Linda Schnell, an artist with arthritis, has an enduring fascination with the intersection between art and science. She recognizes like tumbling sea glass, living with arthritis can be a rough journey. Her background in engineering along with a passion for collecting beach treasures inspires Linda to create mixed-media sculptures with her signature style of layering sea glass with special beach finds, clay art, and fused glass.
Red Octopus Sea Temple
Besides being a member of the PNW Glass Guild, Linda is also a proud member of the International Sea Glass Association promoting use of genuine sea glass, education, and conservation, seaglassassociation.org.
Hot Pink Siren Sea Temple
Sea Bloom
Killer Whale Blues
In the description of each piece she details what beach the sea glass came from, what other media she has incorporated and whether any of the piece fluoresces or has other interesting properties. She also does custom pieces using glass collected by her clients. Sea Cairns sales help support the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis.org, Friends of the Issaquah Hatchery (FISH), issaquahfish.org, and Center for Whale Research, whaleresearch.com. You can see more of Linda’s art at Sea-Cairns.com and in the Parklane Gallery artist collective in downtown Kirkland, WA.
My name is Kathie Wise, I live in St. Helens, OR. I’ve been making glass on glass mosaics since 2016.
I specialize in backgrounds, using many different cuts, sometimes combining more than one or two. I have occasionally taught classes. The substrate used is small enough so that the entire gluing part of the mosaic is completed in one day. I then grout each piece on another day.
Kathy Wise
I’ve always been fascinated that some artists can draw people that looked like people, others can paint a seascape that actually looks like you are there. I’ve tried my hand at drawing but have never able to achieve the results I was looking for. Thinking I had no talent, I gave up the notion and quit looking for an outlet. Then I met Kory Dollar and that all changed.
In April of 2016, my husband, Dave, was creating greenhouses out of wood-framed windows. He entered one such greenhouse into the annual St. Helens Home & Garden Show, and sold it too. Meanwhile, Kory Dollar, was in the same event, selling her glass on glass mosaics. At the time, she was using wood-framed windows as substrates for her mosaics. She and Dave met, admired each other’s talent, and soon started talking about a partnership. I met Kory that weekend. As the two of them ironed things out, Kory suggested I come over to her shop for a private class in GOG.
Since I was in denial of having any talent, it took me a month or so before I took her up on the offer. When I did, she had me choose a picture out of a coloring book of what was to be my first mosaic. It was a red cardinal on a branch. She taped that picture to the back of the glass. I learned the rudimentary stages of cutting glass, gluing each piece of colored glass to the front side of glass, following the lines of the picture. Kory helped me a lot. Between the two of us, we got it finished, but it took a few days. By the time I grouted it I was so impressed that I was hooked and I’ve never looked back.
Years ago, when Kory was becoming known as a teacher in glass on glass mosaics, she would travel to many different counties to teach others how to create their own mosaics. In the early days, she wasn’t always able to fill them with students. That’s when I would ride along with her and be one of her students. Later, Kory was invited to teach mosaics in different states, including Texas, California, Washington, and Nevada and I went with her.
I became Kory’s assistant a few years ago and have probably been involved in over 100 workshops, learning something new in each class. I believe I get the most joy out of helping others find that “aha moment. I also teach students to grout on the final day of each workshops.
So now, 9 years later, I’ve just completed my 99th mosaic. They are all different sizes, of all different things, from trees to flowers, mermaids, Big Foot, Christmas Ships, Hot Air Balloons, rainbows, birds of all kinds, cats, butterflies, a mountain scene, under sea gardens, bicycles, a fire breathing dragon, an angel, even the Eye of Ra! It’s all so fun. Some are 3-D, using two frames with a section of wood separating the two pieces of glass. Many of my mosaics are from vintage glass blocks that come in different sizes. Dave drilled holes in them to create a place to install fairy lights, which in turn creates night lights. Even after all this time of being immersed in GOG, I still find working on the larger mosaics the most challenging. Primarily it’s because they take so much time, AND they are much harder to sell because they cost so much more. It would be different if I was working on a commission, where I have an agreement with the buyer for a certain amount of money.
Mosaic of ‘Hildie’ the witch.
I joined the PNW Glass Guild with the expectations of selling my art through the Guild-sponsored events. I also wanted to meet other glass artists who specialize in different forms of glass art. I’ve never held a position on the Glass Guild Board and have no interest in pursuing any. I am having way too much fun just creating my mosaics.
We are looking for members to shadow board members and/or join the various teams in the upcoming year. This will aid in a smoother transition as new board members step up in the future. It also gives you a chance to see behind the scenes and what it takes to keep the Guild engaging and relevant in your glass journey. Reach out to president Lesley Kelly to volunteer or if you have any questions.
Welcome to late spring as we move into summer and picnic season! Please check the event schedule to find a picnic close to your area (July 20 in Seattle, August 3rd in Battle Ground WA, August 23rd in Portland) More may be added very soon. There are also a number of different events on the schedule that are great opportunities to get together and share your passion for glass and different ways of making beautiful pieces – I know that I learn a lot each time I go to an event and I hope you do as well.
We just completed our participation alongside the Bullseye Glass Company in the Gathering of the Guilds 2025 April 25-27, 2025 (see the photos of recent events below). The show was at the Oregon Convention Center again this year. A record number of people visited the show. Visitors enjoyed our new layout featuring artists in a common space with no individual booths, which was a lot of fun and drew high praise from those who visited our space. Our demonstration space, which featured demos from guild artists and Bullseye employees, was a fantastic success. Kudos to Carlyne Lynch who organized the demos. All our artists who participated did very well. We were slammed with sales in our common checkout area, we gained four new members, and Bullseye has a record number of people signing up for their classes.
President Lesley Kelly
I also wanted to let you know we are almost done with the clean out of the storage unit we have had for years in Northwest Portland. We will be moving to a smaller and much less expensive storage unit off of I84 in June. This will save the guild a substantial amount of money for monthly rent and make it possible to start contributing to guild activities in the future.
A quick reminder that we are still looking for volunteers to lead the Newsletter Team and the Website Team. They represent their team on the PNWGG Board. These positions are invaluable to the guild. If you are interested in the duties of these positions, please contact Greta Schneider for information on the newsletter team’s duties and Karen Seymour for information on the website team’s duties.
Here’s wishing everyone a safe and fun summer and I hope to see you at some of the events.
Please take time to reach out and connect…even if you don’t live in the same area. The wonders of technology bring us all just a few clicks away. Members can find contact info for these folks and other members if youlog into pnwglassguild.org and go to “For Members” (which only appears when logged in) and choose Member Contacts List.
Elizabeth Alexis, Portland OR Pree Carpenter, Eugene OR Dana Cilmi, Ridgefield WA Roejean Goodwin, Lake Elmo MN
Matt Laitala, Redmond WA Rachael Osborn, Vashon WA Cathy Stuchlik, Sandy OR
A number of you wanted to participate in our Powder Challenge last winter but it went on almost daily for a month and several people had to drop out because of other commitments.
A shorter version of our powder challenge would make a perfect Play Day! The exercises are quick and fun….you can choose which ones you want to try. Start with several 5 minute challenges! Since most of them get tossed anyway, you can even do it on paper….with black or colored powder. You can take a photo to keep for reference…..or if you want…do them on smaller pieces of glass and if you really like something, you can fire it.
Starting a fence
The point of the exercises is not to create works of art….but to have fun, experiment and learn how to move powders around to create shadows, highlights, and shading. You may never work just in powder but you might get some great ideas how to incorporate them into frit painting or other fused glass pieces, to add nice shadows and depth. You can also add powder to specific places and with specific shapes by making quick stencils from thick paper or light cardboard.
How to drag an outline
Put a light coating of powder down…with some light and dark areas. Take a business card or I also like to use cut up cereal boxes…the cardboard is easy to cut into shapes and has some give to it. As shown in these photos…scrape around and make a ball, an egg, or a piece of fruit….whatever you want….see how the lighter and darker areas give it the feeling of shape and depth. The edge of the card will also produce a hard darker line…. thick or thinner depending on how much powder you drag and what angle you hold it at.
A fence sounds like it should be really complicated, right? Look how easy it was with the side of a piece of cardboard. And it even creates a shadow on the side of each board! Then cut two notches sticking out from the cardboard and drag in the cross boards. You can use this to create buildings and walls, etc. This could be the base to which you add larger, brighter frit for more texture. It could give you a good base design on which to add enamels to add color and details. It is a fun way to play with floral designs.
The nice thing is that for the most part…you can just have fun…. if it doesn’t work quite right….tip the powder off, wipe it clean and try again. Each time you do it you will get better at handling the powders and various tools. Try things with different edges and surfaces….pull a fork through it….play with toothpicks, brushes, scrapers, feathers, spoons, textured tools, etc. Everyone try a tree, also try a tree upside down, some fruit, a flower with leaves, and then compare what each of you came up with and what worked best. Remember you could do a base design this way, fire it, then come back and safely play with more colors, shadows, or textures.
You could also do a Play Day with very basic quick things to try. Then do have another play day where you do more complicated designs, like a face, something you are scared of: (like a snake, a spider, a shark… ), or something in nature, a bird, your pet, etc. Also try the same basic design once by making the item dark on a light background and once scraping a light shape out of a dark background.
This is an easy Play Day that requires relatively few materials or space. Do the piece, take a photo, then dump it! It is just for fun and to learn!
If you are thinking of teaching or if you already teach and wish to pass on some tips be sure to Zoom with us at the June 22nd General meeting. Contact Barbara Kienle to get on the speakers list and help new techniques get taught well. Having a list makes the meeting run so much more smoothly!
There are lots of glass classes going on this summer so it’s a great time to add to your skill set. For example member Cheryl Chapman will be teaching her reverse enamel technique at the BARN (Bainbridge Artist Resource Network) on Bainbridge Island WA in July. There are several other members who teach specialized classes. You can find them on our Find A Teacher page under the Glass menu. Members who teach and are not yet on the list can log on and fill out the form at the bottom so a volunteer can add you.
I have gone many times to the Glass and Bead Expo in Las Vegas, but this was my first time as a teacher and booth holder. I walked 2-3 miles a day for the last few months to try to get this old body in shape. It helped improve my energy and stamina! I taught 3 days, 9-5 Designing the Vitrigraph Cane. I only had one day with each class and did not have the class time to have the students design and cut glass for their own designs. I wanted to teach design and a few advanced pulling techniques, and it worked very successfully!
I created six designs: Pinecone, Tulip, Rose, Geometric, Ladybug, and Flower (millefiori). I created step-by-step instructions with lots of full-color photos of the process. I turned this into a 72-page E-Book and a quick guide on a new product: The Pot Melt. This product has no need for a vitrigraph kiln but gives my metal pots another opportunity to create great elements. I sold out of them at the show.
I could not have done this successful class without the Pacific Northwest Glass Guild. I have volunteered for many years with the Guild and helped foster many new members and WOW did they come through for me. Suzanne Tyler, Lyn Kennison, and Margie Rieff came over multiple days and cleaned glass, cut and chopped glass for my 16-tack fused pots for the students. Suzanne also was going to Las Vegas show but was stacked with classes but wanted to help. She not only did glass cleaning and chopping but designed my E-Book cover and Pot Melt Guide cover for me! They were stunning! Speaking of the E-Book, Rae Williamson and Rose McBride proofed it for me.
I had been training 3 people for the last 3 months on designing the cane: Daryle Ryder, Penny Hsu, and Lisa G. Lisa had a family emergency and had to cancel but gave Daryle her seat in a class. Daryle and Penny stepped up and worked hard and magnificently! I also had a booth to staff and Daryle and Penny took turns in the booth Friday and Saturday. Penny spent the entire day Friday in class with me learning and helping sell the tools that Gerald McBride makes for me.
My adventure teaching in Las Vegas started because I had an online friend on the Vitrigraph support group, Shannon Lynch, who insisted I put in a proposal for Las Vegas for the last 2 years. She came to spend time in Oregon with family and stopped and pulled with me for two days. She had never experienced my type of Vitrigraph and insisted I put in a proposal, and I did. Once again Rae Williamson and Rose McBride proofed my two E-books and proposal. Greta Schneider took my hand made murrini and crated two example tiles for the booth and classroom the day before we left!. These example tiles were critical for demonstrating my custom plates and murrini designs. The Guild members really came through to help me pull off this awesome opportunity! Thank you.
I registered and actually took two half day classes myself on Wednesday. A morning class with making molds and an afternoon class with float glass. Wednesday night was loading and setting up the loading the kilns for the first day’s class. A special paragraph for Daryle Ryder….
Daryle was brand new and went through three solid months of training. She had to rebuild and reload so many designs. Understanding what the glass does as it is squeezed through odd-shaped holes is not easy. She had to learn to pull, cut and center the rod. She was fantastic at the show. She gave demonstrations, and her hard work paid off. Her tulip design was the best murrini design pulled!
The arrival to Las Vegas of the team that was to set up the classroom was delayed eight and a half hours and Daryle and I had to set it up the classroom ourselves. We unloaded the truck, set up the table displays and sales table, supervised the kiln rack building, and loaded the kilns for the first day of class. It was a lot of work but we got it done.
I have been taking classes for almost three years with Narcissus Quagliata and thinking and learning about the design processes. Sketching, planning, making test tiles and alternative hold times and firing schedules. I discussed the science of glass and the nature of multiple firings with components and the effect of cumulative heat. Components is Narcissus’ biggest lesson as it was mine also. Designing the cane is the same. We pre-fire components, which means we will be firing 2-3 times and the cane might need even another firing when used. Firing schedules need to be slowed down and hold times altered to allow the components to meld. I taught design and glass movement and my students loved it. The class was designing the cane not twisting, and lining up the pull.
Sunday I got to work the booth that Sue Darte shared with me. I bought her second-ever pneumatic cane chopper and I brag about it and sell lots of them on various FB pages. She originally gave me a 4 foot table but expanded it to a 6 foot table. She was even more awesome than the finely engineered cane chopper! I had one in the class and demonstrated it, and my class folks helped sell her out.
I finally got to spend time in the booth on Sunday. It was a fabulous opportunity to network and to meet other attendee’s and instructors. There were great networking opportunities throughout the show. The whole event was just wonderful and the party Saturday night was also great fun. In addition to having such a wonderful time, I got some really interesting offers to teach in some other venues or other locations. More about that will be announced in the future, and one may even be in Europe! I also picked up some great presenters for our monthly glass guild meetings!
Pot melts are a fascinating method for creating free-form glass art. Ever wondered how those mesmerizing, flowing glass pieces are created? This presentation will cover: Pot and glass preparation, kiln setup and firing considerations, dynamics of molten glass flow, safety precautions, tips, finished projects
pot melt photos from Carlyne Lynch using her one of her multi-hole plates
June 22: Teaching Glass Workshops and Classes
This presentation is designed for glass artists looking to expand their practice by offering educational workshops and classes. We’ll delve into the practical considerations of establishing a teaching program, covering essential aspects such as studio space requirements, effective advertising strategies, and insurance coverage. Whether you’re a seasoned glass artist or just starting, this session will provide valuable insights to help you build a thriving and sustainable teaching business.
The Video of the March General Meeting on sliders is now available to logged in members. After logging in, go to Glass>Education and scroll to the topic you want to watch.
Please contact VP Barb Kienle if you have an idea for a future meeting.
We will be having a load out of all the remaining stuff in the storage unit to move it to the new less expensive location. We’ll probably need some help with that. Please watch for the email. ContactLesley Kelly
As mentioned above the Guild doesn’t happen by magic. Actual people have to take the time to make things function. Please contact the team you might like to be a part of for more info: website, newsletter and other events. Every little bit you can do helps spread the load.
Members Mel Williams, Linda Schnell, and Jean Schaffer set up things during a recent scrap melt Play Day at Karen Seymour’s in Seattle.
Here are their pieces before fusing in kiln-washed terra cotta plant saucers. The empty saucers were pre-fired to 1525F to remove the waterproofing so the kiln wash would stick (and be sure they wouldn’t break).
The pieces after fusing at 1525F for 1.5 hrs. Most of the pieces were then edge-smoothed, fire polished, and finally slumped in a cone mold. We were surprised that the piece with the hole was 7.5 mm thick: we had weighed things to be sure to have enough glass according to the 6mm rule.
Bullseye Glass Company‘s Janet Bartholomew and her helpers had two presentations: “How glass is made” and a glass cutting activity.
Barb Kienle also had two presentations: Getting Started with Fusing and Tack Fusing Effects.
Not shown: Daryle Ryder had a well-received Art for Your Garden. Shawna Hovey had two presentations on Dichroic Jewelry. Greta Schnieder gave a presentation on Dichroic Jewelry.
Once again, the demonstration booth at this year’s Gathering of the Guilds was well received, and attendance was high. Thanks all who helped make the demonstration booth and the show so successful.
Art In Bloom Garden Art Studio Tour in Seattle WA:
Glass artists Lael Bennett (in corner), Andi Ficker (in navy blue), and Karen Seymour (in hat) discuss glass with a studio tour visitor in Karen’s yard.
Stephanie Johnston (right) talks with a visitor about the display of processes and intermediate steps she put together.
Please send us photos of your glass events:
Having a photo makes it so much easier to invite people to participate in an event next year. If you are part of or go to a glass event and see one of our members please take some photos and send the best 2 to the Newsletter team (400 to 600 px or “medium” resolution, about 500 KB, not more than 1MB if you can help it).
are via Zoom, usually on the 4th Sunday of most months, at 3:30 pm (no meetings in April, July, August, or December). Contact our VP if you have suggestions for future topics. You don’t need to be a member to attend our General Meetings but we would love to have you join. Videos of many meetings are available to logged in members by choosing Glass>Education from the menu.
September 5 ACE Glass Exhibit opens, La Grande OR — Applications open now 13-14 PNW Glass Guild’s Open Studios (registration will be announced in our July issue)
So far there are 3 Guild picnics scheduled. Attend at least one and get inspired by talking with your fellow glassies! July 20 Guild Picnic, Seattle WA August3 Guild Picnic, Battle Ground WA (NE of Vancouver WA) August 23 Guild Picnic, Fairview OR (NE Portland) (contact president Lesley Kelly if you want to host one for your area)
Our glass events don’t happen spontaneously: it takes organizing and prep. Give a little time and energy, get a lot more fun, glass info and sense of community.Just a few hours a month helping one of the teams with the many ongoing, easily-leaned tasks will be greatly appreciated. For more info contact: Newsletter/publicity team, Website team, Sponsorship team
I first discovered mosaics back in 2000, when my mother-in-law invited me to a class. The style we learned was very different from what I do today, but I absolutely loved it — I was hooked from the start. At the time, I was working for an internet company, but when the dot-com crash hit and I was laid off, I saw an opportunity. I was already obsessed with mosaics, spending all my free time on them, so I decided to take the leap and do it full-time. My husband was incredibly supportive, and that decision set me on the path I’m still on today.
From the beginning, I wanted to learn as much as I could. At the time, Sonia King was one of the only one people teaching mosaics in the U.S., so I traveled to Texas to study with her. I also went to Italy a couple of times for workshops, which was such a fun and inspiring experience. But honestly, most of what I’ve learned has come through experimentation and countless hours in the studio: learning what works (and what doesn’t) through hands-on trial and error.
A Signature of Soothing Symmetry and Color
My signature style is very soothing since I’m drawn to symmetry and the calming effect it brings. I call my mirrors “jewelry for your wall” or “sparkling jewel mirrors.” I love working with color, especially palettes that lean toward softness and harmony, and often use colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. You won’t see a lot of bright or jarring tones in my work; instead, I aim for combinations that invite peace and balance.
Inspiration comes from all over — a painting I admire, a piece of fabric, a beautiful pillow. When I’m creating custom work, I often pull inspiration directly from a client’s home, so the piece feels truly integrated into their space. I work a lot with prefabricated glass tiles, and I use an enormous number of beads, sometimes thousands in a single piece. Over the years, I’ve developed techniques and approaches that help me work with greater efficiency and precision when creating my signature pieces.
Creating Beautiful Spaces That Nurture Well-Being
For me, it’s not just about making art — it’s about creating beautiful spaces. I believe that when a space is beautiful and truly resonates with the person living in it, it can have a real impact on their overall well-being, mental health, and sense of calm. It’s about providing a kind of nourishment, a foundation that helps people feel at ease, and opens up space for their own creativity to flourish. My work becomes part of that larger environment, and that’s something I really cherish. That’s part of what makes this work so meaningful to me.
The Joy of Teaching and Awakening Creativity
One of the most rewarding parts of my practice is teaching. I absolutely love helping people create — whether it’s a mirror, a birdhouse, or one of the other projects I offer. There’s something magical about watching someone walk into my studio saying, “I’m not creative,” and then seeing how moved they are by what they’ve accomplished by the end of class.
What I teach is actually very accessible. Even though the finished pieces can look intricate or intimidating, the process is approachable for people at any experience level. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people tap into their own creativity and walk away with something beautiful they never thought they could make. Every single person is creative, but as a teacher, I know that sometimes it takes a little guidance and encouragement to help them tap into that. In my classes, I help people trust their own intuition and create something that’s not only beautiful, but also deeply personal and meaningful to them. That’s what makes each piece so special — it resonates with the maker.
Expanding Creativity: Galleries, Workshops, and Kits
These days, the majority of my work is sold wholesale to handcrafted galleries across the U.S., as well as specialty online retailers like ArtfulHome.com. Alongside that, I create custom pieces for clients, teach workshops, sell supplies, and offer DIY kits so people can create from home.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to help even more people discover their creativity. This year, I’ll be traveling to teach workshops in Orlando, Austin, Oakland, Portland, and of course, here in Seattle. I also offer DIY mosaic kits that people can complete at home, and I’m launching something new: a Custom Kit Day at my Seattle studio. People can come in, work with me to design a personalized kit, and then take it home to finish on their own. For anyone who isn’t a mosaic artist but wants to explore, my substrates also work beautifully with stained glass and other materials.
When I’m working in the studio, you’ll often hear Taylor Swift or Sara Bareilles playing in the background — their music keeps me company while I work. One of the things I’ve loved most about this career is the flexibility it’s given me to raise my kids, who are now college-aged. It’s been such a gift to grow both as an artist and as a parent over the years.
For me, mosaics are more than just art — they’re a way to help people bring beauty, calm, and a sense of meaning into their lives and spaces. I’m excited to continue creating and sharing that joy with others.
If you’d like to learn more: • Visit my supply page for a list of substrates (mirror, birdhouse, and picture frames) • Visit my kit page for a list of mirror and birdhouse kits • Check out my teaching schedule • Interested in a Custom Kit Day? Sign up to get a notification email when the date is scheduled
These companies and organizations are an integral part of the glass art community. We thank our Sponsors for supporting our Guild through either generous donations or by offering discounts to our Members. Please take time to thank them for their generosity when you visit their businesses.
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Artifex Toolworks – Glass Alchemy – HIS Glass Works
