dominiquecaissieglass-blog

[dominiquecaissieglass-blog]

Leverett Crafts & Arts

I was honored to be asked by Sally Prasch to participate in a show that she was putting on in Leverett, MA at the Crafts & Arts Center there.

I entered the four white vases that Ann Conlin & I made over the summer .. This is their second debut out into the world; first being at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.

I recommend everyone go & check out the show, here is a little glimpse of the stunning work there.

[dominiquecaissieglass-blog]

My Design Process

With my teacher hat on, I wanted to talk a little about the process that I go through in order to design new products for the studio, as it is a little more involved than many would realize.

Step 1:  Come up with a great new idea

Step 2:  Add it to my ever-growing list of great ideas

Step 3:  Draw it out

-- This step takes a really, really long time, as there are many things to consider:

-What do you want your final shape to look like?

-What is the potential steps that it would take to reach that final shape?

-What is the order in which these steps should be taken?

-Is there another way to go about this?  Draw out those potential steps in order

-What kind of coloring are you looking for?

-Research that object; how other artists of all mediums depict it

-Lastly, research how other glass artists depict this object.  I always keep this step for last to ensure I am following my own designs and inspirations.

Please note:  It can take months for me to progress an object from Step 1, to Step 2, to Step 3.  Below are 2 pages of notes from Step 3 of Shells.

Step 4: Make it successfully in clear

--Colors add complications, make it in clear first.  I usually will work on this step at the beginning or end of regular work-days; the hot shop you don’t light up, make a piece, and then shut down.  I will make a piece in clear, let it anneal & then check it out the next day.  Repeat as necessary until shape and steps are correct.

Step 5: Start adding color

-- Some of my biggest mistakes have been making an entire days worth of a product, only to realize the next day that the colors don’t look superb when cooled down.  Glass color can be very unpredictable, so I usually begin by trying 1 or 2 per day with different coloring combinations.  Once it has annealed and I have a good handle on how things are coming out, I usually continue different safe combinations.  This is an how I kept track of Day #2 of colorful shells ~ 

Once more - I don’t make too many of 1 coloring pattern, less I discover I wasted an entire day making poopy brown shells.

Here are some shots of shells from this trial run

Step 6: Take what works & keep progressing

--- With most of the hard variables accounted for, I usually start doing days of production.  Hot shop time is valuable and it is best spent focusing in on a few things; rather than constantly rearranging and switching gears to different objects.  After a few days of making a piece, I usually work out the kinks and come to a pretty firm concept of the product.  This is the point in time where pieces are ready to be priced and put out for sale ~ including in other locations.  There is always a bit of flow with all products, but usually no major changes are made after this point.

Right now for my shells I am just sliding into the final step!

Thanks for reading!

[dominiquecaissieglass-blog]

Adventure to Paperweight Collectors Anniversary Demo

Friday October 27th I headed out to the New Street Glass Studio out in Worcester, Mass for some glassblowing demonstrations.  This is a really cool studio - connected to the Worcester Center for the Crafts.  

Why you may ask!? ... The New England Paperweight Collectors Association celebrated their 40th Anniversary!  Their version of a party is to watch some awesome paperweight-makers play with glass.  I like these people.

So the first demonstration was two ladies ~ Debbie Tarsitano & Melissa Ayotte ~ Here is a photo I stole from Ann Conlin of them working

I would like to point out that I absolutely love organizations that recognize women glassblowers; as there is some inequality in this field.  These ladies had pre-made 2 paperweights & brought them up to 1050 degrees ... they then proceeded to pick them both up, heat them to working temp, & squish them together to form 1 single paperweight.  Very interested to see the final product on that demo.  Here is Chris Sherwin holding it up before it heads to the annealer ~ Stolen photo from Ann Conlin again 

Next we got to watch Clinton Smith make a paperweight, before Chris made it into the stem of a large footed bowl.  Also an awesome demonstration; so much fun watching really great glassblowers work.  Here’s a photo I stole from Clinton Smith’s Facebook Page of their demo’s action.

Lastly, the ladies hopped on the torch to demo some of their smaller & more intricate pieces.  I really like this photo that I stole from Clinton’s Facebook Page of Wes creeping over her shoulder.

I always leave events like this feeling full of energy and inspiration.  Can’t think of anything I love more than a night full of glass.

[dominiquecaissieglass-blog]

Adventures to Western, MA

Monday Pilar & I went on a long adventure out onto Western Mass to drop off glass for 2 upcoming shows ~

It was a bit of a rainy day, but we stopped off at the Canalside Rail to Trail in Turners Falls, Mass for a little walk. It was definitely an interesting place with some crazy old buildings & some beautiful views.

Just wanted to also share a photo I took of Sally's bathroom doorstopper when I creeped in her house to pee ...