Heather from Chaos Glassworks

We are excited to host Heather from Chaos Glassworks for a class!  She will be here at Graceful Customs Studio in Gilroy, CA, on Saturday and Sunday, August 26 & 27, 2017, to teach separate projects on each of the two days.  Heather is very busy participating in art and gem shows throughout the bay area, and would now like to share some of her techniques and art forms.  Her husband, Dave, is an accomplished Artist Glassmaker who makes larger sculptured items such as lights, vases, paper weights, bowls. Their beautiful art can be seen on their website at www.Chaosglassworks.com  Their art gallery and workshop is in Sutter Creek, California.

Heather Hopman works in a variety of mediums including lampworked soft glass beads, ceramics, gourds, metalworking, blown glass and watercolors. She was born and raised in Amador County.
She has studied under Loren Stump, Robert Mickelson and Vittorio Constantini.
Heather will be teaching soft glass sculptures, a cat and a horse on the first day, and a seal on the second day.  She will teach us how to manipulate shapes, colors, and animal details such as faces. 

 Cost is $175.00 for one class, and $300.00 for both classes.  e-mail
Grace@Gracefulcustoms.com to sign up and class supplies details.

Meet the Artist Evening with Rashan Jones

Come meet and greet Rashan Jones, Boro Artist, from Albuquerque's, New Mexico, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at GracefulCustoms Studio, in Gilroy, Ca, e-mail us for more info:  grace@gracefulcustoms.com  See his work at http://jonesartglass.com/jones-art-glass/
He is here that weekend to teach a boro class!  Let us know if you are interested in the class.  See class description on this blog. www.Gracefulstudios.blogspot.com

JC Herrell Lampworking class 2 one day classes Oct. 11 & 12, 2014

JC Herrel will be teaching two one day classes at Graceful Customs Studio in Gilroy, 1st day is Joy of Enamels, “This class is designed for intermediate beadmakers with the intention of expanding the student’s arsenal of design techniques into the wonderful world of enamels. We’ll explore how to apply enamels to create vivid backgrounds, gentle color fades, faux surfaces and streaky lines, among other effects. As you become comfortable with the properties of enamels and learn how to avoid some common pit falls, you’ll also become familiar with wide variety of colors available from vivid to natural.” 
The second day is: Joy of Stringer, one day class “Students will focus on building straight line stringer control and heat control skills through a process of observation and repetition. Demonstrations will focus on the micro-details of drawing rings, end caps, horizontal line, and other techniques!  See her work at: JC Herrell
e-mail Grace@GracefulCustoms.com for details.  You can take one or both days of class.  One extra bedroom available very inexpensive!

Kristen Franz Orr - Class at GraceFul Customs Studio, Gilroy- March 2014

Kristen will be here March 8 & 9, 2014 Sat & Sunday for a class on "floral techniques."  E-mail Grace@GracefulCustoms.com for more information.

Look what WE did! Dragon Beads with Mary Lockwood 2013

Needless to say, the Dragon Beads took time and concentration!  With 9 torches and burners going, it was pretty warm in the studio!  But all had fun, learned many techniques that Mary shared with all, and her patient and confident style was appreciated by all!  She is a very talented lampworking artist!  Thank you Mary, Come again to Graceful Customs! 

Mary Lockwood "Dragon Class" at Graceful Customs Studio 2013

Happy Birthday Jelveh!

Well Jelveh had another birthday last weekend at our Open House.  We met new friends, Jewelry makers Jennifer and Marisa, thanks Pat for bringing them to our Studio.  Jelveh demo'ed Frank's new SUPER Round-About, it took her about 30 min. to make that bead!  Ron Martinez was here showing off all his latest carved gems while he worked all day.  Carmen was set up so show us her soldering techniques and was heard hammering away, texturing something!  We had 3 Leche Cake with Jelveh and she opened up her gifts from Grace, a new apron and bags embroidered with her  name!

Holiday Boutique & Happy Holidays!

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

Floral Murrini Class Pics-June 18, 2011

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!

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!

"Floral Murrini" with John Rizzi

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.

Like Murrini? Learn to Make It with John Rizzi!

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.