Colorful Stained Glass Gifts for Spring...

We're five days into Spring and it's still snowing a little here in the Treasure Valley.  Soon the trees will be budding and blossoming, making way to one of the best gift giving seasons, and I have several new listings for you to shop for Easter & Mother's Day. Click here to shop.

Click here to shop.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day...

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day everyone! Today we celebrate the patron saint of Ireland and all things Irish. Over the years I’ve created several beautiful glass pieces inspired by Irish culture and traditions. First, the trinity knot, an ancient Celtic symbol that represents the interconnectedness of all things. Next the hops flower, an essential ingredient in brewing beer, that which Ireland is known for. Finally, the shamrock, which is an iconic symbol of Ireland, said to have been used by Saint Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.  

The following glass photos are all designed and crafted in my studio and are available for purchase or custom order.

I wish you all a safe and happy day. Sláinte! 

 

Choosing the right light for your glass photos...

There's no way around it, glass photography takes practice. Before you spend money on expensive lighting, light boxes and backdrops, find what you have around your house or studio. Don't worry about creating catalog perfect photos. As long as the photo is clear, and highlights the colors and design, you'll have a great photo.  

This stained glass surf board features vibrant blue and yellow glass, so I used a wire rack shelf with two LED under cabinet light strips, with a white poster board clipped up to the shelf. I hung the surf board in the center of the shelf to allow the front and back light to illuminate the glass.

The photo was then cropped and posted to my Etsy shop. Sold! The features I liked most about this art piece were conveyed to the buyer, and that's what matters.

In the photo below, these whimsical stained glass butterflies seemed right at home in a natural sunlight setting. The wood backdrop and tools are a nice juxtaposition to the soft lines of the glass butterflies. With the white paper towels beneath the glass, the sunlight shines and illuminates the glass in some areas, but you also see what the glass looks like in other areas without light. This variation worked well for my Instagram feed.

If you're aiming for a vintage effect, use overhead incandescent lighting. It creates a warm, aged vibe in this "tools & materials" studio photo that I took in my workshop. Enjoy the process of experimenting with your artwork and lighting.