kristina logan class at Bohle in Germany

[Ofilia_Cinta]

Dietmar, you didn't anwer question #1 ;>)!

Mike, your answer to answer #1: Yes....

#2- you have a nice set up with lots of tools, I see! Only I see you are missing Carlo Dona tools! You are in serious need of a trip up to Murano for some purchasing of serious shears and other cool tools.

Personally, I dont use the Creative Station. I have the springy elbow rests used for computers that I purchased long ago from Don McKinney.

Since I work in figurative work mostly, I don't always have my arms in a resting postion. On occasion, one of my fish bodies may use up as much as a whole rod as a base color, but I rarely do them so big.

As far as huge honkin' beads, you can look at Ellen Black's lentils and cone shapes. Maybe she can post a picture and start a new thread about large beads and techniques. She can tell you the measurments and weights of these beauties.

I did notice that many of your tools on display on your work station, are very large. Perhaps it is so because you have male hands larger then someone like I would. But I find great comfort in tools that are not so large and that take away the heat of the glass so much, thereby avoiding too much compromise of breaking the bead release, and restoring the chill marks.

Now, Mike, as far as any suggestions and advise about coming to one of our Gatherings, I and a host of many others, would be delighted to have you join us! I've made some great friendships with Anat and Ronit who come from Israel almost every year. Also, I am hoping that some time, Bahadir from Turkey will also join us. He has to finish a tour with his military obligation and let his kids get a little bigger. It would be wonderful if he could join us with his family.

It would be wonderful to meet in in Minnnesota. Dietmar will be joining us that year as well. The more international family, the merrier!

Ofilia

[mikefromitaly]

Hi Ofilia.
i googled about Carlo Dona tools but i did not understand what i need,too.

Please can you light me??

I will take apart of next Glasstech trade fair in Dusserdolf next october and before got there i will do a jump of a day to Murano.........
Oh i love Murano.....i live near sea and probably for this reason i am so fall in love about this isle...

i wish to stay a week at murano to take other class......any suggest??

tia

mike from italy

[Ofilia_Cinta]

Roberto Dona can be contacted by writing to him at carlodona@carlodona.com It would be good to contact him to be sure he will be in the shop the one day you will be in Murano and if there was something in particular you were looking for to be sure he has it in stock. They have limited Saturday hours in the mornings, but I don't know what day of the week you will be going there. Carlo Dona can help you as well, if it's is a day that Roberto is out of the shop and they are open. You will not have the same issues we have with the language barriers so it is not imperative that Roberto be there when you visit. Their shop is on Calle Barovier very close to the last Murano stop at Venier.

The shears he makes are to DIE FOR! You can put those bonsai nippers in the garden shed from that point forward! You may also look into a getting porta cana, to rest your rods on while they preheat in the distant flame.

I see you have many American tools. This is wonderful, but with you being in Italy, as the saying goes... "when in Italy...." If from time to time you take a quick trip to Murano, I see no better excuse then to make a quick tool shopping stop! Give Roberto and Carlo my best...and by the way, they LOVE chocolate chip cookies;>)

As far as a beadmaking class, you should contact Davide Penso. I know you are familiar with the name, as we have discussed him before. He likes to give one month workshops, or a 2 week one if you cannot do the full month. His website with address and phone number is: http://www.davidepenso.com
I'm sure he can find a schedule to fit your time in Murano if you stay a week. He even helps you with your rooming needs.

You certainly should visit Cesare Tofolo's new gallery. He has a new school studio on the third floor of his gallery. You can get information for later when you are ready to learn how to work in borosilicate tubing. His wife, Teresa, is always in the gallery and very friendly and helpful. While you are there, you need to admire the beautiful beetles that their son, Emanuel makes.

If you are interested in learning glass engraving, you should contact Luigi Camozzo. His studio is on the grand canal in Murano. He has opened his studio for private lessons. To find information to contact him visit: http://www.muranobeads.com/camozzo.htm

I hope this is helpful for you, and you take advantage of being so close to Murano and all their great kind people who are open to foreigners/out of towners- in your case, coming to learn their techniques.

Ofilia

[mikefromitaly]

Buonasere Ofilia...
WOW i saw you web site...it is wonderful....i also read you bio buying the books edited by Cindy Jenkins where there are some artists liek you...

Seems you are very familiar with Murano.....i d like discover Murano and know several artists but i do not know it is possible....anyway next october i will go at Dusseldolf again for next Glasstech trade fair,best european trade fair for glass in general covering also a lot of art glass ....
I am planning next trip and sure i will be at Murano some days...i 'd like visit all isle then i think need to stay nearly 3 days....

Ofilia how many times you gone at Murano?from who did you take classes?
did you learn from beginning sculptural??

Anyway thanks for the info.....tought me live in italy i do not know enough abotu Murano.....so strange right???


Ciao Ofilia
I love your fishes!!

mike from italy

[Ofilia_Cinta]

Ciao Mike, thank you so much for the kind compliments on my fish. They are old buddies of mine, in a manner of speaking. They create their own personalities. I could never have imagined I'd be doing what I do today with glass if you had told me 10 years ago! Life has a funny way of dictating one's path.

I've been to Murano three times in the past 6 years. This last trip was for four weeks. Each trip has been a very different experience. Each time, I learned many many things, and often not even related to my lampwork skills! It's been awesome and something I hope all get to experience at some point in their life what it's like to travel to Murano/Venice. It really takes on such a different meaning when you are involved with glass.

I will address your questions later, as I really would like to discuss the study with other artists and beadmakers both in one's own country and abroad. It's a very important subject and one that deserves it's own thread so that you and others can more easily locate the information later when needed. The current title of this thread has long gone and deviated the subject it originally was inteded for.

October is a nice time to visit Murano. Be aware, the mosquitos are still around then! They like to eat you alive!

Ofilia

[marlein]

Hi Mike,
You did a very good summary on the course at bohles!
Your english is improving every day, good for you.
I did noticed at the course that youre english was much better than you said it would be. You did the translations for Marco very well, no problems at all. Why were you so insecure?

Sorry I've missed the closing diner, had to go home. Next time I stay after the party is finished! I usally do.

Tell me about dusseldorf, What kind of fair is that? Is it interesting for a simple goldsmith with a glass addiction like me?

OK, In the NEtherlands we are preparing for tropical heat. Can you belief if, 30 degrees? No time to sit behind the torch. I am working on my website. For those who are interested:
http://www.bong.nl
It is not completed by far, hopefully next week, but you get an impression of my work.

bye, Marlein
p.s. I will email you tomorrow ( if I don't forget)

[mikefromitaly]

Hi marlein

what happy to read again.....

thanks for my english!!

When i learned my english at school english teacher always told us ....
"students first you need to learn grammar....once you have own,then day after day you need to add at your tree many leafs..."he wanted to tell us that the new words (leafs) will embrace the grammar...

here was i did during these years but my insecurity was because in very very little changes i spoken...then spoken english is my difficulty...

do not worry about missing dinner even if i preferred you was wth us but it was wonderful at Italian restaurant :italian fish was good "polipo e gamberi" with kristina logan, mr Lucas from Bohle and some students...

about glasstech trade fair....probably one of the most important glass trade fairs of the world....i gone lat 2004 edition....was surprised:about 9 HALLS where from all over the world many producers,dealers and customer meet there for a common thing..the glass!!

I remind last edition some demos about flameworking and glassblowing....
This fair cover all about glass: flat glass,automotive glass,art glass,hollow glass....sure a fair to go !!!

Bohle stand if the best!!!


i already reserved about me and Marco ,there.....

Marlein or others,if you are interested please let me know...i will give you suggests...

Ciao a tutti

mike from italy


A"...

[MarcyLamberson]

Marlein,
Your website is lovely. There is a necklace with a silver pendant that is called "ketting met ajourhanger" which is divine.

Marcy

[Kuehlmorgen_D]

Hi Mike and Marlein

Here is a link to the website: http://www.glasstec-online.com/cipp/...cket,g_u_e_s_t

This gives you a good basic information about GLASSTEC. I've been there four times and it's still interesting. You get there by public transportation very easy. It's just a subway/tram ride from Duesseldorf main station.

Dietmar

[mikefromitaly]

Hi Dietmar

I will be there from wednesday to friday...
It is an appointment for me to not miss!!!

WIll you be there??

Mike from italy