More Glass!

Glass!

Think positive thoughts! Get that good energy flowing!

FLOWING is the key word when it describes glass.

Glass has been around since the beginning of time.

In Ancient times people found two forms of natural glass. When lightning strikes sand, the heat sometimes fuses the sand into long, slender glass tubes called fulgurites, which are commonly called petrified lightning. The terrific heat of a volcanic eruption also sometimes fuses rocks and sand into a glass called obsidian. In early times, people shaped obsidian into knives, arrowheads, jewelry, and money. It is unknown exactly when, where, or how people first learned to make glass. It is generally believed that the first manufactured glass was in the form of a glaze on ceramic vessels, about 3000 B.C. The first glass vessels were produced about 1500 B.C. in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The glass industry was extremely successful for the next 300 years, and then declined. It was revived in Mesopotamia in the 700's B.C. and in Egypt in the 500's B.C. For the next 500 years, Egypt, Syria, and the other countries along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea were glassmaking centers.

Ancient Rome - traders of glass traveled the dirt roads from settlement to settlement. "Roman Glass" is now sold in, sometimes, very expensive gold or sterling silver settings. No one truly knows whether this kind of glass was really made by Romans - according to what I've read, it has more to do with the method of melting and pouring the glass. If "Roman Glass" jewelry were actually made by Romans it would be an antiquity, and most would not be able to afford to buy it.

Today, Glass has been refined,. Methods of making glass have been perfected.

Beach Glass - another type of glass which is used in jewelry. Drill it, and it becomes the focal point in earrings or necklaces. This kind of glass can be found on most beaches, the water and sand capture, tumble, soften edges, of broken pieces of glass. Sometimes it take a very long time to find that softly etched, perfect piece of Beach Glass, The quick method of getting a similar look is to use a diamond burr to soften the edges and then etch the glass using a mordant available at most craft stores.

Fused Glass - also used in jewelry requires one to take small pieces of glass, stack it up like a sandwich - heat in a kiln until it becomes molten. This kind of glass is fun.

Blown Glass - this type of glass fascinates me, you blow though a long tube after getting the glass at the end of the tube hot enough for it to flow. Beautiful pieces of art are made by this method.
We currently carry a nice variety of examples at Eye Candy Gallery.

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, March 12th

Spring is only 17 days away! March 20th is the magic day. Whether we will get rid of the snow by then, or add to the piles is the question. But, there is no doubt that Spring brings more people to the Tremont Art Walks.

Once the weather gets warmer, Eye Candy Gallery will feature live music outside, maybe inside if it's raining. The music just adds to the festive atmosphere. People walking around, looking at great art, buying their favorite art. There is such a variety!


Don't forget, we are featuring SCULPTURE this month.
Whether the sculpture is for indoors or out, it's always interesting .
We currently represent several sculptors, all do something different.

Thomas Ott - sculpture for the wall, table or shelf - some even framed and made of paper.
Randy Oldrieve - large, carved, wood, stone, glass - WOW!
Gary Mazurowski - wall sculpture, occasional tables , coffee table and tabletop .

I can't believe how quickly time flies! It has been nearly a week since I updated the blog. I wonder, how do I know that anyone is reading or even looking?

The gallery lost power today, so Bob closed early. There is no reason to stay open when there is no heat and no lights. But, there were a few brave souls who wandered in during the day.

I'm wishing the snow stops . . . I will have Caribbean music playing to remind me that some places are actually warm. I'd love to be one of the divers in the acrylic painting by Eric McAfee.

What a BEAUTIFUL Friday - the sun is so bright! It almost looks like spring. The temperatures are still in the 30's, although it's warm enough for some melting to happen!

For those who are Irish or Irish wannabe's we now carry handmade blank cards. These are beautifully, hand crafted by: Mike Bizup of Cleveland, Ohio. I've included an image of just a few of the cards. All are "one of a kind."

Mike also makes "any occasion" cards - his cards retail for just five dollars

Finally, a day of SUNSHINE! I almost forgot what it looked like when it's sunny.

Cigar Box guitars - we have a nice variety of hand built electric Cigar Box guitars. Built by Marty Strauss -of course he would be a musician and Marty Wallace - Marty is also a musician. Both are from N. E. Ohio

Some of the guitars are self contained - they have the amplifier built in, others can be plugged into an amplifier. Either way they sound great. Tuned to "open E", played using a slide. Fun for those who play or collect.

Spring - Jewelry Classes at the Brecksville Center for the Arts.

It's snowing again . . . I'm wondering if it will EVER stop? Do we realize that there is a difference between Climate change and weather change? Maybe if I were a skier I would appreciate longer winters.

For more information, visit: www.BrecksvilleArts.org. The class is not just for experienced people, but I ask that beginners who sign up, to PLEASE have a "simple" design in mind. Most students finish more than 4 projects during the 8 weeks.

Questions?  Please contact me via email:  EyeCandyGallery@Gmail.com    Thanks!