AdammsGallery

Sher Berman Glass Jewelry Artist

       

Crochet lariat with glass beads  Apatite and silver bead necklace Glass and silver crochet necklace

In a world where so many artists and designers use production pieces fabricated in China it is refreshing to see an American artist who creates 100% on her own. When you hold and look at a Sher Berman crochet bracelet, necklace, or earrings you immediately feel and see quality. Sher's use of color is miraculous!

                      
Lampwork Rasberry Beads           Long Orange Bead    Lampwork Black Glass Bead  Slver and Apatite bead Earrings

She combines colored glass, semi-precious stones, and silver beads in dramatic, tasteful, and pleasing color combinations. Her work is exceptionally comfortable to wear. It is light, smooth on the body, and very easy to put on and take off. Simply put her work is a joy to wear and blast to look at. There is no doubt, you will be the LIFE OF THE PARTY!

In Sher's words:

    I have a passion for beads in all its many forms. I create my own lampwork glass beads in my home studio in Illinois. I also do all the bead crochet from start to finish.
I grew up in Highland Park, Illinois attending Highland Park High School. Every year they would have something called "Focus on the Arts" and I just loved that special time. The school would bring in professionals in all different fields of the arts. You could learn to use a camera, solder a ring or write a short story. I took all jewelry classes and was completely fascinated. That is when I knew I would use my creativity to create something unique.
I went on to achieve a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Iowa and worked many years in Chicago as a graphic designer.
I got married, had two wonderful children and then it was, well, now what? I took a lampworking class in Highland Park and absolutely fell in love with it. The minute the torch was lit, I knew it would be my calling.
I now make glass beads and create bead crochet pieces in my home studio.

When  outdoor art shows are again allowed Sher will be displaying in them. Her work is also available at the gallery. www.adammsgallery.com

 

 

Paul Willsea and Carol O'Brien Hand Blown Art Glass

                                          
                                                                 Primrose Round Bowl

Paul and Carol have been blowing magnificent art glass since 1983. It was shortly after that that I met them and began representing their work in my Santa Monica gallery. Their work has always been first class. I cannot remember once having to return a piece because of bad design or craftmanship. 

                               

                                                               Ocean Oblong Bowl 

                                                                             Round Wall Sculptures
   

     Their work has certainly evolved over the years, but they still produce some of the vintage style pieces that gave them a name so many years ago. Today they are using vibrant colors and endearing shapes that captures the feeling of the nature that surrounds them in their Upstate New York home and studio. They create large bowls that have an easy flow to them. They offer these in platters also and make wall designs which incorporate these vivid colors and diverse movement that the glass allows them to create.

                                

                                Ruby Candle Holders                         Jade Crackle Pyramid Bowl

   They also create candle sticks, and a crackle glass series that has endured their nearly 40 years of glass blowing. Their work has always been refreshing, uplifting, and engaging. When you see their work, it is difficult to take your eyes off of it. When customers buy their work, they tend to keep it forever.                                                                                      Canyon Square Cradle Bowl

Daniel Salazar Art Glass Vases and Paper Weights

                              

Pink Moth Orchid                    Fumed Wisteria w/Butterfly                         Pink Sweet Pea on Dark Green

In June of 1974, Daniel Salazar was hired as a glass grinder by Nouveau Glass, later to become Lundberg Studios. By 1975, he was working with hot glass, along side James and Steven Lundberg, as a helper or pontilman there. It soon became evident that he had a unique flair for design. By 1978, he had begun producing and designing his own paperweights. He was also influential in developing certain techniques in the California-style paperweight lampworking process.  Daniel has earned a fine reputation for his delicate and natural look in floral paperweights, as well as birds, underwater scenes and abstract glass works. These same designs have also been produced in beautiful assembly on perfume bottles, vases and jewelry jars. Much of Daniel's work has taken inspiration from his interest in botany and the collecting Asian art and antiques. Since childhood, a passion for sketching and watercolor has been the source for his unique artistic development. In addition, he has attended art classes at Cabrillo College in color and design and life drawing. His work has been exhibited at the following museums and has become part of their permanent collections. De Young Museum, San Francisco, CA Los Angeles County Museum, Los Angeles, CA Art Museum of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Villa Terrace Museum of Decorative Arts, Milwaukee, WI Bergstrom-Mahler Museum, Neenah, WI The Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL Muscatine Art Center, Muscatine, IA Jones Museum of Glass & Ceramics, Douglas Hill, ME Museum of American Glass, Wheaton Village, Millville, NJ Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland MSC Center Galleries, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

Daniel left Lundberg studios around 2008 to explore other opportunities. Rebecca Lundberg still has a number of Daniels pieces stashed away and has made them available to our gallery. Continue to check from time to time for additional work from this master artist.

 

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery Santa Monica, CA 90401  310 451 9390

Michael Trimpol, and Monique LaJeunesse Glass Artists

        

Michael Trimpol was first introduced to glass while taking a high school stained glass class in Stowe, Vt. While attending Concordia University in Montreal he started a stained glass business designing, manufacturing, and installing many residential commissions, as well as public art. He enjoyed the creative process of design, and creation in stained glass, but felt limitations in its two dimensionality. This let him to explore hand blown art glass. It was at Sheridan College School of Craft & Design in Mississauga, Ontario  that he finally enrolled in a glass blowing class.

     When he graduated in 1985 he accepted a glass blowing job at Harbourfront studios, a popular tourist destinations in Toronto. Shortly after he left Harborfront in 1989 he established his own company Hotglass Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario.

     In 1995 he moved back to Stowe, Vt. where he established Little River Hot Glass. Michael still designs, and manufactures his work which has continued to grow. His art includes paper weights, marbles, vases, bowls, and ornaments. He is represented in numerous galleries throughout the country, and is a constant favorite among collectors who love his innovative designs, and vibrant use of colors.

In his own words :

"Of the many media and processes which can be used to create, I have always been attracted to glass and its potential. Initially working with stained glass, I became drawn to the dynamic nature of the blowing process which seemed to better suit both my nature and my vision.

I have a strong preference for objects of a personal scale and with potential utility. A vessel with a lid or stopper has always been of most interest. Color and pattern are also important, either a single pure color highlighting form or a more complex mixture to create patterns.

I am proud of the final product but the actual process of creation is what I find most satisfying."

  

Monique LaJeunessa

Monique  received an Honors BFA from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario and a diploma in the Fine and Decorative Arts from Christie's, London.

Subsequently, she worked for Fine Art dealers in Cork Street, London and in Yorkville, Toronto. In 1992, she became a designer, business manager and partner of Hotglass Inc.

In 1995, she relocated along with Michael to Stowe, VT to design for and operate the daily business management of Little River Hotglass Studio.

Together Michael and Monique have made Little River one of the most productive glass studios in the country.

Her passion however is animal welfare and she is active with many groups worldwide. She is especially devoted to her own dogs (English Bull Terriers and a Jack Russell).

Kent Kahlen American Glass Artist

"I started out in a different direction. I was on my way to becoming a chiropractor, then I happened on glass blowing. Glass was one of those pesky art electives you must take in order to get your degree. Let's just say I fell in love with the molten stuff immediately! I abandoned the idea of being a doctor and went for something I was passionate about, GLASS. That was in 1988 and I haven't looked back ever since. There is nothing simple about the glass blowing process. Something can go wrong at any stage in its production from melting the sand to putting the finished piece in the oven. This challenge is what has kept my interest for all the years I have been making glass. When I stop challenging myself with new ideas and techniques that will be the day I move on." Kent Kahlen

                  

  I first met Kent many years ago at the prestigious Laguna Beach Festival of the arts. The committee thaqt juries the Art Festival, which is also the site of the "Pageant of the Masters" is well known for being very particular, and it is quite an honor to be accepted to the show. Kent has done the show more times than I can count, and for good reason , his work is extraordinarily special. Kent has done other art shows in his many years of glass blowing, and he enjoys the interaction of the many people who truly love, and appreciate art, but his true love is in creating. Like all artists he is happiest when he can plan a piece and create it. Having seem and made many perfume bottles Kent asked himself "what can I do that is different?" The answer was the anti bottle. This is a bottle shape but not a vessel. The open space which you see is not a chamber, but is a hole.  It is truly a sculpture, and has proven to be very popular.

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          Anti Bottle  Ruby                Anti Bottle  Yellow               Anti Bottle Green

 

   After many years of creating his art Kent decided that he needed a change in his designs.

With this thought he created his Archeological Collection. This includes sculptures, vases, and of course his anti bottles.

                       

 Archeological Rock Sculpture   Anti Bottle Archeological Collection 

                           

                                      
                                        Blue Pokie Vase

 Kent's latest collection is what he calls ROCKS. These are solid glass with a powder finish, and a translucent band of color. The bottom allows light to be transmitted up through the center illuminating the colored band.                            

                                                               
                                       

           
        Orange Rock                        Blue Rock

                                                                                    

 Sometimes Kent reaches out  for inspiration and the result can be ingenious. This is the case with his Plumb Bob. The sculpture is created with hand forged steel and blown glass in the  encalmo technique. The sculpture stands 39 1/2" tall.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Plumb Bob

 

  kENT'S WORK MAKES WONDERFUL GIFTS, AS WELL AS A SPECIAL WORK OF ART FOR YOUR HOME. I am proud to say that we have a wonderful collection of Kent's work in our Santa Monica, CA. gallery.  adammsgallery.com

Shawn Tsai Glass Artist

                 

 

Shawn Tsai was born in Taiwan in 1952. In 1975 he immigrated to the United States. Shawn was first introduced to glass sculpturing in 1978. Eventually, as his enthusiasm for glass art blossomed, his hobby turned into a full time profession. As he watched each if his creations transform from plain glass rods into marine and wildlife animals his desire to capture glimpses of nature in his work escalated. All of Shawn's creations are done freehand in borosilicate (Pyrex) glass without using a mold. A blowtorch is used to soften glass rods with its intense heat, and then the melted glass is reshaped and transformed into its finished form and left to anneal in a kiln. Shawn's goal is the capture the essence of nature in his work. His one of a kind sculptures reveal Shawn's deep love of nature, and talent to reveal it.

                     

     Today Shawn and his wife Toshi lover and work in Southern California. Their work is displayed in galleries across the United States, and in many fine collections.

Bob and Laurie Kliss Glass Artists

     People react to art glass in a variety of ways. After all art glass is not for everyone. There are many days when someone pokes their head in the doorway of the gallery, takes a quick look around, then turns away and leaves. Sometimes a couple comes in for a look, and while one is having a fantastic time being amazed at the great glass art, the other is bored to death, and could not get out quick enough. Then of course we have couples, and families that blossom when they visit, and of course purchase glass for their home or gifts for friends.

                                  

                                              Bobtanicals          

                        


                                   Bobtanical Tea Pot                                                        

     Collectors also have different opinions of what they like. Some people look for very colorful pieces that make them happy. Others want their art to start a conversation, and look for intriguing pieces. There are those who collect small pieces, and others that enjoy very large works, still more want cutting edge sculptures, but by far the whimsical, colorful pieces are admired by the largest audience. Among these are the work of artist Bob Kliss and his wife Laurie.  Kliszewski glass is whimsical, colorful, and the definition of creative. For many years they have been making their "Bobtanicals" which are hand blown glass sculptural pieces in a variety of happy colors, and a softly etched surface. These include floral designs and teapots. Bob and Laurie's work is collected in groupings, as individual pieces,and given as gifts. I can honestly say that I have never had one of their pieces returned or exchanged. They are that special!

           

          Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase                  Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase     

 

                                  

                                           IkeBOBana trio vase

 

     After many years of success with the Bobtanical series Bob has created two new works. Maude's Murrini Bomb Vase is a colorful etched sphere (available in many colors)with multiple murrini's scattered on the surface. These are approximately 5" in diameter, and make great accent pieces. Bob's other new addition is the IkeBOBana trio vase. This new piece differs from their usual style in that the bowl has  a vibrant glossy finish. The vase has three glass flowers set in  copper stems and leaves with a verde patina. The IkeBOBana is a very stunning piece.

     As usual Bob sells through as number of glass galleries throughout the United States, and he may also be see at some of the best craft shows in the country. If you are in the Southern California area stop by Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery in Santa Monica. You will surely have a good time.

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery 1426 4th St. Santa Monica, CA. 90401  *  310 451 9390  *  adammsgallery.com

Bryon Sutherland - Glass Artist

     I first met Bryon Sutherland about seven years ago  at a wholesale craft show. His work jumped out unlike any other. Bryon's use of color, and color combinations was truly original. In addition the quality of his glass blowing was right there at the top. Some will say that his work  is a take off of Dale Chihuly, and they would probably be right. After all Bryon did study at Chihuly's glass school at Pilchuck. However, one can easily see that Bryon has put his own stamp on his work.

     Bryon got his start in glass while earning his degree in Fine Arts at Chico State University, in Chico, California. He would soon begin a stink of work for the highly acclaimed art glass studio of Orient & Flume, also in Chico. He then studied in New York with Bill Gudenrath, master Venetian glass artist, at the prestigious Corning Museum of Glass. He was later invited back to work as a teaching assistant. After a number of years Bryon decided to branch out on his own, so in 2007 he rented a space on an old Libby Fruit canning plant in Gridley, California. Libby had closed the plant in 2001 so the locals, including many former employees of Libby, were thrilled that the space was being put to use. Many even assisted Bryon in the build out of his new studio.

                                                    

         Peach Fizzle Fruit                 Free Form Glow Vein                     

                  
                                           

                                                   

                                                                                                            
                                   
                                                                                   Birthday Candle Cup Cake                   Cherry Cup Cake

     Bryon is always busy developing new work, although his mainstay is his Free Form series.Of course he creates colorful vases, vessels, and paperweights. He also makes creative "Fizzle Fruit", a tribute to the roots of his own studio. Bryon's latest innovation are glass cupcakes that look good enough to eat. These are available with a glass cherry on top or a birthday candle. They make fabulous gifts. You can catch Bryon's work in art glass galleries across the U.S., and at many crafts shows around the country.

 

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery- Santa Monica, CA 90401  www.adammsgallery.com

Dianne Zack- Glass Jewelry Artist

              

 

I don't know why I haven't carried Dianne's work before now. After all I have known her and her husband Gary Zack for over 30 years. I carried Gary's fabulous work for many years until he retired. I noticed Dianne's work again by accident, and it came at the right time. I was looking for exceptional glass jewelry for the gallery, and Dianne's pieces are perhaps the best out there. Well, after receiving the first shipment, I think are are the best.

          

     Dianne' makes many of her beads herself,and combines them with semi-precious stones, and other beads, then she and assembles the work with 23kt. vermeil, gold fill, or fine silver. She also uses pearls, and various carved crystal pieces. Dianne males earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, and each is flawless. Dianne's sense of design is unparalleled. It is classy, playful, and elegant. Any of her pieces make the perfect present for birthdays, anniversaries, or any special event.

    I am so proud to represent Dianne, my wife loves her jewelry also.

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Mad Art Glass - Hand Blown Glass By Michael Maddy and Rina Fehrensen

      

A number of years ago I received an e-mail inquiry asking if I could get a replacement for the colorful hand blown glass vase. I was sent an image of a large vase with vibrant yellow, red, blue, green, and purple. I thought I had seen a similar piece, but couldn't remember where. I sent the image to some gallery owners, and glass artists I knew, but didn't have an luck in finding the artists.  I had to tell my potential customer that "sadly I couldn't help them".

    It wasn't until two years ago that I finally ran into the artists. I was at  the ACRE craft show in Philadelphia. I was so happy to locate them, and finally see their entire line of glass work. When I said colorful I wasn't kidding. It was a lot to take in and came close to an overdose of color and excitement. Not only were the colors exciting, but the shapes, texture, and feel of the vases was absolutely capturing.

 

     The first order was sold quickly and I soon developed loyal following of Mad Art Glass fans. I just included their latest shipment in my monthly newsletter, and right away I received requests for their pieces. Every time I reorder I add more pieces from their line, but they are difficult to keep in stock.

    

     If you are looking for art glass to bring you joy, deliver you from the doldrums, or just liven up your day. Mad art will deliver. I am really looking forward to my next order.

     Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery is an art glass gallery in Santa Monica, CA that is also well know for it's custom stained glass windows and historic preservation of art glass.

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Edward Wohl Master Woodworker

       

  I first met Ed at a fine crafts show in Philadelphia about 10 years ago. Ed was working with bird's eye maple. I had never seen so much bird's eye. I had thought it was a relatively rare wood, and was surprised to see it used in such quantity. Not only that, but Ed's work was so superior to that which I had seen that I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The finish was as smooth as silk, and all of his joints were perfect. Ed made many production bread cutting, and carving boards. He also was showing the most beautiful furniture including rocking chairs, tables, and desks.

 

     I own a fine crafts gallery, and at the time I represented artists in wood, ceramics, glass, metal, jewelry, kaleidoscopes, fabric, and leather. I wanted Ed's work in my gallery. I also wanted to have his work in my home. I placed an order for a number of Ed's bird's eye maple cutting, and carving boards. I was thrilled when they arrived at the gallery. My customers were thrilled also and I did very well with them.

  

     As time went on the gallery evolved into a predominantly glass gallery, with jewelry and kaleidoscopes. Glass was and is extraordinarily popular, and the gallery earned a fine reputation. This past holiday season, while I was shopping for family and friends, I noticed that people were shopping in kitchen stores were quite a bit more than other businesses. This started me thinking that perhaps I should bring back some functional art products, such as ceramic and wood bowl, spoons,and cutting boards. Of course Ed Wohl's work was the first thing I thought of. I began a campaign asking my customers if they would like to have these products back in the gallery and their was an overwhelming  positive  response. It was with great pleasure that I opened the first shipment of Ed's boards. I must say that the display, along with ceramic serving pieces, looks terrific.

     

     If you are looking for a cutting board for yourself or a gift I can't recommend Ed's work more highly. His work will be treasured for many, many years. If you are in Santa Monica, California I'd be very happy to show you Ed's superior craftsmanship.