Artist: Jerilyn LaVergne

Craft Medium:  Glass Artist's Statement: I am so fortunate to be doing what I love and that is working in my studio. I am in another world when I am there. When I approach my workstation, I usually do not know what I am about to create. The way I feel greatly affects my work. With glass cutter in hand, I search for just the right piece of glass or the right color of shape...then I start working and a piece of art unfolds before me. I have truly been blessed to be doing what I love. There are many steps in the process of making any piece of work that I do. I start with a sheetof 2' X 2' glass in the color of my choosing. I use System 96 glass for everything that I make to avoid mixing up different co-efficiency of expansion glass. I use a glass cutter, band saw and glass grinder to cut my glass. Sometimes I even use a hammer. After I cut out a basic shape and bfore I begin the design, I drill holesfor hanging and if I am making chimes, I drill holes for the chimes to later hang from. After cleaning the glass and drying it, I then stuff high fire paper into each hole to prevent the holes from closing during the firing pricess. Then I work on my design by layering glass on top of glass. Then I plalce the design in my kiln and fire it at 1440 degrees Fahrenheit. he entire firing process takes about twelve hours. My kiln is computerized s I program it to hear up and cool off as I wish. When completely cooled off, I remove my work from my kiln, clean it, sign it and from there take it to my beading station where I assemble the pieces. I use black tar coated fishing net string at the top of the piece for hanging and nylon coated stainless steel fishing line to string the chimes. I use various colors of glass beads to decorate each chime.