Almost time for new gloves in the hot shop. Rated to 1200 degrees and made from Kevlar but the glove fabric breaks down over time, developing holes in the areas that touch the glass the most.

We were proud to be asked to create the gifts for this year’s Focus Hope Honorees – Attorney General Eric Holder and Senator Carl Levin. Congratulations to both, heroes in the battle to overcome racism, poverty and injustice.

Leftovers from the casting project we just did. We can recycle it once because it’s clear glass only.

Local artists take note of this great, and free, networking opportunity and lecture Thursday night at Wayne State in Old Main.

Panel Discussion: The Business Of Art

Sometimes, but not too often, things end up not making it. This was looking like a nice piece, but now it’s scrap.

Glory Hole – An insulated drum, which is heated with a natural gas/ forced air burner system to approximately 2400 degree Fahrenheit. Used throughout the glassblowing process to reheat the glass piece being worked on. Most glory holes have some type of door system, opened via handles, to accommodate larger pieces.

Not only does our glass get the best views and go to the most exotic places, it gets there in luxury. We thought that our client’s new convertable Maserati was the perfect way for his set of custom wine decanters to travel to his house.

A HUGE thank you to all of our amazing clients! Thanks for coming out this weekend and making it a fantastic show! Without you, we couldn’t do what we love to do!

Look who is on the front page of today’s Oakland Press! 

Looks like the site is working again, so time to remind everyone about the show this weekend. Looking forward to seeing you!

From our new Zanfirico series of pieces, available for sale at our Spring Show + Sale this weekend. Sat/Sun 12-6 pm

‘Bello Fiori’ by April Wagner for the new addition to the St Joe’s Hospital

Public opening on Saturday April 26th

Got the (wo)man lift all loaded to go up.

All artists hate the words, but yes, soon it will be time for the Taxman. Here’s a great article for artists to read about bartering and the tax implications.

Here’s our blank wall. Wish us luck. 3 days on the (wo)manlift, 32′ off the ground.

3 light Opal Chandelier – looking up from below. 

View from the bottom of the Elga chandelier. 

Interesting and exciting report about new domain locations on NPR this morning. How about .art instead of .com?

http://artdomainname.com

Getting the ceiling prepped to hold a new glass chandelier. 

Sophisticated shipping method.  Patent pending. 

“Sex is like art. Most of it is pretty bad, and the good stuff is out of your price range.” ~Scott Roeben

Glass sculpture by April Wagner

Detail of glass sculpture by April Wagner

Glass sculpture by April Wagner

Glass sculpture by April Wagner

‘Gonzo’ by April Wagner

Glass sculpture by April Wagner

“If it adapts itself to what the majority of our society wants, art will be a meaningless recreation.” ~Albert Camus

“To draw, you must close your eyes and sing” ~Pablo Picasso

The conference starts today in Chicago. We’ll be there. Want to know how the American Studio Glass movement got started? Check out this great article ‘The American Studio Glass Movement’

Harvey Littleton

“I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.” ~Robert Henri

“No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time, it’s just that others are behind the times.” ~ Martha Graham

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”. ~Thomas Merton

“Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear. And since you know you cannot see yourself so well as by reflection, I, your glass, will modestly discover to yourself that of yourself which you yet know not of.” Shakespeare – Julius Caesar 

“Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
― William Shakespeare

”Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

”We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ~Dr. Seuss

“To be an artist is to believe in life.” ~ Henry Moore

“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

“If you have time to judge other people you have way too much time on your hands. Get off your ass and do something meaningful.” ~Shane Gibson

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” ~Albert Einstein

Hosting a big private event at the studio tonight for 150 people. Little bit more than what we normally do so we put up  a tent. Had to dig out a snowbank or too but Old Man Winter didn’t stop us.

More space no problem!

One of our client approached us with a fun little custom project. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend in a unique way on Valentine’s Day. She was the “apple of his eye” so he asked us if we could make a ring holder on a bed of leaves hidden under an apple. Not something we normally make, but we thought it was such a sweet sentiment that we couldn’t refuse. Brings a little tear to our eyes to think of how we were part of their special moment.

custom apple ring holder

One of our favorite tools, but scary hot when the doors are open and it’s on.

The Big G

We love making art on commission. Here is a great article with tips for artists and collectors to demystify the process. The more questions and dialogue the better the piece will turn out.

We heart all of our wonderful patrons. Thank you for your support! Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Studio e glass hearts

I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart. - Pope John XXIII

Studio e glass heart

Can’t wait to be inspired by all the amazing sea life we’re going to see once we are completely tired of sitting on the beach and doing nothing. 

So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good. - Helen Keller

Studio e blue heart paperweight

Need a great gift for that special someone? Check out our Studio e line of handmade glass hearts in our online store. Give them something as unique as they are.

Studio e hearts in all shapes and colors.

Some we liked, some we didn’t. Check them out and decided for yourself.

Home is where the heart is. - Pliny the Elder

Studio e heart paperweight

It’s the year of the Horse, but check out this great little sculpture by April ‘Chinese Dragon’

‘Chinese Dragon’ by April Wagner

Absolutely stunning image of underwater life. Then you read it’s 2 Sea Slugs mating. Go figure.

Sea Slugs

Haven’t tried the dry cutting yet….

“Art doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be meaningful.” ~Duane Hanson

We’re waiting on the day we see one of our pieces on this show. Here’s a great article on why all artists should watch it.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” ~Scott Adams

Batch – our glass before it’s melted. Pretty toxic stuff, but the best to work with, super clear, sparkly, and soft.

Spruce Pine Batch

For some reason we’re attached to jobs where you can light things on fire.