Spotlight on Diane Kermode
Hello from Chicken Coop Glass Studio! Why the name Chicken Coop Glass Studio? I started my glass journey in an old chicken coop, and over the years a new, modern, fire-resistant studio has been built. I live in Chilliwack, in the beautiful Fraser Valley, approximately 100 km east of Vancouver BC.
My glass journey started with stressful day jobs, for relaxation I enjoyed knitting and reading. However I needed something different and outside of my comfort zone as a hobby. I found a glass bead making class and after the first hour, I was hooked on glass.
I am a member of Terminal City Glass in Vancouver and over the years Terminal City has had wonderful Canadian and international glass artists and instructors who have taught both boro and soft glass workshops. The Covid era allowed me to take many creative online glass courses and I’ve incorporated many new techniques into my glass creations.
I’ve been working with glass on and off for 10 years. I’m still trying to find my focus, a central theme for my glass work. I work with both boro and soft glass, and in the past few years, I found that I really enjoyed blowing boro glass tubes. For blowing glass, it’s the 10,000-hour rule…the more you practice the easier it becomes.
I have been working with a Nortel Mega Minor and 10 lpm oxycon, and found that I could blow small ornaments, birds and piggies. Last year I upgraded to a Bethlehem Bravo torch. This torch works well on low pressure oxycons and is wonderful for both boro and soft glass. There are both inner and outer fire rings, I use the inner fire ring for soft glass and both the inner and outer fire rings for boro. There’s plenty of heat to blow the boro glass ornaments.
I love making Christmas decorations: Glass spheres, icicles, snowflakes and glass piggy and bird ornaments. In the summer you can find me at a craft market. I’m the one with a Christmas Tree decorated with fun gnomes, penguins and ornaments.
Usually, I head into the studio with nothing in mind, I just make beads or blow glass…do whatever feels right. I’m still working at day jobs and need to deliberately carve out time for my glass. Christmas is right around the corner…I think I should start blowing ornaments, or creating penguins, no wait… maybe I should blow piggies…or maybe create Santa gnomes. Yes, I’m still looking for focus!
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