Showing posts with label George Billesimo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George Billesimo. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

http://visarts.org/special-events-facilities/craft-design-show/ Visual Arts Center Show Nov. 22+23,2014

Solinglass in Richmond VA for the Craft and Design Show
 VISUAL ARTS CENTER in Richmond Virginia is hosting it's 50th Craft and Design Show! There are 53 national artists invited to this show as well as 10 Breweries! Get your ticket to tantalize your senses.... with Art and Libation at the Virginia Museum of Science November 23rd and 24th 2014.
http://visarts.org/special-events-facilities/craft-design-show/
contemporary glass sculpture
                                                                        FERRIS

Contemporary art glass sculture debuted at SOFA Chicago 2014
                                                                         FLIGHT
Contemporary art glass sculpture Madein USA
                                                                         AQUOS
Art in Embassies, Made in USA glass sculpture
                                                                          SAHARA
Sculptural art glass by Solinglass, Made in Vermont, Made in USA
                                                                     NEBULA
We get by with a little help from our friends! Thanks Cynthia!

                                                      Larry the Loveheart ,....awwwww

                                                               MADE IN AMERICA!
                                                                 SOFA Chicago 2014

Monday, May 20, 2013

Solinglass on the ROAD! + FULCRUM ARTS NEWSFLASH!

Randi is running around the country again! This time she has made her way to Bellville, Illinois to
                                                     the Art on the Square Show. They had great weather!  
        AND... Randi won Best in Glass award for the whole show! Congratulations RANDI!!
Plan on this show for next year! It had been awarded the country's #1 or #2 art show for the past many years!
Moving Forward...
Randi is at it again... heading to the ..... 

art shows, Indiana,


                                                          http://www.roundthefountain.org/

                                                   https://www.facebook.com/roundthefountain

                                                      This is a big year for the show as it is the
                       40th year for The Round the Fountain Art Fair!
                                                        This is a one day must see event! 

            ABOUT THE FAIR

On the Saturday of every Memorial Day Weekend, the City of Lafayette and the ‘Round the Fountain Art Fair Committee welcome you to the ‘Round the Fountain Art Fair, an annual destination location that features up to 100 artists from around the nation, showcasing their talent and works in a variety of pieces and media.
click here -----> http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Lafayette&state=IN for information about Lafayette, Indiana!
Hope you see you there......
click here for a complete show schedule -------> http://solinglass.com/html/exhibition-schedule.htm  

     NEWSFLASH!!!! What does Solinglass+Natalie Blake Studio = ?
                                        FULCRUM ARTS!

When 2 Super Chicks combine all their forces who knows where they can go? Look for news about upcoming big events and surprises as these two entities combine to become one...                               .....to be continued!                                                                   
                                                        ABOUT FULCRUM ARTS 



                                                                                                     be good.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

http://shows.craftcouncil.org/baltimore
http://shows.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

Do You have cabin fever!   Need an idea for a great get away???? Plane fares are great right now! especially into Baltimore!
Well.............
The 2013 American Craft Council Show is about to begin.... Next Friday, Randi and I will be in Baltimore for the ACC retail show. This is one of the country's most prestigious retail show. The bar for the quality of work has been raised here, so if you walk around the show you may find it takes you longer than you think! There are so many beautiful inspirations pieces of art, jewelry and wearable you'll want to plan on staying the night and enjoying some amazing Baltimore Night Life! <--->  Click here for more Nightlife/ Baltimore travel Info.

We have been working extra hard these last few months to get ready for the show!

Randi, George and Marie making a Summer Bowl at Solinglass Studio in Barattleboro , Vermont

 The show is at the Baltimore Convention Center... it is HUGE.. I believe it takes up 5 or so square blocks! You'll find the show inside the Pratt Street entrance. There are plenty of things to occupy your time ... Take a walk down by the waterfront to see the boats..keep walking over to the Visionary Museum... which is also close to places like The Hard Rock Cafe.. and Beautiful Historic Fells Point ..
I personally recommend going into Little Italy.. YUM.. so many great restaurants! One of our ultimate favorites is a family owned ristorante called La Scala!

Below are some direct links to what you need to make your trip happen! Hope to see you All there!

http://shows.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

 http://baltimore.org/

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Visitors/BaltimoreAttractions.aspx



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Commission For The Lobby of the Beijing World Trade Center



NEWS FROM THE FURNACE!



             Solinglass travels across the world to Beijing, China....
                                                        To the Beijing World Trade Center


4 Vertical Magliones


Today, September 1, 2010, the soul of Solinglass is about to embark on a journey to the Beijing World Trade Center. The official opening of the World Trade Center 3rd Building and the 20th anniversary of the whole World Trade Center was Monday,August 30,2010.

 Randi Solin designed 4 pieces of massive proportions to push all three of us, Randi, Marie and George, to our absolute physical limits. The pieces stand 24" tall and weigh approximately 35 pounds each! Try holding that out in front of you on a 5 ft 8 pound blowpipe!



Randi's pieces take an incredibly long time to color...Each coloration is thought about for a long time through the creative process...
Randi Solin coloring a Maglione for the Beijing World Trade Center 
Randi and George.
coloring the Maglione.




                                                                              
                                                                           
Randi, the Maglione and the Glory Hole!

 The temperatures in the studio have been almost unbearable! When it is 95 degrees outside working temperature can reach upwards to 125 DEGREES! Definitely, under those conditions, working together so closely, we have to be able to communicate clearly and as nice as humanly possible as to what we are doing!

It's like a beautifully choreographed dance.

The tops of the pieces are beautifully polished by Master cold worker Michael Wind.

Also,,, included in the shipment are 3 of Randi's classic designs . A Sahara Flat and two Sahara Emperor Bowls.
Sahara Flat and Emperor Bowls


This is an exciting time for us here at Solinglass! What an honor to know that these pieces will be permanently installed in the lobby of the Third World Trade Center building!

              
                                         and when it works...it is such a feeling of accomplishment!


 Now if we could just get them to send us there!

If you interested in the  Beijing World Trade Center, you can read more about it by clicking the links below!

        http://english.cri.cn/6909/2010/08/31/2481s592034.htm
        http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2010-08/31/c_13470664.htm
        http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/08/som-chicago-opens-new-tower-beijings-  tallest.html

Thank you for your support!

 These are just a few more pictures hanging around.......

love from All of us here at Solinglass.
                                                                                                       

COMING SOON!  
    THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES.

Solinglass

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble.....in the Glass Studio! News from Spring 2010 at Solinglass

    THE PAST.........   from March 2010

Hello again.... 






  Just me.. Freshly back from New York City!!! The Architectural Home Design Show was once again a feast for the eyes... While talking with Troy Hanson, a the very sweet director of the show, I felt  huge sense of rejuvenation in the design world... The show was full of artists vendors and the public. Randi and I got to see some dear friends and we made some fantastic new friends that we can't wait to see again. There were so many artists there with some fantastic work. One artist who stands out each year we are there is Bradley Sells. One of his pieces is to the right. Amazing. Please check out his web site.

http://www.bradsells.com/ 


The show located on 12th ave and 54th st was held at pier 94. The weather was fantastic. Record temperatures...SUN SUN SUN! .



 The Solinglass booth was located in the Made section... All the people in this section were artists ranging from furniture makers to Folk artists. Please check out their website for more information... Come visit New York next year... check out the show!  We'll get you tickets!    http://www.archdigesthomeshow.com/






                                                                        MYKANOS


This sweet piece appropriately named Mykanos...is inspired by the island part of Greece. Looking at it makes you want to jump into the aqua green waters!  We are always trying to create these colors that do not truly exist....sometimes that can prove to be a great challenge! and sometimes a big headache! .. Working with colors from Germany and relying on the makers to mix their recipes just right so the colors are the same doesn't always work! .... We are constantly working through these issues.. Keeps you on your toes!


This week we also surpassed a record in  the studio! Not one that we are happy about! It took OVER 6 HOURS to make one piece!  There is a photo of Randi and George! It will be sent from a phone! The after math.... It can get up to 100 degrees about this time of year... That's a long time to hold a piece non-stop! We are constantly trying to make the Windows spotless!... no bubbles ..nothing in the front of the piece. The process can be very very time-consuming and extremely tiring.... Nice work Randi and George!




                                                                      BE THE BIRD.

Sometimes, we are asked to look at a picture before we make a new design that Randi comes up with....In this case... I smiled as Randi described the Herring Emperor Bowl. Her ode to Jackson Pollock. She layers about eight or so different colors to get the effect she is looking for .taking some time.!!! This is George's favorite part!....... Not.




Checkout  http://www.solinglass.com/ 

to see all the Solinglass Emperor Bowls !

ONWARD!

 We are all getting Randi ready for a big road trip!  She has a harsh show schedule set up for herself...

She will be heading to the Temple Arts Festival...... http://www.templenashville.org/_taf/
If by chance you are in Nashville TN on April 10 or 11, 2010 stop by and say hello to Randi. 

As always... We can't thank you enough all for your love and  friendship.....  



 one more thing....................
We will sadly miss our friend from down the hall ...Josh Werner left this world March 9, 2010....It was a Tuesday......He was a member of Natalie Blake's team.. We were always sharing funny stories with him. He definitely had different outlook on life..and he made us laugh... Especially when he charged "the Josh tax"!  See you next time
Dr Don Pickett Iddel Blede.                   rest in peace.





THE PRESENT................................



                                                                     Pashmina Cintura
Pashmina Cintura is in the Window series designed by Randi Solin at Solinglass in Brattleboro, Vt.

                                              BUBBLE BUBBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE
                                                                      
Most of the time we have a great time in the studio, don't get me wrong.... BUT..... sometimes, there are those moments that make you wonder.. "what the heck was I thinking when I said I would do This!?!"

Each time Randi designs a piece she take careful consideration to mostly color...however, form, size all relate to the final presence of each individual piece. When Randi decided to create this new Window piece and I accidentally told one of the galleries that it was the first in a series.. oops. , there was one small teeny tiny details that we overlooked.......
                                                                           
                                                                     BUBBLES
 In the glass there are these little to you and me... the size of a pinhead in the world of mountains and oceans!
BUT...... when one or two of three teeny tiny itsy bitsy pinhead size bubbles shows up in the "window" of the piece we are working on you will instantly see three "grown"(a loose term) transform into something different. Faces contorted with crooked smiles and half laughs about what  we are about to face....

   We recently reach a record... one that we did  NOT want to achieve... 6 plus hrs on one piece! OMG! IDK! ROFL![ side note! I think those are expressions... (I saw them on my daughter's cell phone one day! I thought she was learning a new language in school! Nope... they, meaning her generation plus, are creating their own language... so incredibly interesting to me...)]

 So... 6 hrs... 116 degrees Fahrenheit!...and BUBBLES...
 I was at a show with Randi and a very nice gentleman exclaimed! "GEE! I have not seen such clear glass unless it was lead crystal!" This made Randi smile and me grimace because we both know to get that beautiful front can sometimes take up to 2 hrs! of using a torch and gloves and tweezers to meticulously torch and pull out each little teeny tiny pinprick of a bubble that is obstructing the beautiful carefully thought out coloration that lies through the window!
                                                                            Randi Solin

Each piece is comprised of many layers of glass,, each time we go into the furnace, or GATHER,  a new surprise comes out.. No bubbles! No bubbles! that's what we hope for.... they happen from the first not so heavy gather to the final extremely heavy gather... and did I mention the 6 hrs day was 95 degrees outside so the shop was ROASTING .. probably.. 116 degrees plus..!?

Bubbles in the glass are caused by a number of things... it is air, those bubbles, trapped under layer of glass by CHARGING the furnace, or filling the furnace with BATCH and melting it into glass. I know one studio that stirs the furnace all the time with a very expensive armature... not gonna happen here! so....

Randi sits holding the pipe in her left hand and a handtorch in her right.. as I  or George, stand anxiously over the piece worrying about how she will keep the coloration safe the piece hot enough, on center enough, how deep is the bubbles on and on....waiting for the spot to be hot enough to attempt to pull the bubble out without damaging the piece and creating more problems...Phew..it's hot.... sweat is dripping, ok pouring off Randi... Me...I don't want to let a drop of sweat fall onto the piece of there is another issue to deal with... Each minute seems like 2... with the radiant heat of about 1900 degrees ... maybe feels like 3 minutes..
As we are dilligently working the pice is cooling and Randi is trying to keep the piece hot enough to work on now and not break.. If the glass gets too cold it will crack on the PUNTY. No fun.
  So we are constantly REHEATING the piece.

                                                                   reheating a piece.

When we finally get all the bubbles, metal left by the tweezers, PAPER MARKS and anything else left on the clear part of the piece we can move on! This involves torching large gaping holes left in the face of the piece and MARVERing them back to smooth clear like nothing ever happened!
 It is a painstaking process that when it works out is totally worth it!  Especially, when someone falls in love with a piece.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival........ I recommend trying it at least once...

      http://www.nojazzfest.com/
                                                           NOLA Jazz and Heritage Festival 
                                                                    Food tents.... yum.

This past winter and spring has been extremely busy for Solinglass...Randi has not been with us the whole entire time in Vermont! She has been the SUPER ROAD WARRIOR! Not only has she been being a mother of three a wife of one Jerry Baker,and a role model for business in her community, she has been traveling to adjust to the ever changing economy! Randi recently participated in a number of shows. The most recent 2 were the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington DC and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans Louisiana!!
 I will maybe speak for Randi when I say the latter was the most memorable! Of course I would like to say it was because I was there... as she graciously flew George and I to Birmingham Alabama picked us up and drove us with her to the show! to "help" although she set us free to roam most of the day while the music was rolling making it a most enjoyable "WORKATION" I must say!

       It seemed so empty when we first got there! Our booth was lyrically located with a view of the Blues Tent! mmmm BB KING...Blues Travelers.... I saw Randi smile all weekend.....We met some amazing people and heard some amazing music... ranging from Pearl Jam, Van Morrison to Richie Havens, Elvis Costello and a favorite Old Crow Medicine Show!.. Being Miss Natalie Blake's birthday make the trip and extra special celebration. She also had booth there with her amazing ceramics!
                                                              Natalie Blake Wall Tiles   
                                                      Natalie Blake and Randi Solin at set up.

                       George, Randi and Marie at the oldest bar in the country!
                                                                          lots and lot and............................................................
                                                                 ..lots of color!!!!!!!!!!!


                                                                 

                                                                      Bourbon Street
                                                                  

                                                                      Natalie and Marie

The shows were successful! Thanks to all your support! Thank everyone who makes all of us at Solinglass part of you lives...
Needless to say we have had some great times over the first part of this year and are looking forward to..

THE FUTURE........
       Coming up, Randi will be traveling to beautiful CHAUTAUQUA NY for the Chautauqua Craft Show .....
http://www.craftsalliance.com/

The show dates are  July 9-11 2010   Hope to see you there!
 
Also,  We will be returning to Ann Arbor Michigan for the State Street Art Fair

 Check out their web site!!!! this is the largest group of shows in the country!

http://a2statestreetartfair.com/

We had a great time last year and hope to run into the same people and meet some new friends!



 Relay for Life   

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10NE?team_id=649934&pg=team&fr_id=23455     


Randi, among being a great friend is also a great member of her community. She is participating in the RELAY FOR LIFE this Friday for an all night relay with a team of women who have been donating many hours of their time raising money for the cure for cancer.
 When she was 13 years old Randi's mother passed away from breast cancer. This is a cause very close to her and many of us who have lost a friend of family member to this horrible disease.


Please check out her personal page by clicking on the link above and looking in the right hand column for Nancy's Angels. click on that. scroll down to find Randi's personal page or to donate to this cause... Thank you for all you support.


 peace.