Auction items -Fused Glass, Up-cycling and What's Next?

Auction time....
School is almost out  and summer vacation  is fast approaching which means that the Coleman International Festival is just a couple of days away...this Saturday , May 31st!  I hope to see all of you there. It is the biggest fundraiser of the school year and it is also a major Fun raiser (hee hee)....There will be games, cool booths, delicious food and refreshing drinks, entertainment and many wonderful items to bid on for the school auction.
This year, my after school fused glass students at Coleman will be contributing three pieces to the auction.These pieces are collaborative works focused on facial expression and they turned out really amazing. If you get a chance, stop by and see what the fusers have been up to. Check out the images below for a sneak peak.

large face platter

mustache vases- plants not shown

Another Auction Project:
As a Coleman mom of a 5th grader, I was lucky enough to get to work on another collaborative project with some awesome parents and students in my son's 5th grade classroom for the school auction. (Mr. Jackson's class)   I really love working with kids on group projects. It is a wonderful experience to see how they work together and what they gravitate to doing. The pieces the students put together are made from almost all up-cycled materials. Plastic caps and lids, bottle caps, an old fence, scrap mirror...
Up-cycling  has become quite a movement. I love the idea of taking something that is no longer wanted or needed and giving it a new purpose. Creative, useful or both..Functional art is where its at!

            Students worked on 2 projects; an old tattered mailbox was transformed into a dazzling kaleidoscope of shapes and colors using plastic lids, caps,  mirror, old beads and a touch of paint to bring it all together.  The other piece is an amazing fish sculpture. An old wooden fence was cut into the shape of a fish and then many, many plastic lids were drilled into the wood, creating an colorful and beautiful fish. Little pieces of scrap mirror were glued into the lids to give the fish extra sparkle.
The kids really dove into these projects. Drilling was exciting and they could see the piece coming together one cap at a time.

 Did  you know it takes about 450 years for plastic to start decomposing and then another 50 to 80 years to decompose completely but we use about 20 times more plastic then we 50 years ago? Taking all those plastic lids and reinventing them into art pieces is not only a great way to keep them out of landfills and our oceans, it is also way to raise awareness in ourselves about the issue of plastic pollution and all matter of discarded materials that can be used again either as a recycled product, up-cycled or even re-used.

This project was very inspiring to me... So What Next....

Given my total enjoyment of helping to create these pieces, I have decide to lead an up-cycling class next fall at Coleman in my after school class series. This will be a project based class with an experiential tone. We will incorporate fused glass but there will be a major emphasis on using materials like plastics, bottle glass, old wood etc.. Many of the projects will be functional in some way- frames, clocks, magnets, etc..And we will do a group piece as well.

Announcement
 I am happy to announce that I will also have classes in the fall at the Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael (near the San Rafael library) Look for the schedule in the next catalogue. This is a new space for me and I am very excited to hold classes there.

What about this summer?
I have created space in my home 'studio' to hold workshops and classes. If you are interested in having a glass party (girls night, birthday party, creative night...) please contact me and lets get fusing!! Check out other pages in my blog for more info and give me a call! 415 846-4460

I have a graduating 5th grader, so I will be on break as a "Coleman mom" until the following year when my other son will become a Coleman Tiger. I will still be part of the community as an after school teacher this upcoming year and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

previous group project for auction by students

sample board of up-cycled projects for student inspiration

Fusing Fun Art: New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24

Fusing Fun Art: New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24: Its time to get Fusing!!  I have a brand new kiln ready for action.  student work fired up in the new kiln! New Spring Session begins...

New fused Glass Session starting on 3/24

Its time to get Fusing!! 
I have a brand new kiln ready for action. 

student work fired up in the new kiln!

New Spring Session begins Monday 3/24
3/24- 4-28  $250 
-Class includes all materials, firings and healthy snacks. 
A collaborative project for the IF will also be included in both sessions.
2nd-5th grade

 Sign up soon- space is limited

To enroll click on to:     http://eplay.livelifelocally.com  
or call 485-3333 or 
come by the San Rafael Community Center on B Street in San Rafael

We will have even more experimentation this session as we dive into fusing recycled glass and include recyclable materials and other mixed media into our projects.    

Returning students are always welcome. Build on what you have learned and explore new design possibilities.

fused glass bracelets - Nikki Contini

To learn more about  the fused glass classes click on to previous posts. Lots of pictures and info!

my 1st workshop... how time flies!

New Fused Glass Class Session Starts Monday 1/27!!

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a wonderful break and holiday season.

glass pendants by Coleman Student

 I will have 2 sessions this Spring.  All classes are on Mondays in the Art room after school at Coleman.
The 1st session   1/27 - 3/3    
The 2nd session  3/24 - 4/28  
$250  per session   -Class includes all materials, firings and healthy snacks. 
A collaborative project for the IF will also be included in both sessions.
2nd-5th grade

student made pendants

During the break, I was busy getting my home studio together, learning about my new kiln and gearing up for another round of classes. I am excited about new projects and incorporating more recycled materials into class projects. So, the next session will include even more experimentation as we dive into fusing recycled glass and include recyclable materials and other mixed media into our projects.

To enroll click on to:     http://eplay.livelifelocally.com  
or call 485-3333 or 
come by the San Rafael Community Center on B Street in San Rafael
                                       
There is still room to sign up- so don't hesitate and have your child try something creative and unique. Returning students are welcome and will continue to gain mastery over scoring glass and in creating their amazing creations.

fusing party...

Last session students made some really nice presents for their friends and family and we ended with a little holiday party to celebrate all the fun we've had  in class. Check out the photos below to get a peak at what the students were up to....

tic tac toe game at the party

 The students made tic tac toe glass boards and pieces - a fun and 'functional' project that they had a lot of fun with...



                     



                  Check out these beautiful landscape plaques

                             Really cool...

hand painted wood plaques and glass landscapes

Sign your child up soon and lets get fusing!

Questions, please contact me!!

Glass Fusing Update

Hello! .... Its been a busy couple of months! Certainly time for a new posting......

Glass class is in full swing and we have been focused on holiday themed pieces and also gift making for the holidays. Its exciting for the class to make hand made gifts. Earrings seem to be the 'thing' to make this session. They are quite beautiful. Take a look....

There have been so many amazing projects this fall- They need to be seen!

First off,  the Clocks....

        

 The students designed the clock face. I fused them in the kiln and then drilled holes in the center to put the clock mechanism in. I've never been a big glass driller so this was a great opportunity to brush up on my skills as well.  Functional and beautiful!

For Thanksgiving, the students made little Turkey dishes for the table. Learning to layer the glass to add more dimension is something the class has been working on.

Gobble Gobble  dishes..

Holiday Ornaments HO HO HO!

As you can see, some really great work is going on. I am constantly thinking of new ideas for the students to build their skills on. What I introduce in class creates the space to learn new techniques, try new designs, colors, shapes etc.. Then during free choice, which usually occurs at the end of class, students get to make other pieces they are thinking about.- Continually building their glass scoring and bending skills as they delve into their own creations. Below are some pics of  pieces made during free choice time:

New class sessions coming in late January- same time, same day- Mondays after school on the art room!

Hope to see your kiddos there!

Happy Holidays!

New Glass Fusing Session starts November 4th!

Hello Folks, I wanted to remind everyone that a new fused glass class starts on Monday, November 4th!
There is still room to sign up your creative dynamos. To register your child go to http://eplay.livelifelocally.com  (after school programs) or call 415 485-3333 or in person at 618 B Street at the San Rafael Community Center

The students from the current session are having a blast.
Check out some of their latest glass projects..

There has been lots of experimenting with frit(ground glass) and, of course bending glass in the flame. I have also noticed how experienced many students are becoming as glass cutters. This takes some skill and strength. Way to go fusers!

                                                         fused glass dishes

express yourself in a face!

               Halloween dishes

This week we  worked on the collaborative auction project. The students voted on doing something that involves mustaches...Go figure.. Mustaches are very in these days!! Here is a quick peek at some of the pre-fired pieces. Eventually these panels will be assembled into vases. Cool!

getting into it!

*Class Fee includes all materials and glass firings and healthy snacks.  Please note, There is no materials fee for the class. There is a misprint on the San Rafael website stating a materials fee. 

To learn more about glass fusing and see lots of pics from previous classes please check out previous blogs and other pages on my site.. Questions? Please contact me!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Space still Available- Glass Fusing after school Class Starts 9/23

Hello Folks...A Reminder-
The Glass Fusing Class begins on Monday 9/23! If you are interested in signing up, there is still space.
 1st session  9/23-10/28        2nd session 11/4-12/16
         3:15- 4:45  For Grades 2-5 $250  

Introduce your child to a unique craft that is incredibly fun and creative. Students will learn how to work with glass, a material that is not usually offered to children. I teach them how to work safely with glass as we explore the colorful world of glass fusing. Glass fusing is an ancient Egyptian craft experiencing an incredible renaissance.  New techniques in kiln-forming glass and slumping in molds has led to a super cool studio glass movement. Bring your child into the fold and lets get fusing! Returning fusers welcome! Build on what you have learned.
* Each Session, students will collaborate on a group project to be auctioned at the International Festival.

To sign up for Fusing Fun Art-
 online: http://eplay.livelifelocally.com   call: 415 485-3333
    in person: 618 B Street San Rafael Community Center
* FYI  - There is no materials fee for this class. There is a misprint in the online description that states a $20 materials fee. All glass, finishing supplies, tools and kiln firings are provided in classes for children.
 After school snacks also provided.

Questions? Please contact me
Previous posts have lots of information and great photos from classes and glass work.
Tell your friends!