Graceful Customs Lampwork Glass & Jewelry Studio

Open House Sat., Feb. 18, 2012

2012-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

Open House at our studio, next month, Jelveh will be demo-ing lampworking glass bead making, open torch time: practice making a glass bead with an oxygen/propane torch! Refreshments! Lapidary equipment, lapidary techniques demonstrated also.

Holiday Boutique & Happy Holidays!

2011-11-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

It was another great holiday boutique this year, we had new artists and new friends stop by to see our wares and snack on goodies! Jelveh was busy making jewelry on the spot, Ron was carving away, and I was busy raffling off (free) hourly gifts. Thank you all for participating, we will see you soon! Grace

Look at what we did! Chain Maille Class!

2011-10-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

It was a perfect day, except that the acorns are still falling and hitting us on the head in the patio! We had a full class, Ed & Eileen were great as usual, such patience and so many projects to choose from! But all the ladies looked like they had fun and learned new techniques and all completed more than one project, now to practice before you forget! Next chain class March 3, 2012, e-mail me to be put on the wait list, limited to 8 students!

2011 Christmas Boutique

2011-10-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Visit us during our Christmas Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, 1:00 pm to 6:00 p.m., lampworking glass bead making demonstrations, open torch time (make a bead yourself), finished jewelry, soaps, quilts, lapidary stones, and other handmade crafts by various artists available for sale! Hourly raffle of gifts. Snacks and drinks served! 10730 Center Ave., Gilroy, CA 95020, grace@gracefulcustoms.com

Lapidary Weekend Class -Slicing, shaping, sanding & polishing!

2011-08-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Well, another first for us! Our first Lapidary class was held here at Graceful Customs Studio with Instructors Jim & Jennifer! They were excited to share their experience and knowledge of lapidary this past weekend. Frank & Jim & Jennifer had been busy for months building and remodeling enough lapidary equipment to accommodate a class. We had 5 students and everyone had one finished cabachon, except for Bill, he finished 3! Thank you very much Jim & Jennifer for all your talents and knowledge that comes only from actual experience and the love of shaping and polishing the Earth's most natural material. It is gratifying to work with our hands and see beauty come from a natural resource, nothing artificial about this hobby! Of course, we jewelry makers all want to make everything wearable, but sometimes you open up a rock, like the geode above, and don't want to disturb the beauty inside! We are planning "Lapidary Workshops" on a regular basis next year, as well as making this introductory class available again! We will also have Silver-smithing, gem carving, wire-wrapping, and chain maille classes, in addition to our lampworking classes. E-mail me of your interests so we can add you to our wait lists!

Silversmithing Class this weekend!

2011-08-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the projects completed! Thanks to Carmen, she managed to teach a basic silver-soldering class in one day with finished projets, silver rings and pendants with natural stones. The participants practiced on copper circles, then moved on to silver, making the bezel and soldering it to the flat silver sheet. It helped that Frank precut the metals circles, but Carmen also demonstrated how to use the saw and other cutting tools, and most everyone had a chance to use the propane/oxygen torches!

Great Day, Great Friends at Open House

2011-07-24T18:10:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful day to be outside, many thanks to Jim & Jennifer for demo-ing lapidary techniques and all their beautiful cabachons, oops didn't get a pic of them, sorry; Ron & Jim looked like their were enjoying the day, we had new drop-ins, new students, friends, all with many artistic interests! The food was sweet, and we gave several prizes, jewelry, tools, and new aluminum sheet cut outs which Jelveh kindly showed us how to apply to create bubbly effects, Sioux demo-ed her technique of implossion, and Barb took a turn at the torch, along with a couple of newbies! Barb also tried out our new V-Fantasy wheel to practice what she had learned in a class! Thank you all for participating! Stay tune for more!

NEW! LAPIDARY CLASS, Sat., Aug. 27, 2011

2011-07-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Check out the natural gems shown below! Jim Ziegler will be here to show us the basics of lapidary techniques that you can use to make a rough rock into a polished gem! You can set the stone in silver or wire-wrapped it as a pendant. More info to follow, e-mail me if you are interested!

JULY 23, 2011 OPEN HOUSE!

2011-07-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

Come join us for our July 23, Saturday open house! We will have our usual lampworking demos and open torch time. Jelveh from Jelveh Designs will be showing off her latest designs. Jim Ziegler and his lovely wife Jennifer will be showing the latest techniques of Lapidary work! See what you can make from a rough stone! We will be hosting a Lapidary class with Jim, on Saturday, August 27, 2011, all materials and equipment provided. Cost of class is only $75.00
And on Sat. & Sun., August 13 & 14, Carmen Martinez will have a basic silver-smithing class, take one or two classes. We will be learning how to work with the different metals, torches, solder materials, and will set a cabachon, stone or glass, in a silver setting that can be finished as a pendant or ring. More info available, e-mail me! Cost of class is $125 for one day, material kit extra.
Open house is 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. on Saturday July 23!

Look what we learned from John Rizzi!

2011-06-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

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Floral Murrini Class Pics-June 18, 2011

2011-06-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here are John's beads he has been working on in preparation for June 18th's class, only a few openings left. Let me know if you are interested!

CHAIN MAILLE CLASS Sat., July 16, 2011!

2011-05-22T11:47:00.001-07:00

Ed & Eileen Ferner will spend the day with us making chain maille jewelry. This workshop is open to all skill levels as there will be over thirty different projects to select from to match your skill level. Bracelets are a good one day project, but more advanced chain maillers may want to create a beautiful necklace. Various metal wire will be available to purchase for your project (gold filled, sterling silver, silver filled, colored copper and some aluminum) but if you have your own wire you may use that.

If you have an optivisor or something like it please bring it along as it will make jump ring assembly much easier to accomplish. All other required tools will be provided.
Cost of class is $10.00, bring your own lunch! e-mail grace@gracefulcustoms.com for sign-up!

Pics of our April's Get-Together!

2011-05-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

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Flower Power!

2011-04-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

These are some of the beads we learned to make this past weekend with Jelveh! We had lots of laughs and learned many techniques, many thanks to all the participants who made this weekend fun! Of course I am still struggling to remember the techniques, it is a good thing Jelveh gave us a handout, now it is time to practice! And congratulations to Norma, for having successfully completed her studio set-up, except for the kinks in the kiln!

"Floral Murrini" with John Rizzi

2011-04-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, John has finally decided to teach "florals" in his next murrini class here at Graceful Customs Studio. It is scheduled for Sat., June 18, 9-5 pm. Check out some of the floral murini in the "older" posts below! John might also be available for private lessons during his time here, e-mail him if you are interested at: artist@johnrizziglassworks.com And check out his beads on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/65752809/button-pink-rose?ref=pr_shop
for the class: grace@gracefulcustoms.com Class size is limited to 8 students,
$200, glass and supplies needed provided, torches are nortel minors with oxygen and propane.

Serious Chain-ing Class this weekend!

2011-03-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your enthusiasm this past weekend, and for braving the rain! I think everyone had a good time learning about chain patterns! We all learned about different types of available metals, making and cutting rings, and even a little bit about silver soldering. Thank you Ed, and Eileen, for providing such great information and sharing of your tools and equipment, expertise, and patience too! Some of those patterns are challenging! We hope to schedule another class again, so if anyone is interested in future classes, e-mail me at grace@gracefulcustoms.com!

Look at our beads! Feather Murrini it is called!

2011-03-16T21:12:00.001-07:00

Class participantss beads made at our class with John Rizzi last Saturday here at Graceful Customs. Thanks John, come back soon!

John Rizzi's Murrini class here!

2011-03-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

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Silver-filled silver wire -

2011-03-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Ed Ferner wants to share info on the new silver-filled wire he has been experimenting with and it sounds great! It is 2 pages long, so if you would like a copy, let me know and I will e-mail it to you! grace@gracefulcustoms.com

More Pics of Beads of Courage Get-Together

2011-03-02T15:32:00.001-08:00

Thank you everyone for all the high calorie goodies we shared and thank you Lena for getting us involved, and Jelveh for sharing so many of her techniques!

Beads of Courage Get-Together

2011-03-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

Well the weather was cold and dreary and raining, but inside we had a bunch of warm, happy, and talented beadmakers making plenty of colorful beads for this worthy organization! We hope all the children and families who receive these beads will feel the love and warmth that we all felt this past Saturday! Thank you to all our friends who made this happen!

Like Murrini? Learn to Make It with John Rizzi!

2011-02-08T21:22:00.000-08:00

John Rizzi will be teaching a one day beginning complex murrini class at Graceful Customs Studio on Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Students should be intermediate level and have good heat control
skills as we will be working off mandrel.

John will be teaching at least 2 designs in class a basic 3- 4 color flower and a feather murrini in the afternoon. We will also practice different ways of murrini application. The class will focus on creating murrini on steal punties and heat control to get a good consistent pull of your cane. We will use basic tools and learn how to create pattern and design in murrini from the inside out.

John has been a lampwork artist for the last 9 years. He creates a variety of sculptural, wearable and decorative art pieces. John has a special interest in the art of murrini making, you can view more of his work at his website
http://www.johnrizziglassworks.com

Or view many of his murrini designs at his etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JohnRizziGlassworks
Contact Grace at grace@gracefulcustoms.com for more info! Class size is limited.

Chain Maille Open Studio Class On March 26, 2011

2011-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Ed Ferner has graciously offered to be here for another chain maille class on Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm! He would like to have participants choose their own designs to work on, and samples will be available from his collections. The cost of this class is only $10.00 for the day and cost of materials which you will choose, either silver or copper wire, that Ed will have available.

The range for materials would probably range between $7 (for using copper) to $40 (for using .925 sterling silver). We will have a maximum of 7 participants, so first come first served! Please plan on bringing your own lunch, we will break for lunch for one hour in case you need to go out. grace@gracefulcustoms.com

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NEW: Private Bead-Making Parties Here!

2011-01-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

We have added a new activity here in our Studio! Last night was our first Party, with 8 people on the torches for the first time! If you would like to learn or show your friends lampworking glass bead making, you can schedule a small group to have a gathering, for instance, wedding shower, birthday, or other celebration here. Jelveh will give a short intro lesson on making glass beads and everyone can have the opportunity to make one or two beads on a torch. Supplies of glass & tools are provided. Bring munchies! We have available 2 hr. or 4 hr. sessions, check with Jelveh or myself for available days. This is a great way to try out glass bead making and if you like it, schedule a beginner's class on another day, of 5 hrs, with Jevleh! we can accommodate 8-9 people, a minimum commitment of 5 is required. Kitchen available to warm up food, frigerator is available also. In the summer, we may be able to barbeque outside!
Grace@Gracefulcustoms.com
Jelveh@Jelvehdesigns2@aol.com

New tool listings! Check them out at Etsy!

2011-01-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Pinch-Me-Right Hole Maker is ready! Here is our latest tool, made for people like me who cannot make a straight hole in a bead. Somehow, the bead always moves. See our listing on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65617881/pinch-me-right-glass-hole-maker and thanks to Norma, our latest new student, for helping us with a great name, Jelveh and I were straining our heads for a new, catchy name and Norma just walked in and suggested it!
We also listed a pair of tubes, a lighter weight of stainless steel that Frank has purchased, and since we know you like to make more than one bead at a time, the listing is for 2! http://www.etsy.com/listing/65617881/pinch-me-right-glass-hole-maker

Pics of our 2nd Christmas Boutique Party!

2010-12-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

Every year our circle of friends gets wider and wider! We had new visitors and artists with their goodies here and I honestly believe everyone had a good time! My family room was re-arranged with tables of jewelry and lampwork beads and the kitchen as usual had cookies, carmel corn (new recipe), apple cider, Mexican Hot choclate, and other drinks! And the studio was crowded as Jelveh demo-ed more techniques and displayed her jewelry and beads, as well as new visiting artists that brought their jewels to sell! Thank you all for participating and bringing cookies & friends. My jam was also pretty popular! I still have some Christmas scent soaps (glyercin base), as well as Lavender, Gardenia, Baby Rose, Jasmine (shea butter base), and Lavender sachets available, Let me know if you need inexpensive gifts! Have a happy and safe holiday!

Christmas Ornaments Class with Jelveh! Check out our pics!

2010-10-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

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Sept. 25, 2010, Open House & Up-coming Events

2010-09-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

We are excited to invite our friends to an open house on September 25, a get-together at our place, starting at 1:00 pm, where we are hosting the monthly meeting of our Northern California Chapter of Society of Glass Bead Makers. It is a pot-luck with demos from very talented and accomplished lampworkers, open torch time (you can also show us your favorite technique), as well as other artist demonstrating their talent in rock-carving, silver-smithing, wire-wrapping. We also have invited any crafts/artsy persons to display their wares for sale or trade, so come to shop also!

AND Ed Ferner will be here to teach another 2 chain maille patterns on Oct. 9, 2 sessions, the morning, the Byzantine Weave Bracelet, in the afternoon, the Calypso Weave Bracelet. Hours 9-1 pm and 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Cost $60.00 for both sessions or $35.00 for one session. Light lunch and drinks provided! Small supply fee, you will take home finished bracelets!

AND Ed has also offered an Open Chain Maille Workshop (free) for those of you who attended the April's class and will be attending the Oct. 9 class, on Nov. 20, to make a necklace or a second bracelet from the weaves learned in those classes.

AT this Nov. 20 open workshop, you can (1) finish any work not completed on the two projects from those class sessions, or (2) make a necklace or a second bracelet from either of the two weaves.

Or, You may select any chain design Ed has a sample of and make either a bracelet or necklace from those weaves.

This is a great opportunity to learn from Ed not only the many patterns he has
learned but also gather the important information of using the various gauges of wire, jumpring making techniques, and see his new instructional video on jumprings!
The class will be limited to only 7 participants!

Blowing Glass & Making Implossions!

2010-08-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a great weekend we had with Toni Lutman. The weather was perfect, cool for August, only a tiny warm with 9 torches going. But DeAnn is used to 110 in Arizona, so she was in heaven I think! Everyone learned to make huge balls of molten glass, blow the ball thinly then crack it! Using many colors and silver glass made the most beautiful colors that shimmered in the light. These pieces of shimmer were then applied to shaped beads. Then Toni demonstrated her Implossions and various patterns of flowers and how to apply the implossions onto a bead. Alot of techniques were learned and students made 4-6 beads each, pretty good for a one day class! Thank you all for your enthusiam and thank you Toni for sharing your talent as a lampwork artist and your enthusiam for the love of glass bead making and your teaching techniques, I know everyone appreciated all the personal attention you gave as you continuous walked around helping everyone! Hope you return soon!
See the rest of the pics by clicking on the Smilebox play button below!

Toni's class this weekend! Blowing Shards & Making Implossions

2010-08-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

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August MGT - Demos

2010-08-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

We welcomed new guests this past weekend! And Thanks to Jim for setting up his lapidary equipment and Ed for running his new award-winning DVD on Jump Rings, and showing his new chain maille designs! He has offered to have another chain maille class on Oct. 9, Saturday. Jelveh tried out our new Frit Blend, "Monterey" with blues, and purples and we will be making new blends, come by to check them out. Jelveh & I made a few more glass fused cabachons and used the lapidary equipment to shape them and polish them, much faster than fire-polishing! There were 4 winners for the gift drawing, Sharon, you have your Mini-costmetic gift here, Jennifer always selects Jelveh's gift bag of beads, Amber won the bath set, and Antonitte picked the gardening set!

All Kittens have new homes!

2010-08-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

BooHoo, they are all leaving, successfully adopted, who can resist their beauty and innocence? Say goodbye Natalie & Frank (and my Silver never knew they were here). Time to clean up the guest room and get ready for Toni's Implosions next weekend!

Daughter Natalie & Memo's Wedding!

2010-07-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

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Wedding Bells

2010-07-19T21:53:00.001-07:00

No, Frank & I are not getting married again, once was it! Natalie's wedding is soon here, we are busy preparing and getting nails done, but here is Carmen Martinez busy at my torch today setting a freeformed Australian opal pendant that Natalie selected, and earrings, opal also! (I was a little relieved she didn't pick the most expensive opal from their collection). And Ron, master carver that he is, presented me as a gift this smoky quartz pendant that he has been carving and polishing for several weeks, to wear as Mother-of-the-Bride jewelry! They are a very talented and generous couple, and their creations will be treasured forever in this family!

Toni' class is now closed!

2010-07-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

We are happy and sorry, Happy that Toni is coming to our Studio but sorry to say the class is now full as of this morning! But I'm sure Toni, (if she likes us), will be back for another 1 day class, let me know so I can add you to our wait list!

Ron's New Etsy Site

2010-07-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here is our friends' new Etsy store (ok Carmen, list more items, we know you have a treasure chest) www.visionsbyCRAM.etsy.com

Inside-Out Aquariums & Frogs & Lizards- Corina's class

2010-07-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, it was warm with 90 deg weather and 10 torches going this past week when Corina came to teach again! But the Participants stuck it out and learned how to make all the elements of an aquarium bead and many little green critters!

Updated webpage and new eNewsletter!

2010-06-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

We're starting our eNewsletter. We'll regularly update you with new tools and class announcements. Be sure to sign up by typing your email addy in the box to the left.

Check out our website updates at http://www.gracefulcustoms.com/

June's Monthly Get-Together!

2010-06-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

Well this month's Get-together was great! Several new visitors joined us, found us on the Net! Jelveh demo-ed the Round-About Masher and hollow bead making. Sioux brought this beautiful heart made with the Squeeze-Me-Right Masher! April did a few hair-cuts and brought some hair products to sell, Inga brought some of her beads and will be joining Toni's class! The drawing was held at 6:00 pm, there were 3 gifts this month! The beautiful couple Jim & Jennifer brought a Mexican pastry dessert, but they swore it was a Vietnamese dessert, and I made quesadillas with Mexican salsas, and that went well with the cheesees & crackers & salami Jelveh brought and with fresh Cherries & grapes from LJB Farms. Garnett & I practice using a new Silver soldering paste that I bought from Rio, it worked great, without flux even, using silver scraps and copper blanks Frank had cut for me a while back and hadn't had time to use!

July's MGT will be canceled due to my daughter getting married! Jelveh has a few classes lined up, let her know if you need help! http://www.jelvehdesigns.com/ jelvehdesigns2@aol.com

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary!

2010-06-15T22:14:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to our daughter, Natalie, today. And next month is her wedding! And of course it was a Happy Anniversary for us today, (she was born on our Anniversary day). We went out to dinner with our friends Fernando & Cathy, who also had their anniversary day of today (but less years) and we are alive, healthy, and have many more years to play with our tools & toys! It seems like only my parents were married for "40 years" but Good God, now we have reached that milestone! Frank seems to be happy, what more can I say! Thanks to all of our friends, we are enjoying our lives!

June's Monthly-Get-Together (MGT)

2010-06-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, come join us for our open house gathering, Friday, June 18, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, bring your projects to share, sell or trade! April will be here with her necklaces, Jelveh will show us her beads she taught in Turkey, hopefully the volcano is not erupting so she can return on time! Snacks provided! Drawing for gifts(2) at 6:00 pm; Frank's latest tools will be available to try also! Open torch, practice here! AND April will be available to do haircuts! She loves cutting hair and carries her equipment conveniently with her!

Creativity takes a Toll

2010-06-06T22:40:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note, on the weekends we try to get some reading in.... lots of good books on hand, just not enough time. Silver is 1 yr. old now and he rules the patio. And have you ever had fresh honey? A friend brought us some fresh honey, only problem was we had to figure out how to get the beeswax off the honey, here are the frames the bees make honey in. All the info on this is on the Net! We will have some for you to taste, it is great! (also the food with the highest glycemic index). Don't forget the next Monthly Get Together (MGT) is Friday, June 18. And it is count-down to our next fun class with Corina on July 4th weekend.

IMPLOSIONS! IMPLOSIONS! Toni Lutman's Art

2010-06-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

No, we are not having volcano eruptions! We are getting excited as the day gets closer to Toni's class here, on Saturday, Aug. 21, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., one day only! The cost of the class is $180. She will be teaching soft glass implosions, raku murini, and glass shard use. Check out these beautiful beads. Let me know if you are interested, there currently are 6 spaces left!

May's Monthly Get Together (MGT) Friday, May 14

2010-05-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wishing all Mothers a Happy Day today! Our son is barbequing for us today, maybe not outside as it is raining lightly. Nevertheless, I will enjoy not cooking today and being with my kids and our extended family. I am also spending some time social networking on Facebook with friends & nephews & nieces and looking at their pics with their kids! Where did time go?

Well time marches on here also, at Graceful Studios! Frank is busy, designing new tools for our Lampworking community and Jelveh is testing all tools in-between her bead making! I have been practicing my beads with Jelveh's patient instructions, here are a few. I have also been practicing with a new tool, a "grove" making bit for my glass grinder, it makes a shallow cut on the side of cabachons to fit silver wire around it. You don't think the glass pendant is too big do you? Come by on Friday 3:00 - 7:00 pm, torch time is free! Come practice, Jelveh will be demo-ing blowing glass to make small vessels and making chards! We will have 1/4 inch hollow tubes for you! And Jennifer will be here to demo some of her wire-wrapping techniques! Bring her a challenging item to wire-wrap! Have goodies to sell? Bring them, we love to shop! Refreshments served & gift drawing at 6:00 pm.

Rock On! Rock Carving Class this Weekend

2010-04-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Where did the torches go? Don't worry, Lampworkers, the glass torches were just temporarily stored so the flex shafts could be mounted on the tables for the rock carvers to learn the time-honored technique of "Intaglio carving" or carving from the back of a stone. Ron Martinez, www.visionsbyron.com and his lovely wife, Carmen, were here all weekend, taught 7 students, designing, selection of burs, flex shaft use and carving techniques. One of the students brought his own saw to trim his own "material," to carve! Thank you all for a great and fun weekend here. I, as usual, ran out of time to final polish my carving, but hope to finish it to show off, (even my son was surprised my rock looked pretty good for a beginner!) Ron's next class, a "beginner's class" will be on June 4-6, 3 days, in San Jose. E-mail them for more info: CARam67@aol.com and everyone has to have a flex shaft, it is a powerful, multi-use tool that can carve for long hours, polish, and drill rock, metal, and glass! Ron & Carmen are distributors of Foredom equipment and can help you select carving, drilling and polish tools!

April's Get-Together & Chain Maille-ing

2010-04-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

April has begun with a flurry of rumbles in our humble Studio! It must be the earthquate weather! We got together Friday and welcomed new guests as well as our faithful supporters (and Jaime drove 4 hours to get here)! Visitors joined us from the Carmel Gem & Mineral Society (we are members of the Santa Clara Valley chapter)! Our friend April brought her new necklace designs and silver rings, and Ed, our new instructor, demonstrated chain maille designs.

Our first chain maille class on Saturday covered 2 designs, (I am still trying to figure out the Snake) but everyone else picked it up quickly. We learned how to measure and cut our own silver jump rings on Ed's equipment, he had several cutters on hand, then we polished our silver bracelets on his vibrator that cleans silver with stainless steel shot. Thank you Ed for being so generous with your time and your knowledge of working with silver. Your handouts were very much appreciated also! Congratulations to Jim & Marily for winning the drawing, you won both gifts!

Rain nor Sleet Stopped THIS Get-together!

2010-03-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

We were hoping for no-rain, but alas, it rained on our parade, (no sleet) but once everyone arrived, (Welcome newcomers came from Watsonville and Half-Moon Bay and Philadelphia!) we were comfy, warm, and had plenty of food to nibble on. April brought her already-made jewelry and loose faceted gems and necklaces to sell (I restrained myself from buying one more ring), Jelveh demo-ed beads and one vessel, (Frank now has to cut some more tubing as Misty wants to try blowing glass at home real soon); one brave newie got on the torch with Jelveh's help, and I demo-ed an idea I had, making silver links. I wanted to show how simple links can be made using a hand torch and silver wire, and it takes less tools then lampworking (oops I forgot to show how to simple it is to make a headpin with the torch)! We thoroughly enjoyed seeing new designs, sharing ideas, and meeting new friends! Thank you all for braving the elements and we hope to see you again next month! Frank, Jelveh & Grace

March Get - Together, Spring is Here

2010-03-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

We welcome any Lampwork Glass Bead artist or Jewelry Artist to come join us for our monthly get-together this Friday at Graceful Customs Lampwork Glass & Jewelry Studio at 10730 Center Ave., Gilroy, Ca 408 848-5598 to learn and share ideas and techniques that make YOU happy and that can make US happy! We have been busy this new year hosting lampwork classes and now plan a Chain Maille class, see our blog for more info! Anyone is welcomed, our artists may also display and sell their goodies! We love shopping!

Spring is here!

2010-02-24T19:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a weekend, we had 11 students here for 3 days of learning Corina's latest "floral designs." Some were previous students, others were new to our Studio. All seemed to enjoy themselves, devoting 3 days of more than 8 hrs each day, to total emersion at the torch. We took care of their basic needs, (cooking meals on-site) as one student commented, and allowed them to concentrate on learning and practicing new foral designs that Corina developed just for us! One student stayed an extra day (she slept over), because she did not want her "special vacation" to end! She made the trip from Florida! Corina is soon on her way to Hawaii (with Bonsai) to teach the same techniques and sit on the beach! A well-deserved vacation for her after her week here. Jelveh & I will be here practicing what was learned! Thanks Jelveh for helping put this weekend together!

Feb. Monthly Open House, "Green" theme

2010-02-07T21:26:00.000-08:00

This Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, 2:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. will be our monthly get-together at GracefulCustoms Studio. Come see our newly remodeled area! We have been busy improving the seating and lighting areas and adding a splash of color, hope you like the cheerful yellow paint! Jelveh will be demoing her latest designs in lampwork glass beads. Open torch time! I will be happy to show anyone the Viking weave to make a silver bracelet! We've added more glass rods to our inventory and some very "happy" colors in anticipation of Spring and our "Floral" class later this month with Corina Tettinger! Refreshments served, bring any jewelry/bead related to "green" and a drawing will be held for $25.00 worth of glass or tools. Congratulations Garnet for being last month's winner!

Wire-Wrapping Class this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010

2010-01-15T15:23:00.000-08:00

Reminder to all, let me know if you are planning to attend our wire-wrapping class with Jennifer Le this Sunday, 2 classes, pendant wrapping 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Rings 1:30 (or 2:00pm) to 5:00 p.m. 10% discount if you sign up for both classes. Or $75.00 for first class, $55.00, second class! Grace, telephone number 408 848-5598; Graceful Customs Lampworking Glass & Jewelry Studio, 10730 Center Ave., Gilroy, CA

First "Get-Together" Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 2-6:00 pm

2010-01-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

This is will be our first monthly get together, "show, tell & sell." The goal is to bring together a group of artists that share similar interests & addictions, making beads and jewelry, for instance. Have a few fun hours of sharing and learning from each other! Open torch time! Please bring a "heart" related bead or art or jewelry to share for this month's meeting. Refreshments will be served. Names of participants will be entered for a drawing of $25.00 towards glass, studio jewelry, or tools at 6:00 p.m. And bring suggestions for naming our monthly get-togethers! contact me at grace@gracefulcustoms.com, or 408 848-5598

Jennifer Le Returns to Wire-Wrap Rings and Other Things!!

2010-01-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Le returns to Graceful Customs Studio on January 17, 2010 to teach her delightful wire wrap style. She will teach two classes as follows:

9:00AM - 1:00PM Basic Wire-Wrap Class and the project is a pendant. She will have materials available, some free, some (such as precious metal) at cost. She will have cabochons(polished natural stones), but you are welcomed to bring your own.

1:30pm-4:30pm Advanced Wire-Wrap Class, and the project is a ring. Same as before, she will have materials available, free or at cost.

After a mere four years of experience in wire wrapping, Jennifer’s designs have drawn the attention of many people in the area. Her designs are elegant and attractive. Come and see her work, take her class and learn for yourself the pleasure and satisfaction of fine wire wrapped jewelry.

The cost of the class is $75.00 for the 4 hr. class, $55.00 for the 2nd class, 3 hrs., or both class for 10% off, or $117.00, instead of $130.00 total.

Jennifer is a patient and thorough teacher who can make sure that you get the most out of the learning experience. Her designs are stunning. You will learn the fundamentals, then how to extend and expand on your own designs. e-mail me or call me at 408 848-5598 if you are interested, classes are limited to 10 students. All needed tools available and a light lunch provided for those staying for both classes.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from the Santos Ranch

2009-12-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

It's difficult to believe that it has only been 3 months that we officially opened our home & studio! We have met so many nice people, artists who are lampworkers, rock carvers, wire-wrappers, stone shapers & polishers,silver-smithers, soap-makers, and gourd carvers also! Frank & I would just like to say "Thank You" for visiting our home and we hope all of you who have visited have enjoyed our company as much as we have enjoyed yours! We look forward to a New Year, and wish all of you a year full of love, good health & creativity!

We had a really nice Christmas Party at our Boutique, planned a little at the last minute, and of course we forgot the pictures until almost the end! Someone definitely has to take responsibility for remembering to take pics! Thank you to Jennifer & Jim, Ron & Carmen, Sioux, April, Natalie, and of course, my friend and creative partner, Jelveh (and Martin) and her beautiful mother (who I really think is her sister), Shahla, and of course, my husband, Frank, for helping out at our Boutique. We had a steady stream of visitors who were treated to homemade cookies, nuts, and chocolate nut clusters, made by Carmen & myself, as they shopped through my house and then the studio! Here are some pics of our Boutique.

Construction was finished in the studio, it looks twice as big! We still have to do the final painting, or at least someone has to do it... Frank will be running the gas lines and extending the exhaust and lighting to the 4 new stations soon in preparation for our next Lampwork class with Corina in Feb., and wait till you see our glass storage system he just put together today.

In the meantime, no time to kick-back and do nothing, it is time to do some wire-wrapping! Jennifer & Jim will be back on Sunday, Jan.17, 2010, to show us how to make a ring, details to follow......We want to work in a basic and more advanced class on the same day. Let me know of your interest! Also, I was reminded to include a telephone number to contact me, 408 848-5598!

2009 Christmas Boutique, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2009-12-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

Are you in the spirit yet? If you are looking for original and well-designed gift ideas, come to our Christmas Boutique to see the latest in lampwork beads & jewelry designs! Jelveh from Jelveh Designs will be on hand to demo new Lampwork designs! Ron Martinez, Master rock carver & his wife, will also be here to show us how beautiful a rough stone can become with a little knowledge of stone carving and polishing techniques; and Jennifer & her husband Jim will showcase polished cabachons wire-wrapped in silver wire. Maybe Jim will share some of his techniques for forming and polishing natural stones. We have other artists showcasing their jewelry and arts as well. Our studio may still be under a little bit of construction, so forgive us! We are getting prepared for the 2nd Wire-Wrapping Class with Jennifer on Jan.17 (I will post more info on this soon), monthly get-togethers with local artists, another Rock-carving class, another Lampwork Bead making class with Corina Tettinger, and other events. Keep in touch, sign up as a "Follower" on this blog to get an e-mail with new posts!

What a mess, more construction!

2009-12-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

Torres Construction from Gilroy has started a remodeling project at our studios, again! Fernando & Frank are seen here mounting a long steel support beam to hold up the roof after opening up the wall that separated the front room and bedroom. The opening will give us more space to extend our working table, adding 4 more torch stations and space to do our other classes like wire-wrapping and stone carving. We will also have space for display cases. Today they will be re-locating the electrical wires, making sure we have enough juice for our large kiln, then comes the sheetrock patching and I guess Jelveh & I will be assigned to the painting...does anyone know how to paint a large glass bead on a wall?

Rock-carving class pics

2009-11-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

We finished a 3-day intensive concentration class on rock carving this past weekend! Ron & Carmen Martinez from Arizona taught a 3 day class in San Francisco then traveled to Graceful Customs Studio to teach again! Students came from Sacramento, San Jose and locally. April kept us laughing and proved to carve the most intricate stone herself! They carry all their rock carving equipment with them, so all we had to do was clear the lampwork torches from the tables temporarily! We will host them again in April when they will teach more advanced techniques, check out the details on some of his own creations!

Pics from our Wire Wrapping Class this weekend!

2009-11-16T08:37:00.001-08:00

Thank you Jennifer for coming to Graceful Customs Studio to teach our first wire-wrapping class! You (& Jim) were fantastic and generous with your polished stones and detailed instruction on wrapping any shape stone! Yes, it was difficult to talk over our excitable noise, (next time we won't let Garnet sit between Lu & Jelveh) we couldn't hardly wait for that "next step" instruction! Peg was the quiet one! We did have a great time and were so appreciate to take home a finished pendant. You were so patient and detailed! Now we need to practice, practice, practice!

The next class Jennifer will be teaching will be "Rings!"

"Passing the Flame" Book

2009-11-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

Great News: I have purchased a few new, 3rd edition copies Corina Tettinger's book "Passing the Flame," It is a hard cover, spiral-bound book and is available for sale at my studio. Retail price is from $65-85.00, you may purchase one for $60, $55 if you attend one of our classes. This colorful book covers great information on understanding colors, including rubino oro, intense black, filigrana, opaque & transparent glass. The book takes you from the basic steps of holding the mandrel & glass rods to shaping beads, making dots, making stringers and cane, encasing florals, using frits, and a step-by-step guide on making that cute little frog sitting on a bead, as well as setting up your studio with necessary equipment!

Jelveh is Teaching Lampwork Classes Here! Here she is with our recent guest instructor, Corina Tettinger

2009-11-03T21:28:00.000-08:00

Jelveh from Jelveh Designs is now teaching lampwork bead-making classes here! She says: "My current classes are scheduled on a one on one basis as the studio is booked with classes in Rock Carving & Wire Wrapping for the 2nd and 3rd weekends of Nov, Currently I teach classes in all areas of lampworking, beginner, intermediate & advanced with special classes designed for the individual students, for example, if you like to learn more about Blowing Shards or vessels at the torch, Hollow Beads, Cane making, Trees, Fish or Encased flowers or how to use the new Silver Glass to get the best results, you just let me know and I will design a class around your needs. I also teach many bead designs that can be added to your class, many of which you can see in the sold out section of my shop at www.jelvehdesigns.etsy.com " contact her at jelvehdesigns2@aol.com.

Corina Tettinger's Visit to Our Studio

2009-10-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week we had at our studio this past week! Lampwork artist Corina Tettinger taught 2 two-day sessions of intensive glass bead making techniques here. Here are a few pictures of our students. The classes started at 10:00 a.m. and ran to late night each day. Students left totally amazed at what they learned from Corina! Corina was truly amazing in her techniques, teaching style, so personable and patient. We were so excited she was able to join our local circle of glass artists. Glass beadmakers came from Phoenix, Redding, Sacramento, Redding, Fremont, and Central Valley and of course Santa Cruz & San Jose! Sign up for her newsletter to see her fabulous beads www.corinabeads.com She plans to return to our studio for another class in Feb., let me know of your interest!

Wire-Wrapping Class Here!

2009-10-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

See Jennifer's wire-work designs below. We have a few openings left for her class, Sunday, Nov. 15.

We're officially open!

2009-09-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well last weekend's open house was well-attended with many already well-known glass and jewelry artists and interested local neighbors! Jelveh from Jelveh Designs had a 5 hr basic lampwork class early morning, with 3 totally new students and one already established artist, Garnet, who told me she always learns something new and improved from Jelveh! The class was followed by an open house with snacks and jewelry sales by 5 artists. Jelveh continued to burn the torch, giving demos to visitors who never saw torchwork before (they all wore glasses). She made a small vessel, a fish, a pumpkin, and other beads!
We had many requests to list new classes and are in the process of developing a newsletter. Jelveh will be having a basic lampwork beginner's class about every 4-6 wks, a wirewrapping class to be taught by my friend Jennifer Le is being planned, I will post her jewelry soon. Torch time is also available in the studio.
And Corina Tettinger from Corina's Beads has agreed to conduct a 2nd session here. The first session of Sat & Sun, Oct 24 & 25 is sold out, the 2nd session, Wed & Thurs, Oct 28 & 29 still has a few openings. We are so excited to have her here and hope to show her South County's local sights!

Progress Report...

2009-09-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here we go, getting closer every day. Jelveh & her friend Garnet were here today testing all the torches & kilns. We unpacked all kinds of glass & tools. Its coming along. Everything worked so well. Hubby is busy making mandrels & shop tools. He has done a good job so far, we will get him on a torch pretty soon.
Here is a photo of Jelveh & her friend at the torch.

Don't forget to mark your calenders, Jelveh will be teaching a 5 hour class on Sunday the 20th of September from 8am to 1pm. Then from 2:30pm to 6:30pm we have the grand opening party & torch demo. There will also be lots of food & refreshments for your enjoyment. Then on October 24th & 25th, don't forget Corina of Corina beads will be here to teach a 2 day class.

the address is 10730 Center Ave, Gilroy CA. 95020, let me know if you need direction help. Over night accommodations are available for an additional fee. See you at the studio.

Grace

My New Studio...

2009-08-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, as you may have guessed by now, my name is Grace, I am in the middle of opening my brand new Lampworking, Silver & Stone Jewelry Studio. It is such an awesome creative space, there is also a guest bedroom for out of town students & instructors with full kitchen, bath & laundry facilities...I am hoping to have all kinds of fun talented teachers at my new studio in the months & years to come. Not only you will be able to take classes in all kinds of art forms from Lampworking (Glass Bead making) to Silversmithing at my studio, but you will also be able to come & rent the studio by the hour to work on what you have learned in our classes. The studio will also be available for private parties for special events such as Bridal Showers & Girls day out...

The opening date is September 20th from 2:30pm to 6:30pm, My friend & lampworker Jelveh Jaferian of Jelveh Designs will be teaching the first Lampworking class at my studio the same day from 8am to 1pm...this 5 hour beginner class is $125.00. Email me for more information.

Mark your calendars, I am also excited to announce that Corina Tettinger of Corina Beads will be teaching at my studio on October 24th & 25th, her class will start at 10am each day & is scheduled to finish at 6pm, however Corina likes to teach & play in the studio later than 6pm, so you can stay as long as she does. This class is $450.00. Email me for more information.

Here are some photos of the work in progress...

Hope to see you at the studio...

Grace