I awe in amazement as I break down the artist’s process in their creations such as with Rourke “…each piece passes through the craftsman’s hands a total of seventeen times.” As a result of each piece being truly handcrafted only 5,000 pieces can be created in a year.

Rourke states that he is “…100% Shaker Box enthusiast.”

References:
About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2012 from Brent Rourke Designs Web site: http://www.shakerboxesnb.com/about.php

Brent Rourke. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2012 from Brent Rourke Designs Web site: http://www.shakerboxesnb.com/brent_rourke.php

With his hands each piece is crafted.  Andy uses his skills with torches and extensive knowledge of metals to create his masterpieces and their tones of color within the piece.  One of my personal favorite pieces at the gallery by Andy Brinkley is the large “Maple Tree” with the vibrant color of the leaves and feeling of fall!

The process of creating color…

Colors are not created with paints.  Aqua looking greens are created from oxidizing the copper by hand applying acid.  The autumn red tones are created by heating the metal until it is red-hot and suddenly drowned in water.   The colors the can be obtained through oxidization (using heat) are brown, gold, orange, red, pink, purple, dark blue, light blue and black.  The color created is a result from the thickness of the copper and the temperature applied to the copper.

Kate Grenier Designs of Washington brings fun and exciting magnets! These are definitely a must see because there are over 20 different themed magnet sets.
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Kitras Art Glass has an array of brilliant colors!

AND… we have restocked with wonderful pieces from Solmates, Jonathan’s Spoons and GottaLotOfHeart!

As I indulge myself with all of the beautiful art at the gallery, I am always excited when I run across a special featuring one of the amazing artists featured here! Here is a featured show of Lewis + Clark Lamps (with special thanks to “Around Carolina”).

(If embedded video is not seen please visit this link:

In the British Isles, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years.

In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman’s proposal on leap day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt.

In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky.

Some famous people born on February 29 include:

  Susan was born and raised in Colorado.  She graduated with honors with a B.S. in Zoology.  After attending an “eye opening” event “I am a maker”, Susan formally acknowledged herself as an artist.  In 2001, her son introduced Susan to sand blasting on glass and here it is that her love for glass began!

After receiving a glass fusion kiln Susan began fusing and slumping glass.

To find out more about the fusing and slumping glass process visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJFPLzSysmU