susana | Firehorse Studios

Daniel Cyr offering classes in Stained Glass

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Posted on January 23, 2012 by susana

A stained glass artist new to the Island is offering stained glass classes in Rustico;

Location : Conseil acadien de Rustico at the Cymbria Lions Club ,

Beginners (offered in English and French) 6 courses/ 110$ + 30$ for glass

- Monday from 12 – 14h30 or 18h30 – 21h00;

January 23^rd – February 27th 2012

- Tuesday from 18h30 – 21h00;

January 24^th – February 28th 2012

INTERMEDIATE (offered in English and French) 6 courses/ 110$ +40$ for glass

- Tuesday from 12 – 14h30 or 18h30 – 21h00;

January 24^th – February 28th 2012

- Thursday from 18h30 – 21h00;

January 26^th – March 1st 2012

Minimum 4 people required and maximum of 6 people

** If you need further information or to register please contact:

Daniel au 886-3332

The passion and practice

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Posted on November 16, 2011 by susana

Visitors to my studio often comment on how fortunate I am to be talented. They wish they too had artistic talent. I’ll share a secret with you, I suspect it not a question so much of talent as practice. I believe that all of us can be better artists, better musicians and better people with practice. I discovered the following Ted Talk some time ago and I am inspired every time I hear it. I hope it will be inspiring for you too.

http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

#fridayreads 2

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Posted on November 4, 2011 by susana

The book in my studio this week is Stained Glass, Masterpieces of the Modern Era by Xavier Barral Altet . Pub Thames & Hudson. This is a gorgeous book of architectural glass from around the globe in the 20th cent. The historian may be annoyed by lack of details on designer or studio that produced these windows. The artist in me how ever is enthralled by the big beautiful photographs providing both over views and detail of the works documented. I am always informed and inspired by looking at other art works and I believe this is an important part of any practice. The text in this book is minimal but thoughtfully prepared and really this one is all about the pictures.

http://www.thamesandhudson.com/9780500513729.html

Coville Manor, Souris, PEI

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Posted on October 25, 2011 by susana

The sister project to Maplewood Manor was an almost identical facility in Souris PEI, however the glass in this chapel was fused glass with a lupin theme.

Maplewood Manor, Alberton PEI

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Posted on October 25, 2011 by susana

We finished an exciting project today, installations at Maplewood Manor in Alberton PEI of stained glass panels on a sea-scape theme for their chapel in a new long care facility built by the government of PEI and designed by BGHJ Architects from PEI.

#Friday Reads

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Posted on October 21, 2011 by susana

I’ve been using #fridayreads on Twitter a fun way to share books. I’d like to #stainedglass technical books or fiction with all of you in the same way. I usually have one book or another open in my studio for reference or inspiration. The Internet is great but the quality and length of time I can spend with a book still makes them great studio companions. I’m hoping you’ll reciprocate by sharing your favorite stained glass books here and on Twitter or Face Book.
The book on my bench this week is the lush and well illustrated coffee table book Strangest Genius The Life of Harry Clarke, one of the world’s finest stained glass artists from Ireland at the turn of the 20th century.

Marketing Crafts and Social Media

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Posted on October 14, 2011 by susana

Marketing Crafts & Social Media An evaluation of time

Presented at Culture PEI Forum Oct 14th 2011
Susana Rutherford
Responses from our online survey, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DWYB8WF
Social Media has allowed us to be in touch with our customers and get feedback immediately. We have had several people come into our shop and say they follow us online and couldn’t wait to get in. We’ve had people research all the pottery online and come into the shop to buy. It’s been an amazing way to spread the word about the small business and without a doubt is essential for all craft businesses these days.
20/9/2011 11:00
more marketing
20/9/2011 4:59
social media has taught me to always take good photographs of my work. Keeps me busy making new items as I get people commenting on facebook wanting to see new items if it’s been a while since I last posted. Opened me up to selling world wide and not just local.
20/9/2011 10:03
~Plan Your Social Media and Marketing Campaign
What are you selling?
Object/product
Artisan/artist
Story/experience

1. What are your goals?
2. Is your craft a good fit for a mail/internet order business?
3. What types of Social Media help you obtain your goals?
4. Identify your target customer
5. Monitor your results and adapt to get best results
~Sort the Media you use into
~Marketing Tools
1. Etsy http://www.etsy.com/
2. Custom Made http://www.custommade.com/
3. Stumble Upon http://www.stumbleupon.com/
4. Face Book http://www.facebook.com/
5. Twitter http://twitter.com/
6. My Space http://ca.myspace.com/
7. Four Square https://foursquare.com/
8. Yelp http://www.yelp.ca/
9. Trip Advisor http://www.tripadvisor.ca/

Social Media
1. Face Book
2. Twitter
3. My Space

4. Linked In http://www.linkedin.com/home

5. Web management tools
~ Tweet Deck http://www.tweetdeck.com/
~ Hoot Suite http://hootsuite.com/
~Google Ads http://www.google.com/ads/

6. Getting Paid
~Pay Pal https://www.paypal.com/ca/

Web Sites That Suck
http://vloeberghs.com/Fun.html
http://www.gam-robert.com/
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/worst-websites-of-2010-contenders.html

Article on Bad Web Sites
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/08/overdone.html

Some Cool local web sites in no particular order
Rilla Marshall-Weaver
http://marshallarts79.blogspot.com/
Christina Patterson-Custom Cake Toppers
http://idocaketoppers.com/
Village Pottery- Pottery
http://www.villagepottery.ca/store/
The Turquoise Shed- Reconditioned Furniture and Interiors

http://turquoiseshed.blogspot.com/

Arthurian Window in Process

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Posted on October 5, 2011 by susana

I’ve always been a fan of the King Arthur stories, I re-read some of them last year and with a few days on my hands I started this window on the theme. I cut the window and I finished the first batch of tracing yesterday. As the window progresses I’ll include more photos.

Rita Neumann to give free talk in Stratford

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Posted on September 14, 2011 by susana

This week, international glass artist, Rita Neumann, has been conducting a 4 day workshop at the Marcela Rosemberg Glass Studio in Stratford. A teacher and professional artist, resident of Buenos Aires, Argentina, she is visiting the Island for the first time and is joined by students from Halifax and as far away as Calgary.

Rita is the recipient of numerous awards and her glass sculpture can be found in collections in Brazil, Argentina and Israel. Her work in glass casting is noted for its unique bodiless shapes of clothes, dresses, shirts with flying ties and petticoats. The ‘clothes’ are transparent, delicate, full of movement and utterly extraordinary. Images of her work can be seen at www.ritaneumann.com.ar/

“Painting you see an immediate result, in glass art the process is long and difficult. At first everything is a surprise and then, over time, the alchemy of the material lures you, forces you, to do further research and take more and more technical risks to achieve an image” explains, Rita Neumann.

The Stratford Arts and Culture Committee is sponsoring a public talk to be given by the artist, Thursday September 15th, 7:00pm at the Stratford Town Centre. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

New Toyo Dry Cutter head

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Posted on September 13, 2011 by susana

Just got my new dry cutter heads from Toyo for my pistol grip cutter. Since I started incorporating more fusing into my work I’ve been cutting dry more often. Great to have these new durable heads designed for dry cutting.