Blog 2012 | Firehorse Studios

Daniel Cyr offering classes in Stained Glass

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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

Featured

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.

February Newsletter

Featured

Posted on March 4, 2009 by susana

May 1, 2009 10:00 am

June 30, 2009 12:00 am

February

Newsletter

We were closed for January while I attended the PEI Buyers Market and took wholesale orders. I also finished a little custom piece.

There was not a straight line in the house so it was a challenge but I think the swirling of t he baroque glass gives it some life.

I have been steadily cleaning out the back room and we will have in renovated by the end of April. There are still some sheets of glass going for $5.00 a square foot and I will continue to have some on sale until April.

I am now back in the shop Wed-Sat and you can come in for retail items or supplies while they last. Mr. Bowlan at Bowlan’s Stained Glass on University is the closest supplier for glass and materials. You can also buy from Paragon Stained Glass in Cornwall.

You can also order online from Atlantic Stained Glass http://www.atlanticstainedglass.com/index.asp or Cranberry Stained Glass http://www.cranberrystainedglass.com/

You might want to order from the Glass Place in Montreal too they have the largest selection east of Toronto, http://www.glassplace.com/

I will not be giving classes this year, but you are welcome to come in for advice or to ask technical questions online on the web site.

Just use the comment forms on the posts.

In stained glass I have some sites to share, a whimsical and technically brilliant artist Frans Wesselman in the U.K. http://www.fwstainedglass.com/Glass.html

A very early film on the making of glass, which is a trip into history,http://www.blip.tv/file/700988

Everyone it heartbroken for Haiti and artists on PEI are donating to all sorts of events and Auctions. I have donated my Yemaya piece

So far the bids are up to $500.00 you can get involved by coming to the Alibi tomorrow night in Charlottetown. The Silent Auction starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9:30 folks are pre-bidding on Face book, at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=263841587492&ref=ts, my other item is a Fused Bowl, Eight for a wish

A belated Happy New Year to you all. The year of the Golden Tiger starts on Feb 14^th. So remember your Valentine with a Tiger Pendant and have a good time in the snow. Susana

Upcoming Classes

Featured

Posted on March 26, 2009 by susana

July 11, 2009 12:00 pm

April 12, 2010 1:00 pm

Firehorse Studios Schedule 2010

No Classes at this time.

Propeller 15th Anniversary

Featured

Posted on August 11, 2011 by susana

Fifteen years ago myself and some other recent graduates of the Ontario College of Art began Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts. We wanted to make a space where emerging artists could have access to exhibition space without huge fees and and atmosphere where we’d support one another. By a dint of hard work and some miracles the space is still running. I’m pleased that this month a group exhibition of past and current members will celebrate that fifteen year history.

http://www.propellerctr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=223:aug-17-28-propeller-15-yr-annivesary-exhibition-&catid=36:future-exhibits&Itemid=56

Oliver Jones at St. Paul’s United

Featured

Posted on August 29, 2011 by susana

On Friday August 19th I had the privilege of hearing Oliver Jones http://www.justin-time.com/artists.php?lang=en&aid=283, give a inspiring workshop at St. Paul’s United Church in Charlottetown. http://www.stpaulschurch.ca/ the workshop was part of the PEI Jazz and Blues Festival, http://www.jazzandblues.ca/2011/news.

While listening to Oliver Jones talking about his long career in music, highlighting the importance of practice and mentorship I took in the beautiful windows by the MacCausland Studios,http://stainedglasscanada.ca/articles/mccauseland.htm these are lovely windows with a high degree of skill and design. I hope you’ll drop by to see them soon. Please use the comment section to give me feedback on your own favorites windows in PEI.