We have decided to change the blog format so that our readers are able to post comments and interact with the site a little more.  We are a little new to this blogging thing, but we are happy to be able to offer this to our visitors.  Look for new entries with new features soon as we learn the ins and outs of the new system! 

        

We made it.  We are exhibiting the Dragon panel in the show!  It was not without some effort though.  The jury asked if we could replace a piece of glass and have the panel back the next morning.  We worked hard and got the thing replaced and back to the Botanic Gardens.  Judging is today, but we really don't care too much if we win anything.  We just want folks to see our work and enjoy the show.  We do have a list of do's and don'ts for next year though.  There are a lot of great pieces at the show and we are really excited to be included.  It will be a great opportunity to network with other glass artists and pass out some business cards.  If you would like to stop by and say "Hi", we will be at the show on Wednesday night September 24th from 6 to 9 PM. 

The show is located in Mitchell Hall on the grounds of the Denver Botanic Gardens.  The show is free with your paid admission to the gardens.  Come see us and tell all your friends. 

        

It was a total surprise to win 1st place in the cold glass category.  We were just happy to have our panel accepted in the show!  Our main goal was to have something to show.  We didn't expect to compete, let alone win first place!  As the awards were read from honorable mention, third to second, we were just clapping for the winners.  Just before the first place award was announced, I thought that we should get ready to go.  Then we were called!  I can tell you that Mike and I are still in shock.  There are a ton of incredibly well crafted and designed pieces at the show.  We felt honored to just be displayed in the same room with them.  To have been chosen as the best in our category is truly beyond belief.

Thank you to everyone who supported us.  Family, friends and especially our wives who put up with our long hours in the shop. 

        

Well, the day of truth is finally here.  We are delivering our panel to the Glass at the Gardens show this afternoon.  We have really been working hard on this thing and if all goes well, we will have it shown for the first time.  We have deliberately kept the design under wraps since we don't want anyone to see it until the show actually arrives.  Here is a little preview though for our loyal readers...

 

Speaking of nerves...  This is our first show and happens to be one of the biggest in Denver.  I keep looking at the piece and thinking what could have been done differently.  Why do we always second guess?  I think it is because we strive for perfection.  We see things that no one would ever even catch in 100 years.  That is just in the artists' nature I suppose.  Wish us luck and we will let you know if the piece makes it past the jury.  If not, we will have a "lessons learned" section in the next blog entry that will be helpful to anyone entering a juried show. 

Here is a tip...  Stay away from clear glass if possible!  This is just a personal preference, but we have had nothing but trouble keeping the stuff clean.  If it is not a fingerprint, it is a smudge or fleck of dust that is really getting our ire up.  It seems that if we had used a textured or frosted glass for the background, life would have been a lot simpler (and less aggravating).  All those tiny imperfections could have been avoided just by using glass that would have hidden them.

Again, cross your fingers for us.