Friday, April 30, 2010

Meet Melissa of Millcreekglass












You can visit her shop here:

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.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

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!