Graceful Customs Lampwork Glass & Jewelry Studio

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Daughter Natalie & Memo's Wedding!

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Monday, July 19, 2010

Wedding Bells

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!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Toni' class is now closed!

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!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Ron's New Etsy Site

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

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!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Updated webpage and new eNewsletter!

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/

Saturday, June 19, 2010

June's Monthly Get-Together!

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

OPEN TORCH DAYS IN STUDIO

Fridays, are open torch days, free use of our torches, fuel and kiln. If you have taken a beginners lampworking class, or have experience to work on your own, you are invited to join us to practice, network, and share techniques, hours are 9:00am to 1 pm, other hours with arrangement with Grace. Bring your own supplies and tools, our torches are Nortel Minors and Mega, with oxygen and propane. You must be able to work independently, only general safety instruction is provided, if you are planning to join us e-mail me at Grace@GracefulCustoms.com. There may be some Fridays we will be closed due to vacations or other commitments, and days available may be subject to change. E-mail us for address and directions

Jennifer Le to teach wire-wrapping here!

Who is Jennifer, you ask? Jennifer lives in Santa Clara, CA, the heart of the Silicon Valley. Her long, successful career in high tech was creative, but not very artistic. Although Jennifer is proficient in many skills, such as cooking & gardening, she never applied herself to art until about four years ago. At that time Jennifer & her husband Jim immersed themselves in rockhounding.

Gems, minerals, specimens and the lapidary arts soon became their passion. After some introduction to the lapidary arts with the help of friends and the local club, they were soon creating cabachons, free-forms, flats and even an attempt at faceting! Those pieces looked just great in a display box, but they needed to be seen more often. Jennifer quickly saw the potential for jewelry! Here was the opportunity to create and enjoy something wonderful. Wire wrap was the best way to bring those bright shiny stones out of the box.

Her favorite subjects are pendants, earrings, bracelets and rings of many varieties, sizes, & colors. One needs only to examine Jennifer's work, her showcase and the jewelry she is wearing to see that this is distinctive art. Jennifer learned the fine art & skill of wire-wrap from her mother only four years ago. Since then she has refined her skill into a signature style that is very clean, elegant & striking. She teaches her skill to others in a straightforward and clear manner. Her teaching style & her patience makes her class a valuable experience!