2009 Calendar of Events ::

Chickadee Boutique ::  April 2 through May 16, Thursdays through Saturdays
207 St. Marie
Shoreview, MN 55126
651.483.2416
http://www.chickadeeboutique.com/

Lake Netta Boutique ::  Tuesday, April 21 through Sunday, April 26
13908 Lake Drive
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651.464.1213
http://www.lnhdboutiques.com/

Angel Foundation Benefit - Private Party :: Saturday, May 16
http://mnangel.org/

Gayle's Barn Boutique :: Thursday through Saturday, May 21-23 and 28-30
8741 176th Avenue NE
Forest Lake, MN 55025

Marketfest :: Thursdays, June 25 and July 30
Downtown White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651.429.8537
http://www.marketfest.org/

*Stone Lake Cranberry Festival :: Saturday, October 3
Stone Lake, WI 54876
http://www.stonelakecranberryfestival.com/

*North Branch Arts Fest :: Saturday, November 21
North Branch, MN 55056
http://bit.ly/Po9hY

* = tentative event

FAQ ::

Can you make a replication of something for me? 

While I am able to reproduce a particular style of glass you see in my gallery or store, each piece is an original work of art and will never be exactly the same as another.  I love custom orders, so if you see something you like that is no longer available, I will do my best to recreate a similar piece.  If you prefer an item in a different color, size or shape, please let me know and I will happily create a customized piece to your specifications. 
 
What is dichroic glass?

Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties. Although dichroic glass was originally developed by NASA for use in face shields of space suits, dichroic glass is now available to artists through dichroic coating manufacturers.
 
The main characteristic of dichroic glass is that it has a transmitted color and a completely different reflected color, as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. This causes an array of color to be displayed. The colors shift depending on the angle of view.  Due to variations in the firing process, individual results can never be exactly predicted, so each piece of fused dichroic glass is truly unique and no two pieces are ever the same!
 
What is the annealing process?

Annealing is a process of slowly cooling glass to relieve internal stresses after it was formed. The process may be carried out in a temperature-controlled kiln. Annealing glass is critical to its durability. The glass is heated until the temperature reaches a stress-relief point, that is, the annealing temperature (also called annealing point) at a viscosity at which the glass is still too hard to deform, but is soft enough for the stresses to relax. The piece is then allowed to heat-soak until its temperature is even throughout. The time necessary for this step varies depending on the type of glass and its maximum thickness. The glass is then slowly cooled at a predetermined rate until its temperature is below the strain point. Following this, the temperature can safely be dropped to room temperature at a rate limited by the heat capacity, thickness, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient of the glass. After the annealing process the material can be cut to size, drilled or polished, and can also be fired again.