[Jewelry making - Article 00352] - Re: [Orchid] Fused Glass a step child?

[Geosoul Arts]

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    I am pleased to see the favorable responses about fused glass as
    legitimate jewelry. I have definitely seen over the last 7 years the
    change in perception that glass (especially dichroic glass) is
    "synthetic" and "not as good as natural stone" to being accepted
    even by the stubborn older (i.e. decades of experience)
    jewelers/lapidaries. 

    The unfortunate part is that there is so much bad glass out there
    that the really good stuff gets lost in the vast sea of mediocrity.
    I have seen people offering classes on fusing whose own work looks
    like they've fused only twice in their life. They teach people how
    to work a small kiln, the basic of glass fusing and then send them
    on their way, never refining or expanding on the process. This can
    give an overall impression that glass (especially dichroic) is junky
    and costs too much for the low quality available. There are "glass
    artists" who will slap together a couple of layers of glass with a
    little bit of dichroic, add a little wire or glue it on to a cheap
    base metal bail and sell it as jewelry. This doesn't leave an
    exemplary impression overall. 

    Most of my cabochons go into sterling silver bezels. However, I have
    had the pleasure of seeing some of my dichroic glass cabochons set
    into beautiful gold bezels. My cabs were certainly nice by
    themselves but the quality craftsmanship and richness of the gold
    simply made for stunning pieces. Glass can be as cheap looking or as
    expensive looking as you want it to be. It only requires skill to
    make a quality glass cabochon and then a quality and unique setting. 

    As an aside, I have noticed a slow and subtle decline in the
    popularity of dichroic glass. I think that the market is beginning
    to flood with it now being made in India, China and (still) in
    Mexico. Glass is still popular but I feel that a new look or process
    is needed to reignite the market. I don't know what that it is yet
    but I hope that some glass artists out there will take up the
    challenge soon. I know I am! 

Nancy Stinnett
Geosoul Arts
www.geosoul.com
in Las Vegas, NV where it's already too hot and only getting hotter
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