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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.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Fused Glass Snowflakes (Again)

I like to make gifts for my co-workers and choir members.  Last year I made my first fused glass snowflakes.  I liked them and loved the idea of creating a different flake each year.  Having decided to make different flakes for this season, and having a year to accomplish the task, they didn't get made until a week before Christmas. O.K. next year year will be different!  (right.)   This year I made about 60 of these using a pattern created by Lani Neil who sells her flakes here.  I love cutting glass so that part was a delight.  Making sure that all of these diamonds are evenly spaced is another story.  Here they are on newspaper as the glue dries on the bails.  (Too lazy to futz with wire.)

Fortunately, the pattern can be printed on kiln shelf paper with a regular printer which makes it much easier.  Lani's patterns, pre-printed on shelf paper along with a glass cutting guide are available at Mandarin Stained Glass.

Being lazy, I made my own diamond grids.  Having done this with a ruler and pencil before, I was delighted to find how much easier it was to do on the computer!

Found these fun hooks to finish them off.  Fun!
Did you make or grow any of your gifts this year? 

36 comments:

  1. A VERY Happy New Year Mr. TOG !!
    These are simply gorgeous and you have such a talent : )
    I would love to be given something as pretty as this, your coworkers are very fortunate indeed !
    Even the hook is very artistic .. I wish I had a talent like that.
    In any case here is hoping you have a great 2014 and enjoy all of your hobbies to the max !
    Joy from the frozen north .. we have a windchill warning of -37 today .. brrrrrrr !! LOL

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    1. Happy New Year, Joy! I'll bet that looking out your windows at the frozen wonderland is beautiful! Can't say I miss those long winters but there was something interesting about havving a total break from gardening. Here's wishing you warmer weather!

      The snowflake hooks came from Kmart! You are very talented! It's just a matter of learning techniques. Everyone creates!

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  2. Oh Peter - you are so marvelously talented! They are beautiful! Here's to a great 2014!

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    1. You are too kind! I agree, let's have a great 2014!

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  3. Those are beautiful, Peter...I'm sure they will be thrilled to get them!

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    1. Well, they didn't throw them back at me. They're fun to re gift.

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  4. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Thanks Peter, they look great on the tree. 😊

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  5. A friend of mine in London is taking a course in glass fusing , she is using bullseye glass from Portland…small world ! Happy new year Peter

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    1. Bullseye has been specializing in fusable glass and education for a long time. We're in a hotbed of glass in the PNW. Portland also has Uroborous glass which produces glasses compatible with Bullseye and with Spectrum, the largest art glass producer in the world, located in Woodinville, WA. Way cool!

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  6. These are wonderful! Wow, that's a lot of glass cutting!

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    1. Thanks. Cutting is one of my favorite parts of the craft.

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  7. 60 of them! Wow, you're amazing. A tree covered in solely in different glass flakes would be remarkable.

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    1. I think I'll start keeping one for myself each year and someday I'll be able to do a tree in them. what a cool idea!

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  8. Those are really beautiful. In the past we would give gifts of homemade jam to coworkers, though this year Judy was too busy to do much jam making.

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    1. It does make the season a little more hectic. This year, I promise I'll do them in the summer when I've lots more time! Jam is a wonderful gift!

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  9. A few gifts made with yarn for family members....

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    1. I'll bet those are appreciated in the cold days of winter!

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  10. Nope but those flakes look very impressive!

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    1. You guys have been too busy this year to do anything other than try to stay sane!

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  11. Now those are beautiful! (And are composed of my favorite colors, too!)

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  12. Goodness, Peter, that's a lot of work. They're so pretty. I know your choir members and co-workers must appreciate their gifts and love you to pieces.

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    1. Well, they didn't use them as throwing stars in front of me. I'm lucky to work with some pretty special people!

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  13. Those are really pretty! Do you have your own kiln? I have made beaded snowflakes and icicles. the last couple of years. No two are alike. I'd love to try my hand at fused glass.

    Deirdre

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    1. I'll bet your beaded icicles and snowflakes are gorgeous! I do have my own kilns although my largest one needs to be repaired. Luckily, if I get the urge to fuse, I can use a kiln I inherited from a friend! Deirdre, you should try fused glass, it's so much fun!

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  14. Those are gorgeous Peter I'm sure the recipients loved them.

    I made just one plate flower from vintage plates for a friend.

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    1. Thanks, Shirley! Did you take pictures of your plate flower? I'd love to see it as I bet it's wonderful!

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  15. If I could produce gifts as pretty as those, I'd set up a production line myself. The closest to a handmade gift I produced this year was to fill a pot (purchased) with plants (also purchased).

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    1. It's not the materials, it's what you do with them and, knowing you, I'm sure your pot of plants was gorgeous and well received!

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  16. Okay, I'm impressed. Didn't make anything but cookies...and they're all gone. Eaten.

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    1. Before I got into glass, I often made cookies as gifts. Really, it's the same concept, cut stuff up, mix it together, put it in the oven and out pops the product. Ingredients, time, and temperatures vary quite a bit but I always tell my students if they can bake cookies, they can fuse glass!

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  17. Fabulous! As they say, you will always have a piece of bread on your table with such skills!

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  18. Beautiful! That's a lot of work!

    I have one tree that is all blown glass and crystals. I love glass ornaments because you can clean them. My old fashioned ornaments with glitter get dusty and can't be cleaned.

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  19. My thoughts are you are very talented and those are very pretty.

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  20. Your list of talents is so impressive, how lucky your coworkers are! Those are gorgeous.

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