Why keep learning?

In my opinion, there are very few constants in life and one of them is time. It passes so quickly, so why not do something constructive with it? This year, to freshen up my tool kit, I enrolled in a series of creative instruction courses, taught by some of the top artist in their fields. 

I began my journey with Photo Bomb at Urban Glass, an intensive workshop where I learned how to permanently transfer realistic, full-color photo quality imagery onto glass. This technique offers you a world of possibilities for capturing your most precious milestone memories on glass. 

Intrigued by the similarities between glass and watercolor, which plays with light and shadow and its translucency illuminates the page, I also took an eight-week watercolor workshop with a remarkable artist Denise Cochiarro-Cohen. I created a winter scene for our personalized holiday cards, shared with family and friends. I've found that painting has become one of my simple pleasures in life. 

This year's holiday card, which I created after taking an eight-week watercolor class.

I also took a 3D painting intensive with Jeff Zimmer at Urban Glass, which opened up not just a different dimension but also a world of possibilities for using glass as a canvas. I can incorporate the techniques I learned from Jeff in the application of low and high fire paints and enamels on glass, which will bring imagery to life. 

To round it all off, a class I took in Line, Plain and Gravity techniques at Urban Glass with Jayne Bruce, also an exceptional artist, set in motion the recent launch of my Bridal Shop on The Knot.com. The ability to fuse, shape, and bend glass in a 1700° kiln is simply breathtaking, challenging, and, at times, plain old nerve-racking! Think porridge and the Three Little Bears. 

But the cherry on top of the sundae was reaping the benefit of taking a risk in the interest of lifelong learning. 

Matthew Day Perez, a renowned artist in a sought-after technique called silvering on glass, was offering a class at Bullseye, in New York – or so I thought. I immediately decided I had to take the class, after all, Mamaroneck, NY was only 90 minutes away. But I was dismayed to learn that it was being offered in their LA studio and wasn’t on Matthew’s New York schedule anytime soon. 

Despite not having unlimited funds or a relationship with Matthew, I took a deep breath and requested private instruction. Matthew graciously agreed, and I spent two uninterrupted days learning all of his freely imparted techniques. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! He's amazing!!!

All in all, the relationships made with these artists and fellow artists in class is invaluable. But the greatest lesson of the year was taking a risk, or in my case multiple risks, Opening a glass art business, for the second time during turbulent times (the first was in 2007) was no small feat. And launching The Bridal Shop on The Knot.com was a leap of faith. Let's see where it all takes us in 2017.  

So, for now, if your heart is heavy with all the challenges that may be surrounding you, and you're up for exploring new ways to move through the upcoming year, come join us for our Living Life, in the meantime retreat on January 13, and see where 2017 can take you!

The Glass Room has great things to offer you – from unique products to fun and challenging workshops for you to enjoy, I look forward to sharing all of my newly acquired knowledge with you. Stay tuned, and, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement!

Wishing you and your loves ones a fabulous Holiday Season and a happy, peaceful and creative New Year!!!