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After working for a number of months, in vain, trying to create two matching cast glass sinks for a client, that would fit into her already made countertop, she canceled the project. I was having failure after failure with those darned sinks - getting the colors to match what she wanted, then trying to get the cast piece to drop through a mold to the right shape for her countertop, faucet and knobs.

It was difficult. Each attempt took 6-10 days to heat up each section, cool it back down and then move on to the next step. After each step, I would brace myself to go out to look in the kiln. Most of the time, the piece would be perfect until the final forming step and then have a catastrophic failure from unknown causes. I was spiraling down into serious depression, questioning my ability and even if I wanted to continue as an artist at all.

When she canceled, you'd think that I would be crestfallen, more depressed, but in fact the exact opposite happened. I was relieved, reborn and re-ignited with hope, creativity and enthusiasm. My mind started bubbling with all the projects that had been on hold for so long. New projects burst into my head. I was ready to fire the kiln up again.

And when I did... Fear struck. What if I actually *HAD* lost my ability? What if all the previous good stuff was flukes and I was out of ideas and luck? I took deep breaths and hit the on switch.

As I peaked in to check after the final firing, I burst into insane giggling, smiling from ear to ear. A success, yes, but what a beauty as well.

Getting this gorgeous piece to come out, with it's beautiful colors, it's perfect shape and nary a problem in sight has given me a giddiness that I haven't felt in a loooong time. I've plunged back in to actively marketing our works, and also in creating more different types of pieces for a wider audience. I would love to hear your comments on this piece, or the process. Please leave a comment.

Now, on to more pieces!!!

  Tags: fused glass, galaxy, mold, plate, platter, slump, stars
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