So if you’re interested in venturing up California to the San Jose area or you already live up there take a tour of the Bay Area Glass Institute and pick me up a trinket from the gift store.

Recycled art is popping up everywhere these days.  While creating art from reclaimed objects has been around forever, I still get inspired every time I see a beautiful, unique piece of art that uses found item.  It’s hard not to want to try it myself.  I’ve even taken to collecting a shopping bag full of items that I might normally throw away.

The photo is a great example of what can be made out of old bottles.  The artist is Laura Bergman and her site has many great recycled glass art and jewelry!

From their site:

“The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, has a call for entries for glassmakers, artists and designers, and companies for the New Glass Review 31. Only glass designed and made between October 1, 2008, and October 1, 2009, may be submitted for this annual survey.”

Read the full description and requirements at the Corning Museum of Glass web site.

I’ve embarked on a color study project to document what different colors of transparent glass do when layered over each other.  I’m hoping that it will serve as a reference as I branch out into other designs.  It is very time consuming as each bead in this series takes 30 minutes to an hour but once the project is done I suspect it will save me time that has normally been spent experimenting with color for each design.  No more trial and error…I can just reference my documentation.  You can read more about this project today on Watch Me Create, another blog I write for.

Today must be the day for glass houses in my Google alerts.  Check out this enclosed dining area on this glass house.  It looks like this house is nestled in the woods.  What a great way to enjoy the great outdoors without the bugs, hayfever, humidity or snow.  Be sure to follow the link to see some other modern glass homes.

I just have one question:  Just who does the windows?

It takes a special kind of person to live in a glass house.  Especially at night when you kn0w that people can see in but you can’t see out.

Check out this elegant home that allows you to be closer to nature with floor to ceiling glass walls!  Be sure to click through to see the other enchanting architectrual elements of this stylish one story home.

It’s this weekend in Vegas.  A whole arena with a glass flameworking competition going on.

From their site:  This 30,000 square foot, 4,400 seat arena is well appointed with 4 -72’ flat screen monitors that face all sides of the arena along with a private “VIP” bar which has seating for 250 with full bar and kitchen access.

And if you can’t be there, you can watch it live on the internet!  Friday and Saturday, April 3rd and 4th.  The link will be live at www.internationalhotglassinvitational.com.  Click on over to see the teams and schedule.

Make sure to visit the Frantz Art Glass site to see what they have.  One thing is, a lot of glass at half price.  And it’s not just old glass that no one wants to use…it’s the stuff that you use every day.  Better get there before I do!

You just never know where your internet travels will take you.  This glass screen came up on the vegascondoscene.com site.  I didn’t know there was a Vegas condo scene.

This particular condo includes a men’s spa, where this glass panel is housed.  I love the illusion that separating panels give, without actually being a wall.  Wouldn’t it be cool to have a loft separated by this kind of art to define your spaces?  Imagine the sun coming through.

Dharma Designs Blog introduces us to the blown and fused glass art of nickpaul on Etsy.  They tell the story of how they ‘upcycle’ bottles into drinking glasses that are pure glass art.

Last year I picked up glasses similar from an artist on the street in Jerome, AZ.  Four beautiful cobalt blue glasses.  I ordered 4 more but, alas, never heard back.  Now I know where to go to complete my set.  These kinds of glasses are fun too because you can mix and match and although no two are ever exactly the same, the fit together perfectly!