#lampwork — Public Fediverse posts

Goals Check-in: April and May

April was a month for creating and growing! (Dare I say, it was for cultivating.) Bad jokes aside, I am happy with how I ended the month and am anxiously anticipating what May brings. This month, I focused the most on the additive – filling the proverbial cup, as it were.

Finding solace in lampwork

At the beginning of the month, I joined Art Club at the university art center, which lets me take advantage of the same resources and facilities that the art students use. Which means . . . I’m making beads again!

I have been going once or twice a week for the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, they close the art center during the summer break, so I have to get as much time in the lab as possible before exam week.

I’ve found that since the lampwork process requires such concentration, patience, and (maybe most importantly) attention, it’s helping me turn off my brain. The effect this has had on my psyche is so immediate and so obvious that it makes me want to kick myself for not doing it sooner. And the beads are beautiful. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to do this in the fall, as well.

Burying my hands in dirt

The gardening season has officially begun, and that of course means I have killed at least two full trays of seedlings so far. The weather continues to be my enemy, with chilly temperatures giving way to warmth and then back again, on repeat, for the last couple of weeks. The last week of April, I started another two trays, and I’m hoping this time is going to stick.

This means they won’t get planted until well into the season, but I’m not in a rush. I will pick up a few adolescent plants at the garden center to get into the ground after Mother’s Day, but I’m looking forward to the babies I’m nursing. A few are from my uncle’s garden, and a few are from plants I enjoyed in years past. Not really things I can just go to the store to buy.

At first, I was really upset that the first seedling trays didn’t make it. It’s always a disappointment, especially after the early excitement of watching the seeds germinate and break through the soil, their little green leaves tentatively reaching upward for the light. But upon reflection (and a bit of crying), I realize that I have to let that go. Sometimes things aren’t going to work out. And that’s okay. Gardening isn’t supposed to be a formulaic thing. Everyone has different circumstances, different soil, lights, temperature, combination of all those things. There are different levels of effort, different plant labels, so many variables. It’s not going to be perfect every time, or at all — but that’s where the beauty of this is. Because I can try again. I can start over and see what works, what doesn’t, what I need to remember for next year, what I don’t.

(Funny enough, this goes for most things in life.)

As a younger person, I was obsessed with doing things the right way the first time. I pretended to be okay with failure, would laugh things off, outwardly indifferent and chill. But on the inside, it felt like a Jenga tower. Something is going to give, and when it does, it’s not going to be pretty or chill. And then that thing did give — I got divorced, left nearly my whole life behind, started over. Rebuilt. And if I had to do it again, I would have the ability. I’m getting better at taking criticism. My therapist has her hands full, but it’s sincerely helping.

Looking ahead…

I have a conference in the northern part of Ohio this month, along with lots of excitement as we ramp up the summer season. I’ve got lots of appointments and plans and my best friend’s birthday celebration. Maybe some podcast recording. Definitely some writing. Mostly just trying to exist in the most comfortable way I can.

The only thing that's as much fun as working with some new colors is opening the box! #Lampwork #lampworking #lampworkbeads #lampworkglass #torchwork #flameworking #hotglass #artyoucanwear #effetre #morettiglass #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin #handmadeglass #handmadeglassbeads #glassbeads #glassbeadsjewelry #beads #studioglass #artglass #glassart #glassartist

Thank you so much to everyone who visited my space at yesterday's 38th Annual Sheep-to-Shawl Festival at the Willamette Heritage Center here in Salem. What a great way to close out my last show in Oregon before relocating! Here are a few of the items I sold to the very engaged and enthusiastic visitors. #HotGlass #GlassArt #GlassArtist #ArtYouCanWear #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #handmade #buyhandmade #shoplocal #shophandmade #pastpresentarts #ChristofMaupin #studioart #studioglass

Output from my last couple of days in the studio, just in time for tomorrow: 38th Annual #sheeptoshawl Festival at the Willamette Heritage Center here in Salem. I'll be set up indoors (yay!) and out of any potential rain. My last appearance in Oregon. Hope to see some of you there. Cheers! #HotGlass #buyhandmade #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #buyartfromartists #shoplocal #pnw #salemoregon #handmade #MastoArt

Find me this Saturday at Sheep-to-Shawl in Salem, Oregon. This will be my last show in Oregon before relocating. #glass #handmade #HotGlass #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #art #studioglass #artglass #artyoucanwear #shoplocal #shophandmade #buyhandmade #buyartfromartists #salemoregon #pnw

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the @salemetsyteam Spring Handmade Market. I had a great show, and met some lovely new customers and vendors. Here are a few of the items I sold yesterday. Missed me yesterday? Catch me at #sheeptoshawl at the Willamette Heritage Center next Saturday. Cheers! #handmade #MastoArt #HotGlass #GlassArt #GlassArtist #ArtYouCanWear #lampwork #flamework #torchwork #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin #oregon #pnw #buylocal #shoplocal #shophandmade #buyhandmade

This was a fun piece to make, using off-white / cream colored opaque and bright white opaque glass to make the beads. These were rolled in a range of different frit mixtures, resulting in really satisfying color combinations that pop upon close inspection. I've just added this to my Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1698468070/lampwork-glass-bead-necklace-of-opaque?click_key=f8d800ef7922ef83a0a4155901a61c4c7104348a%3A1698468070&click_sum=4d8bb6f5&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #handmade #glass #beads #lampwork #HotGlass #jewelry #necklace #frit #torchwork #flamework #artyoucanwear #christofmaupin #pastpresentart #salemoregon #pnw #glassart #glassartist

I used a hand-held hexagonal brass press to form the beads while they were still red-hot for this new piece. Very earthy colors throughout. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1698736175/handmade-lampwork-glass-bead-necklace?click_key=f0b2dfb6e710fc4499a0148d056c7f46f0eb0bc1%3A1698736175&click_sum=286bdd81&ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1 #handmade #MastoArt #glass #beads #necklace #jewelry #hexagon #Art #buyhandmade #ArtYouCanWear #RealArt #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #HotGlass #pnw #oregon #salemoregon

I have 3 big markets to attend over the next 3 months, so of course I'm making lots more earrings. I usually have about 100 pair at every show, with every bead made by hand on my torch. #earrings #handmade #glass #beads #lampwork #art #buylocal #buyhandmade #handmadejewelry #glassbeads #handmademarket #hotglass #pnw #oregon #salemoregonlife #MastoArt

Well, I thought I was all done with markets this year, but here's one last show for those last minute shoppers. I'll be there Saturday only, 11-5, at 1105 Edgewater St NW in West Salem. Drop by if you're in the neighborhood. Definitely the last chance to find me in-person this year. #handmade #MastoArt #buyhandmade #buylocal #buylocalart #artisanmarket #lastminuteshopping #salemoregon #pnw #glass #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #studioglass #studioart #artyoucanwear #lampwork #flameworking
2m

My final show of the year, the Salem Etsy Handmade Market, was an appropriate grand finale for 2023! Here is some of the work I sold yesterday in torchwork and fused glass, along with earrings, loose beads, wine charms, pendant beads, and much more. Thank you to the many customers with an appreciation of art that is truly handmade! #handmade #MastoArt #HotGlass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #torchwork #fusedglass #artyoucanwear #buyartfromartists #buyhandmade #pastpresentart #christofmaupin

Here's another piece that's not in my Etsy shop, but will be with me at the Salem Etsy Handmade Market, December 2 This 17-inch necklace uses opaque deep brick red, canary yellow, and light blue, in bi-conical beads that I formed using a hand-held shaping tool while the glass was red-hot. #handmade #MastoArt #buyhandmade #realhandmade #handmadeart #handmadejewelry #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #ArtYouCanWear #salem #salemoregon #oregonartist #madeinoregon

I'm also going to post a few pieces that are not in my Etsy shop. Images, not links. This little 17-inch necklace uses both opaque and transparent shades of blue, with some added surface effects. #MastoArt #handmade #buyhandmade #realhandmade #handmadeart #handmadejewelry #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #ArtYouCanWear #salem #salemoregon #oregonartist #madeinoregon

Saturday, December 2 is my final show of the year here in Salem, the big Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market at the State Fairgrounds. Until then, I'm posting one piece of my work every day. Here's today's selection: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1573325310/handmade-lampwork-torchwork-glass-bead?click_key=66660f1251c4d6401eadb9d18f000f5bedbac1cd%3A1573325310&click_sum=f2ff152d&ref=shop_home_active_13&frs=1 #handmade #MastoArt #buyhandmade #realhandmade #handmadeart #handmadejewelry #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #ArtYouCanWear #salem #salemoregon #oregonartist #madeinoregon

Saturday, December 2 is my final show of the year here in Salem, the big Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market at the State Fairgrounds. Until then, I'm posting one piece of my work every day. Here's today's selection: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1573296006/handmade-lampwork-torchwork-glass-bead?click_key=40a88f94c5d1c9fc1f5632e572637acf608b04d8%3A1573296006&click_sum=2ec0abd7&ref=shop_home_feat_4&frs=1 #handmade #MastoArt #buyhandmade #realhandmade #handmadeart #handmadejewelry #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #ArtYouCanWear #salem #salemoregon #oregonartist #madeinoregon

Saturday, December 2 is my final show of the year here in Salem, the big Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market at the State Fairgrounds. Until then, I'm posting one piece of my work every day. Here's today's selection: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1493955993/kiln-fired-fused-glass-pendant-with?click_key=49bf80d9e821f38893d60edadf64903f6c779b0a%3A1493955993&click_sum=0ba090d1&ref=shop_home_active_30&frs=1 #handmade #MastoArt #buyhandmade #realhandmade #handmadeart #handmadejewelry #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #fusedglass #lampwork #ArtYouCanWear #salem #salemoregon #oregonartist #madeinoregon

A new piece I've made using transparent light rose, clear, and light yellow glass, over which I've applied enamels in pale pink, orange, beige and yellow. The focal bead is clear glass with added opaque threads and orange enamel. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1573296006/handmade-lampwork-torchwork-glass-bead?click_key=153777117b994c8669f1a80e50dc8892a50d746e%3A1573296006&click_sum=9dcbfd12&ref=shop_home_active_13&frs=1 #hotglass #beads #glassbeads #handmadeglass #handmadebeads #lampwork #lampworking #artyoucanwear #holidayshopping #buyhandmade #buyartfromartists #christofmaupin #pastpresentarts #glassart #glassartist #salemoregon

The latest entry in my WordPress Blog: https://pastpresentartsandcrafts.wordpress.com/2023/04/13/murano-glass-a-brief-history-why-i-use-it-for-most-of-my-work/ #MastoArt #glassart #glassartist #glassartwork #glassblowing #lampwork #lampworking #lampworkbeads #lampworkglass #lampworkjewelry #hotglass #arthistory #veniceitaly #muranoglass #muranobeads #artblog #artblogger #arthistoryblog #artistblog #Oregon #pacificnorthwest