POP that!

How exciting! Our neighbours, the Enriched Bread Artists are having an exhibit TONIGHT at their studio and they've been sweet enough to let us put in our own wee 'pop' installation.

Shows on tonight from 8-11pm at the EBA studio 951 - Gladstone Ave.
Or if you're free today, pop in next door! We're holding demonstrations all day at flo, afterall these rain storms make for great glassblowing weather :)

good design is...

Oh how i love thee documentaries!

Taken from the movie Objectified, if one is short on time, this video picks up at the 'minute forty five' period.

Believe it or not, people like this man reaffirm my place in the world. You'll start watching and go 'um really?' - yes. really. enjoy.

felts hot for flo

A felt artist friend has been in for some glassblowing classes, and recently commissioned the studio for some very special neclaces for a very special occassion. They custom tailored their necklaces in the colours they wanted, and added on extra findings and glass pieces to make it uniquely their own.

She was kind enough to post about us on her own blog. so we wanted to return the favour.
have a look at her stuff, she's quite the creator with her own fascinating material!

read her posting here!

weddings and wine stoppers

Yes we make wine stoppers! This order was made custom for a wedding in Alberta. The clients ordered 150 of these stoppers with 6 matching vases for the bridesmaids bouquets. The couple were able to add their own spin by picking elements of the design and matching their wedding colours to the pieces.
We just heard from the happy couple this week and the stoppers were a hit, the guests loved them!

In the mean time, the stoppers continue. Bird lover that I am, my wine bottles at home now have birdy toppers keeping them safe. The shop continues to make new items, slowly but surely the gallery is growing in size. We may not be able to account for the heat but we're still open happy to have visitors. Tuesday-Saturday 1-5pm

- mel

holy hanna its hot in here!

Let it be known, working in front of a 2000deg furnace during a heat wave classifies us as an extreme sport. Just picture your hot yoga class cranked up 3 fold. 3 icy showers throughout the day and plenty of liters of frozen water bottles, spray bottles, Popsicle, and perhaps an iced coffee in there too helps to suffice the conditions. And thankfully the weather forecast is finally calling for some storm clouds, and I love blowing glass in a storm!

We have news! We’ve made the news (third time in three months! Yahoo!) but this time they came to visit us. This morning we taped live for the news at noon and it’s already been posted on their website.

Things are blooming beautifully in the studio, each day feels like another blessing of exciting items to come.

VIEW the live interview from our studio! Click on the ‘Leanne visits flo glassblowing parts 1 & 2’

sandwich board

Come in we're Open!

Look for our flo sign at the corner of Gladstone and Loretta 10-5 tuesday to saturday.

Ever the craft enthusiast, i couldn't help but want to hand paint our sandwich sign. Here are some process shots.

ArtsPark this weekend!

Spring craft season has begun! Take a trip to the ArtsPark this Saturday in the Hintonburg Parkdale Market. There will be lots to take in - fresh flowers and veggies from the market vendors, crafts, music, food and kids activities.

Flo will also be in attendance as we start to get to know our new neighbourhood. Find us under the blue tent promoting our summer classes and selling a few of our glass goods.

Blowing the roof off!

Featured today in Ottawa's 24hr Daily Paper.

Find our article in the 24hr archives here . Listed on page 4 of the Apri l 18th paper.

Thank God it's Monday!

To the right of me I watch the furnace purr. 2000 degrees Fahrenheit it sits billowing soft flames from its door. Fresh, molten glass awaiting me – here – in Ottawa! I’ve been waiting so many years to say that. I have the tendency to only allow a certain amount of excitement to build until that monumental task is complete… I reach that task to realize that a new, much more pressing task awaits in the horizons so I again I wait to get excited until the next hurdle has passed. Yes - there are still big hurdles that await. We need to make some money and get this business buzzing, but for the moment, on this day, I deem myself very very excited! So many people have chipped in from every end of my life offering their support and extending a hand where they can - thank you thank you thank you!! I am feeling very loving and lucky lately. This week we can anticipate some wonderful hail and rain showers while the easter bunnies are at play. This doesn’t bother me now that it’s warm in the studio. I will be a busy bee finally able to start making the work (after being down for 6 months). If you are in the Ottawa area come by for a visit. The studio is now open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10am-5pm Here's what my view of the shop looks like today :) more pics coming soon more info http://www.floglassblowing.ca/

gallery mural part 1

We have big plans for fish scales!

I wanted to do one personalized craft project for the studio before the opening in tribute to old grams. Thanks to Margaret, Kelly and Jacqie who's fine stenciling and painting skills have assisted this far. We still have a bit to go but once it comes down to just filling in the lines (the ouline of the fishscales itself) then we're in the home stretch and I imagine it will finish off pretty quickly.

the scales are both high gloss and flat matte to show some dimension.

The use of Kel's projector greatly enhanced the success rate of the logo..
'glassblowing' script still to come

phew. ok phase one complete.