Okay… picture this! This is the amazing fused glass work by Robin Kittleson. Every polka dot is an individual cane of hand-pulled millefiori glass cut into small nuggets that are like a 1/4″ long. Some of the canes of glass have several layers of colors within them. Then they’re all stacked tightly together sidce-by-side, packing together different colors & making patterns. So many individual pieces of different diameters packed so tight that there are no gaps or spaces. There is no filler – just canes of glass. Once all filled & packed together, it is all slowly melted together in a kiln… and slumped over a mold to create the smooth platter shapes. Incredible process & beautiful results… and if you hold them up to the light so it shines through… BREATHTAKING!!!

Next up… close-up details of the metal sculptural work of Darlys Ewoldt. All handmade, all fabricated from flat sheets of metal. “Somehow” formed by hand to make these amazing… I don’t really understand how any of this is done. It’s all metasmithing magic to me. But the forms are amazing… and the patina’d colors even cooler! All of these sculptures can be seen at the “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” gallery show in Evanston!

Crazy cool close-up details of Sarah Chapman’s contributions to the Four Seasons collaboration project. Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter… interpreted through metal, stones, gems & patina colors! Amazing work for the “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” gallery show! Today is the final day… c’mon by 12:00noon-4:00pm.

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

WINTER

Today was the opening of “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” in Evanston. Thanks to everyone who stopped by today to chat & buy some art. We always love seeing art enthusiasts, collectors, hobbyists, students, friends & more! We’re looking forward to two more days of fun… hoping you can stop by! I’ll be there with my talented friends Sarah, Darlys & Robin! What could be better than hanging out with friends all day surrounded by great art & good snacks?! C’mon by…

Enough of the teasers… here’s a quick look of the big collaboration project we’ve all been working on! The “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” have been busy “making”… four tiles each for the four seasons! So sixteen tiles total in one large installation… but first we need to get it up on the wall?! The show opens at 2:00pm today, so we gotta get going quick!

In case I haven’t mentioned it lately… ha!… this coming weekend is our “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” gallery pop-up exhibition & sale in Evanston! I will be hanging around with three of My Talented Friends… metalsmith Sarah Chapman, metal sculptor Darlys Ewoldt & glass artist Robin Kittleson. We’ve all been working on some new work for this show… including a special collaborative piece that should be something to see when it all comes together!

4×4 : FOUR MAKERS
Space 900 Gallery – 816 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60202

Friday, March 3rd – 2:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday, March 4th – 10:00am-8:30pm
Sunday, March 5th – 12:00pm-4:00pm

Okay, so Darlys is apparently the over-achiever of the group… and is already showing-off her pieces for “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS”... while the other three of us are still scrambling to get our pieces pulled together!!! Stop by “4×4” next weekend in Evanston to see how they all come together! Now back to work…

Just two months from today… so I guess it’s time to get back into the studio to start making some new pieces…. and quick!!! I’ve enjoyed the holiday break, but it’s time to get back to work. Especially with this big show right around the corner with my talented friends Sarah Chapman, Darlys Ewoldt & Robin Kittleson!

March 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2023 in Evanston… more details to come!

My uber-talented metalsmith friend Amy Taylor is here again today… also replenishing & restocking … but might have a little “untangling work” to do before she’s all set-up. Ahh… the life of a traveling metalsmith!

So I’m in the final “night-before” push… pricing, re-stocking, adding more to the Shlepping sale shelves, cleaning, baking… and just plain getting ready for another fun weekend at my place! Hopefully you’ve cleared out a spot on your calendar & started making your gift list… because this weekend is my MUD & METAL HOLIDAY HOME SHOW!!! With special guest star Amy Taylor and her amazing jewelry creations! Whether naughty or nice, lots of wonderful gifts for everyone on your shopping lists!