September 2025 eNEWS

PRACTICING RADICAL CREATIVITY

This summer has been a blur of art making. Taking techniques that I have developed and super-charging them is my next objective. Modeling Glass is so versatile that even after 10 years of working with it, I feel I haven't fully plumbed its potential. Making art of increasing complexity/scale, with more dimensional elements combined with transparency...the list of ideas I plan to explore goes on. I'll do my best to share the knowledge I gain during these experiments.

For example, the sugar skull on the right is the basic Day of the Dead skull painted with enamels from my ebook Exploring Modeling Glass. It's also a featured project in the Fall 2025 issue of Glass Patterns Quarterly Magazine. To push the envelope a bit, I fired the skull as in the project instructions, then covered it with a thin layer of clear fine frit (with black fine frit over the eyes and nose) to create a "sugar" texture to emulate how real cast sugar skulls look. I fired it a second time to a top temp of 1275 with a 15-minute hold. I then draped the skull over a shallow dome made from Miracle Mesh. This skull will be used as an element in a larger piece I'm still working on.

If you're curious to know more, watch for the drop of my next ebook, Exploring Modeling Glass II: New Dimensions (currently in production). I'm shooting for a January release.

GOODBYE GPQ, YOU WILL BE MISSED

I am sad about the end of Glass Patterns Quarterly. Since 1985 the publication has served the glass art community. That's a long and distinguished run for any magazine! I'm honored that my skull project is featured in this final issue.

On a more positive note, the popular Glass Expert Webinars and Lectures they produce will continue! Maureen and Marcie do such a good job with these. I will be presenting one of these programs on October 2, featuring the Magic Garden Mask project. You can sign up for my webinar here.

2025-26 WORKSHOPS

Here are the workshops I have scheduled through the end of this year and into 2026. A couple are virtual, which is the direction I'm moving overall since traveling has become such a drag. Live teaching is fun, and I will still do it here and there.

October 2 Glass Patterns Quarterly webinar: Magic Garden Mask

December 2, 9, 16 Warm Glass UK live webinar. Modeling Glass "Paper" with Enamels. All new content! More info soon. So much potential!

June 10-16 Glass Fest in Superior, WI! This annual member conference is produced by the Retailers of Art Glass and Supplies. I'll be offering workshops TBD.

2026 TBD Three-day workshop: Modeling Glass Magic With Enamels at Helios Glass, Austin TX. All new content! More info soon.

VISIT THE ONLINE SHOP!

The online shop is up and running on the Modeling Glass website! In addition to my Exploring Modeling Glass ebook, you can buy some of the specialized tools and products that are helpful for working with Modeling Glass, and essential to some of my workshops. The Mask Draping Form that I designed provides the perfect shape for the mask workshop project. I'm also offering precut mask blanks made from 3mm Tekta (available in clear or white). Talk about a time saver! Please go to the Modeling Glass website under the 'SHOP' tab to see the currently available products. I'll be adding more items very soon!

Want to purchase Modeling Glass? Order Yours Here!

LEARN MY FEATHER TECHNIQUE AT YOUR PACE!

I'm delighted that the feather-making instructional video I produced is now available through Milkweed Arts AZ! You can find it in their online education series here. If you purchased this several years ago from AAE Glass, it is the same content. But it's been unavailable for a while, so now's your chance to learn how I make my realistic, larger-than-life feathers! Since I am doing much less in-person teaching, this will best way for you to learn this technique.

I continue to be amazed by the energy of all you glass artists who have continued to enjoy Modeling Glass, who post photos of your work and have lively discussions on the Modeling Glass Exploration Group on Facebook, and have been supportive of all things MG. I'm looking forward to working with you in classes, answering questions when you contact me (yes, I always reply), and sharing new ways to work with MG.Thank you!