My initial introduction to glass began in 1975-1977 (blown glass) when I studied under Herb Babcock at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. I was a commercial photography major with a blown glass minor at this fledgling design school. Following this early interest in glass, my studies and career took me in the direction of medicine, from which I ultimately retired after a 25-year career.
Following my departure from medicine, my life became way more interesting when I met Fred Buxton here in Washington. He was my initial fused glass instructor (along with Bullseye online classes) and I remember my first piece of fused glass as a closeup Ahi (tuna) eye. Fred was very encouraging…and I was hooked.
Currently, I am the owner of Enso Art Glass LLC, located in Shelton WA. I’m fortunate to have a 1,000 square foot dedicated studio where I create flat and vessel shaped glass, mostly in larger formats. Based on my previous knowledge of chemistry, most of my work focuses on reactive glass and laboratory grade powdered metals creating new reactive effects.
Most recently, I’ve been experimenting in the use of an airbrush to deposit the powdered metals and Bullseye powder on reactive glass before firing. I’m constantly reading and exploring how I can use products from outside of the glass world to meet my needs, thus experimenting with an airbrush.
I feel strongly that light is an integral part of glass art, and I’ve been experimenting with edge lighting my glass (transillumination) using LED strip lighting. I just completed a 12” x 22” aquarium panel that comes alive at night utilizing LED edge lighting.
I am currently looking for students to share some of these techniques and for us to create together. Please contact me for details. More of my work can be seen in the Members’ Gallery.
I started working in stained glass in the early 1980’s. I enjoyed doing hobby pieces for fun and gifts. While living in Wallowa, Oregon I opened a studio in my house, participating in local shows and doing some commissioned pieces for installation in private homes.
In about 1995, I took a class in Portland on fusing and got hooked. It wasn’t long before I found a used kiln to purchase. Through many experiments, I learned a lot about fusing, including many things not to do again. In 2002, I moved the Eugene area where I became involved with Eugene Glass School. I took classes from a variety of instructors and got involved with a vibrant glass community. There was a lot going on: shows, classes, and others to work with. The year 2013 took me to Astoria to help my dad, resulting in somewhat of a break from glass work.
After my father’s passing and a divorce, I landed in Salem. I have set up a studio here at my house giving an occasional beginner class and the last 3 summers participating in Saturday Markets in Salem, Silverton, and Astoria. I just wrapped up my second season at The Oregon Garden “Art in the Garden” and will be participating in a number of holiday shows. It has been great to get to know other glass artists in the PNWGG. I was looking for other artists to work with, learn from, and be challenged by.
I’m looking forward to getting to know others and becoming more involved in a variety of things. This last spring I participated in Gathering of the Guilds and volunteered as I could. As part of showing at Saturday Markets, I made a lot of garden stakes of various sizes, wind chimes, and a variety of garden oriented items. I am interested in trying new things and being challenged by new projects. Come say hello to me at Carlyne Lynch’s studio #1 on the Open Studios Glass Art TourSeptember 14-15!
Welcome to September and the beginning of fall, despite the temperatures here in the Northwest. We have a jam-packed event schedule this month and next to sharpen your glass skills, broaden your knowledge, and provide a way to meet other glass artists and view their work. Please check the event calendar on the website for all the details, but here is just a taste of what’s on the schedule:
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.
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.
Lowell Davis, Hillsboro OR Patty Henry, Seattle WA Andrew Jagels, Portland OR Nancy Kandra, Aumsville OR Brian McCoy, Olympia WA
Melinda Negri, Houston TX Teri Sokoloff, Sweet Home OR Melanie Stewart, Poulsbo WA Rachel Stilson, Seattle WA Anne Wenzinger, Concrete WA
1) Carlyne Lynch 6890 Molalla Bend Rd, Wilsonville Guests: 2) Greta Schneider, 3) Daryle Ryder Make a free glass ornament, please contact Carlyne for an appointment. 3 prize drawings as well as participating in the Guild drawing
4) Linda Gerrard 8400 SW Maverick Terr., Beaverton Guest: 5) Dianne Muhly 4 prize drawings as well as the Guild drawing
6) Rosalind Cooper 14795 SW Kilchis St, Beaverton A prize drawing as well as the Guild drawing
7) Suzanne Tyler 16541 NW Avondale Dr, Beaverton A prize drawing as well as the Guild drawing
8) Barbara Kienle 4331 SE Brooklyn St, Portland Guest: 9) Shawna Hovey 2 prize drawings as well as the Guild drawing
Get the flyer form signed by at least 6 artists from at least 3 different studios and you will be entered to win a PNW Glass Guild drawing to win a $100 gift certificate towards a purchase from a participating artist, or to spend at Bullseye.
Drop off the signed flyer at the last site you visit. We’ll do the drawing about a week after the tour, after we’ve gathered all the forms. Contact Linda Gerrard if you have questions.
October 4-5: Friday 10am to 4pm & Saturday 9am to 3pm
The Guild has six 12’x12′ booth spaces in the retail greenhouse reserved for our glass artists at Margie’s Farm and Garden‘s Fall Market. Margie’s is at 12844 Arndt Rd NE, Aurora, OR 97002. There will be over 50 vendors at this free event. There is plenty of free parking. Get some glass friends together and share a booth. There are only 2 booths left: $110 for a 12′ x 12′ space. The Guild booths are indoors so you don’t need a tent! See the event listing for more details. To share a booth or if you have questions please contact Carlyne Lynch. Keep an eye out for similar opportunities at event locations near you!
Here’s what Margie’s Summer Market looked like when Carlyne Lynch and Rose McBride did it this year:
Waterjet equipment directs a high-pressure jet of water and abrasive to cut materials such as glass. This process offers a cost-effective solution to repetitive and high-volume production of small or complicated shapes.
Having your glass cut by waterjet can be an ideal way to get bases for Christmas ornaments or other custom shapes that would be very difficult and time-consuming, if not impossible, to cut on your own, even with a ring saw. If you do a lot of holiday pieces or need things for a class, having multiple, ready-to-work-on base shapes can really save you time and effort. Also, ring saws wear out and can be expensive to replace, so that is something to consider along with having most of the hard work done for you.
You provide the waterjet company with the design (in an electronic format like a pdf) as well as the glass you wish to use. Designs can be symmetrical or asymmetrical and can be flipped to make a mirror image. There are several computer programs that will help you design a whole sheet (see Carlyne Lynch’s example below) or you can do it as a “one-off”. Due to the precise nature of waterjet cutting, you can put your designs very close together to maximize the use of the glass. You can also ask them to drill holes.
There are a variety of waterjet companies in Oregon and Washington that provide glass cutting services (we’re working on a list). The cost and time it takes will vary. You are charged basically for production TIME. When they set up your designs and make up the whole sheet layout for you, that is time spent. More intricate cutting work takes more time so it costs more. If you have very smooth areas they obviously cut more quickly than detailed zig zag cuts. Your designs should also not go into the raw ripple edge of glass. Bullseye’s Tekta works especially well if you need a smoother more consistent surface but you can always fire regular glass just enough to smooth the surface if that is needed.
At the Portland Guild picnic Carlyne showed off her first set of ornaments. She fired to 1350 and thinks if she held longer at that temperature they would have fused better and still held their shape.
Guild member Carlyne Lynch has worked with Portland Waterjet and created seven designs, with 58 pieces possible from a single 24”x24” piece of Tetka. The shapes can be made into ornaments, but they are also great suncatchers and have many uses. The designs are a heart, star, circle, stocking and three hard-to cut-items. They have been designed with holes and rounded ends to make them less brittle. Guild members can contact Carlyne if you would like the design to use at your local waterjet service.
Portland Waterjet already has this design and they will cut the sheet for $107, but you must purchase the glass separately. They can pick up your (paid for) piece of glass at the nearby Portland Bullseye location to save you a trip! Or you can deliver your own glass to them. If you want to try it call them at 202-476-9939 and ask for Niko. Let him know if you have glass waiting at Bullseye and if you are using Carlyne Lynch’s ornament design for the PNW Glass Guild or your own design.
Here are some examples of waterjet cut shapes that members have created:
Greta Schneider uses this cat shape a lot. She decided to use the 24 x 24 tekta and do two sizes of cats. Because it seems much more efficient and safe to use smoother rather than very jagged lines, she smoothed out the cat’s outline except between the tail and body. With a grinder, she can easily add the small edge cuts around the outside to make the fur look more realistic and also give each one some uniqueness. She used white glass for these in order to enamel them. For a more 3D effect she can add cheeks, eyes and/or paws.
Greta Schneider’s cat shapes
Mitzi Kugler’s animal shapes
Mitzi Kugler asked Portland Waterjet to make a variety of different shapes, as you can see in the photos. The elk, bear and wolves are done partly in metallic glass, which will compliment the metal frames she makes herself, plus some pretty glass trees that could be used in a variety of ways.
Mitzi Kugler’s trees
How can this technique help you bring some of your glass ideas into reality? Get more info at the next General meeting: Sunday, September 29, from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, come to Portland Waterjet (or attend by Zoom). See the Event Listing for more details.
Founded in 2012 on Bainbridge Island as a nonprofit organization with a mission “to grow and inspire a creative community through craft, learning, and service”, the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) has served as a vital resource for hundreds of artists across Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula and beyond since it opened its doors in 2017. With 10 studios and gathering spaces spread across 25,000 square feet, it is one of the largest art centers of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
At 1,000 square feet, the Glass Arts Studio is one of original studios and one of its most active, offering fused, stained, mosaic, and torchwork classes; mentoring, equipment, and material to local artists. The Studio features three kilns, including a vitrigraph kiln, a full wet room with equipment, a wide range of glass working tools, and a stock of Northwest Art Glass for purchase on-site.
One of the unique aspects of BARN is that all of the studios are governed by volunteers, who meet to develop programming and serve as studio monitors and instructors. This creates a strong sense of community and mutual respect and support. According to Glass Lead Cynthia Jacobs, “Many people who have studios and kilns at home still come to BARN. They love the community they find here. People become friends.”
Being an artist can be isolating, and BARN offers opportunities for sharing ideas and inspiration, learning new skills, and even showing and selling work, through their quarterly exhibitions and the bi-annual BARN Bazaar in May and November. The Glass Arts Studio also organizes a quarterly social gathering for members, often featuring an artist or topic of interest in the glass world. Last fall, Portland glass artist Nathan Sandberg was in residence at BARN, offering classes and inspiration. Thanks to the multiple studios, glass artists also have the opportunity to collaborate with artists working in other disciplines as well, such as wood, fiber, or metal.
But BARN isn’t just for existing artists. Open to the community, BARN offers a wide variety of classes for adults and teens, offering financial assistance and other efforts to ensure accessibility. Summer Teen classes such as stained glass are extremely popular, providing an introduction to the medium to the next generation of glass artists.
If you live near Bainbridge Island, take a free tour of BARN on Wednesdays or Sundays, or sign up for Open Studio time or one of their many classes. (There is a free Orientation required before you can register for Open Studio). They are also always looking for volunteers as studio monitors or instructors. BARN’s Glass Studio will also participate this year in REFRACT on October 19, offering demonstrations, an exhibit of BARN member glass art, and a community project. Click here for more information about how to be part of the BARN exhibition during REFRACT.
Are you an aspiring fused glass artist, but are not ready to purchase a kiln yet, or don’t have room for one? Or perhaps you work in stained glass or mosaic, and only need a kiln to fuse pieces once in a while. Or maybe you have a kiln, but it’s not big enough for a project you want to tackle. Alternatively, do you have a kiln that you would be willing to rent out to another glass artist, to bring in some extra cash?
The new KilnSpace community may be just what you need. Sponsored by Bullseye Glass, KilnSpace is an online community resource that allows you to find and connect to someone needing or renting space in a kiln in your area. It’s free and easy to register to be part of the KilnSpace community.
Usually on the 4th Sunday of the month from 3:30 to 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Sunday Sept. 29th, in-person at Portland Waterjet and on Zoom
Join us from 3:30-5:00 pm at Portland Waterjet. This will be a in-person event PLUS a live Zoom to remote members! We will be going to Portland Water Jet (one block from Bullseye Glass) in Portland. The address is 3383 SE 21st Street, Portland, Oregon. They are normally closed on Sunday and will open JUST for our Guild’s meeting! Log in and then see theevent listing for the Zoom link
Waterjet cutting offers a cost-effective solution to repetitive and high-volume production glass projects like materials for classes or wholesale work. As mentioned in the newsletter article on waterjetting above,Carlyne Lynch has created a file for some intricate ornaments Guild members can take to your local waterjet service to try it out (they even have the holes drilled for a ribbon). Contact her for more info.
Sunday October 27 via Zoom: Packing, Shipping etc.
3:30 to 5:00 PM.
Join us to hear how different glass artists pack and ship their glass safely. This will be especially timely with the holiday season approaching. We will also be discussing different ways members label their art with care tags, price tags and all those other inclusions that make you seem more professional. Come learn and share your own techniques.
This will also be our Annual Meeting for election of officers. More information will be provided as we get closer.
Sunday November 17 via Zoom: Holiday Items and Shows
3:30 to 5:00 PM.
Join us as we learn how different artists make holiday ornaments, cards and other holiday items. We would also like to hear what holiday shows you are participating in and why you picked those.
December is for Holiday Parties:
Mark your calendars now Dec. 7 at 5 pm Linda Gerrard will host in Beaverton OR (near Portland) Dec. 15 at 11 am Karen Seymour will host a potluck brunch in Seattle WA
What about your glass-related business or you personally? Sponsors and member businesses: Does your shop hold a holiday party you’d like to invite Guild members to attend along with your regulars? Or would you like to host a Guild specific party? Let the newsletter know and we’ll print the info. in our November issue.
• Did you miss a recent meeting but wish you hadn’t? General meetings are open to everyone but to view the recordings under Glass>Education you have to join the Guild. Then you can log in to see them.
Some of the recent videos are unedited in order to make them available sooner. If someone wants to help their fellow members by editing them we’d really appreciate it, please contact our VPsto volunteer.
We’ll be doing a major website update shortly, hopefully on Sept. 17th. Please let us know if you notice a problem with the website in the days after that.
October is the time many members will receive renewal notices. Please renew promptly to help the membership team keep on top of it. For most people it’s just a quick click on the “pay now” link in the email and you’re done. Or if you don’t like to click email links: log in to pnwglassguild.org, choose “my account”, go to subscriptions, and click to pay. If you don’t even want to have to do thatnext year, set it to “auto-renew” while you’re at it.
Many thanks to Greta Schneider and Rae Williamson for their work guiding the month long Sgraffito Powder Challenge on Facebook.
Some projects were challenging but still fun and it is surprising what you can discover using simple tools and just powder! Each day had a project topic and specified tools. Although a few people could not fit this challenge into this schedule or had conflicts part way through, those who were able to participate found it well worth the effort. We will plan to do something similar over the winter when people have a bit more free time and will probably have a bit more flexible schedule….and some fun new projects to try! Here are pictures of just a few projects from different days in the month long set of topics.
Heidi Federspiel
Melinda Flores Negeri
Kim Gardner Lawrence
Molly Benton Candranell
All 4 Guild picnics were great fun. A big thank you to the hosts:
Fred Buxton’s waterfront was the perfect place for the opening picnic of the summer. Roz Cooper’s husband turned out great burgers and the Buxtons supplied all the fixings. With the additional potluck dishes we had a surfeit of good food. Great glass discussions were followed by a tour of Fred’s amazing studio.
Several Seattle area Guild members gathered in Karen Seymour’s backyard at the end of July. The mold exchange found new homes for some very different shapes. There was lots of inspiring discussion of various glass techniques. Look for some of resulting pieces to appear on the Glass And Decor studio tour in Seattle Oct. 19-20.
In August, Gail Haskett welcomed us to her home in Battleground, Washington. The Guild members brought items to sell, trade, and give away. We had 4 large tables of goodies! Once again the food and sharing were wonderful. Gail also shared her abundant garden produce with many of us.
The Portland Picnic at Margie’s Fairview Park had 15 people, a great view, good food, and glassie talk non-stop. Mitzi brought a wonderfully complex piece and described how she completed it. Carlyne brought the ornaments she created for members to order from their local waterjet cutter (see Sept. General meeting). A great round table discussion concluded the day with each guild member discussing how they got into glass, how long they have been in the guild, their current projects, and so much more. Many members expressed how supportive and sharing the Guild has been for them. A special thanks to Kevin Kelly for his BBQ skills.
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 please take some photos and send the best 2 to the publicity team (400 to 600 px or “medium” resolution, about 500 KB, not more than 1MB if you can help it).
Future Events
General meetings in 2024 are via Zoom, usually on the 4th Sunday of most months, at 3:30 pm (not April, July, August, or December).
Contact our VPs 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 members by choosing Glass>Education from the menu.
*Contact Karen Seymour if you would like to organize carpooling from your town or are looking for a ride to come to Refract October 17-21. Refract has over 50 venues presenting glass of all types, including the Guild-sponsored Glass And Decor studio tour. It is mostly free or the normal cost of museum entry.
December 7 Guild Holiday Party Beaverton OR (near Portland) 15 Guild Holiday Brunch in Seattle WA
Guild Holiday Parties: contact the newsletter team if you want to invite our members to a glassy holiday party in your area. We’ll also be glad to list member/sponsor businesses’ parties that they want to invite our members to.
(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.)
• Portland/Vancouver area Vendor Fair Team islooking for a volunteer to start organizing now for next year. Contact Stephanie Johnston, sponsorship team lead.
Glass Expressionsis a full service stained glass studio located in Burien, near Sea Tac Airport. We have a good stock of tools and supplies for stained glass and glass fusing. We also do custom work and teach a variety of classes.
Kathy Johnson wandered into the shop in the early 80’s and ended up buying it in 1983 when the founder was going to quit. Lael Bennetttook a stained glass class from Kathy in 1991 and in 1993 she became Kathy’s business partner. Mindy Constant wandered into the studio with her best friend two years ago. She fell in love with the studio and the customers. In November 2023, she quit her tech job to come to work and decided to purchase the entire business in July 2024. She is the happy new owner that will keep Glass Expressions alive and well. Kathy will stay around for at least three years to help with the transition.
Currently we are running quarterly beginning stained glass classes but can accommodate more advanced students also. We have beginning fusing classes which are scheduled when we have enough students to fill a class.
New owner Mindy Constant with a student
The store has lot of glass for stained glass. For fusing we stock both 96 and 90 COE glass and supplies. In addition to the sheet glass we have frit, stringers and dicro in both COEs. We have 2 kilns and can fire projects for customers. We are happy to give advice and guidance to customers to make sure they get the right supplies for fusing projects.
648 SW 152nd St., Burien, WA 98166 In-Store Shopping: 12-3pm Tues-Sat (Closed Sunday & Monday) Phone: 206-242-2860 or email to make an appointment for shopping at other times.
Supplies other than glass can be purchased during Sitka Living open hours (they are in front of our studio space and can ring up our supply sales; they are closed Tuesday). For more info see http://glassexpressions.com/
Members should log in and go to About>Our Sponsors to see the member benefit given by this sponsor.
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
