even thought about. I never even really thought of me as an "Artist" until one day someone introduced me as one! I was stunned. I had never thought of my self as as artist.

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

Yes and no. When I am in my mode of creating....happens often!...I tend to forget time. I am lucky, I have a wonderful husband and children who support me in my art. However they do have their limits

Describe your studio:

My glass studio is also known as my garage. My dream is to add a sun room/studio to our home. This way I can create beads year around! The creating of my jewelry is done in my home, generally at the kitchen table.

Tell me something about you:

I am a wife. I am a mother of 4 beautiful children. We have 2 crazy cats. I have 3 Etsy shops. When I am not creating glass items, I am making soaps, crocheting bath items (puffs, washcloths, etc), sewing purses, hair bows (4 yr old must haves and of course I make too many for our own use!), painting furniture for reselling in local boutiques. or for personal use. And these are just some of the things I do. One day I would love to teach my community my knowledge of all the arts I do. But first I need to get through my first phase of life....kids.

Meet Debi of a1debsglass

Meet Debi of a1debsglass

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/a1debsglass

How many years have you worked with glass?
This year will be 30 years that I have been working with stained glass.
My work is done using the Tiffany Method.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Most of my ideas come from shapes and color of everyday life. I started out with geometric designs (quilt designs were easy with straight lines) and I love art nouveau designs.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me anytime. Stained glass is a visual art, so ideas can be triggered by shapes or colors in everyday life. I have spacial thinking so I can envision what something will look like after completed, which helps in creating. When I see something that sparks a design, I make a small drawing of the design while it is fresh.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I might have several ideas in a day, or might not have one for a week, they just happen.

Do you create daily?
I think about art more than I work on it. It is never enough either way.
I feel that I should create everyday, but it just doesn't appen that way for me.

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is a way of life for me, but sometimes I have so many different projects going at one time, that I can't finish what I started before I start something new. I guess I like certain processes of creating better than others.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
An artist's life has been a sacrifice to me in several ways. Mostly in monetary terms.

Describe your studio:
I opened a stained glass studio about 4 years ago, but being single and supporting myself could not stay open long enough to acquire a following. I could not afford paying for 2 places. I went back to work in the real world. I have a studio in my apartment now as I have for years.

Tell me something about you
I have a son, 26 years old, who after being in the Navy for 4 years, is finishing school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He is my biggest inspiration. I work full time outside my home, and hope to retire in 5 years. If I am still physically able, would like to travel doing show, or open another studio, art gallery, and provide other artists a place to create. I have acquired a desire to make jewelry and would like to become a silversmith, already having some of the skills of soldering and working with metals.

Meet Lisa of Artdefleur

Meet Lisa of Artdefleur.

You can visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Artdefleur

How many years have you worked with glass?
I started working with stained glass in 1997, my glass work as evolved over the years from mosaics to kiln work. Before glass I worked mostly in pastel and oil paint.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I am inspired by nature, flowers fish, the color of the sky. I just love color.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas can come to me at anytime, even dreams. I love color. I think about my work daily.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I would like to say 100% but I have a family, a job and pets (2 dogs and 2 cats) I do dedicate some time each day to my work.

Do you create daily?
Yes, even if it's just a quick sketch.

How important is it for you to create art?
Very important, It's how I communicate.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
No, art is a pleasure I can't imagine my life without art.

Describe your studio:
I have a room in my house that is dedicated to my glass work. I like working at home because I can work any time I have a free moment. I have a talented woodworker husband who has built me a fantastic work table. I have a couple of kilns, a torch, and lots of glass. I like to turn on some music and just relax and explore. That doesn't mean everything turns out perfect but we learn a lot from our mistakes.

Tell me something about you:
I have always loved art, I think it started with my first box of 72 crayons, so many lovely colors. I paint, draw, mosaic, and work with the kiln. I enjoy creating art and am very happy that I can share my work with others.

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.