Wall Hangings and Glass-scapes
R Visions in Glass
is a company of Northwest artists committed to a mission of creating glass art that warms the heart and stirs the imagination. Our vision is based in the shared belief that art can have a transforming effect on our lives. A portion of all proceeds is given to charity, with the hope that each artistic expression will enrich our community and those in need.
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R Blog #3
You Know You Are In Trouble When
We are very lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest. It is an epicenter for glass-both fused and hot glass. There are a number of manufacturers of glass in this corner of the US. This is a good thing and a very bad thing. It is good because you can drive to the manufacturers’ outlet. It is bad because it is like putting a kid in a candy shop. So much glass…so little time!!!
The moment we walked into the Bullseye store we were mesmerized! We wanted it ALL!! Since we were a business, we found out we could qualify for a discount. Now the glass monster was really loose! We all three went crazy – Sign #1 you are in trouble.
When we walked into the store we thought we would need to get other people to buy glass with us in order to reach our best discount. When we walked out of the store we had bought more than enough to qualify us for the best discount. Sign #2 you are in trouble.
With the trunk full of glass we headed home. Andrew was at the wheel. We were all like little kids anticipating Christmas as we drove back to the studio. All the sudden Andrew took a quick right turn, then another, then another, bringing us to the side of a store. Robbin and I were perplexed, then we saw what Andrew had spotted. It was a huge trash bin full of glass. Not beautiful fusing glass like we had just spent hundreds of dollars on, but plain old window glass.
He jumped out of the car and began to dumpster dive! His eyes were shining with pure joy. It was insane! Sign #3!!!
We went home with all our glass and began to create. I still have a piece hanging in my studio that was made using the window glass. It is a beautiful piece.
Once you are passionate about glass, you do crazy things. I would like to say that episode of dumpster diving is where it ended, but one day Andrew and Robbin arrived at my house with a trunk full of glass they had gotten. You guessed it – they had been dumpster diving again. At least this time it was multi-colored chunks of sheet glass.
I always warn my students about glass before I begin showing the wonderful world of fusing. They chuckle, but then I see “the look” begin in their eyes, and I know they soon will have their own “you know you’re in trouble when” stories.
Robbin once asked a glass artist what he did will all his scrapes. He said there are no scraps in glass. We now understand what he meant.
Blog #1 How It All Began
Blog #2 Learning As We Go