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Thursday, November 20, 2008

HOT NEW STUDENT CREATIONS!

Here are just SOME of the student creations made recently at Martin's Glass House! If your piece isn't shown here, bring it back to be photographed and included!

If you didn't create anything yet - you still have time! The last open studio for the year will be Wednesday December 17, from 3 PM until 10 PM.

We will be open for pick-ups and purchases only through Tuesday, December 23.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!


MARY'S KITE SOAP DISH
& RETRO SPOON REST





4-3/4" X 3-1/4" COBALT RECTANGLE
WITH DICHROIC ACCENTS








5" X 3-1/2" RECTANGLE WITH
STACKED MULTI-COLOR ACCENT SQUARES




DEANNE'S DROP RING VESSELS


7" SQUARE TILE (1/2" THICK), 6" DROP




9" ROUND CLEAR WITH PATTERN BAR
INCLUSIONS, 6" DROP
DINA'S DROP RING VESSEL
3" SQUARE COBALT TILE WITH
PATTERN BAR INCLUSIONS, 4" DROP

CALI'S BOWL AND PLATES
9" ROUND WITH 2" DROP
ASPEN ABSTRACT

6" SQUARE RED WITH BLACK ABSTRACT



6" SQUARE PURPLE RAIN




DEBBIE'S BOWLS


5" ROUND
WALKING DOGS





5" ROUND
SNOW SKIER







EVA'S SUN CATCHERS

5" SQUARE
DAISIES WITH WRAPPED BEADED WIRE HANGER









5" SQUARE
BOOT WITH WRAPPED BEADED WIRE HANGER







BETTYE'S TREE SUN CATCHER


8" TALL
WITH DICHROIC "ORNAMENTS"












PEGGY'S TREE SUN CATCHER


8" TALL, ABSTRACT WTIH
BROWN DOT "PINE CONES"









JENNIFER'S SNOWMAN ORNAMENT

8" TALL WITH
HAT, HOLLY, VITRIGRAPH ARMS











































Take a look at some of the hot new creations made by students over the past several weeks...






























Sunday, November 9, 2008

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER CALENDARS

Here are the new calendars for Martin's Glass House open studio times!

We have added more open studio times through December 17th to accommodate most of your schedules so that you can make gifts. We will also be closed for several days, so please print out the calendars for easy reference and call to schedule your studio sessions as soon as possible.

Please allow about ONE WEEK for all projects to be completed for pick-up. Of course, if projects are done sooner, you can arrange to pick them up when they are completed.

I will have items for sale at several craft shows - locations, dates and times shown on the calendars.

Hope to see you there, but you are also welcome to shop in the studio!

CLICK ON THE CALENDARS BELOW FOR A LARGER VIEW






















Friday, October 17, 2008

HOLIDAY SPECIALS AT MARTIN'S GLASS HOUSE



Some incredible deals at Martin's Glass House for the holidays. Prices are good from now through December 17th!

Check your email for more details, or contact Martin's Glass House to be added to the email list if you didn't get the price announcement!

Hurry in for the best selection of pre-made pieces, or make your own at open studio times and workshops!

CLICK ON THESE IMAGES TO SEE THEM WITH A LARGER VIEW!










Friday, September 26, 2008

LAST MINUTE REMINDERS - AND GIFTS!


Just a few great opportunities left to take advantage of in September!


Remember – no experience is required! I will teach you how to turn pieces of glass into beautiful and fun things for you and people on your gift list to enjoy!


Please call (307-399-6441) right away to sign up!


Friday, September 26, 6-9:30 PM: Drop Ring Vessels… You can make a vase or a bowl, or just a decorative piece to display in your home – use them for flowers or one bud, bread sticks, candle holder... and who knows what else. Price for this class ranges about $10 - $30 (plus $6 studio fee).
The bowl/vase above was a 9-inch circle with dots and iridized glass stripes partially fused so that it retained a "bumpy" texture. Then it was fired on a drop ring form supported by 6-inch stilts. When the glass reached the bottom of the kiln, it formed a base upon which it could stand.

Saturday, September 27, 1-4 PM: Big Deal Pendant Party – for only $30 you can make six pendants or cabochons that can be used as jewelry, or on wine bottle stoppers, key rings, letter openers, barrettes, buttons, bolos, magnets…and probably more! The techniques you will learn in this class can be applied to many other types of projects. What a terrific opportunity to make several gifts all in just a few hours - and at a super low price!

Monday, September 29, 6-9:30 PM: Silly 60% Sale... You can buy any item in my studio gift shop for 60% of the regular price! So, if you’ve had your eye on something that you have really liked but it could not be reproduced, now’s the time to take advantage of this sale. (Warning: there are a few items in my studio that are not for sale – I like them too much to sell them, but keep them displayed because I enjoy looking at them!) Or – if you’d rather create your own, for just this one day, I will let you apply your 60% of regular price to open studio! Silly to not take advantage of this offer either way!

Tuesday, September 30, 5-9 PM: You name it night – you pick a project (or everyone can do whatever they would like) and invite your friends to a glass fusing party… I provide refreshments and everyone gets a discounted studio fee (or zero studio fee, if they bring someone with them). Last chance this month!

Another reminder: to enter the drawing for October 1st, you must participate in a workshop or open studio time, or make a purchase at the studio!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Martin's Glass House on the Road

We recently returned from a 10-day whirlwind trip to Michigan and back! It's taken me a while to catch up on things, but finally I am getting a blog online about our trip!

En route, some of Martin's Glass House products were left to sell on consignment at the International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, South Dakota. If you want to do a taste test on some really good vinegars, this is the place you need to visit! The day we were there, we also stopped at the ice cream shoppe where we experienced a vanilla milkshake with tequila lime vinegar in it. It was great! This is something that you can try at home - as long as you buy the tequila lime vinegar!




Ethel Mitchell was our tour guide for the day we arrived. However, since Phil and I had already been to the museum a few years ago, we were just plain eager to buy some of the wonderful vinegars that are available in the gift shop.

This is Ethel - standing by a display of vinegar clay pottery that Lawrence Diggs, The Vinegarman, the founder and President of the International Vinegar Museum, made. The Martin's Glass House "Don't Throw Stones" collection of glassware is in the photo - the pheasant salad set (photos below) and two 12" platters made with the blue opal art glass.







Here are some of the pieces from the pheasant salad set...



















After leaving Roslyn, South Dakota, we headed northeast to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - by way of the first and only Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station in Cloquet, Minnesota, and the 3M Sand Paper Museum in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

We arrived at Copper Harbor, Michigan, a few days after we left Roslyn. After dinner at The Mariner North in Copper Harbor, I toured the gift shop at the restaurant. Seeing that they didn't carry any glassware like I make, I asked if they would be interseted in looking at some of the items I had with me, hopefully to sell them at their gift shop. Peg, the owner, was pleased to take a look - and she liked what she saw, I'm pleased to say! So... now you will also be able to buy Martin's Glass House "Don't Throw Stones" Collection glassware at the Nagamoon Gift Shop of The Mariner North, too! The photos below are just a few of the items that we left at the Nagamoon Gift Shop...



A pasque flower salad serving set...















a water lily salad bowl....

















a fracture streamer salad serving set...
















...and we also left the sun setting over Lake Superior before heading to other parts of Michigan over the next several days....

It was a long trip... but I love Michigan... We didn't have cell phone coverage for four days in the U.P., but it was fun looking for agates on the shores of Lake Superior, and we saw the locks in operation at Sault Ste. Marie. The cherries were wonderful in Charlevoix, as was the blueberry pie at South Haven.


We just didn't get to stay long enough...

September Calendar















SEPTEMBER is going to be a busy month! Something nearly every day to celebrate Cat's Birthday this month! See the explanations below for details... and note that the studio fee is reduced this month as part of the celebration! There are many other discounts this month that you will want to use, so print this out now and plan ahead!

Also, NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED to attend any of the Martin's Glass House events! Just show up and you can learn how to do everything you need to know to make these projects!


SPECIAL DATE TO NOTE ON THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

There will be a special open house at Martin's Glass House on Wednesday, September 3. Be sure to stop by to see the prizes that will be given away on October 1st. Everyone who attends one of the sales, parties, project nights/days will receive one entry ticket for the drawing on October 1st. Come to one, come to some or come to all - you get a ticket each time you make a purchase at one of these events!


You Name It Nights and Days: This is your opportunity to pick a project and turn it into a workshop - or a party! If you want to have a party, then you invite the people - I will provide refreshments! Fees will be based on the open studio price sheet - but the studio fee will be reduced to only $6! Bring someone new with you - or if you invite the people - and your studio fee will be waived!


Silly 60% Days/Nights: Take a special discount to celebrate Cat's birthday - you pay only 60% of all fees for one project and only $6 for the studio fee - or the studio fee is free if you bring someone new! Each additional project will be priced as listed on the studio price sheet.


Silly 60% Sales: Pay only 60% for any one item on sale at Martin's Glass House!

Pattern Bar Night. This is the night to create your pattern bars. After they are fired, you will need to come back to slice them to be used in another project of your choice. Price will be $25 for the first two pattern bars (either 2"x4" or 3-1/2"x3-1/2", which is $12.50 each, or $12.50 for only one pattern bar); $15 for each additional pattern bar. Studio fee will be $6 - or free if you bring someone new!


BIG DEAL Pendant Party. Huge savings on pendants at this party! Make six pendants (up to 1-1/4" x 1-1/4") for only $30 - that is only $5 each, and no studio fee for this one! Or substitute a pair of earrings or two for a pendant or two for the same price! (Findings and neck cords are extra.) Great time to think about getting started on your gift shopping list at these prices! Bring someone new and receive one free pendant bail and neck cord!


Feng Shui Fusing. Even if you don't know anything about Feng Shui, you can make something using some of the fun design ideas that will be provided at this workshop. You can put together something that you like for just one special price - only $35 for this workshop, which includes everything you need for an 8" square or round bowl or plate. Bring someone new and you will receive a $5 discount!

Drop Ring Vessels. Bowls, vases, plates, platters... from tiny to 12" square! See the photo at the bottom of this blog for an example of something new that Cat's been playing with at the studio! Price is determined by the size of the project you choose, based on the studio price sheet, plus a $6 studio which will be waived if you bring someone new!

Mom's Day. For moms or others who want to come to a daytime open studio while the kids are in school. Times listed are suggested. You may schedule another time or day that works for you by calling in advance! You may pick a simple project that can be completed in a short time, or you can start a project on one day and finish it on another. The studio fee will be $6 - or free if you bring someone new!







Tiny Drop Vase - about 3"x3" at the top and 1-1/2" at the bottom. A small square of glass was fused, then placed on a drop "ring" mold in the second firing. The glass was allowed to heat high enough for it to "drip" through to the kiln floor to form a stand for the vase.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

WIRE WRAPPING WITH DILLON RULAND, SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2008

Just a reminder that the Wire Wrapping Workshop is this Saturday, July 26th!

Dillon Ruland will be here to teach some basic wire wrapping techniques - and there is room for a few more people to attend.

Here are some samples of the basic basket and weaving techniques you can learn. You may use a glass cabachon (some dichroic pieces will be available at the studio for you to purchase), or you may bring your own gem to wrap. As you can see from Dillon's pieces, you don't have to limit yourself to glass!

Please call today to reserve your spot!



Abalone shell in a copper wire basket...



Gemstone in a copper wire basket...



Just for fun - a wire and bead mobile!

Friday, July 18, 2008

MARTIN'S GLASS HOUSE AT CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS

Here are just a few of my Contemporary Western design items you will see at Cheyenne Frontier Days this year! All of these are fused glass - NOT painted, NOT stained glass. Each piece is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation. No two pieces are alike.

Come to Frontier Days to buy them retail - or call for special wholesale pricing if you are in retail sales, and if you would like to have me make pieces specifically for you to sell at your store! Consignment arrangements can also be made, and special design orders may be requested.




Geometric Mountain Landscape Wall Sconce (includes electrical kit and frame); 10-1/2" W x ~12" H. Original design by Cat Martin.



Geometric Purple and Blue Iridized Glass Wall Sconce (includes electrical kit and frame); 10-1/2" W x ~ 12" H. Original Design by Cat Martin.



Geometric Grenadine Wall Sconce (includes electrical kit and frame); ~ 11" W x 12" H. Pattern by South Beach Frames, with squiggles added by Cat Martin.


8" square boot plates come in a variety of colors. Every plate has a unique one-of-a-kind design. No two are alike! All original designs by Cat Martin.



Contemporary Western Origami Set: Cherry red opaque glass with dots and squiggles in orange, yellow and green. Set includes 12" origami shape bowl, four 7" square plates, four 6" square plates, 6"x10" serving platter, and four 2-1/2" square abstract origami shape (designed by Cat Martin) dipping sauce or butter dishes.



White Stringer Stripe Set, includes: one 12" square platter, one 12" round cheese ball/cracker (or chip/dip) platter, four 8" square plates, and four 3" square origami shape (designed by Cat Martin) dipping sauce/butter dishes.

Square Platter and Plate Set includes: 12" square platter, four 6" square plates. Comes in a variety of colors! This set shown is the Grenadine Opal pattern. Each piece has a unique "swirl" of the opal design in the glass. These sets are wonderful for serving desserts (cheesecake, especially)!

Boot Night Light - Comes in a variety of colors, and every boot design is a one-of-a-kind creation by Cat Martin. Every boot has a different design - no two alike! Other designs are available, as well. Come see them all before they are gone!

Contemporary Western Belt Buckles - Come in a variety of colors and designs to accomodate a 1-1/2" wide leather belt. This buckle shown has a millefiori bead trim and dichroic glass accents.

Zipper Flippers - Just two of many, many colors, and many other charms from which to choose! No two alike!

Contemporary Western 12" Square Origami Plate in Amber, Yellow and Red blanket design on an ivory background.

Prairie Grass 9" x 11" x 1" Serving Dish. Beautiful enough to display, but with great functionality for everyday use.


10" Square Contemporary Western Blanket Design Serving Plate. I think a small cheesecake could fit on this plate, too! :-)


Another Contemporary Western design 10" square serving plate. Or just display it, if you want!


Bronze and Gold Iridescent Glass Platter with abstract design. If your brand is "Rocking CR", this plate should be yours!

11" round abstract "ruffle" design bowl in dark amber, with black and white dots, squiggles and geometric shapes.


Brass money clip with dichroic glass trim. Comes in assorted colors and types of glass! Come see the bolo ties, too - there aren't any pictures of them on this post, but there is a wonderful selection from which to choose!


Just three samples of many, many barrettes from which to choose - some dichroic glass, some non-dichroic glass. You will want them all!

Black Fire Works Set - 12" square platter with six 6" square plates (shown), but also includes a 12" round cheese ball/cracker (chip/dip) platter, and 10" square serving plate! What a great way to finish off entertaining in a Contemporary Western Style!