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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

A Different Kind of Gardening

This Saturday, instead of spending time in the soggy garden outside, I got to spend the day in a nice toasty (I was firing projects from a class earlier in the week in the kilns) classroom at Mandarin Stained Glass  teaching one of my favorite classes (okay, I love them all) Glass garden stakes.  

Like flowers in nature, every one of these creations is unique and I'm always delighted by the imagination of the students.   It all starts with an idea and some glass.


A little cutting 

A bit of wrapping.

and soon a flower begins to take shape.




One person wanted to create a passion flower. 

 This one was mostly made with glass found in the scrap bins.  What a lovely combination of colors!

One of the best things about this class is that there are no rules and anything goes.  It was a great time with a fun group.

Next week is spring break and I plan on spending most of it working in my garden but helping others play with glass has been a nice diversion from the cold wet conditions outside.  What do you do when you can't be out in the garden? 

14 comments:

  1. Oh, how fun! There is no shortage of things to do around here when it rains, but it's not half as fun as being outside. Most of them have to do with cleaning house and housekeeping chores, but I often find a way to avoid those too. I'm obsessed with jigsaw puzzles, so whenever one is out on the table, I pretty much can't tear myself away until it's done.

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  2. Those are gorgeous! I used to do a lot of stained glass and still have a box of glass. This would be a good way to use it. Love this idea.

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  3. Wow! Those are beautiful. I read about gardens but lots of other subjects, update my journals, clean closets. The regular winter stuff. I have a group of creative friends and we meet officially once a month with a nice breakfast spread and bring our projects. But it has gotten so that we also meet weekly for coffee. Need to spend time with good friends these days more than ever.

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  4. "no rules and anything goes"...that sounds like a great start! Hope you enjoy your week off, and when I can't be in the garden...I write about being in the garden...

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  5. What a fun and helpful way to spend your garden down-time, teaching is such a special gift that you offer to other people, Peter. I hope you have a great week off in the garden! I spend my down-time cooking and reading. And eating.

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  6. Right now, since it is raining outside, I am reading your blog, and posting one of my own!
    Those glass flowers are wonderful. I was trying to see how they are held together. Are they soldered or wired into the wrapping? Tom did stained glass years ago.

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    1. Wrapped in U channel ornament lead, copper wire soldered to either end of the bottom of each petal with about 4 inches of extra copper wire which acts like a stem. each petal is put into a piece of copper pipe or aluminum electrical conduit and arranged. Petals can be tack soldered to each other but often are just left making them easier to rearrange.

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  7. What beautiful work. The color combinations are lovely.

    Not in the garden, I guess I just waste time on the internet and clean house. Best to get back out there.

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  8. What fun! I love the addition of the bee!

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  9. That is so awesome! I would love to take that class!

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  10. I love this! Looks like a lot of fun. I usually cook when I can't garden.

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  11. Great fun - I esp. love the bees. You are clearly a man of many creative talents.
    When I can't garden (5 MONTHS of the year), I read, blog and blog and blog. ;) Notice that housekeeping isn't on the list?

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  12. Pretty creative bunch of students...hmm...must have an inspirational teacher.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.