“ We live at the end of a long , gravel , private road and love the solitude and peace there .”
workers ,” she said . Jeannette designs all the glass pieces and Wayne designs all the copper pieces .
“ Sometimes we collaborate on pieces that have both copper and glass ,” she said .
“ We do make other types of pieces , such as glass nightlights , lawn and garden art , and decorative art pieces , using both glass and copper ,” Jeannette said .
“ I have always loved creating art . I ’ ve done pottery , fabric art , and loved teaching art in my classroom .
“ I got into jewelry making near the end of my teaching career . I had several friends who attended a workshop and when I saw the glass itself – I was so taken by it , I was really compelled to learn about it and give it a try .
“ I most enjoy the creative aspect of the process of putting colored glass together and the melting process of the fused glass .
“ I love working with the dichroic glass , which is paired with background colored glass .
“ Dichroic glass has a luminescent quality that is uplifting to work with and wear .
“ Dichroic means ‘ two-colored ’ in Greek ,” she explained . “ Its history goes back to Roman and Egyptian times , when small amounts of gold and silver were added to glass to produce the two-color effect .
“ Dichroic today is made by stacking layers of metal oxides that give the effect of the changing colors , depending on the position of the light .
“ Modern dichroic glass is a result of NASA research , who developed it for dichroic filters . It now has many applications , including as an art glass ,” she said .
“ Background sheet glass is cut , using glass cutters and pliers , into small pieces . I then select dichroic colors to maximize the effect , using clear or black background glass . Tiny pieces are cut and put in place on the background glass to create designs for earrings , pendants and bracelets .
“ When making larger pendants , I often create several layers of glass , firing each layer in a kiln .
“ Some pieces are shaped using a grinder . All pieces are fired in a kiln at around 1,500 degrees for about 30 minutes .
“ I use a small kiln viewing window
Jeannette Justice at her workbench at Elgood Mountain Rainbow Glass in Princeton . She designs all of the glass pieces , leaving the copper pieces to Wayne .
and timing to create different effects . A deeper melt makes for depth , lighter melt – more texture .
“ I complete pieces by taking the fused glass and attaching sterling silver findings to finish earrings and make bracelets , pendants and various art pieces .
“ My ideas for glass art come from nature and inspiration . We are surrounded by trees , creeks and wild life ,” she said .
“ I have always been interested in the arts ,” Wayne emphasized . “ I ’ ve painted wet-on-wet paintings and did wood-carving .
“ Jeannette was working in glass jewelry . I had been doing electrical work for over 40 years and had plenty of copper to work with ,” he added .
“ After learning about the healing properties of copper , I made myself a copper bracelet .
“ Copper is antiviral , antibacterial , and anti-inflammatory .
“ I realized other people wanted copper jewelry with no artificial coatings – just raw copper .
“ People appreciate the natural patina of the raw copper as well as its benefits ,” he emphasized .
“ I enjoy several aspects of making and selling copper jewelry . Besides the fact that I enjoy being creative , I also enjoy selling as it gives me lots of feedback .
“ It ’ s a joy to have people admire and appreciate something you ’ ve created .
“ I begin with raw copper wire and sheet copper in various gauges ( thicknesses ),” he explained . “ For example , to make a ring , I cut a specific length of wire according to the ring design . I put the ring on a mandrel and tap it with a hammer , or tap and shake it on an anvil . “ I file and sand it to bring it into shape . “ Other pieces are made in a similar way – measuring , cutting , tapping with various hammers , then sanding and polishing ,” he noted .
“ I have my own ideas as I start to work on something and the creation unfolds .”
“ I really also appreciate the healing qualities of copper . Historically , copper bracelets have been used for health benefits .
“ Science is catching up with tradition and folk healing . Today we know that copper can eliminate up to 99.9 percent of bacteria within two hours and is used in compression garments and hospital settings .
“ Much anecdotal evidence supports the other health benefits of reduced inflammation ,” Wayne said .
“ We both believe in the importance of the arts on so many levels and that everybody can be creative in their own way ,” Jeannette emphasized . �
SOUTH � SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER ’ 24 � 37