Meet Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

I am pleased to introduce you to Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

Visit her store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5442553

How many years have you been an artist?
I have been an artist basically all my life. So that's a lot of years!

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass for about 1-1/2 years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Pretty much friends, family & co workers. They will come to me and say "I would like to see..." so I go home and try to create it.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me like cars flying down the freeway sometimes. And they can happen at anytime...day or night!

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I think of glass pretty much 85% of the day...but unfortunately I am unable to work at it nearly as much as I would like.

Do you create daily?
I don't create daily with glass. I also love making jewelry & sewing and then there are days when I spend it entirely with my family

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is the base of my soul. If I couldn't I would be unfulfilled. Art is my passion and I am so happy to know that...so many people go through their life and never find their passion.

Do you feel that choosing the artists has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
I do not feel that I have sacrificed anything in my chosen passion. I have not given up any luxuries...instead I have gained!

Describe your studio.
My Glass studio is in my basement against a wall that faces our driveway. Outside the window I can see the green leaves on the trees and currently the falling leaves of autumn. My jewelry studio is in my room upstairs. My son does his homework, watches T.V. and plays in there while I am working. My sewing area...well that's at my kitchen table! :-)

Tell me something about you.
I am a mom & wife. We have one son who is the joy of my life. I moved to Connecticut from California (culture shock) about 11 years ago. I started sewing blankets for children who attend daycare to fit on their cots about 7 years ago. Shortly after that I started making jewelry...which then led to about a year and a half building my glass studio. I started making glass beads that sell about a year ago. I also enjoy walking and riding bikes. I work part time as a special education secretary. I love doing home parties which is an excellent way to generate instant cash!

Meet Amy Holms of Formfireglassworks

I am pleased to introduce you to Amy Holms of Formfireglassworks

Visit her shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5556438

How many years have you been an artist?

I think I have been an artist all my life - I have always done crafty things and have considered myself a serial hobbyist up until recently. I have done most everything: calligraphy, scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, spinning, sewing, quilting, beading, jewelry and now glass.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I have been working with glass only a short time - almost a year and a half. It kills me to think of what I could have accomplished by now if I had begun sooner!

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Usually it is just sitting around and thinking about the different ways I can modify my existing series. But sometimes it is looking through magazines, seeing colors or patterns that interest me.

When do ideas come to you? How often?

I have ideas all that time, and unfortunately not enough time to work them all out. Someday...

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

I think about it most of my waking hours in one way or another, but I am very limited in actual work time.

Do you create daily?

I wish I could. I am hoping to get a home set-up by the end of the year, but right now I am renting studio time. With their schedule, a day job and kids to drive all over the place, I only get to work on my glass about 2-4 hours a week.

How important is it for you to create art?

It is very important to me. I believe that aesthetics should not be an afterthought, but are an integral part in bringing joy into our daily routines.

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

Have you given up certain luxuries?

I have been lucky in that although I have a limited time for my glasswork, my dayjob is a creative one. I design custom homes by career, so I have not really had to give up anything to be creative. I find that I have made many more sacrifices in the name of parenting (working a crazy schedule and taking time off when needed) than I have to live a creative life.

Describe your studio.

Since I have been working out of an outside studio, I don't have a lot of things set up at home. I just got a new kiln which I hope to set up with a torch in the garage. I currently use our extra room as my office and have a mish-mosh of glass, silver, tools and packaging all over my desk.

Tell me something about you.

As an artist, I strive for simplicity and consistency. I love clean lines and beautiful color. I am a modernist by nature.As a person, the layout of my life revolves around my twin 11-yr-old girls. All of my choices are built around getting them educated, grown and matured. And then to college - then I can really have time to do all the fun stuff!

Meet Linda Turvey of Studio17!!!

I am pleased to introduce you to Linda Turvey of Studio17.

You can visit her wonderful etsy shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5004773


Below is my interview with this talented artist:


How many years have you been an artist?
I’ve always considered myself a glass craftsman when someone asks me this question. I’m still exploring and experimenting pushing the boundaries to see how far the beautiful magical world of glass can take me.

How many years have your worked with glass?
It all started over 25 years ago. The journey began with the copper foil stained glass technique. Mosaics then piqued my curiosity and now kiln work. It’s been a rewarding time.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It could be almost anything, something I’ve seen in passing, a picture, and especially talking with others.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me at the oddest times, mostly when I’m having a quite moment to myself. My creative mind is always working especially when I’m involved with a project, or someone needs help with a idea.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I’m limited to the evenings to work on my art, or to teach the classes I have. By day I’m a engraver, it too is very creative for me.

Do you create daily?
Yes I do I’ve always got projects on the table, and am in the studio every evening and full days on the weekend.

How important is it for you to create art?
My art is my way to unwind from my hectic schedule. I get lost in time when I’m creating it’s very relaxing for me. Every once in a while I have to step back, but it’s more catching up on sleep than anything.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice? Have you given up certain luxuries?
Not at all, I’m fortunate that my husband and family supports what I’m doing and understand the goals I’ve set and are helping me achieve them. With teaching I’ve met and shared my passion for glass and been able to start my students on their journey with glass.

Describe your studio.
My studio is the basement of my home. I have two rooms set up. The main area is my working space. A big table sits in the center of the room for working on. Around the perimeter of the room are shelves, benches and cupboards for all my tools of the trade. I’m forever re-organizing things to make my space efficient to working in. I tell my students don’t get use to that being there because it might not be there next week. I’ve also have a computer, TV, DVD and radio in this space. I have a room off the main studio that holds all my glass and mosaic supplies.

Tell me something about you.
I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. My SO and I have been together 27 years, in 2007 we decided to get married. Our DD and SIL are in the process of a International Adoption, we’re all very excited about this, and I’m waiting patiently for the day I can hold my Grandchild.
I also enjoy gardening, and reading. I’m constantly researching to find new ways to work with glass and take classes my self in areas that interest me.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am offering a new giveaway. It is being featured on another blog. Make sure you sign up!
http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/

New Listings

New Autumn Pieces On Etsy

Check Out this GREAT Etsy Artist Stacey Reed

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5267803

Stacey Reed of JS GLASS ART was kind enough to grant me an interview.
Make sure you check out her store (see the link to her store)

How many years have you been an artist?
Maybe in the last five years, or so, I’ve considered myself good enough to be called an artist.

How many years have you worked with glass?
9 years. Like many people doing kiln work, my first introduction to glasswork was through stained glass. I started doing kiln work within two months of learning stained glass.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
My brain thinks more mechanically than artistically. If I see something interesting in some other medium I’ll automatically start thinking of how I can create it in glass. I enjoy the manipulation of glass more than making sure it’s artistically pleasing.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Most of my ideas come to me while I’m working with the glass. A lot of the time the piece I’m working on will come out differently than what I originally intended because of a new idea popping into my head. I’ll also get a great idea just as I’m falling asleep, unfortunately, I won’t remember it when I wake up.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art? Depending on the season. In the summer it’s common for me to get in the studio first thing in the morning and work until dark. In the winter I usually wait for it to warm up a bit before going out. It can get pretty cold in there.

Do you create daily?
No. I do need to take time off. Usually it’s just a day here and there, but sometimes I need a whole week. If I’m working on a technique, or trying to figure out a problem, I can get a bit obsessive about it and will need the time off to regenerate.

How important is it for you to create art?
Very important. I’ve always felt the need to create. A physical need. My hands get restless if I go too long without creating something.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice? Have you given up certain luxuries?
No. I’ve been lucky in that I have the resources to be able to work on glass full time.

Describe your studio.
My studio is in my garage. A very small garage. I’ve done well in utilizing my space, but I still need something larger. I’m forced to work out of a smaller kiln and it’s very frustrating since I learned to work large. I have a large kiln I can’t even use.

Tell me something about you.
I live in Northern California/Silicon Valley. I have a 25 year old son who recently married. I’ve been with my SO for over 15 years. My dream is to live on a property large enough to plant enough food to be self sustaining, and I would need a huge studio on this property. Solar powered, of course. It seems the older I get the more my inner hippie surfaces and I’m fine with that.