Please join us for the annual Gathering of the Guilds show and sale at the Oregon Convention Center in-person in Portland, Oregon, on May 6-8, 2022. This long running annual show is a celebration of NW craft work of all sorts. Come see artists from all 6 guilds:
The Pacific Northwest Glass Guild
The Oregon Potters Association
The Creative Metal Arts Guild
The Guild of Oregon Woodworkers
The Portland Bead Society
The Portland Handweavers Guild.
Admission is free to the public. Volunteers have even more fun: if you can spare 4 hours to make new glass friends, please fill out the volunteer form.
Gathering of the Guild in 2017 when we were still the Oregon Glass Guild
Want to show and sell your work to all these people? Deadline to buy a booth is March 15th
Traditionally this show has had an attendance of about 20,000 attendees over the course of the three days of the show. The number of inquiries that the media and the guilds have had over the last few months about the show returning indicates that there many people wanting to attend.
For members who are new to selling their work the Group Booth for $125 is a great deal. Each participant gets half an 8′ table to display their glass for sale. The table, lights and ability to take credit cards are all included in the $125 (you will need to pay the credit card company fee on any sales, and you will owe a commission to the Guild as well). Participants take shifts and work a common till so you don’t even have to be present all the hours of all 3 days
The prices for the 10×10 booths range from $400 to $475 depending on their location, and the 5×10 booth prices range from $250 to $350 depending on location. Note that all sales are subject to a variable commission rate depending on the number of volunteer hours worked by the artist or their partner or friend.
For more information on buying a booth, please go to the application information page. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Lesley Kelly or Carlyne Lynch. Booth sales are picking up so if you are thinking of doing the show, you should fill out an application and pay for the size booth you want as soon as possible. The deadline is March 15th. Booths are given out in order of purchase.
Do you live far enough away from Portland that you will need a hotel or somewhere else to stay? We have members who are offering to share their home with participants who need a space. We have 5 spaces and are looking for more. Please fill out the hosting form if you live in the Portland area and are willing to share your home with an out of town member. If you are from out of town and hope to stay with another member, or have any other questions, please contactLesley Kelly.
I grew up in the Industrial Ceramic Industry in California. My father developed clay slip and porcelain formulas for industrial use. Corning fell in love with his formula as did doll-makers. I learned to make glazes from glass and various mediums and took classes at Corning where I was not only the only kid, but I was also the only women. I am back to my original roots and opening a kiln again and seeing what comes out is like Christmas on a weekly basis. My only regret is that my father could see me now, he would be so proud!
I combine torch work, vitrigraph, glass powder, glass pieces, and glass paint to create 5-9 layer pieces. I still do some bead work but lately I have been making more elements to embed in glass. I have a vitrigraph kiln and create much of my own cane. A vitrigraph kiln is used for the process of heating glass in a small receptacle and allowing the glass to flow out of the bottom of a pot through the bottom of the kiln. Once the glass heats to molten, it can be pulled and manipulated or twisted into unique patterns. It is a great way to create interesting embellishments to incorporate into traditional glass fusing techniques. I am also one of the region’s few torch workers active in the Portland area.
For my fused work, I use several layered techniques and I am always surprised when the kill opens. Working with glass is fun and challenging and also allows me to harness my abundance of energy in a creative way. I do much custom work and if interested in classes or custom projects please contact me.
I did glass blowing and fusing during a vacation in Lincoln City, OR in 2016 (lived in Michigan at that time) and was hooked after that. After moving back “home” to Washington in 2018 I took more glass fusing classes through Bullseye Glass and Melt Glass Art Supply (Vancouver, WA). I started out with glass fusing but got “bit” by the glass on glass (GOG) mosaic technique after taking a class through Melt that Kory Dollar (Marvelous Mosaic Fine Art) taught.
I spent much of 2020 and 2021 doing GOG mosaics as it was perfect COVID-19 lock down activity that I could do from the comfort of home. In fall 2021 I took a leap to purchase a small kiln for my home studio and have concentrated on glass fusing since then. Shortly after that my wife and I decided to start a new business venture and created TLT Art LLC. We are still working out a business plan and how we plan to market our art creations. As a Native American with the Grand Ronde Confederated Tribe, I was able to get certified to sell at the Spirit Mountain Casino gift shop so that is officially my first selling venue.
Glass is my art medium of choice because there are so many different forms and techniques that can be used to create art. The biggest challenge is understanding the science behind how glass changes in the firing process and how best to process within a kiln to get good results. I am always looking to learn from other artists to see how I can interpret and incorporate new techniques in my finished pieces.
New techniques that I have been exploring recently are vitrigraph and landscapes with depth. I joined the glass guild as an opportunity to get access to a larger community of glass artists and opportunities to learn from others. Shortly after joining the guild I was approached to volunteer to be on the board. I have served on other non-profit organizations’ boards and held other volunteer positions in the past. I always enjoyed sharing my time with other dedicated people in furthering a good cause. You can read my message in the January newsletter to better understand the goals that I have set for 2022.
Terry Thomas is currently serving as the president of our Pacific NW Glass Guild.
Spring is upon us and so are the in-person events once again! PNWGG is looking forward to the annual Gathering Of the Guilds event held at Oregon Convention Center on May 6 – 8, 2022. See related event posts for all of the details on how you can register for your booth and volunteer for this great event. We need volunteers to help plan and coordinate throughout the months leading up to the event. Join us today to make this a great event for everyone and welcome back in person selling opportunities.
Another spring event is the Art in Bloom in Seattle, WA. At the Art in Bloom event you will get the opportunity to tour several artists’ yards and studios. Check out all of the details in related event posts on PNWGG website.
Thank you to everyone who have joined us at our first meetings of 2022, I look forward to hearing from you on how we can make PNW Glass Guild even more valuable and beneficial to our members. Please drop me a note anytime with your feedback.
We would like to extend a hearty welcome to our newest members…please reach out and connect with them.
Joesph Buckler, Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington Scott Deasy, Bainbridge Island, Washington Kimberley Girard, Liberty Lake, Washington Kate Harris, Redmond, Oregon Vicki Joslyn, Portland, Oregon Teresa Kaufman, Portland Oregon Denise McGuiness, East Wenatchee, Washington
Teresa Ruch, Portland, Oregon Cathy Schwab, Wilsonville, Oregon John (Solly) Sollinger, Ashland, Oregon Cathy Southwick, Eugene, Oregon Mari Vandewettering, Portland, Oregon Mary Weber, Portland, Oregon
New Members: Don’t forget to create your Gallery Page. For help with this, Log in and go to “For Members” which will then appear on the top menu, choose Website Help and scroll down to Members’ Gallery…
We value your participation in the Pacific Northwest Glass Guild and look forward to having you as a member for a long time. So just in case you are wondering, you will receive an email notification of your membership renewal on the day that it expires so no need to worry that you will miss it. It is important that you renew quickly to ensure you do not miss any exciting news or opportunities. If you have any questions or would like to see new offerings to members, please send a note to either Rae or Terry.
There is something about flowers and how we associate them with beauty and affection. There is an instant warmth associated with flowers, no matter how bright or delicate, or fragrant full they are.
But has it occurred to you that there is a story behind all those flowers, beyond what our eyes can comprehend? Ever wondered where they come from? How did they get their name? When shall I give these flowers to someone? What would it mean if I gave them these flowers?
Just think, if the world is without the flowers, how would you feel? Speechless! The whole environment turns blank and dull. Flowers are like an ornament on the neck of woman, which enhances her beauty. Flowers not only beautify our earth but also give us many benefits.
The earliest known flower arranging dates back to ancient Egypt. Egyptians were decorating with flowers as early as 2,500 BCE. They regularly placed cut flowers in vases, and highly stylized arrangements were used during burials, for processions, and simply as table decorations.
Why do flowers make us happy? Flowers can make us happy by triggering our happy brain chemicals: dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. … Flowers can help stimulate a sense of pride and excitement with others, and release serotonin – whether you grow them, buy them, give them, receive them or admire them from a distance.
How flowers help the world? In fact, flowers help the environment around us in many ways…in providing the seeds that make it possible to grow more plants, flowers benefit the environment by creating more carbon dioxide absorbing and oxygen-radiating plants.
Why we love flowers? This is a straightforward question to ask, but to answer this can be complex. Most of you will say they are beautiful. Right? But beyond this, there are many reasons why everyone loves flowers! Flowers are beautifully designed by nature to attract people. From ancient time till now (21st century and in further centuries) flowers have been playing their vital role in our life. Indeed, we can say that there is a significant relationship between flowers and human beings.
Stress Buster Flowers work as a mood changer. When you receive flowers, your face instantly brightens with joy! They are proven to improve your overall worse mood and lift spirits. Waking up to a gorgeous arrangement of flowers around you on your nightstand will start your day off right and fill you with positive vibes. Sending flowers to someone when they are going through a tough time is so popular to boost up their mind and make them and you happier.
Peony
Perfect Gifting Option Should you send a gift of flowers bouquet to your loved ones? We say yes! Flowers are one of the best and ideal gift you can give your loved ones on their special occasions and to lift their mood. From birthday celebration to Valentine’s day, people love to present flowers as a gift.
Healing Power Flowers have many powers beyond beauty and emotions. In addition to many meanings and sentiments, they have been known to help cure medical diseases for many centuries now. Some flowers are known to fight against nausea and provide pain relief for example. This has lead to the creation of many health medicines from flowers and plants.
Unique Fragrance They Hold Different flowers have different fragrances…have you noticed this? You love to get a whiff of your favorite flowers right? The fragrant aroma tickles your nose and pleases your soul.
Give Words To Emotions Sometimes, it seems complicated to find the right words to express your emotions. And in that, flowers help you to speak your heart out. People would give their loved ones beautiful flowers to express their feelings of admiration and love. For years blossoms have been used as a way to send unspoken messages of the heart. This secret language is attractive and leads us to love flowers.
Following the protocol of Victorian-era etiquette, flowers were primarily used to deliver messages that couldn’t be spoken aloud. In a sort of silent dialogue, flowers could be used to answer “yes” or “no” questions. A “yes” answer came in the form of flowers handed over with the right hand; if the left hand was used, the answer was “no.”
Plants could also express aversive feelings, such as the “conceit” of pomegranate or the “bitterness” of aloe. Similarly, if given a rose declaring “devotion” or an apple blossom showing “preference,” one might return to the suitor a yellow carnation to express “disdain.”
How flowers were presented and in what condition were important. If the flowers were given upside down, then the idea being conveyed was the opposite of what was traditionally meant. How the ribbon was tied said something, too: Tied to the left, the flowers’ symbolism applied to the giver, whereas tied to the right, the sentiment was in reference to the recipient. And, of course, a wilted bouquet delivered an obvious message!
Different Shades Nature gives us a beautiful gift, “flowers.” Different flowers have different colors, and every color defines various meanings. For example, the red rose symbolizes love and romance. On the other hand, the right roses or white flowers are known for respect and care to the person you offer these flowers. Yellow flowers are known for real friendship, whereas multiple flowers are known for bringing colors to life. There are a lot of meanings that we can’t simply explain in words, but the shades of flowers do. That is why everyone loves to present flowers as a gift to their loved ones on a special occasion.
The captivating timeless allure of flowers continues, “Flowers speak a beautiful timeless language, each having an ancient and spiritual meaning conveying messages beyond the spoken word… A gift of flowers can melt the heart and heal many a misunderstanding”
Illustrated postcard. Printed in England/The Regent Publishing Co Ltd. Photo Credit Dumbarton Oaks Archives
On the next beautiful, sunny day, take a walk around your garden or neighborhood and pay close attention to fragrance. Which scents spur your recollection of a favorite childhood memory or remind you of a loved one? Snap a quick photo or make a note of them, then look for them next time you’re at the nursery. Create new memories for those you share your garden with by filling it with the sweet perfume of fragrant flowers and plants and decorating it with beautiful flowers made from glass.
We are all really looking forward to this Spring and Summer and all the bright colorful flowers that signal this change of seasons! Flowers are a particularly good subject for glass art! You can do something complicated and realistic or something abstract and loose. Flowers make everyone feel good (plus there are no allergies with glass flowers and they never wilt!) Almost any glass technique will produce attractive flowers and they are also a perfect theme for using up all sorts of scrap! Flowers come in so many sizes and shapes and colors…. it is something you can really have fun with and also use as an easy subject when experimenting with some new techniques. If just can’t think of what to do next…. a flower is a great place to start! Plus, pieces containing flowers are wonderfully appropriate for so many holidays or special occasions like Mother’s Day coming up in May or for those beautiful June brides!
Here are some lovely examples of flowers created by a number of our members using a variety of glass techniques.
Cheryl Chapman lidded box. Using her reverse enamel technique.
Cheryl Chapman pup and flowers commissioned glass enamel piece.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our glass flower theme. Our theme for the next newsletter will be nature! Please submit 1-3 images with a brief description of your process. Please send JPG’s if at all possible to Greta Schneider by April 12th.
March 26th learn about Drilling Small Holes and Making Componentsfrom Carlyne Lynch and Ann Makiernan at a Play Day south of Portland. It will also be on Zoom. Play Days are Guild member-only events so you need to join before attending.
General meeting March 27th, 3:30pm via Zoom: Yard Art Tips, looking for speakers
Everyone from blowers to fusers to stained glass workers can make something to decorate a yard but there are challenges: How do you support glass so it doesn’t break? Making pieces that can stand up to the weather can also be tricky. If you have some tips about techniques, glues, stands, etc.or would like to show your creations please contact Rachel Dollar, our VP, so she can get a speaker order together or just show up and we’ll fit you in at the end.
Does someone want to coordinate a group expedition to the Glass Art Society’s Annual Conference May 18-21, 2022 in Tacoma, WA? 4-day tickets for the full event can be discounted by 10% for a group of 6 or more if purchased in advance. One day tickets are more affordable and can be purchased at the door but are not discounted. Contact Karen Seymour and she’ll help spread the word that you’re putting a group together.
Part of joining the Guild is your opportunity to talk about all aspects of working with glass with others who share our mutual glass interest. Each month we publish a list of our newest members in the current newsletter. We ask that you to reach out to welcome them, and especially if you are from the same general area.
How can you do that? Log in, go to “For Members” which now appears in the top menu and choose Member Contacts List. Type their name in the search and their contact info will pop up. Or if you want to hold a Play Day at your studio, you can sort the list by Zip or City and see who lives nearby (you may need to scroll sideways and show more than 10 records).
How do you find a member or teacher who shares your particular interest? In the Member Gallery and the Find a teacher page (both under “Glass” on the top menu) you can find contacts who teach a particular technique or who are perhaps willing to engage in individual coaching/teaching/delivering a special group workshop.
You can also network during Guild events. In addition to our monthly general meetings you’ll have two or three in-person events at which to talk glass with Guild members this spring: In Seattle there are 5 members on the ArtinBloomSeattle.com garden art studio tour and sale April 23-24. In Portland May 6-8 you can take part in one of the Guild’s biggest annual events The Gathering Of The Guilds, otherwise known as GotG (see related article). Even if you don’t currently sell your work you can volunteer or offer an extra bed to an out of town member. There will also be Play Day March 26th via Zoom and in-person south of Portland
One of the best ways to get to know each other is to attend the Board Meetings via Zoom to learn about the Guild and to express your ideas. You can volunteer to join a team or help with an event or even attend a Play Day. You can attend a General Meeting which focuses on a particular theme or topic and learn from the other members who attend and contribute. And don’t forget, if you know someone who is like minded but not a member, invite them to a General Meeting or even to join the Guild.
If you have other ideas on how to promote networking, please send them to Terry Thomas, our PNWGG President.
April 23-24: Art In Bloom Garden Art Studio Tour & Sale in Seattle
Talk with 5 Guild members: Janine Fitzpatrick, Connie Munford, Bridget Culligan, Lael Bennett, and Karen Seymour along with about 20 other artists in the ArtInBloomSeattle.com garden art studio tour and sale at 6 studios in north Seattle.
May 6-8: Gathering of the Guilds in-person at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland (see related article)
Here are just a few of the members who will be there:
Zoom on the 4th Sunday of most months at 3:30pm. You don’t even need to be a member to attend our general meetings. Help make the next two especially informative by contacting Rachel Dollar, our new VP, if you have something to share so she can arrange a speaker order. She also wants to hear your suggestions for future topics
Spring events:
(Guild sponsored events are bolded)
Members can submit glass related events to the calendar with this form
Having a photo makes it so much easier to invite people to participate in an event next year. If you go to a glass event please take some photos and send the best 2 to the marketing team (400 to 600 px or “medium” resolution, about 500 KB, not more than 1MB).
Welcome to Happy Glass Art Supply Irene Richardson is Owner / Operator / Glass Artist
Irene began her glass art journey in 1980. A friend shared some techniques and that was a gift to last a lifetime. Happy Glass Art Supply online shop is a subsidiary of our brick and mortar shop that was established in 2002. Happy Glass Art Supply is operated in the same manner as ISGS, INC Quality Glass Art Supplies in stock.
l) Quality Customer Service. 2) Attention to detail. 3) *All orders to be shipped are photographed with the order information plus a packing slip is sent with the order for easy check in of items ordered. 4) The sharing of the love and inspiration of glass art.
ISGS, INC is located in Hoquiam, WA and open by appointment. Appointments can be made by reaching out to me via email or phone 360-589-7766 or text.
It is such a pleasure to be able to have quality / uninterrupted time taking care of the specialized needs of fellow glass artists. “Wishing you happy glass art times ahead”, Irene.
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
Colour de Verre – Artifex Toolworks – Glass Alchemy – D&L Art Glass – HIS Glass Works – Bonny Doon
