New Workshop: Precision Glass Cutting for Mosaic

For years, I've offered beginner-level workshops, usually based on a simple project like suncatchers, garden mosaic, or pendants.  But I was recently asked if I would consider teaching a more advanced class for students interested in working with stained glass.  I hand-cut most of my glass, and I manage to get very clean lines and smooth curves.  I find this useful when stacking glass on edge, where I can't have shardes poking up:

In the center, clear glass is cut into undulating shapes, then stacked on edge to create hills and valleys.

...and it comes in handy when I want to add Opus Sectile to my andamento:

Opus Sectile is when each section of the image is cut as a solid piece, rather than using small pieces clustered together.

The ability to cut smooth shapes from glass without "nipping" allows me to create very clean lines with specific shapes when I want to.

And using a mix of different andamento styles within one mosaic can have an interesting effect:

The roses in this mosaic are done in Opus Sectile, as well as the lips, eyeballs, and the grey neckline.  The face and scarf are Opus Palladianum and the hair and background are done in Opus Vermiculatum.  For more info on andamento, see this website: http://www.mosaicmakers.co.uk/mosaicstyle.html

My new workshop in Precision Glass Cutting for Mosaic is designed for intermediate to advanced mosaic artists wishing to add sheet glass to their repertoire, or to gain more mastery over their cutting ability.  I'll demonstrate ways to cut curves and narrow shapes, and will bring my ring saw for students to try.  (The ring saw is vital for cutting more deeply into the glass.

Notice how some of the pistils extend into the shape of the adjacent petals.  The ring saw was necessary for cutting into the petals.  Delicate cutting technique was needed to make the narrow, curving pistils.

However, beginners are welcome to attend, and I will be going over the basics of glass cutting as well.  Students will create a small glass-on-glass project with an Opus Sectile design that includes curves.  I will provide some templates, or design your own.  Materials are provided, and I'll have some tools on hand, but I won't have enough for everyone, so I encourage you to bring your own toyo glass cutter, running pliers and breaker-grozier pliers.  Wheeled nippers are optional.  Email me if you need to purchase tools through me, or more information about that.

The first workshop is March 8th & 9th in Manzanita, OR.  The fee is $200.  Register with The Hoffman Center: http://hoffmanblog.org/about-us/contact-us

The second workshop will be May 17th & 18th at Sequoia Gallery in Hillsboro, OR (just outside of Portland.)  Registration info: http://sequoiagallerystudios.org/contact/

I am very excited to teach a more challenging class like this, and I look forward to seeing how my students use the information.  Contact me if you have any questions.