I Would Like To Introduce Myself…
My name is Michael…
In this blog, I will be documenting a new passion of mine, electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding.
I’ve been working on my craft of fused glass for quite a while now and decided I wanted to add another look to my art.
In my initial research, I discovered a craft I thought was pretty interesting electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding. I started to research these crafts for a while and got more and more interested in them.
As I looked into electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding more and more I had more questions and I couldn’t find answers to them.
When I was searching, there were a few good blogs that were pretty helpful but, most had the same information.
My blog hobbyistgeek.com was born for the electroforming hobbyist.
Hobbyistgeek.com will be the place where we will have those answers.
So fast forward six months and I’ve been electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding for about a few months now.
My first batch of electroformed rings and pendants came out pretty good and I was pretty proud of them.
So let’s get started…
Electroforming is the process of adding a metal deposit of copper onto a conductive surface, whether it be an organic or inorganic material.
I have been designing and crafting art using fused glass and brazing/welding metal to create many of my sculptures.
I added electroforming so I could add jewelry design to my art.
I am a self-taught fused glass and metal artist who graduated from university with a major in art and advertising.
Though I majored in art and advertising. I am very much a people person who thrives in the company of others so I chose to go into sales after graduating and have never regretted it.
A few years before and in retirement, I felt the need to challenge myself. I decided to express my creative talents and find something I could be passionate about. In my pursuit, I visited art galleries and read countless books on art to see what would ignite the spark inside of me when I discovered fused glass art.
I decided to attend a class in basic fused glass techniques. This is where I discovered that I could create unique and powerful art pieces by fusing different shapes and colors of glass and metals.
Soon after, I felt that I found my passion and confidence in creating art out of fused glass. I have recently developed an interest in combining all types of metal in my sculptures so they could start to take on a new level of complexity.
Why fused glass and metalwork? I love the way the colors, shapes, and forms of the glass and metal show in the finished product. It’s a challenge to design, cut, shape, and fuse the glass and then braze or electroformed the metal to get to the finished product.
I create one of a kind functional art pieces like serving plates, vessels, and pieces of jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) that people will use in their everyday life, as well as Judaica art and “just for fun” sculptures that will, I hope, add happiness to the owners of my pieces.
In my never-ending search to add to and improve my art, I have added the electroforming process to my creations.
Electroforming is the process of adding a metal deposit of copper onto a conductive surface, whether it be an organic or inorganic material.
My electroformed jewelry and art designs consist of many types of media which include dichroic fused glass, metals, gemstones, and organic materials.
Sustainability in some of my art is also important to me. I’m always on the search for discarded metal and glass so I can create new pieces out of old materials such as used wine bottles and scrap metal. Repurposing these items reduces their impact on the environment.
In Conclusion
The unique forms of glass and metal that I cut, shape, fuse, braze, or electroform can be both esthetically appealing and functional for the new owners of my art they will be able to enjoy it more as they use and view it. I try to add both beauty and function to all my work.
My goal is to create a unique fused glass and metal piece of art that will fit both your sense of design and style.
My glass art can be found in both private collections and at my local synagogue in Orlando, Florida. Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation (SOJC), I have also donated unique sculptures that I have created for fundraisers.
You can also find my newest pieces in my store on glassbymichael.com.
All of my art pieces are designed and produced by hand by me personally in my home studio in Orlando, Florida.
Each unique piece I create has earned me a reputation for my unique designs, attention to detail, and personalized service.
My glass and metal art has evolved over the past several years from simple flat glassware to the many varied shapes and one-of-a-kind pieces that are now my trademark.
All of my articles are written so you can get the best answer to your questions on electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding so you can start creating beautiful pieces of art.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments my goal is for all of us to learn as much as we can about electroforming, crystals, gemstones, brazing, and welding.
Happy Reading!
