blazeartglass's Profile

Bio

Mark and Kelly Payne of Blaze Art Glass began their partnership of creating jewelry in 1995, in Durango, Colorado. Kelly's background education in fine art and jewelry design, combined with Mark's extensive skills in metalworking and jewelry fabrication allowed for a natural creative partnership.

We have opened another ETSY shop with exquisite fine enamel jewelry please check it out at indigoflameworks.etsy.com

They have been working with kiln-fired glass for more than a decade, and have created some really unusual techniques from their years of experimentation with glass that result in very unique pieces. They bring a contemporary edge to ancient glass working techniques. The vibrance in the glass is the result of different metal oxides which are vapor coated in micro-thin layers onto sheet glass. (dichroic) This glass is often combined with iridized and colored glass, a wide palette of frits and high-firing vitreous enamels, and somtimes 24k gold and palladium. (This is what makes these pieces so unique!) The glass is carefully cut, arranged, then placed in the kiln and fired up to about 1500 degrees fahrenheit where the glass fuses together. These miniature paintings are often fired multiple times to achieve further depth, dimension and design. They are shaped on grinding wheels, fire-polished, and kiln-annealed for strength and durability. A silver or gold-plated metal bail is attached with industrial-strength adhesive.

Mark and Kelly have spent many years creating together, and continue to evolve the design and craftsmanship of their work. They exhibit at over 25 juried fine art shows per year throughout the southwest with their fine enamel cloisonne' jewelry (see Etsy store, indigoflameworks.) Their home and studio are located in the Mohave Desert, nestled in the foothills, about 17 miles outside of Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This peaceful and serene setting is the perfect place to decompress from the hectic schedule of art shows, and regain focus, inspiration and clarity, which is reflected in their work.

Favorite Materials

Glass, Dichrioc Glass, Frit, Enamel, Vitreous Paint, 24k gold and Palladium