Astral Glass Studio, LLC

04/02/2026

This was a fun project with Alison Heavirland. Too much fun!!!

Yesterday, one of my friends in the Art Room was looking at a new enameled and silver piece I was working on and suggested I make a belt buckle. His comment instantly took me back to one of my very first pieces from Jewelry 1 class in 2020 when I first started Jewelry school.

Our assignment was to create something from a found object. My husband and daughter had been walking through the fields in a remote area in Prescott, Arizona, when they came across an old tin labeled “3 Merry Widows” under a bush. When we got home, we researched it and discovered it was a 1920s condom tin. They originally sold for about a dollar and contained three REUSABLE condoms. (Pretty wild to think about today!)

With help from my friend Cindi Shaffer, I turned the tin into a belt buckle. She taught me how to use imagery from the web and turn it into a decal. From there, I enameled it, and then riveted it onto a copper back plate with the latch for the buckle. My husband is now the proud owner of this buckle! After all, he found it!!

01/17/2026

Balancing obligations, necessities and wants. That’s life, isn’t it?

So at the studio - what have you done lately has come home to roost. Over the years I have always done jewelry as well as functional work and art glass.

After my spinal surgery I just took a break. Alison, who worked with me for 4 1/2 years, found a love for jewelry making and then moved away. We were renovating a house. Other things, too. Just a break for the last two years.

It looks like we are moving into the new house in February. Really! Not kidding! I don’t blame you for not believing me.

Finally moving is an opportunity to move on. This too will pass, and frankly, I’m tired of waiting. You have no idea how tired.

Well, because I took a break does not mean that the glass muse has gone. Jewelry is small sculpture and sculpture is big jewelry. (I’ve always loved that sentiment!) Glass is my love in all forms.

I was hoping that the world would wait patiently for me. Apparently I have exhausted the world’s patience -- Lately people have said things like “You aren’t using the jewelry part of your studio anymore, are you?” And more along those lines. “Are you going to close your studio? What are you going to do?” And always “Are you going to teach classes?”

My artistic glass self is taking over my dreams again, the half sleep time where my mind is so creative.

The move will be first. Glass will fit in as possible. Our first Art on 6th Street show is in May. There is time to regroup, emerge and go forward...

Wishing new horizons for us all.

I’m excited. See you soon. Onward and Upward!

05/16/2025

Today is the first day of Art on 6th Street for the 2025 summer season. We will be open today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, from 10 to 4. Come in to visit and see the new work 12 or more artists.

08/17/2024

Art on 6th Street is today, 10 to 4. 697 6th Art on 6th Street. Come visit us.

11/30/2023

Thumb butte in glass, now at ‘tis.

11/11/2023

We are here in Studio No 7 on the Camelback Studio Tour here in Scottsdale on a gorgeous day in the desert. The address is 2633 N 58th Street, Scottsdale and we will be here from 10 to 5 on Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday with Rob Thomasson and Kara Marshall.

11/11/2023