YARD SALES! hate, hate, putting one on

Several weeks ago we got a flyer from a neighbor.  They were organizing the block yard sale. (it was yesterday)  They would do the publicity, get a dumpster and a charity's truck there for leftovers.  All we had to do was put out our treasures.  I wanted nothing to do with it.

You price hundreds of things, carry out heavy tables and stuff.  People show up two hours before the sale and want you to cut prices before you even get set up.  It is a Saturday and we would have to be up way before a decent hour.  Long hours on our feet, hot sun, and I could list lots more.  I hate yard sales.

But Marty thought we should clean out more stuff from the storage shed.  After a year and a half we have discovered we don't need everything stored in the shed.  Hell, we don't need most that is in that shed, but I want it.  Thus the storage shed.

I said no, no, still having flashbacks to getting rid of treasures when we sold the house and downsized.  Too much work for too little money.  We dithered around and never got out to the shed until Friday night.  Our downstairs neighbor asked if we would be joining her at 6:30 to set up for the 8:00 sale.  I said no, Marty said maybe.  I knew I was doomed.  We were going to do the yard sale. 

We picked items we could give up, found tables to set up, and did not put stickers on everything.  We just grouped stuff, and eyeballed it when we put it out.  That cut out a lot of prep time.

Yes some people were there by 7, an hour before everything started.  Some bought, and we did not cut prices for them.  It was perfect weather for being outside with no shade.  It was foggy and cool.  Well it was until about 11:00, and the fog burned off.  We had wind which helped, but when it stopped it wasn't very pleasant being outside.  Then the wind really kicked up, and things were flying, even boxed items.  Lots of exercise chasing stuff.  Also we both have interesting sun and wind burns.

We did make money, we sold a lot of Marty's glass.  We had fun, our downstairs' neighbor is entertaining.  But we were exhausted.  Too much standing and walking.  Too much toting heavy things up and down stairs, carrying stuff from the storage shed.  Lots of bending over,  too much fighting fierce winds.  And no nap for the drama queen. 

I took a shower as soon as all was back to normal, and put on my night shirt.  This was at 4:00.  I was ready for bed.  Marty was going to the gym to use the spa facilities and soak the soreness out of his body.  He said we would go out to eat when he got back.  And I said, no thanks.

Why you ask?  I was too tired to put on make up and to get dressed.  I did not want to move.  I barely could move.  So sweet Marty hit our favorite Chinese restaurant on the way home and brought lots of goodies for supper. 

Today we both feel better, but I still hate yard sales.

OPEN STUDIOS

It is that time again, Open Studios in Berkley.  From November 27 until December 19, every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 -5:00 you can watch artists at work.(the web site says until 6:00, but when it starts getting dark, most studios shut down ) Marty will be doing demos on Sundays at R.Strong Glass    1235 4th Street at Gilman in Berkley.  The last demo of the day starts around 4:00.  This is a great chance so see how hot glass art is made and a chance to do some Christmas shopping.

Below are pictures taken at different times during the last year or so.  Lots of fire, lots of smoke, lots of beauty.  I also have a link to the Open Studios web site below also.  That way you have to read my blog first.   :)

 Marty using the torch to smooth out the bottom of a piece before it goes into the annealing oven.

 Marty heating the glass.

 Marty using the marver (special table used in glass blowing) to begin shaping the glass.

 Wood blocks are also used to shape the hot glass.  Smoke and flames, excitement!

Marty assisting Randy Strong, master glass artist.

To get info about Open Studios, a map, a list of artists go here.  R. Strong Glass is #1 on the list and on the map.

GLASS DEMO

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MARTY THE ARTIST

I have posted many pictures of Marty working with hot glass. The fire and smoke and the men working to create something wonderful is exciting. But today Marty is doing cold work.

Marty is assembling and mounting single and multi piece sculptures. Basically he is eye balling several leaves and other pieces he has made and gluing them together. Many leaves are called but few are chosen. They must match his mind's eye design, they must be ground to the right angle to fit, ( no pictures of the grinding process, it is a mess )they must match the colors of the other glass. When he starts gluing he is working against the clock. If all goes well the glue sets up quickly and becomes stronger than the glass. If not, things fall down and go boom. Luckily, he makes very heavy glass and if it falls while he is working, it usually survives.

The glue is activated by heat and/or sun rays. During the winter he has a hard time assembling pieces because they take so long to set up. And you must hold or tape the pieces together as the glue dries.

Remember, click on the picture to make it biggger.

Here Marty has glued a flame to a clear piece of glass.
A multi piece and a single piece mounted and ready to clean.

Marty is applying the glue before he mounts another flame.

Holding the flame hoping the glue holds.

After the pieces have set up the extra glue must be cleaned off. He uses acetone and razor blades to clean the glass.

More clean up of the sculpture.

The finished product, yet unnamed.

WHAT WAS THAT?

Background: Marty is hot glass artist. We have lots of his work in the house, for our pleasure and for inventory for the galleries he sells to. We also have lots of art glass by other artists all over the house. We have glass shelves. Our house is full of glass. So what do you think is an awful sound to us? Yes, the sound of breaking glass.

As I was taking up dinner we heard it. A crash and the sound of breaking glass, lots of glass. We ran toward the living room and then we saw it. A medium size picture in the foyer had come off the wall, the picture hanger had failed. We had glass all over the foyer, into the living room, into the dining room, and on the steps going upstairs. Big pieces, little pieces, teeny tiny pieces. We decided to eat and then clean it up. Hot food doesn't wait. After dinner I picked up glass forever. And then I ran the sweeper for the pieces too little to pick up. Oh, Marty was cleaning up the kitchen while I dealt with the glass.

Thank goodness it was only a picture and not some of our treasures. I was just sure a glass shelf had failed (which is a piece of art itself) and we had lost lots of art pieces. You just can't believe the sound of one picture hitting a tile floor, and how long it went on.

GLASS TOUR

Today Marty and I worked a tour of spinal surgeon's wives at R. Strong Glass. Marty was assisting Randy and I worked in the gallery. I used Marty's camera, so do click on the pictures for details. They are way better than when I use my Palm.

Below is part of the glass gallery. We use lots of mirrors and glass shelving to show off the beauty of the glass.

When I win the lottery, this is the piece I want: The Guardian It is cast glass and took weeks to cool down. A companion piece is in the Louvre. I will never have the $1000s and $1000s needed to buy this. At least I get to work where it lives.
More gorgeous glass. The left display case has some of Marty's work. The huge piece on the right is Randy's. Click on the pix and see close up Marty's work.

See, I really was there, even if it is a mirror image. Lady in red, Susan, Randy's wife. Other mirror image is Flo, Randy's apprentice. Marty's work also shown,

Marty and Randy making a test piece. They are testing colors.

Marty is torching diachronic glass that Randy will pick up with the hot glass he is working with.

Randy at the glory hole, Marty still torching.

Randy reheating at the glory hole, Marty watching.

Marty is torching the picked up diachronic glass while Randy"paints" the vase with it.

Randy still painting and Marty torching.

Randy is using a steam stick to enlarge the vase. Marty is using a wooden paddle to prevent Randy burning his arm.

Randy is twirling the glass to stretch it. Marty has re-dipped the steam stick in water and has it ready for use.

Randy is jacking preparing to knock the piece off and place in the annealing oven.

Marty is torching the bottom of the vase after it was knocked off the pipe. This will smooth the rough parts and give it a polished look.

And that is how we spent Wednesday.

OUR WEEKEND

This weekend was real busy, and really hot. We spent a lot of time on the hot side of the tunnel. Saturday I had to be in Pleasant Hill for an appointment. Then I came home to the cooler side, upper 80s, and put on good clothes. Marty and I went back to the hot side, Walnut Creek. He took an application for a Reverse Mortgage. At this point it was 105 on that side of the tunnel. We left Walnut Creek and had dinner with friends in Benica. This little city in on the top of the Bay and should have been cool. Nope, it was 90.

Sunday we worked the street fair, Out and About, in Rockridge. It was a little cooler, but still pushing 90.

We had a table with lots of Marty's glass. A friend owns a store in Rockridge and carries Marty's glass. She let him set up close to her store. Remember to click on pix for larger images.

Something for everyone

Early as the crowds gather

Fashion show from a vintage shop

Our host's store

We set up at 10:30 and got home around 5:30. A long, hot day. I said, "Good morning, hello, hi, afternoon," and smiled until I thought my jaws would break. Everyone going by loved Marty's glass. They touched it, they asked how he made it, some took business cards, they told us about the glass they had. They are going to think about it. And then they walked on. He made one sale. Thank goodness we don't have to do this for a living. It is really hard and tiring.

We did enjoy people watching. A woman had on a great tee shirt: Meat is murder, tasty, tasty murder. Men in shorts and too tight tee shirts. Women in tight jeans and tops that did not cover the spare tire. The dress of choice was long, spaghetti straps, no bra, no panties. In fact the majority of the women, little and extra endowed, wore no bras.

Busy weekend. But fun.