Public News

There are quite a few glass events coming up this week, with opportunities to learn from PNW Glass Guild members, and shop for beautiful pieces made by member artists. More information for each event can be found on the Guild’s Events Calendar.

Wednesday, November 12th at 12:30 pm is a Sherlocking/Scaffolding meeting at member Margie Reiff’s in Fairview, Oregon (East Portland). Bring a piece that didn’t work out the way you expected and learn from other members.

Friday and Saturday, November 14-15th, you can shop and talk glass with member Pat Bielenberg at the Christmas Bazaar in Albany, OR.

Saturday and Sunday, November 15-16th, you can make fun holiday fused glass ornaments in a class at member Mark Brody’s Portland studio. If you aren’t available this weekend, he is offering a Mosaic class the following weekend, November 21-22 as well.

Sunday, November 16th at 3:30 pm we have an online Guild General Meeting in which you can learn about COE 82 fusing (i.e. fusing with window glass). Thanks to sponsor Glassy Cuts for sharing your expertise with the Guild!

We hope to see you at one or more of these events!

November 16, 2025 @ 3:30-5:00pm. Pacific Time : Via Zoom

Topic: Float Glass

You have choices! Let us introduce you to an incredible system of glass; more than what you might expect it to be. Start your journey here with us and learn about System 82 Float Glass — a system designed to make glass fusing accessible, affordable, and endlessly creative. We’ll blow the doors wide open on what’s possible with System 82, showing how its professional-grade quality, broad versatility, and approachable pricing give artists more room to create with confidence.

In this demo and talk, we’ll explore:

A clear look at what makes float different and why that difference matters for kilnforming artists

A live demo of sifting, layering, and building your own base sheets

How to harness the versatility of float for a wide range of projects and spark new inspiration

Myth-busting common misconceptions about float glass

A firing strategy that supports rather than restricts your vision

Special offers and goodies just for attendees of this session

Speaker: Lisa Stirrett of Glassy Cuts 

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7822930560?pwd=2bH5zvIVs5qGfdM10TR9g74TK83ydv.1&omn=81306757357

October 26, 2025 @ 3:30-5:00pm. Pacific Time : Via Zoom

Annual Meeting: Elections

This will also be our Annual meeting for election of officers. We will be electing a President, Co-Vice President, Website Team Lead and Newsletter Team Lead. Please join us and cast your votes. Please contact president Lesley Kelly to volunteer for one of these positions. 

Torchwork: Not Just Beads! Discover the Art of Shaping Glass with Fire

Curious about the magic behind glass art? Join us for an engaging presentation that goes beyond the basics. We’ll explore the incredible world of torchwork (also known as lampworking), a precise form of glassblowing that uses a bench-mounted torch to create stunning works of art.

While beads are a very popular and accessible entry point to torchwork, the art form’s capabilities extend far beyond. Artists create a vast array of intricate and beautiful items. Join us to hear from local artists share : the essential tools, fundamental techniques, and beautiful creations.

Speakers: Kathy Johnson of Glass Expressions and Serena Smith of The Makerspace 97058

As the days begin to darken and we move into fall, the glass world is revving up! Mark your calendars for some of these exciting events and classes! Here’s just a sample of the many upcoming glass shows in Washington and Oregon. Check out the Guild Calendar for more activities, including General Meetings with interesting topics. October is absolutely bursting with glass events.

October (Guild events are bolded)
3-5 Local 14 Art Show and Sale, Portland OR
4-5 Issaquah Salmon Days, Issaquah WA
5 Glass Artists’ Potluck Brunch, Seattle WA
8 Sherlocking/Scaffolding Meeting, Fairview OR (east Portland)
10-11 Hood River Harvest Festival, Hood River OR
16 –19 Refract Glass Celebration, greater Seattle area
16 Overview of Kiln-Formed Glass as part of Refract, Seattle WA
18-19 Glass and Décor Studio Tour as part of Refract, Seattle WA
18-19 Washington County Open Studios (southwest Portland)
26 PNWGG Annual Meeting and Torchwork presentation (Zoom)

Planning waaay ahead, Linda Ethier is offering two classes in March, one on mold making and the other on pate de verre. She has generously offered PNW Glass Guild Members a 10% discount on the class fee. While it seems like a long time away, the class size is limited, so be sure to reach out to Linda for more information and to register soon!

Glass Guild Vendor Fair This Sunday
September 21, 2025 @ 2:00 – 6:00 pm Pacific Time.

The Guild’s much-anticipated vendor fair is this coming weekend from 2:00 – 6:00 pm in Wilsonville, OR (20 mi. south of Portland). Vendors from around the region will be showcasing their latest and greatest glass-related goodies. Anyone is welcome to attend this potluck event (yes, bring food to share) but only Guild members can enter a drawing to win one of many prizes donated by vendors and sponsors. Read the full event listing for more information.

General Meeting
September 28, 2025 @ 3:30-5:00pm. Pacific Time : Via Zoom

“Sharing and Sherlocking” is a phrase used to describe a meeting where participants can present their work, seek feedback, and brainstorm new ideas.

• Sharing: This part of the meeting is a platform for participants to showcase projects they’ve been working on, share their accomplishments, or demonstrate a new technique they’ve learned.
• Sherlocking: This term refers to the process of solving a problem or a challenge. In this context, it’s an interactive session where members can present a problem they’re trying to solve and receive input, advice, and creative solutions from the group. The name is a playful nod to Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective.
• You can email photos in advance to Barb to share if you’re not able to present it yourself.

*Members, log in to view this info.*

They say summer will be back later this week. We hope to see you to at one of the remaining PNW Glass Guild potluck picnics:
• August 16 in Independence OR (SW of Salem)
1 pm at our new Sponsor Maganda Glassworks LLC

• August 30 in Fairview OR (NE Portland)
11:30 am at Margie Reiff’s. Bring an art piece for discussion if you want. You can also bring glass-related things to give away or trade.

Other upcoming events:
August
1-31 sponsor Bullseye Glass Co’s Summer sale Portland & other resource centers
9 Oregon City Festival of the Arts (south of Portland)
28-Sept 23 Linda Gerrard Featured Artist exhibit opening, Portland OR
30-Sept 1 Art In The Pearl Portland OR
31 GACO Art Show, Bend OR

Please also check last Tuesday’s email for the list of classes in August or see all the events on the calendar

September
1 Art In The Pearl Portland OR
5 ACE Glass Exhibit opens, LaGrande OR
13-14 PNW Glass Guild’s Open Studios, Portland area
21 PNW Glass Guild’s Vendor Fair in Wilsonville (south of Portland)
28 General meeting via Zoom: Sherlocking (why did the glass do that?)

The September Newsletter will have more: send us info now.

The Guild Picnic that was scheduled for August 3rd at Gail’s house in Battle Ground WA has been CANCELLED. Gail is a Red Cross volunteer and they need her for a disaster response team. If you also want to donate time or money https://www.redcross.org/local/washington/ways-to-donate.html

Register today for one of these August classes offered by PNW Glass Guild Members.

Addresses And Expletives, August 8-10, taught by Mark Brody in SE Portland OR

3D Garden Mosaics, August 15-17, taught by Mark Brody in SE Portland OR

Flower Power Mosaic Workshop, August 22-23, taught by Kory Dollar in Springfield OR

11 am at Karen Seymour’s house 1 block west of the Seattle Zoo, 5415 Greenwood Ave. N*
• Bring a dish to feed about 10 people.
• If you want something other than water to drink bring that too.
• If you have glass related tools, molds, scraps, etc. that someone else might find useful we can set up a free/trading table (YES, you have to take it away again if no one wants it).

• We’d also love to see what you’ve been working on if you have something for show and tell. Or if you have a question on how to do something or why something happened, you can ask the experienced glass folks attending.

Anyone willing to discuss glass, shows etc. is welcome

There are 2 other Guild picnics this summer if you can’t make it to this one:

August 16 Guild Picnic, Independence OR (SW of Salem)
August 30 Guild Picnic, Fairview OR (NE Portland, date changed)

We hope to see you at least once!

NOTE: *there may be a construction detour on I-5 northbound at the Ship Canal Bridge this Sunday (it’s re-routed to the North-bound Express Lanes which put you off at 42nd St instead of 50th St). Ask Karen for directions if you are coming from the south and don’t know your way around Seattle.

From 10 am to 4 pm Members Ann Cavanaugh and Kevin Kanyo invite you to come stroll the beautiful gardens of Ann Cavanaugh to find that perfect piece from 10 PNW artists. The gardens will feature wood, ceramic, mixed media, metal, stone, and of course glass creations.
Hope to see you there: 25605 NE Cooley Rd. Battleground, WA. (Near Vancouver WA)

June 22, 2025 @ 3:30-5:00pm. Pacific Time : Via Zoom

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. Join us to hear Karen Seymour, Lael Bennett and Kory Dollar share their experiences.

Zoom Link

May 25, 2025 @ 3:30-5:00pm. Pacific Time : Via Zoom

A great way to turn your scrap into something wonderful. Our speakers Daryle Ryder and Carlyne Lynch will discuss pot and glass preparation, kiln setup and firing considerations, dynamics of molten glass flow, safety precautions, tips, finished projects. See the event link for more info.