What Fused Glass Technique Would You Like to Learn?

If you’ve been to our studio, you know we have ongoing classes in fused glass (along with classes on beadmaking and beginning stained glass). We offer everything from Beginning Fused Glass to classes using more advanced fusing techniques, like controlled bubble plates, stringer bowls, pot drops, pattern bars, dichroic jewelry, glass sinks, and more. The classes are fun, productive and taught by an expert. You’re guaranteed to come away with more knowledge about creating beautiful fused glass art every time.

We invite you to let us know what classes interest you. Your suggestions will help us plan our class schedules into next year. Have you seen a technique you like but need instruction on how to do it? Is there a particular project you’d like to learn how to make? Is there an artist you know who is teaching classes that you‘d like to meet in a workshop at Bella Glass Studios?

Please enter your suggestions in the Comments section below, or email us at info@bellglassstudios.com. Thanks for your input.

Bella Says

Have trouble transporting and storing those long, long pieces of lead or zinc for your stained glass projects? Me too! So, I bought a six-foot length of PVC pipe at my friendly home improvement store. It fits in my car, and I can easily carry multiple pieces inside the pipe while keeping them straight and neat.

NEW Kiln Journal Now Available

If you’ve worked in fused glass for any length of time, you know it can be a challenge to keep a record of all of your projects and fusing schedules. Even if you’ve written it all down “somewhere,” it can be hard to find it when you need it. We’re pleased to announce that we have a great solution for you.

The new Bella Glass Kiln Journal is a half-page (5.5” x 8.5”), three-ring binder filled with specially-designed sheets you can use to record the necessary details about your glass projects and keep them safe for the next time you need them. It will save you time and ensure that your valuable information is readily available. Less fuss. No searching through odd pieces of paper scattered around you studio. Less hassle.

The Kiln Journal is just the right size to store anywhere in your studio or to carry with you if needed. In addition to twenty-five sheets that are specifically formatted to make it easy for you to record your projects, it also includes six, time-tested firing schedules you can use as a reference as you develop your own fusing schedules. As a bonus, the Kiln Journal also has helpful tips for fused glass artists and some thought-provoking quotations.

Get organized. Be cool. Purchase your copy of the Bella Glass Kiln Journal today at Bella Glass Studios.

Holiday Gifts

Some of us around the studio are already thinking about what to give friends and family for the holidays later this year. In past years, we’ve given glass ornaments, small bowls, jewelry pieces and slumped vases. We needed something new . . . and we think we’ve found it. With the new, two-part box molds and 410 to 670 grams of frit or small pieces of glass, depending on the mold (that’s about 14.46 to 23.64 ounces), you can make a lidded glass box. The shapes available are round, rectangular, elliptical and kidney. If you want to get fancy, you can dress up your box lid in a variety of ways. Bear in mind, the boxes are small, with just enough space inside to hold a few rings, M&Ms, keys, paperclips, etc. They’re mostly decorative and definitely future collector’s items. People are bound to oooh and ahhh at your creativity and display their boxes proudly - especially your mom.

Bella Glass Now Offers Custom Display Stands

There’s no getting around it -- a display stand can make or break (ha, ha!) your glass art. And, if you’ve been looking at what’s available on the market, you know it can be difficult to find a custom display stand to fit your glass perfectly and show it off in the best possible way. Bella Glass Studios is now offering a custom display stand service that will add the “wow” factor to your glass art.

With the dimensions of your finished glass – height, length and width -- our designers can manufacture an attractive metal or wood display stand, whether it’s a tabletop stand for gallery exhibits, a floor stand to add drama to your art, or a simple slotted stand for a small flat piece.

Square, rectangular, round or irregular shapes can all be fit to a custom display stand.

Metal stands can be completed in basic matte black, or you can request them with primer only so you can add a finishing paint color of your own to compliment your glass piece. Wood stands are done using unfinished wood so that you can apply the finish or color you want.

Contact us today at 303-462-4221 or info@bellaglassstudios.com with your display stand requirements, and we’ll be happy to provide you with a quote and a delivery timeline.

Sticks and Stones

If you missed the Sticks and Stones class on June 20, you missed a ton of creative fun. Our intrepid artists made beautiful wall hangings (or table top art pieces) in just one day from a piece of decorative glass, a colorful pot drop "rondell," a tree branch (or two) and some solder. Some students had never soldered before, but left the class with a unique creation that is sure to impress their family and friends. Several people had so much fun, they're already buying supplies and designing their next Sticks and Stones pieces. Comments about the class ranged from "I know just where I'm going to hang this in my house!" to "I really like this!" to "Wow!" If you'd like to learn how to make your own awesome Sticks and Stones art, email us at info@bellaglassstudios.com with your contact information, and we'll let you know when the next class is scheduled.

So, You Want to Buy a Grinder

A glass grinder is one item of equipment that both fused glass and stained glass artists often want to have. (It was the first “major tool” Bella bought when she started doing glass art . . . those many, many years ago.) So, once you’ve decided to buy one, how do you decide which one? For most models, regardless of the manufacturer, you’ll need to budget $130 or more. Most manufacturers offer a five-year warranty and all the tabletop grinders work on standard household current. The differences in grinders (and prices) are related to the size of the work surface, the RPMs and horsepower of the motor, the size and number of grinding bits that come with a new grinder, and the inclusion (or not) of various items like an elevated work surface, a face shield or splash guard. If you're just starting out, a smaller model will do fine and last many years. If you're doing lots of grinding or you prefer a large work surface and more power, consider the larger models.

If a grinder is next on the “buy list” for your glass art projects, please stop by our studio to compare the various models we have available and find the best one for your needs.