Spotlight on
Claudia Gercak
&
Orin J Rubin (John)
Since we signed up for the Florida Glass Dragons as a family, you are getting a twofer….!
There are always lots of dogs in the house; our dogs, friends dogs, so many foster dogs. When our friend Tina came to transport a foster dog, she saw some beads and asked if we had heard of the Florida Glass Dragons. So we got on the internet, found the Dragons and went to a meeting in Palm Beach County. Kelly Six took the photo, that’s why she’s not in it. We are the couple to the far right. There were about seven people there who signed up… then not long after that, Covid hit…And the Florida Glass Dragons grew, who’d a thunk it!?
I, Claudia, grew up in South Florida and love the heat… that’s one reason I love playing with fire. A perpetual beginner, I surround myself with people above my skill level, and love it that way, always learning. Don’t cook but have friends who are incredible cooks. I am impressed by all the artists in the group and am drawn to artistic people. Perpetual beginner on the ukulele but play with great musicians. Always having fun, always something to do. Favorite holiday..Halloween. Love silly shoes, drinking wine at the Vineyards and listening to the local bands in Northern Georgia when we’re there. Playing mahjong for a year, but still a beginner.
John grew up in New Jersey and likes making beads but not as much as Claudia. He says Claudia is his hobby. He’s a more cerebral kind of guy, loves reading, the computer and any new gadget that he can get his hands on … also single malt Scotch or a nice Bourbon. We have a 1971 VW bus and a 1974 bug … perpetual hippies maybe … need for beads!
The first class John and I took at William Holland Lapidary School was a beginner lampwork class taught by Cindy Reed, an incredibly patient teacher. All the teachers have been wonderful.
There are several WH teachers in the Glass Dragons group, I am sure you will recognize some of them in the photos.
William Holland is a school of lapidary arts in the beautiful Northeast Georgia mountains which offers so many different classes from lampwork to basket weaving, from stained glass to fly tying. It’s like going to a fun summer camp for a week. Good food and boarding and excellent prices. The school has been closed due to Covid. During that time they have made beautiful, extensive renovations. They plan to open in April, with the catalog being only on their website, scheduled to be there in December. To find their website go to Lapidaryschool.org. Facebook: @williamhollandlapidaryarts. Maybe we can meet at the school!
We love the Glass Dragon chat rooms and tutorials and the chance to meet so many talented lampwork artists.
Thank you Kelly and everyone involved in keeping the club going and growing.
