Many facets of the economy have been fragile this year, but the creativity and stamina of Detroit artisans were on glittering display this week.
Dearborn featured the Holiday Glass Art & Ornament Extravaganza on December 5th and 6th when The Glass Academy hosted a free workshop at its Trowbridge location. A veritable rainbow of glass balls, tree toppers, candy canes and icicles found appreciative shoppers at the event. Elegant Made in Detroit vases, dishes and household collectibles ranging from $10 to several thousand rounded out a prominent display of local goods.
One glass piece features the word Detroit stamped amid tire treads in a combo called the Detroit Puddle.
Demonstrations in Venetian glass blowing were provided by Furnace Design Studio owner Chris Nordin and his team, who produced a series of candy dishes and a vase - assisted by Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr. The one-of-a-kind piece, created in the city's colors of blue and gold, was featured in a raffle to be won by one lucky attendee. O'Reilly says he is a strong supporter of the arts and has encouraged the prosperity of Nordin's enterprise as well as that of other businesses.
Co-owner and Nordin's wife Michelle Plucinsky have shared the current location since 2004, when they relocated from Detroit. With 20 years' experience, Nordin specializes in the ancient Venetian techniques, which utilize primitive wooden and metal tools dating back 2,000 years in their origin.
A collection of beeswax attached to the work bench keeps instruments lubricated and easier to use.
"Venetian glass-blowing is a team effort as the glass can't be allowed to cool, or it will shatter," commentated Plucinsky. "So, the temperature must be kept very hot - we work in ranges of 1,700 degrees - as they shape it and form the details. This is a valued trade and even Chris' tools were custom-made for him, to fit his hands, by a master Italian glass toolmaker."
Nordin adds that Venetian techniques learned from masters were so secret that artisans were not allowed to move from their home areas for fear of divulging those mysteries.
"It was considered so important an art that Venetian glass-blowers were revered and even able to marry into nobility," he said.
Both Plucinksy and Nordin have traveled to Italy, so he could develop the ancient techniques, including special touches, at the furnaces of the masters.
Nordin and coworker Louie Sanchez work in perfect synch to heat, color and shape each piece. Since it's important, says Nordin, to only mix colors that have compatible heating temperatures, there is more than just preferences in décor involved in shaping multi-colored glass art.
In the spacious area that formerly held a tool-and-die company, one half is devoted to working with the furnaces and half displays the work. By harnessing centrifugal force, gravity and steady balance, artists ably work with propane-powered torches and colors tinted by metals and minerals. Teams design shimmering hues, adding accent colors on the lips of dishes or wrapped around some pieces.
A variety of skills are offered in Dearborn - work in stained glass, glass-blowing, neon, torch work, slumping, bead-making, and fusing - available as both full and sampler classes, and can also be accessed through gift certificates. Veteran artisans are welcome to use the work area during weekly coffee hours, and private studio time is open to rent for special occasions.
Even the means of keeping the studio viable have called for creativity. Nordin and Plucinsky proffer demonstrations, expert lectures, and other activities, as well as encourage original mementos and gifts from their treasure trove for occasions such as weddings and anniversaries.
The Christmas demonstrations included outdoor ice carving on Saturday by Jeff Prather. Pastry chef Kris Jablonski delighted all on Sunday with his kitchen rendition of glassmaking: sugar pulling.
Accessing multiple shades of sugar, heated by microwave, heat lamps and a blowtorch, Jablonski stretches them into varied shapes, creating smiling snowmen on shiny ice, adorned with pastel scarves and jaunty hats.
Jablonski interacted with children and adults alike, taking suggestions for colorful extra touches and concocting opaque snowmen that looked too good to eat.
"Sure I can make a green scarf, but let's add some pink and it'll be striped," he said.
Commissions for glasswork are also welcome, and common, for the business to undertake. A series of carriage house glass light domes awaits transport to Grand Rapids, and a donor wall sculpture tree was created for Detroit Medical Center. Numerous other local businesses and organizations across the country, says Plucinsky, spotlight Dearborn's glasswork in their establishments.
Furnace Design is the state's only state-certified glass school. Some of the associated artists have also moved on to share their expertise in historical settings, such as nearby Greenfield Village.
Upcoming events include a December 12 glass or bead making sampler class, from 10 to 2. From 2 to 5 that day - as well as on December 17 - a drop-in workshop in making pulled glass flowers or a large glass ornament will be taught. Assorted coffee nights are available.
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http://www.furnacedesignstudio.com/
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