Glass Academy Blog
How the CoronaVirus in Glass started in our Studio
by Michelle Plucinsky
On March 17th we locked the doors of our studio and headed out the door, telling all our staff that we'd be calling them back when the virus blew o...
Carrots Abound!
by Michelle Plucinsky
While reflecting on our donation part of the spring show, the carrot came to mind. We did a few prototypes and liked the results. Customers started commenting, and staff all started picking out their favorites. We made big ones and little ones, orange and red carrots, tall and thin, short and fat. And suddenly, we all found a carrot we could relate to and we knew we had to make more to share!
Materials of Expression: Part Two
by Chris Nordin
Going back to the process of creating a solo exhibition, I have to force myself to create a new body of work, or to even perfect a body of work. I feel like this was something I needed to do in this stage of my career. I’ve been creating custom sculpture for clients for 30 plus years now so having a show that’s just about me and what my mind feels is the best form of expression is the next step.
Where is your Art?
by Michelle Plucinsky
Just recently, a customer asked me ~ “Where is your Art? Which piece here in the gallery is something you made?”
She was looking for a widget, a p...
Taking our Show on the Road!
by Chris Nordin
We started to realize was the huge value in bring those customers back to our home studio. Just showing them what we were all about couldn’t have been a better marketing tool. Community, this is what its all about.
I Thought I Knew!
by Michelle PlucinskyThe super bad, ugly and weird ones? I take joy in crushing them in the dumpster. Sad but true, I break them all with a hammer, and relieve stress in the process. Super fun!
Organic farm inspires Detroit Artist to new levels!
by Michelle Plucinsky
Green Things Farm. An organic farm in Ann Arbor. 5.5 miles from my home, so close that I could ride my bike~ and I often did. (Until the summer heat reminded me to lighten up a bit!) I work 2 days a week, 4 hours each day and I’ve learned a TON. Most of which is the importance of buying food from your local farmer.
It's an every day occurrence on steroids!!
by Michelle Plucinsky
Customer appreciation weekend takes place in mid July, this year, July 13 & 14 from 12-4pm. After the holiday on the 4thand a time when people want to come out and talk, have some hot dogs, grilled by us, and chat it up with the owners, glassblowers, and sales staff of the studio.
Let's Talk About Mugs!
by Chris Nordin
I really try to make one-of-a-kind mugs for the gallery so that people can see all the possibilities that are available. Color is the biggest component. After that the shape of the mug and volume are determined. The handle is really important because a nice proper sized handle makes a comfortable mug. The foot or the bottom of the mug is a decision as well and having 6 or 7 different styles in the gallery makes it easy to decide.
What Keeps Me Awake at Night
by Michelle PlucinskyFor me, one of the things I notice that there is always a daily growth opportunity should I choose to take it. As the owner you don’t what the day brings, but whatever it does, it’s yours to deal with. Perhaps the toilet will break, the class will need to be cancelled due to bad weather, or the color we need for a specific job is sold out. This wasn’t on today’s agenda, now what? Game on! An opportunity for new growth!!
One Amazing Man
by Chris Nordin
Chris Nordin
How did your father, being an entrepreneur, help you imagine, create and deal with the long road of building a business from the groun...
Dreams or Disaster?
by Michelle Plucinsky
Putting All the Eggs in Our Basket
It’s April 3rd, just three days until our 8th annual Eggstravaganza show and sale. You might think that after ...