Many of the participating artists at the SeaBreeze Glass Fusion Club’s show on Sunday afternoon had one thing in common – no matter how they got there, they were all hooked the first time they worked with glass.
Diane Hill, a former accountant with no prior experience, went to a club meeting with a neighbor who was a glass artist.
“It hooked me from the first meeting,” said Hill. She now produces chokers and earrings working with glass and metal. Starting with eighty choker and jewelry sets, she sold almost all of them at the show on Sunday.
Judy Biebesheimer, the unofficial teacher in the group, started by accompanying a friend who didn’t want to go alone to a class at Amazing Glazes.
“I took the class and I was bitten by the glass bug,” said Biebersheimer.
Eight years later she participates in two clubs, has three kilns at home and is the go-to girl for all the beginners with questions.
“I’m no expert I just enjoy helping people get started,” said Biebesheimer. Several club members insisted she indeed is an expert. “Everyone is helpful,” said Biebesheimer, “That is what I enjoy about our group, the camaraderie is great. We all give suggestions on a piece when a member asks.”
Canadian Angela Eliosoff lives in The Villages five months of the year. She has the opportunity to work with glass only when she is here. She was a graphic artist and looks for new things to try. “I was looking for a challenge, something I had never done before,” said Eliosoff. Once she started working with glass she knew shad found a new passion. “Working with glass, I still am always trying new things – some work, some don’t,” said Eliosoff.
She has been a seasonal resident in The Villages for nine years. Each year she returns armed with ideas and designs she has developed while back in Canada. She spends as much time working with glass as she can while she is here. Over the years she has moved to large art pieces.
“I love being at these shows,” said Eliosoff, “ I love sharing what I do and when someone makes a purchase it means so much to me, that is someone appreciating my work.”
SeaBreeze club leader Karen Beck had done other art and crafts in the past and was looking for something different to try.
“I saw a description of the glass fusion club when my husband and I came down for a Lifestyles visit,” said Beck. She started with the club seven years ago and now leads the group.
Nancy Nemargot really admired Beck’s work. She purchased a plate and a candle holder.
“I was really drawn to her colors,” said Nemargot.
An easy way to describe all of the items available at the show would be to list the purchases made by Evelyn Gray.
“I love art. I am a wannabe glass artist,” said Gray.
She really loved the quality and variety of items at the show. “Today I was looking for hostess gifts, other gifts for friends and items for our new home and I just happened to find some jewelry for me.” Her purchases included window hangings, night lights, spoon and tea bag rests, napkin holders, little dishes, money clips and necklaces.” As Evelyn’s husband Steve patiently waited he joked that she has always uses an expression when she makes a purchase, ‘it spoke to me.’ There must be a lot of talking going on today he said as held up the bags holding her many purchases.
The SeaBreeze Glass Fusion club will hold another show in November. The date is to be announced. The SeaBreeze group has 50 members and a waitlist of 40 people.
