November 2024 eNEWS

In this newsletter I'll be writing about how to use Modeling Glass in your work, and hopefully answering some questions that will help you get the results you want. There's always a learning curve with a new product, and there are considerations working with frit and powder that you don't have when firing sheet glass. There is a full set of FAQs on the Modeling Glass website at www.modelingglass.com. You can also find back issues of all my e-newsletters there!

REFOCUSING FOR 2025

This has been my first year of being a full-time artist, after having retired from my job as a grant writer. It was a scary transition, but it's been a busy and successful year. I have you to thank for that...my beloved retailers, studios who host my workshops, artists working with Modeling Glass, and clients who purchase a piece of my art are directly supporting the business and, by extension, me! I'm so grateful for this incredible run of nearly 10 years, and I look forward to the next 10!


When I was just starting up the business, most of my time was spent on product development and exploring all that Modeling Glass is capable of. Over the years my focus has drifted more into teaching, at the expense of research and making my own work. I've determined that it's time to go back to basics.


Starting in the new year, I'll be curtailing the number of in-person workshops that I will be teaching. Instead, I'll be writing the second Modeling Glass e-book, with all new, more advanced projects and a deeper dive into various techniques. I've got some incredible information to share about sand-bed casting with Modeling Glass, as just one example. I also want to transition into offering free video content via YouTube, which I know is something I've neglected. It's such a rich medium for sharing information, and I'm excited to get that going. And, finally, there are some things I've been needing to express through my own work, which will require a more focused approach. It's difficult to work deeply when I'm on the road every 6-8 weeks.


So long story short, I have two more workshops on the agenda: I'll be teaching the four-day mask class at Helios in Austin on December 7-10. I think there is still space, and if you want to learn in a live setting how to make incredible dimensional masks, this will be the last opportunity until further notice.


The second workshop will be at Milkweed Arts in Phoenix February 21-23. This will be my Feathers and More class...and believe me, you definitely get more than just feathers! Again, it will be the last live class I'm offering for feathers for the time being, so please sign up. Phoenix is actually nice in February!


The photo above shows the Winter mask project that will be part of the upcoming Helios class. Below are photos of the wolf mask project made completely out of Modeling Glass and stringers! This was from the Milkweed Arts workshop I did in October.

2024-2025 WORKSHOPS

Here are the workshops I have scheduled. I'm looking forward to meeting new artists and sharing all the cool things you can do with Modeling Glass!


December 7-10 Helios Glass, Austin, TX (Mystical Masks)

February 21-23 Milkweed Arts, Phoenix, AZ (Feathers and More)

A NEW ONLINE SHOP AND GCBE 2025

The online shop is up and running on the Modeling Glass website! Up to this point, I've only been selling my Exploring Modeling Glass ebook, but now 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!


I will be at the 2025 Glass Craft and Bead Expo in Las Vegas April 2-6. Last year I had a terrific time teaching, but this year I'll be doing live demos at my table at the Milkweed Arts booth. Because there was so much interest from artists wanting to attend the sold-out Modeling Glass classes, I wanted to make sure someone would be able to teach in my place. Fortunately, I found Janett Peace from California, who has been using Modeling Glass in her own work, and who has stepped up to offer a series of classes during the Expo! I will be working closely with her to ensure that the classes will be thorough and accurate...in fact, she will be teaching the Intro to Modeling Glass class using my content. So please consider signing up for one of these workshops! Just do a search for her name and the class list will pop up. https://www.glasscraftexpo.com/classes.php

ORDER MODELING GLASS
ALSO AVAILABLE IN SEPARATE REFILL SIZES: GET DOUBLE THE AMOUNT IN THE STARTER KIT FOR A BETTER PRICE PER OUNCE! ONLY ORDER THE PRODUCT YOU NEED!
Modeling Glass was developed by Lois Manno of Glass Bird Studios. It is a two-part system made of a powdered binder and liquid medium that, mixed with frit or powders along with a little water, turns the powder into a material that can be sculpted like clay. It is featured in the workshops she teaches.

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!


I had a fun experience recording an interview with Warren Norgaard of Milkweed Arts to celebrate the roll-out of the feather video. In it we discussed my process, inspiration, the great glass community, feathers, and more. You can watch it here.

This is a batch of blue jay feathers, which is the project featured in the feathers video now available from Milkweed Arts! All Bullseye Glass powders.
THE BEST WAY TO LEARN ABOUT MODELING GLASS
Unlock all the creative potential of Modeling Glass!

I get a lot of questions that are answered in the ebook with great detail. It's worth it. Really. Order your copy here.

Exploring Modeling Glass: The Basics and More is essential reading for any artist looking to incorporate Modeling Glass into their work to achieve amazing dimensional effects. The first ebook about Modeling Glass, it is a definitive guide to creating with this exciting new product. Written by Lois Manno, the creator of Modeling Glass, Exploring Modeling Glass contains 81 pages of clear, step-by-step instructions and 160 photos. Featuring seven complete projects, you will learn the basic techniques for mixing, sculpting, and combining Modeling Glass with enamels. The book includes project templates and all firing schedules (designed to work with both Bullseye and System 96) in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. This ebook is suitable for all levels of experience.
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. It's your enthusiasm and support that gave me the courage to ditch the day job and be an artist/entrepreneur full time. Thank you!
 
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