Show Time

I love this show, plain and simple. This will be my 8th year exhibiting, and I am never disappointed. Of course, I expect this year to be a little different, as I will have to navigate on crutches. But, I couldn't let my broken foot stop me from being there.

If you're interested in attending, or know someone who is, please be so kind as to spread the word!!

When: July 15-17
Where: Guilford, CT
What: Super awesome craft show

Linkedy link: Guilford Expo

I must give a special mention to my friend KimV
Without her help, and her minivan, I don't think I could be there. Thanks a million Kim!!!

See you in Guilford!!!

Re-Design

When I started doing craft shows, settling on a good booth design was a challenge. I knew that shelves were key to my display. But, I had a pretty strict criteria. So, I looked to Ikea, with these thoughts in mind:

Ease of use

Versatility

Aesthetics

Function

And they were perfect. And I loved them.

After my last Holiday show of 2009, I decided I should redesign my booth. Give it a little makeover. For as much as I loved them, I needed a change. Although I believe change is good, sometimes I am reluctant to embrace it.

Forward to March 2010....
I lost all my beloved Ikea shelves in the flood. And I lost a lot of other things, too. And I've learned that comfort and stability are important when dealing with devastation. So, my first thought was to return to Ikea and buy the same shelves. After all, they were familiar.

But, I did not.

And I will not. I will go to Ikea, but with a new model in mind. It's exciting!

And if all goes well, it will debut at the Guilford Expo in July. And with the recent upgrade to a corner booth (I always chose an inline booth), the challenge to redesign is even greater.

Stay tuned, as I will post on the progress.

Change is good.

Before & After

Before cleaning & After the flood.

For the last 2 weeks, my kitchen, sun porch and driveway have transformed into The Clean Zone. All the glass that I salvaged had to be cleaned. Seriously cleaned. The great thing about glass is that it's not porous. So, as long as it didn't chip, crack or break during the flood, I am able to salvage it.

Most everything looked like the vase in the picture....covered in a layer of sludge.

The outsides were easy....rinse, soak in bleach water, scrub down with soap, and a final rinse.

Cleaning the insides proved to be the challenge. All my vases have a little opening (perfect for little arrangements, but not so perfect for cleaning). I now own every style scrub brush on the market, and even used an old toothbrush.

And my dishwasher....that's right, my dishwasher! (shortest wash cycle, and cool dry). I'll be honest, I held my breath when I took a look at the first load, afraid that everything would be cracked.

This has been a long process, and it's ongoing, but I'm so grateful to have salvaged so much of my inventory.

For all that I have lost, it's encouraging (and motivating) to have so much.

Thanks again for all your kind words and support.

Big Fan

Little fans are good, too.

If you would take a moment to be MY fan, I'd appreciate it. A little button to the right (and also at the bottom of the blog) will take you to the Tanner Glass fan page.

Once a fan, you will be privy to things that you don't often see here, or on Etsy! It's a first glance as to what is happening in my world. It's an opportunity to participate, too!

Thanks!

Two Years

It's hard to believe it has been 2 years since I joined Etsy.


To celebrate, I'm having a SALE!!

22% OFF

Why 22%, you ask? Well, I joined on 2.22 (so it only seemed fitting).

This is a great opportunity to get some things at a great price! Stock up for Mother's Day, Birthdays, Holidays or Anydays!

Lots of great things will be added all week, so keep checking for new items!

See my Etsy Shop Announcement for more information!

Thank you for making Tanner Glass a success on Etsy!

Standing Out

Let's face it. I'm not the first to glue paper to the back of glass gems and turn them into magnets and paperweights. In fact, I am one of hundreds of sellers on Etsy that do this.

A simple google search will yield dozens of "how to's"......and that's how I learned.

You may think I'm a little nutty for telling you this. After all, now you all will click to google and search. And then you will create your own, right? Maybe. Maybe not.

I knew when I started making them that there were plenty of other sellers making them, too. But, I also knew I had ideas, resources and the ingenuity to make mine different.

After all, for the past 7 years, different was the key to my success as a glassblower. I didn't want to make what everyone else made. So I didn't. I saw a lack of smaller, affordable glass gifts in the marketplace, and quickly made that my niche market. I built my business on Bottlestoppers and Oil Candles, Bud Vases and Pocket Coins. To date, I have sold well over 5000 bottlestoppers. Crazy.

(what is even crazier is that I still enjoy making them. And I constantly add new designs and colors to the line).

Back to the glass gems......

When I began, I did what everyone else does. I went to the big Craft stores, sifted through scrapbook paper, bought my glass gems, and started creating. And they looked like everyone elses.

And then, the light bulb moment......I could make the glass gems. So I did. I don't make the little ones, but I do make all the larger ones. Now, I not only make them for my own use, but I sell them to one of the top Supply sellers on Etsy.

Thanks to a scanner, copier and photo editing program, I was able to execute some designs.....like the Fortune paperweights, and dog/cat themed magnets. The Hooks quickly followed.

Okay, quickly is not quite right. The learning curve was huge. I had many failures. MANY. But, I loved the idea, so I perservered until the kinks had been worked out.

It's always a challenge as an artist, crafter or designer to stay inspired, to stay original, and most important, to stay true to yourself. Etsy is a constant reminder of the amazing talent and diversity that exists, and I have found much inspiration on that site. Unfortunately it is also a reminder that many people will copy others. Being inspired by others and copying others are entirely different things. It's up to us (as artists/crafters to know the difference).

(stay tuned, as I will discuss why I think the Bandwagon is not always a bad thing).

I love that I have the inate desire to be a little different. Tanner Glass wouldn't be here without it.

The Wait is Over

Finally. It hardly seems possible that I could have this blog for over a year, and have neglected to put a picture of myself in the Studio.

So, this really is Life as a Glassblower.

It sure is sunny there, but that's not why I'm wearing sunglasses. And I'm pretty cool, but that's not why I'm wearing them either ;)

The reheating chamber we use to reheat the glass is very hot. And bright. It's not as bad as staring at the sun, but pretty darn close. So, I wear them to protect my eyes. There's also the possibility that glass may *pop*, and I don't want a piece of that near my eyes, either.

Safety first.

(those tools in my hand? Those are my beloved Dino jacks. You can read about them here)

Enjoy!

Go Vote

I'm hitting the campaign trail......

The other day, I was notified that I had been selected for the Etsy Voter (Favorite Holiday Ornament). Apparently, my friend Tracy from SeaFindDesigns and SteppingStones had nominated me.

*thank you Tracy*

There's some stiff competition in this round of Ornaments......birds, owls, felt and sparkly things and more. But only one glassblower.

Why vote for me?

1. handblown glass is awesome
2. handblown glass ornaments are great year round! Hang them in your window as a suncatcher!

3. they're pretty and shiny

4. you like me (right?)

And, I won't sugar coat it......I'd like to win. So, if you'd like to see me win, please vote for me!

You can vote here

(I'd like to also say thank you to my awesome photographer, Charles Estabrooks, who took this photo a couple of years ago. He makes my work absolutely glow. To see all of the photos Charles has taken for me, you can visit my website

Worcester, here I come!

Early in 2009, I received the unfortunate news that the Worcester Center for Crafts was closing for restructuring. Not only were they a wonderful resource for education and artists, they also had a rich history of running one of the best seasonal Craft Shows.

2008 was my third year as an artist at the Festival of Crafts, and was saddened that it was probably my last opportunity to exhibit.

And then......

I got a phone call in August (many months after their usual deadline for applications for the Festival).

They were opening, and the Festival of Crafts was on!!!

*phew* *hooray*

It has made for a very busy Holiday season, as I have already done one show, and have 2 more after this one. But, stress aside, I'm so grateful to be returning.

Hope to see you there!

Friday Nov 27: 10-5

Sat Nov 28: 10-5

Sun Nov 29: 11-4

(to read more about the closing and reopening of the craft center, read here)

Getting there.....

(on and off)

It's taken me a while (okay, a long while), but I have finally finished my pendants for my kitchen. It's definately one of the perks of being a glassblower.......I can make things. Cool things.

I not only learned that I couldn't decide on a design, but when all was said and done, I also could not photograph them. Believe it or not, there is a floral design etched on the glass.

As of now, only one is installed (don't ask). Once the second one is installed, I will take some nice photos, and show you the before and after.

This was a budget remodel.......and worth every penny.

Stay tuned.

Broken

The furnace is broken. And Mercury is in Retrograde.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of astrology. I like to read my horoscope (Scorpio, in case you were wondering) from time to time. But, since this furnace fiasco, many people have been telling me about Mercury in Retrograde. In a few short days, I have become a believer.

For a glassblower, there is no other piece of equipment that you'd like to see broken. The furnace is the core of our work. It keeps the glass molten, and without it, there is little that can be done.

Is it fixable? Yes.

Can we do it? No.

So, we must wait until our "furnace guy" is available to come to town to fix it. At this point, it looks like we won't be back to 100% for 5 weeks. (*gulp*)

I know what you're thinking......but Christmas is right around the corner!!!!! I know. I KNOW.

Fortunately, I live in the land of glassblowers. There are many studios in Rhode Island, and a good number of them will rent studio time. As best I can tell, I really only need a handful of days to keep my inventory in check.

It's not ideal, but it's the best I can do.......for at least 5 weeks.

Thankfully, Mercury will be long gone from Retrograde when that time comes.

(not soon enough for me).

Beat the Heat

The summer is not my favorite time to be a glassblower. The winter......ah, yes. But, the summer, not so much.

We can't air condition most of the studio.......it's inefficient due to the space (big old mill building), and the fact that glass can't cool too quickly (and blasting cold air in there would cool it too quickly).

For those of you that have spent this summer in New England, you know that we have barely had a summer.......until now. All of a sudden, it's extremely humid and temps are averaging around 88 degrees.

So what does that mean for the studio? 100+ degrees. And remember, the furnace and reheating chamber are working at 2100 degrees, and the ovens we use are at 900.

It's hot. So hot.

And it kicked my butt.

My diagnosis was heat exhaustion (thank you, WebMD). After 2 days of working in those conditions, my body just said "no more, please", and shut down. Normally, by August I have acclimated to these conditions, and 2-3 days of working in the "oppressive" weather is manageable (barely, but it is). But not this year.

A day later, I feel better, and was back to glassblowing......but only a half day for me today.

(and lots of time in my air conditioned office).

Stay cool.

A little Thank You

As I near 500 sales on Etsy, I decided I would do something extra special.

A giveaway!

*hooray*

Everyone that makes a purchase between now (450 sales), and sale #500 will be automatically entered to win an item from my shop...........and, here's the best part......you get to choose it.

The fine print:

~purchase(s) must be paid in full in order to be entered

~each item you buy will count as an individual entry (so the more you buy, the more chances you have to win).

~The winner will be randomly selected (not by me) the day I reach 500 sales.

~The winner gets to choose the item(s) of their choice (valued at $30 or less, including shipping). OR the winner may use the $30 towards a higher priced item.

~The winner will be contacted via an Etsy Conversation (you must be okay with being contacted this way).

I am so grateful for every sale.....and for all the friends I have made since joining the Etsy community in 2008.

Thank you!!!

Take a look at my Etsy shop

Expo 2009

After a 2 year hiatus from exhibiting at the Craft Expo, I have returned to many familiar faces, and many new faces.

I love this show. Love it. The first time I participated was 9 years ago, and Tanner Glass was only about 2 years old. I was new to the Craft Show scene, and this was my first official "big" show. I immediately found a "home" here, and over the years have developed lasting friendships with some of my customers and other artists. It is the #1 reason why I love being here.

An added bonus is that I am able to stay with a cousin that I don't see often enough. It gives us a great opportunity to reconnect.

(Family is good.)

In traditional Expo fashion, the weather forecast is for temps in the 80's, and high humidity. It just wouldn't be the Expo without it!

If you find yourself near Guilford, CT today or tomorrow, make a point to visit the Expo!

See you there!

A Quest: Part II

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, there was a second place that was a "must see" while I was in Murano.

It was the studio of Pino Signoretto, an Italian Master of glass. Mostly known for his intricate glass sculptures, Pino is often commissioned to do custom work.


This is the story of Pino's Studio:

As I left the home of Dino Tedeschi, with my new Jacks in hand, I set out for Pino's Studio. I just wanted to see it, but hoped for a tour. That alone would have been memorable.

(This was much easier to find, as I had passed it twice while searching for Dino's)

As I stood outside the iron gates, I could see through the courtyard, and into his studio. A few people were milling about, but I wasn't certain if one of them was Pino (this was in July, and it was possible that he was in the US, teaching a class).

I rang the doorbell.

Everyone inside stopped what they were doing, and looked out, over the courtyard at me.

Soon after, a young woman arrived at the gate. She was American (hooray!). Her name was Amber, and she was Pino's Assistant.


I introducted myself, and asked if it would be possible to get a tour of Pino's studio. She was friendly and welcoming, and said that they were done working for the day, and if I returned the next day, I could watch him work.

um.......what?

Sure thing. "I'll be back", I said, calmly.

I returned to the Villa in Venice, broke the news to my cousins that I would be unable to accompany them to the mainland the next day, as I had "better plans." And they agreed.....my plans were much, much better.

The next day, I arrive at Pino's, and I'm met, once again by Amber. She bring me inside, introduces me to some of Pino's assistants, and then introduces me to Pino. His English is not very good, but it's better than Dino's (thankfully). We have a limited conversation about who I am, where I'm from, etc....and we smile, and nod (a lot).

"somebody pinch me", is all I can think


As they prepare to start working, Amber takes me on a tour of the studio and gallery. I'm amazed, to say the least. And still in shock, a bit. I'll be honest. None of this was sinking in.


We return to the Studio, where Pino had started working on a sculpture. He is so skilled, it is awe inspiring. He is working on a small scale, very intricate sculpture. It requires precise movements, excellent control, exact temperature and a quick hand....and makes it look effortless.

Over an hour later, he's finished his sculpture. It is stunning. I ask if I can take a picture of Pino with it, before it gets put into the cooling oven. He agrees.....and stands up, holding the punty rod, with the finished piece attached to the end.

I snap a picture.

He moves to sit back at his work bench (where he is seated in this photo), and as he sits down, he hits the end of the punty rod on the bench, sending a shock wave through the punty rod. The finished sculpture fall to the floor and shatters.

SHATTERS!!!!!

*gasp*

It's not saveable. None of it. It's in a million (or so it seemed) pieces on the floor. The studio is silent, I'm shaking, and Pino just walks away, speechless.

*this was all my fault* is all I can think. Great. Just great. Now what do I do? Run away? Change my name? Cry?

Amber looks at me, sees the fear in my eyes, and tells me it's okay. I apologize profusely.

The next 20 minutes or so are just a blur......I think I've blacked it out of my memory. I decide that I've done enough damage for the day, and should head back to Venice. She takes me outside so I can say good-bye and thank you (and of course, "I'm sorry") to Pino.

I apologize again........he looks at me, shrugs his shoulders and says "eets ok. Eet happenz".

I say "I know. It happens to me a lot." And he laughs.

*phew*

Then......

He invites me to an Opening for a commissioned piece that night in Venice.

*clearly, he doesn't hate me, not even a little*

I meet up with Pino, Amber and a few others later that night for the Gallery Opening. It was pretty darn cool.

A few hours later, and a few glasses of wine later, I found myself sitting outside a cafe, with a handful of people (Pino, Amber, and others) drinking wine and listening to them share stories and jokes. Lots of jokes. I tried out some of my Italian (that I learned from a 365 "learn Italian" calendar.... not what I would recommend.) They laughed.

So, there I was, drinking wine and laughing with Pino.......and 24 hours earlier, I had hoped to get a tour of his studio. Just a tour. And 8 hours earlier, I was watching the remains of a demolished sculpture be swept into the trash.

Crazy.

Eight years later, as I retell the story, I still feel like I have to pinch myself. And it's one of the reasons why I pursued Glass. How could I not? In 48 hours, I had experienced more than I could have imagined. The Jacks, the book, the studio, the untimely death of the sculpture, and the opening....it was 100% inspiration.

And I learned that even the best make mistakes, recover from them, and move on to make something else.

What a day.

Keep Searching

It may seem like finding a needle in a haystack.......

But, it's not that hard, I promise.

I've given many hints........but this one may just be the golden ticket.

Hint #7:

Look in the listings of my Top 3 Sections of my Etsy shop

For a recap on all the hints, and what you're searching for, look at my two previous blog entries.

Happy Searching!

Hint, Hint...and I've sweetened the deal

Okay.....so you need more hints.

Let's recap:

Hint #1: It's not a vase

Hint #2: It's valued over $8

Hint #3: It's not blue

Hint #4: It is not a set of magnets

Hint #5: I've told you that the word FREE is hidden *somewhere* in the listing.....so, that could be anywhere.....title, descriptions, photos, material, tags.

(it is NOT in the tags)

Hint #6: It's not in the description

Let's sweeten the deal:

If you win.....AND you are currently a follower of my blog, you will receive an extra *goodie*.

See this post for more info on what you're searching for, and why you're searching!!

Happy searching!

Free Giveaway

The Deal-y-o:

~I'm giving away an item from my Etsy shop. Totally free to you.

How to win:

~One item from my Etsy shop has the word "FREE" hidden somewhere in the listing.
~Find it, and you will get that item totally free (for anyone! US or International!)

The fine print:

~You must Convo me when you find the item, with a link to the item
~don't have an Etsy account? No biggie (it's free, and easy to sign up).

This promotion ends June 14th, so get on it!

To sweeten the deal:
Winner will be announced on my blog/twitter/facebook, with a feature! (your Etsy shop, blog, etc...!)

I will provide hints as time goes on, so if you can't find it.......check back to see more hints.

Hint #1:
It's not a vase

Hint #2:
It's valued over $8

Hint #3:
It's not blue

Click here to view my Etsy shop

Mythbuster.....

Myth: You have to have Mega Lungs to be a glassblower

Not true. One's lung capacity has little to do with their ability to be a glassblower. Working "hotter" has everything to do with one's ability to be a glassblower.

I find myself contanstly telling a newcomer to "get it hotter, get it hotter, get it hotter", as I watch them struggle to get a bubble in an ice cold gather of glass.

In it's molten state (in the the furnace), it's about 2100 degrees, and is the consistency of honey. As soon as you "gather" glass from the furnace, and begin to work with it at room temperature, it begins to cool. And it cools quickly. The colder it gets, the harder it is to work with.

Think of bubblegum for a moment.......

We all know it's much easier to blow a bubble when the gum is "new"..........chew it for a while, and it becomes harder to blow a bubble, right?

So, apply that to glass. New gum=hot glass. Old gum=cold glass.

Understanding heat, and being able to work "hotter" is just one of the challenges one has to face as they learn to blow glass. And increasing lung capacity? Save that skill for a marathon.

The difference a Display makes

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words, especially when you are selling online. Good photos can make or break a sale. At Street Fairs, Crafts shows and Open Houses, we have the benefit of hands-on sales. Customers can pick things up, try things on, flip things over.

But before they can see it, they have to want to see it. That is why your display is integral. With 10 years of Craft show (retail and trade) experience, I have learned some things that work......and don't work. And I'll share some of them with you.

Before I do, I want to discuss my new Hook display......and how effective it was at it's unveiling yesterday. The display stands 78" high, and has 12" wide bifold doors. I placed it at the very front of my booth, so it was visible to passerby's, and to those that were approaching (because it was folded, it allowed for 2 vantage points, and 2 selling sides).

I'd estimate that 75% off the passerby's stopped to look at the hooks. Not necessarily to touch them, or buy them. But to look. And that is the first step in getting people to buy! The end result? The sales of my hooks increased by 200% from previous shows.

Rule #1: they have to see it to want to buy it.

The placement of the display was crucial. As was the arrangement of hooks. I was certain to hang the bulk of them at eye level, and arrange an assortment of styles and colors. I had a Price Key at the top of each board. It was easy to read, and noticeable. And it eliminated the need for price tags next to/on each hook (which can make things look cluttered).

Rule #2: keep it clean & clear

An organized, clean display is much easier for buyers to navigate. And is more welcoming. Period.

Rule #3: eye level, eye level, eye level

It bears being said three times. Have focal points that are at eye level!!!! Even if it's your Business sign, photographs of your work, or actual work. Put things at eye level. Buyers are lookin at many things as they walk a show, but I can guarantee you......they aren't staring at the ground or sky as they walk.

Rule #4: share what you've learned

Feel free to comment on display ideas that have worked or not worked for you!