I am so lucky to have been able to attend our annual Glass Beadmakers Convention called The Gathering. I am a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers or the ISGB and each year we hold the convention in a different city.
I spent a couple of days sight seeing and then on Wed. afternoon we took a bus to see the Tacoma Museum of Glass Art. Yipee right up my alley. Dale Chihuly funded a bridge that joined the museum to City Hall and as you crossed the bridge he had inset his glass works into spaces of plexiglass spanning the bridge. At the end of the bridge was a ceiling of glass!
Next we were off the the museum. We saw works from Italian masters and Dale Chihluy among others. They have a hot shop in the museum and it was really fun seeing how another hot shop worked.
The convention started on Thursday. On Friday we had presentations from artist and the vendor area opened. Ahh the vendor area. All different kinds of glass, powders, frits, tools, beads, stringing materials all in one place. Needless to say I spent a little money there....ok so a lot of money.
On Saturday we had our members show were the best glass beadmakers from all over the world sold their work. I had a table and it was great to see old friends and meet new ones too.
5 comments:
libby, i had been waiting to hear about how this is run and how it went... thanks for sharing about it...
i have come to accept the 'coming around to it' or circling... all part of the process...
it must feel good to be in a place with like minded makers and appreciators!
Wow! What a great opportunity.... and FUN on top of it! I'm sure when you get together there is no loss for what to talk about :o)
MaryAnn
Is it open to the public to be able to purchase some of the works? I live down in Tacoma and if it is then I will make the commute up next year.
Shaiha I am so sorry but the convention changes each year. Next year it is in Rochester NY.
I was lucky enough to attend the opening gala of the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.Dale Chihuly himself was working in the hot shop that night. Fabulous place! That alone would be with the trip, but then shopping on top of it. You must have had a blast.
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