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Class I. Vases. January 26-30, 2009. Each student will complete between four and six vases of various colors, shapes, and heights. You will learn to reconfigure the shapes, when desired, blast beautiful and diverse images, and, finally, gild them. When you leave, you will have a mini-inventory to take home. The very strong possibility exists that an item like a candy dish, or reconfigured bowl, will be substituted for one or two of the vases. An addition like this will show that the same techniques apply to pretty much anything made of non-tempered glass. Examples Class II. Glass Sinks. March 9-13, 2009. Each student will have two sinks to complete, and, as usual, the process will include stencil creation, blasting, and gilding. These completed sinks are a very high-end item, and, should add a lucrative niche to your business, be it new or established. Another great aspect of this class is the fact that the sinks are tempered, thereby allowing you to attain a comfort level with this type of glass, knowledge vital to the residential/commercial market. Remember! Everyone needs a sink, so, why not make it something special and unique? This is a perfect example of functional art. Class III. Mirrors. May 11-15, 2009. Ever since Narcissus saw his reflection in a stream, we have been obsessed with mirrors. No home is without one, and, in my residential/commercial experience, they are a staple. Taking a large square of mirror, you will learn, using the sandblaster, how to attain the shape of your imagination, and decorate it to your heart’s content. Once you master the technique, no mirror is too large. I once created a bathroom complex that had a mirror that was nine feet wide. You’ll be a star in your area with this technique. Check out Patrice’s page under student gallery, and see some of her creations after one week of instruction. She’s amazing. Examples Class IV. Creating a niche business. June 22-26, 2009. In this class we will pretend we are starting a new enterprise, and, will build an inventory based on the type of business we wish to start. This particular class will either concentrate on an inventory for a pet-inspired gift business, or product suitable for a boutique specializing in gifts for young children and infants. Each of these categories are considered a specialty niche, consistently popular, and, generally speaking, price is of secondary concern. Uniqueness, practicality, color, and creativity carry the day in these areas. So, flex those originality muscles and come along on this fascinating journey. (Don’t forget your pacifier.) Examples Class V. July 20-24, 2009. The Keeping your temper class. Want to learn how not to lose your temper? Sign up for this one, and, expand your glass horizons. I can’t count high enough to tell you all of the times I’ve been told that it was impossible to blast on tempered glass. Because of this “urban legend,” I’ve made a lot of money over the years. Any of you who doubt one’s ability to blast on tempered should go to the section on Bob Hernandez on the website, and, check out his shower doors. Find him and his work under student gallery. It’s worth the trip. In our class, you will learn the whys and wherefores of tempered glass and its unique temperament. (Pardon the pun.) You will also learn to create the components necessary to be converted into IG, or insulated glass units. These are now a standard presence in almost every home in America, more familiarly known as double paned glass. Most people think you have to take them as they are or blast on the outside, but, you will learn to blast two pieces of glass with compatible images, then have them made into an insulated glass unit, with the blasted surfaces on the inside. This eliminates the need for cleaning an etched surface, and looking at your blasting through the non-etched side, is an added bonus. (There may be a slight, extra charge for the fabrication of your IG unit after blasting.) Class VI. September 14-18, 2009. The Holiday Class. This class will concentrate entirely on creating gifts and products that should be best sellers at those special times of the year. Lots of different raw materials will be used in this session, among them being glass, flash glass, mirror, plates, cups, glasses, etc. ORIGINAL Christmas tree ornaments made of flash glass will be a big crowd-pleaser. This early scheduling should give you plenty of time to stockpile quite a variety of cool Yule stuff. Once again, there will be gilding, not only with various golds, but, with metallic foil composites as well. And, the techniques taught here, combined with a bit of imagination, will extend to other holidays as well. HoHoHo. Class VII. November 9-13, 2009. The Green Class, or, Everything you ever wanted to blast but were afraid to try, class. This class should be a hoot, and, will be a mix of using recyclable items such as wine bottles, pieces of wood, and things you had considered throwing away. This way, we can help the environment and make money as well. Judy and I will bring wine bottles that have been placed in the kiln and slumped to be cheese or butter plates awaiting your creative blasting skills. If the bottles are clear we will blast on the back and be able to use all manner of paint and gilding products. If the bottles are bottles of color, (I like to be politically correct, you know. Joke.) then we may also use armour etch for a surface that will be more food friendly and easier to clean. We will also either blast the tops off glass bottles or use a saw, (possibly both methods will be employed) to create sand blasted drinking glasses. I like using wine or vodka bottles since, if you play your cards right, you can drink, then resell the newly created product to buy another bottle to empty and convert. And, so forth, and so on. It’s a win-win, in my opinion. Burp. If you have something you’d like to experiment on, bring it along, and, we’ll give it a try. Examples More to follow in the coming weeks. Pictures will also be added. Please e-mail or call me or Rayzist for further info. Nearby accommodations will also be added within the next two weeks. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, Rayzist is located in Vista, 7 miles from one of my favorite places, Carlsbad, a beautiful beach town. Lots of great food and shopping. San Diego is about a half-hour away, and Tijuana, a bit farther. We look forward to seeing you in the coming year, and, guarantee that you will learn as you never have before, and, have saleable product to show for it. These classes will take you to a new level, guaranteed. So, don’t be a wuss, sign up now. And, always remember: GRIT HAPPENS! Butch.
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