Featured Artist Friday: Laura Crtichfield of Chestnut Ridge Designs
Artist name: Laura Critchfield
Location: Akron, Ohio
Website: www.chestnutridgedesigns.com
Blog if you have one: www.chestnutridgedesigns.com/sections/blog/blog.aspx
(Any other web link you'd like to share, etsy, flickr...) http://www.chestnutridgedesigns.etsy.com/
Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space? Yes
Where is it located? Downstairs at the back of my house
Is it a large or small space? It is a large space, approx. 12 x 24, and houses my kiln, work area, glass storage, tools, lightbox/photo area and various supplies.
What medium(s) do you work in? Do you have a separate area for each? Soda Lime Glass and PMC. I usually make the PMC pieces upstairs, and then finish them in the kiln, the glasswork I do at the workstation next to the kiln.
What one word would you use to describe your studio? "Airy"
What do you think is the best feature of your studio? I love the expansive windows. The room is a glassed in porch area, so it has a concrete floor (painted to look like tile), and eight big sliding glass doors, the space can be opened up on three sides. It gets partial afternoon sun in the summer months, and filtered sun all day in the winter months.
What would you change if you could? I would prefer to work at one end of the room, but because of electrical demand of the kiln, I work in the middle of the space.
Can you share an organizational tip? When I first started, I used glass jars to hold the glass rods along the back on my work bench. After I really started amassing glass (I have about 100-150 lbs.) I bought a stainless steel tool box set up with wheels (from Sam's club). The glass fits perfectly in the drawers, which are on rollers so they can handle the weight, the kiln fit perfectly on the top. I added another toolbox to the bottom, and the glass is divided up by color. The unit's wheels can be locked so it does not accidentally move.
Describe the usual state of your work table? It is usually pretty messy. I love order in my life, but when I work, I like to be able to see the colors- that way I can decide mid-piece to add a new color element. I do keep the rods arranged in a rainbow (because that's just the way my brain works). I also keep murrinni, silver leaf, silver mesh, and frit all in front of me, as well as stringers. I do keep all my twisties in a clear glass on the back of the worktable.
Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall? I face the windows, which allows me to look out over the ravine that backs up to our property- giving me a nice view all four seasons.
What's one drawback of your studio/artistic space? Sometimes, especially in the winter, there is too much light, making it hard to see the flame, and how hot the glass is getting. I judge this by the glow, and if the sun is too intense, I can't see how bright the glass is.
Do you have any studio mascots (pets, mannequin whatever)? No- just some plants
Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board? No
Do you listen to music in your studio? What kind? I listen on an IPod because my torch is so loud- I have Jimmy Buffet, Loreena McKennit, Bob Marley, and Counting Crows.
Do you display your own work in your studio? Other artists' work? No, but I keep a printout of past sets I have done for reference for special orders.
What's one quirk or unusual feature of your studio? I have a really cool stool from the 40's or 50's bought at an auction- it was pristine when my husband brought it home and one of the first times I used it, a piece of hot glass fell on the seat and burned a black mark in it. Still a really nice seat though.
*************************
If you would like to be a featured artist, just shoot me an email at : Melissa@kcjewelbox.com and I will send you the questions and information.
Location: Akron, Ohio
Website: www.chestnutridgedesigns.com
Blog if you have one: www.chestnutridgedesigns.com/sections/blog/blog.aspx
(Any other web link you'd like to share, etsy, flickr...) http://www.chestnutridgedesigns.etsy.com/
Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space? Yes
Where is it located? Downstairs at the back of my house
Is it a large or small space? It is a large space, approx. 12 x 24, and houses my kiln, work area, glass storage, tools, lightbox/photo area and various supplies.
What medium(s) do you work in? Do you have a separate area for each? Soda Lime Glass and PMC. I usually make the PMC pieces upstairs, and then finish them in the kiln, the glasswork I do at the workstation next to the kiln.
What one word would you use to describe your studio? "Airy"
What do you think is the best feature of your studio? I love the expansive windows. The room is a glassed in porch area, so it has a concrete floor (painted to look like tile), and eight big sliding glass doors, the space can be opened up on three sides. It gets partial afternoon sun in the summer months, and filtered sun all day in the winter months.
What would you change if you could? I would prefer to work at one end of the room, but because of electrical demand of the kiln, I work in the middle of the space.
Can you share an organizational tip? When I first started, I used glass jars to hold the glass rods along the back on my work bench. After I really started amassing glass (I have about 100-150 lbs.) I bought a stainless steel tool box set up with wheels (from Sam's club). The glass fits perfectly in the drawers, which are on rollers so they can handle the weight, the kiln fit perfectly on the top. I added another toolbox to the bottom, and the glass is divided up by color. The unit's wheels can be locked so it does not accidentally move.
Describe the usual state of your work table? It is usually pretty messy. I love order in my life, but when I work, I like to be able to see the colors- that way I can decide mid-piece to add a new color element. I do keep the rods arranged in a rainbow (because that's just the way my brain works). I also keep murrinni, silver leaf, silver mesh, and frit all in front of me, as well as stringers. I do keep all my twisties in a clear glass on the back of the worktable.
Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall? I face the windows, which allows me to look out over the ravine that backs up to our property- giving me a nice view all four seasons.
What's one drawback of your studio/artistic space? Sometimes, especially in the winter, there is too much light, making it hard to see the flame, and how hot the glass is getting. I judge this by the glow, and if the sun is too intense, I can't see how bright the glass is.
Do you have any studio mascots (pets, mannequin whatever)? No- just some plants
Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board? No
Do you listen to music in your studio? What kind? I listen on an IPod because my torch is so loud- I have Jimmy Buffet, Loreena McKennit, Bob Marley, and Counting Crows.
Do you display your own work in your studio? Other artists' work? No, but I keep a printout of past sets I have done for reference for special orders.
What's one quirk or unusual feature of your studio? I have a really cool stool from the 40's or 50's bought at an auction- it was pristine when my husband brought it home and one of the first times I used it, a piece of hot glass fell on the seat and burned a black mark in it. Still a really nice seat though.
*************************
If you would like to be a featured artist, just shoot me an email at : Melissa@kcjewelbox.com and I will send you the questions and information.
Those beads are gorgeous and the studio space is beautiful--thanks for sharing!
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Laura, you have a wonderful studio in peaceful setting. I'm sure you must love to go there to create your beautiful beads.
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