Claudia Knauss
Glancing in the windows of the many club meeting rooms in our Creative Arts & Technology Center certainly leads to an appreciation of the many talents of residents here at the Ranch. It’s fun to be able to step into any studio and purchase one-of-a-kind gifts when something special catches our eye. But there also can be a tendency to incorrectly doubt that we, too, could design and produce such beautiful ornaments, serving pieces, wall hangings, and other decorative objects of art.
At Glasshoppers, volunteer monitors and assistant monitors are uniquely talented helpers. Monitors are available during every session to help choose supplies, answer questions, demonstrate techniques, go over the correct use of studio equipment and offer guidance on works in progress. Their primary job is to build confidence in our members and assist in helping find exciting ways to improve our planning process and ability to use studio time productively. These special Glasshopper volunteers prove every day that working together makes good things happen!
Why choose as the club to join here at SaddleBrooke Ranch? Because we have fun! During each visit to the studio, members are encouraged to check out proGlasshoppers jects being worked on by others. Asking questions and sharing ideas is an enjoyable and beneficial process. And, if you enjoy helping others create, you might find yourself volunteering as a monitor in the future.
Several monitors, like Valeria Zupancic, also load and unload members’ projects into kilns used to “fire” the glass. Kiln loading is a complex process that requires careful handling of the glass, as well as tracking the person who created each piece. Loading kilns also involves determining which heat setting should be used to produce the desired finished texture of each piece. As is obvious in the wide variety of Valeria’s own glasswork (pictured here), projects can include both abstract and traditional design styles and be used to create both indoor and outdoor artwork.
The SaddleBrooke Ranch ARTwalk is happening soon. Mark your calendar for Oct. 23 and 24. The Creative Arts Center will have a wide variety of unique gifts for sale. In addition, maps are available at the gatehouse indicating which private homes will also be open to residents and the general public during the ARTwalk.
Interested in joining Glasshoppers? Email or phone Joy Cafferty, membership chair, today at Cafferty_j@msn.com or 206-437-3663 to get in on our next Safety & Orientation class.