fired up!

Brand new glory hole door all fired up! Thanks Rick and Matt. The birds are happening. No excuses!

A peek into the glass furnace

It is fascinating to see the inside of the glass furnace at "room temperature". It is up and running again. By Wednesday it will be 2200 and ready for blowing. Time to get on that early morning schedule!

SacTown Magazine

"Best in the City" or country in our case. We are grateful that people make the effort to find us. Today we had a young woman from Philadelphia visiting San Francisco who made her way to our studio. She was focused, determined and ready to explore our foothills. We are grateful!

maintenance

Wow! We are really into it now....The furnace and glory hole are completely apart. We plan to blow by next Wednesday. Matt is here for the summer and we have big plans and long lists. There will be a few events and open Saturdays throughout the summer. We'll be closed on Saturdays June 16, July 14 and 28 and August 11.

Ohio with family and friends

I so enjoyed spending time with my brother, John; niece, Mindy; family and friends. I am reminded to appreciate every moment and consider my priorities carefully.

Back from Pilchuck. Complete with blue hair! Can't party hard with a 5am blowing slot. Ha! Full of inspiration to work on the birds as soon as the maintenance is complete.

Hannah is Graduating!

We are proud parents! Hannah is graduating from college this June - BA in Art! Then what? Who knows? As an educated, creative thinker, she will come up with something!

My sister-in-law passed away so we made a beautiful urn in her memory. I etched a poem on it that I would like to share.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you wake in morning hush.
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.

Pat's is in the earthy colors. I also have two more images of urns that we have made so if you have any need for an urn let us know. Life continues. Enjoy yours!

Solar Eclipse

The sky was getting darker and rather suddenly these mystical crescent shadows appeared! I photographed them dancing on the barn, the glass and even the horse, Fancy! Northern California won't see this again for 54 years. I might miss it.....

Mothers Day weekend tour

Wow! Fun weekend! Blowing with Rick and Truman - too busy to take photos! Jim and Rita Forman joined us on the tour with her beautiful beads. Hannah surprised me with a visit so the girls fixed dinner! Can't beat that! Regrouping once again.....

Odyssey of the Mind Fundraiser

"So the anniversary gift looks different as the sun moves - amazing, but it's official name is The Odyssey of the Moon in honor of Scott and the night of the Super moon!" Supporter and proud Grandmother.

We want to thank everyone for their support of the Odyssey of the Mind Fundraiser. The three teams are off to the World Finals May 21! It was a huge success. I couldn't be there since I was with family in Ohio. My sister-in-law, Pat, passed away and I shared very special, memorable and incredible time with my family. Leslie Lohse pulled it off though! Thank you Leslie!

Aloha!

Thank you for the positive comments! The Sunrise colors in this piece promise a new day! Aloha!

Dear Janet,
    I have moved to the Bay Area since the death of my husband. Happily, however, my Nicholson glass moved with me and has inspired the addition of more colors from it in my living room. I still love receiving your e-mails and the recent one just made me happy. It is obvious you and Rick have raised creative, intelligent and delightful young leaders of tomorrow. What a joy to see and enjoy. It is my hope to get up to Auburn for at least one of your events this year. I so enjoy visiting the studio and seeing all that's new.
    In the meantime I enjoy the glass every day, especially knowing its Hawai'ian influence, where my father was born. Life without art would be bleak indeed.
Aloha,
Karen

Marco

Marco is the friendliest dog on earth. New to us! Come say "hi"!

Peace for Families - a wonderful, but hot, day!

Our Peace for Families fundraiser happened to be on one of the first really hot days! Felt like summer but still pleasant with good company, Fawnridge wine, Jessica and Brian Agnew playing guitar, and lots of treats! Thanks to all who supported!

Capital Public Radio reception - Success!

It was a beautiful evening for the Capital Public Radio reception - Reflecting. The sun broke through the windows and made the glass pop! A big thank you to all who attended. The show will remain until July 3 so please stop by if you have a chance. 7055 Folsom Blvd south of Sacramento State University. www.capradio.org/events

PEACE for Families

You are invited to our fundraiser for PEACE for Families on Sunday April 22 from 12 to 4 at the studio. We will have demonstrations, food, music and good company! 20% of all sales will benefit PEACE. Fawnridge wine will be poured into Nicholson tumblers. $5. for wine and $25 for the tumbler - 20% for PEACE! PEACE is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Placer County. Our daughter, Heather is a volunteer. Please come enjoy and help support a very important organization in our community!

Rainbow!

I love Spring in Auburn especially the Rainbow weather!

Auburn Artwalk time again!

Thursday night April 12 is full of excitement if you love art! Preview the Outside the Box show at Placer Arts beginning at 4pm then wander down to Courthouse coffee to visit with the artists on this year's North Auburn Art Studios Tour Mothers Day weekend May 12 and 13. Artwalk is 6 to 9pm. Here is a close up of Precarious. I had fun playing with my photography again and included tree images on the box.

Kids!

It is fun to occasionally have young groups out to watch the glass blowing. It is so visual that it usually makes quite an impact! We really appreciate the "Thanks" that follow!

Precarious - Thoughts on Making a Living as Glass Artists

Out of the Box completed! The Artwalk is Thursday night 6 to 9pm - Come see all one hundred at the Arts building! Ours is titled Precarious - Thoughts on Making a Living as Glass Artists: The precariously balanced urn, filled with shredded money, and the keys suggest the challenges of working together to successfully create glass art and a living, congruently. Our north Auburn studio is surrounded by trees which tie us to our natural world but also help us to appreciate our limited resources. We are very blessed to have the support of our community and Placer Arts!