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News

Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo returns | January 2023

Elizabeth and Melanie will be at the show from March 29 to April 2, 2023, teaching a variety of stained and fused glass workshops. If you happen to be at the show, don’t hesitate to connect with us!

Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo returns | February 2022

A sign that things are getting better, North America’s favourite glass extravaganza returns April 2022. Melanie is teaching solo at the show from April 12 to 16, 2022, and will be covering a wide array of fusing and stained glass techniques. If you happen to be at the show, don’t hesitate to drop by!

Oceanside Glass & Tile introduces Uro by Yough | May 2020

If you are missing the System 96 hand-rolled Uroboros glass, here’s a good piece of industry news: Youghiogheny Glass is collaborating with Oceanside Glass & Tile to produce Uro by Yough, a revival of the line. For more information, view this video: A message from the factory floor

Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo 2020 postponed | March 2020

The Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo 2020 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Their statement reads as follows:

To our Glass Craft & Bead Expo Family,

This has been an unprecedented week in the history of our country and industry. We have been working hard to make sure that Glass Craft & Bead Expo did not become another casualty of COVID19, and not just for this year, but permanently. It would be very sad to think about what it would mean to our Glass Family to never have another GCBE. However, we do have good news. The South Point Hotel is working with us to postpone the conference. There are not many hotels in Las Vegas that are doing this. We owe the South Point many thanks for being the partner that they are.

At this time, we do not have the exact dates of when the show will be held. Please allow us time to work out all the necessary details. We ask that you keep in mind that we are a smaller family business, not a large corporation, and do not have the ability to answer phone calls and emails and simultaneously work on the many adjustments required to accomplish moving the show to a new date. As soon as we have confirmed dates and plans in place, we will notify everyone. Because we are taking the necessary precautions for the safety of all and are postponing, not cancelling the show, all payments (including class registrations) will be applied to the new show dates.

If you booked rooms, please call the South Point reservations line at 866-791-7626 to cancel that reservation. Per the South Point’s cancellation policy, they will refund your hotel deposit as long as you cancel at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Please be patient with them as we imagine they are a bit overwhelmed with many cancellations.

Our deepest gratitude for those that have shown their unwavering loyalty, support and patience while we have been navigating through this crisis. It takes the whole glass community to put together this event that is so vital to the industry as well as enjoyed by all that attend.

Melanie Kidd instructing at Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo 2020! | November 2019

Melanie will be teaching solo in Vegas next spring. For more about the show, visit: glasscraftexpo.com. Click here for information about Melanie’s workshops in Vegas.

The Glassed Over Project at Markham Museum | February 2019

The Glassed Over Project
Stories beyond the pane: A tribute to women’s independent spirit and identity

In partnership with Markham Museum, Glasstronomy Studios has created an art glass exhibit to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2019. Using reclaimed window frames and a variety of art glass techniques, Glasstronomy Studios, its membership, and student volunteers have collaborated on a tribute to a diverse group of women who share an independent spirit and a disregard for social barriers. Challenge your perception of how we lived in the past, exist in the present, and project for our collective future.

Whether celebrating International Women’s Day, or looking for perspective, visit Markham Museum from March 2 to 31, 2019.

For more information, click here.

Melanie Kidd instructing at Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo 2019! | November 2018

The Studio team will be in Vegas for next year’s 25th anniversary show. We will be bringing along some of our members so they can take in the experience, participate in some workshops, and have a jolly good time! For more about the show, visit: glasscraftexpo.com. Click here for information about Melanie’s workshops in Vegas.

Oceanside Glass & Tile announces Oceanside Compatible and Oceanside Art Glass | July 2018

OGT announces a rebrand for former Spectrum and Uroboros glass: Oceanside Compatible and Oceanside Art Glass. Oceanside Compatible will take the place of former stained glass and 96 COE glass for colours where both previously existed. That is, there will be one format for both purposes. While there are a lot of benefits from a manufacturing point of view and for those of you who are fusers, the traditional stained glass practitioner will now be paying a premium. The advantage for those of you who do both stained and fused glass is that your stained glass scraps will now be usable in fused glass applications. Oceanside Art Glass refers to the architectural stained glass that is not 96 COE compatible. So as always, be careful how you store/label your glass.

OGT is also “retiring” some glass. While that sounds permanent, OGT indicates that they will be reviving some of them after the technology and production issues get worked out.

From our perspective, OGT is doing things right. As they are manufacturing a base product they use themselves, they are putting effort into ensuring its stability and longevity. This takes time. Reducing inefficiencies, like duplication of glass, will eventually allow for more types of glass to be developed and made available to us all.

For more information on OGT’s branding strategy, click here.

For OGT’s clarification on the above, click here. This includes an update on irid production, explanation of retired product list, branding, and what to do with fusible scrap leftovers.

Oceanside Glass & Tile update | January 2018

On this side of the border the release of Oceanside glass has been slower than anticipated. One thing is crystal clear, prices will be going up to reflect “fair market value”. Click here for their latest update.

Oceanside Glass & Tile lists discontinued glass | March 2017

Oceanside Glass & Tile (OGT) is continuing to process 96 COE fusing glass and accessory products, but it will be retiring some of the colours, wispies, and spirits we have come to love. On the stained glass front, the Spectrum Glass baroques, vecchios, waterglass, and wispies will be retired. For a listing of retired glass, see below:

Product discontinuations

OGT will continue with Spectrum’s previously planned discontinuations, as well as removing other glass from production so that they can focus on creating stock of popular products as well as introducing new colours.

Spectrum System 96 products
146SF | Dark purple (may be maintained as a Frit product)
523-8SF | Hunter green (may be maintained as a Frit product)
528-4SF | Olive green (may be maintained as a Frit product)
538-6SF | Navy blue (may be maintained as a Frit product)
397-2SF | Crystal opal/pink wispy
4000-9SF | Black/clear wispy
633-76SF | Crystal opal/aqua/cobalt blue wispy
Spirit/635-7SF | Philly spirit
Spirit/694-7SF | Geneva spirit

Spectrum stained glass products

Baroques
BR/400 | Black/clear baroque

BR/430 | Blue/clear baroque
BR/602-6 | Emerald/white/clear baroque
BR/603-9 | Blue/white/clear baroque
BR/6000 | Black/white/clear baroque
BR/Champagne | Champagne/clear baroque
BR/Cinnamon | Cinnamon/clear baroque

Rough rolled
523-8RR | Hunter green rough rolled
528-4RR | Olive green rough rolled
538-6RR | Navy blue rough rolled

Smooths
110.8S | Medium amber smooth
123S | Medium green smooth
142S | Light purple smooth
220-76S | Dark green opal smooth
230-76S | Cobalt blue opal smooth
240-72S | Mauve opal smooth
260-72S | Yellow opal smooth
291-61S | Champagne opal smooth

Vecchios
110.2V | Pale amber vecchio
130.8V | Pale blue vecchio
140.8V | Pale purple vecchio
180.8V | Pale gray vecchio

Waterglass
291-91W | Champagne waterglass
523-8W | Hunter green waterglass
528-4W | Olive green waterglass

Wispies
823-98S | Hunter green/ white wispy
828-94S | Olive green/white wispy

Other
I/347-1S | Pale purple/white irid
6092-86CC | Heather pearl opal

Spectrum for the home products:
”AA” (5 mm) Clear sheet glass products are being discontinued

Update from Bullseye Glass Company | January 2017

If you were one of the people that took the time to do an exploratory survey for Bullseye last fall, you will be disappointed to know that they have chosen not to invest in 96 COE glass development. Not surprising really, as their main industry competition have been given a lifeline through Oceanside Glasstile. After a year of upheaval, Bullseye is looking forward to 2017. Click here to learn more.

Special announcement from Uroboros Glass | December 2016

Uroboros Glass has taken a page from Spectrum Glass and has been sold to Oceanside Glasstile (OGT). Production of your favourite glass products will transition from the current Portland facility to OGT’s operations in Tijuana, Mexico, by May 2017. Click here to learn more.

Major special announcement from Uroboros Glass | September 2016

Wow, what a difference one week makes! Uroboros Glass has announced that it will discontinue operations in early 2017. They are looking for a buyer, so if you have a few million US dollars on hand, you may be able to get in on a good deal … that is if you can relocate somewhere less “gentrified” and without the environmental regulatory scrutiny that has stifled the company. Of course, if you have the scruples of Bill Gates, meet the necessary codes, keep on the staff, and re-brand as the Eco-friendly Glass Company. Click here to view the announcement.

Production update from Uroboros Glass | September 2016

Uroboros Glass has been very transparent regarding their safety and emission issues. They are now indicating they will be able to resume full production as of January 1, 2017. Click here to view the announcement.

Announcement from Spectrum Glass Company | September 2016

Thought you heard the last of Spectrum Glass Company? Some of your favourite glass may be back on the market via Tijuana, Mexico. Spectrum Glass Company has just finalized the sale of Spectrum® Glass, their System 96® brands, equipment, and formulae to California-based glass manufacturer Oceanside Glasstile. Click here to view the announcement.

Rolex Dancers First Awards | September 2016

Elizabeth was commissioned by The National Ballet of Canada to create the awards for this year’s winners of the Rolex Dancers First awards. For the third year in a row, recipients each received a sculpture derived from her Optics series. Congratulations to Piotr Stanczyk and Hannah Fischer for their performances in The Winter’s Tales!

For more information on the awards and presentation, see the news release published on September 19, 2016.

System 96 Message from Uroboros | May 2016

Uroboros Glass has been quick to respond to the Spectrum Glass Company closure. As a partner of System 96 they are positive that they can ensure the availability of sheet glass colours and byproducts (frit, stringers, etc.). Click here to view their outline of their short-term and long-term glass production plans. Stay tuned, folks!

Spectrum Glass Company closure | May 2016

Those of you who participate in glass craft and industry forums will already be aware of a new challenge on the art glass horizon: Spectrum Glass Company has decided to end operations over the next few months. Click here to view their press release.

We are deeply saddened by this news but look forward to positive changes in the industry. Uroboros Glass is working with US environmental regulators on a long-term emissions control agreement. Once they have their updated equipment in place they expect to resume full production of their own colour line as well as to start production of the colours previously made by Spectrum.

It’s time for a creative industry to get creative – The art glass industry has survived over 5000 years (yes!) of war, plagues, recessions, and government red tape, and will continue to evolve. Glasstronomy Studios looks forward to the creative product improvements, new colours, and innovations that will enhance our own art glass work and the direction we take in our education and creative services. Our priorities are as ever to our operations and our membership. As always, we welcome your take on the current glass scene and thank those of you who have shared your concerns with us.

Do NOT panic! Do not reach for the phone and order every piece of glass you can think of. Our wholesalers continue to get shipments of glass as quickly as they can be expedited.

Uroboros Glass glass supplies | March 2016

US state and federal environmental regulators have requested that Uroboros Glass suspend the use of cadmium and chromium colour agents in their glass furnaces. This affects 65% of their stained and fused sheet and powder glass lines and means that most reds, and all orange, yellow, green, and black colors, as well as some browns and purples will no longer be produced in the existing formulas. The bottom line is that for both consumers and suppliers, some of your favourite glass sheets, powders and frit will only be available in limited quantities and at higher prices up and down the retail chain. We are confident that Uroboros Glass will be able to make adjustments to their formulas and get back into production with equal or better colour options.

Rolex Dancers First Awards | September 2015

Elizabeth was commissioned by The National Ballet of Canada to create the awards for this year’s winners of the Rolex Dancers First awards. For the second year in a row, recipients each received a sculpture derived from her Optics series.

For more information on the awards and presentation, see the news release published on September 22, 2015.

Rolex Dancers First Awards | September 2014

Elizabeth was commissioned by The National Ballet of Canada to create the awards for this year’s winners of the Rolex Dancers First awards. The recipients each received a sculpture derived from her Optics series.

For more information on the awards and presentation, see the news release published on September 23, 2014.

Hollander Glass Canada | April 2013

Our friends at Hollander Glass Canada are undergoing an interruption in their operations. We are saddened to see them suffer and hope that things will resume under new ownership. We send all their staff our very best wishes. Glasstronomy Studios aims to support Canadian businesses as well as provide quality product to our customers. We will continue to meet the needs of our clientele with our diverse and creative business practices. We look forward to serving you now and in the future.

Las Vegas Glass Craft and Bead Expo | April 2013

Elizabeth and Melanie spent a whirlwind five days in Las Vegas at the Southpoint Hotel, Casino, and Spa. Both participated in some excellent workshops instructed by well-established artists. Melanie had workshops with Janet Schrader, Peter McGrain, and Michael Dupille. Elizabeth was particularly impressed by Phil Teefy’s intensive two-day casting workshop. Lots of tips and tricks were learned and will be applied to our own work. On the floor we saw the latest products, some of which we brought back to share with our members and customers. Congrats to Melanie for coming in first place in the intense four-minute Glass Cutting Competition: Advanced category. It was a bloody event, but no stitches necessary!

Thanks for your votes | December 2012

Congratulations to Team Green for winning the popular vote for their piece, “I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date”.

Cook off: Vote for your favourite [voting now closed]

Please help us choose the winner of our first glass cook off challenge. Each piece was crafted by teams of members with a broad range of glass fusing experience. There are three ways you can vote:

1. email us at cs@glasstronomystudios.ca;
2. “Like” the piece on our Facebook page; or
3. visit the studio and fill out a ballot.

So, shall it be Team Blue, Team Green, or Team Red? The winner will be announced at our upcoming members’ social event on December 13. Thanks for your participation.

Grand opening | September 2012

September 30, 2012 is looking to be a milestone for Glasstronomy Studios. We officially open our doors and look forward to connecting with old friends and associates as well as making new acquaintances. We appreciate the interest and welcome your feedback.