Rain nor Sleet Stopped THIS Get-together!

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

Spring is here!

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

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!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from the Santos Ranch

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!

"Passing the Flame" Book

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!

Corina Tettinger's Visit to Our Studio

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!

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

Progress Report...

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...

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