2024 Christmas in the Woods Tab

30 Years
Celebrating
in Columbiana, OH
Barbara Sargent
My Journey Working With Fired Glass
I
Until...glass came along.
I started by putting beads together and folks
said I had a way with colors. I began playing with Polymer Clay because it was different and I made it into my very own pieces because I was the designer. I scheduled taking a class in
Corning, NY for the Art of Wire Wrapping. The lady that was to teach me did not show up for the class and I was to be at work in Painted Post, NY at 5:00 pm that day. Now I have all day to spend in Corning, NY. Hadn’t been to Corning Glass since I was a child on a field trip. I fell head over heels in love with glass. I purchased videos, books and spent more money than I should have at the time. I was married, one child in school and working full time.
I began my journey working with fired glass which is the Art of Flame Working. I bought a torch, all kinds of strings of colored glass and I played and played for about a year. Never really liked my results. To me, it looked
2 Special Weekends!
October 12-13, 19-20, 2024 Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
Shaker Woods Grounds • Columbiana, Ohio
44337 County Line Rd, Columbiana, OH 44408
christmasohio.com
dirty, not really clean and clear. So I called a distributor from where I was getting my glass supplies. He offered that Fused glass is much different approach and I would get the results I was looking for. I spent more money on equipment with what is today called a Hot Spot kiln and the Art of Fused Glass. I began with my first piece and loved it. Sold it very quickly! Been in love with it ever since.
My goal has always been to
make pieces that are “One of A
Kind.” My customers can attest to
that. I have many customers in the
U.S. and around the world today
and I still cannot wait to get back
to my shop to try something new
and different. My shop is equipped
with 4 kilns now and I can run up
to three at the same time. Sunday
is what I call my “Mad Scientist Day.” I start a process and spin it in some way, shape or form that is not consistent with anything I have ever done. Sometimes, it really comes out to be a beautiful new form of my work and sometimes it turns into ugly glass. Today I am using 90 COE which is the name of the kind of glass I use. I have learned many forms of what fused glass can look like but using the correct time and temperature is where the fun begins and ends.
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have been playing and enjoying the workings of glass for 30 years of my life. I am married, with one married son and two grandchildren whom I adore. We all live in Mansfield, PA. I have lived here all of my life. Love the small town life. I have worked many different jobs: secretary, sales, meter reader, electric lineman and restaurant owner. I liked what I was doing, but I have always had to be challenged. When I got bored, I switched jobs.
Plus!
Check Out Our Brand New Crafter Area. See Map on Page 12.