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Check out this cool video that explains why silver makes yellow and gold make ruby glass. Very interesting and easy to follow. It is chapter 5/6 from the show, but this is just the glass chapter. It also talks about how different sizes and shapes of silver particle make different colors of the rainbow. Now I understand the rainbow silver glasses that much more. COOL
My silver glass drawer. I don't want to think about the money sitting there.
This year I have a simpler goal, spend less on glass. My original goal was going to be to spend no money on glass, but that is a little unrealistic. As many lampworkers will tell you, there are certain colors you cannot live without. For me I would like to say I can’t live without Clio or Gaia or Striking color, but in fact, I think I can (eek). At the bare minimum I need to use up the glass I have before I buy more. Plain and simple! I don’t NEED to buy glass just because it is on sale and a good deal. I WANT to buy glass what it is on sale.
The colors that are going to be on my exception list (but only to be bought when I’m out) are: clear, black, white and ivory (but Vetrofond Light Ivory every comes back, all bets are off!).
The draw with my least favorite colors (yellow, orange and red). That bundle in the middle, that is my 2nd pound of Coral Sunrise/Sunset (can't remember the name). I have another pound in my top drawer.
I spent an obscene amount on glass last year. I just added it up and it was over $1000. Sheesh, that is just crazy! A substantial amount of that was on Lori and Kim murrini, not the majority, but I was surprised when I looked at my month to month and saw how much it was. They make the prettiest murrini and I love the little pretty bits of glass. I actually use up their murrini fairly fast, but I have several baggies that have not been all used up. So, sorry to say to them, I will need to control the urge until ALL the murrini are used up before buying more. This will be difficult and I have already called on my friend and fellow lampworking Lori Bergmann to help me out and talk me down if I get out of control.
This summer is going to be difficult. I have two glass events. The first is the Glass Art Society conference in Seattle in June, I don’t know if they have vendors, but if they do I may have contorol issues. The second one is the Frantz Art Glass Bash. This is a big get together and sale at their shop in Shelton Washington. We’ll see how I’m doing year to date and if I’m doing great, I will splurge there for sure, gotta get those Double Helix odd lots when I can, right? Oh that sounds so bad, not in keeping up with the goals already.
As you can see, part of the problem are my glass boxes. I do not torch at my own home, but in my parent's garage. I would love a large cabinet with individual places for each color, but I wanted something that was a little smaller so that it didn't take up their entire garage and would be more kitty proof. However, what is hard to see in these photos (but maybe not) is that I have glass 3-4 layers deep. So, when I do go shopping, I think I need and color, but get home and find the colors. Yes I need a spread sheet, but I know myself, I won't keep it up well.
What are your New Year's Resolutions
My 96 COE boxes. Yes they are on the floor. I don't recommend this as spiders like the boxes.
I had the pleasure of opening up a new box of glass this week from Gaffer Glass USA. This special box arrived decorated with hearts and stars and sweet words from Hallynd, Jessica and Lacey. Thanks gals, you made my day. Inside the box was some Blue Chalcedony (G1095) rods and frit. It is a blue version of their normal Chalcedony, which has a red base.
This color also does the breaking up to form little cell-like decorations on the glass (this is my favorite part). I got some great blues, greens and purples from this glass. 
Katie in a funny hat.
I bought this cool barret from Ellen Kay another lampworker and she also fuses. What is so cool about this fused glass is that she first made twisties with a vitrigraph (vitrograph) then fused them into the barrett. Very cool. I have a top for work that this will match really well.
Another fun thing about art fairs is the people watching. This is Seattle Bag Man, a guy dressed in plastic bags to promote not using them.
Jed Hannay of Double Helix Glassworks showing how to strike Terranova 2.1
Some glass in the warehouse at Frantz
I wanted to post a picture of the bead made of the glass mentioned below. This is Chalcedony, G109. It is very similar to Raku (R108), which I can not get to do anything for me. (I also can't get color with TerraNova, Khaos, or Luna2). I get tan and blah. Not with this one. I get reds, purples, pinks, oranges, blues and greens. This was the one with the best colors. Chalcedony on Black.
