A trip to pick up supplies is always anticipated for a while before it actually happens. I have this thing about liking to see, touch and feel the supplies when I buy. I definitely prefer purchasing in person rather than on the internet.
Yesterday hubby and I took a long drive into Gardena, CA to go to one of my main suppliers - Pacific Art Glass. They are a large warehouse-type wholesale store and it can be overwhelming to say the least.
I am a professed list maker, though and always go prepared. I even stayed under budget this time, while getting more than was on my list. Now, that is probably because I tend to over-estimate the costs on my list just so I can get more and not be too surprised at the register.
I picked up glass, frit, paint and kiln wash yesterday. Nothing too exciting, just the basic tools I needed, but I can't help looking forward to trying out the new paint colors I was able to get.
My favorite purchase yesterday was the acquisition of 2 new colors - teal and brown. To date I have been having to mix other colors to create teal and brown. I am excited to try them pre-mixed and not have to guess if I have too much or too little of one color or another in the mix.
I mostly use Fusemaster Enamels - Lead Free Opaques. I purchased about 10 colors of said paints about 15 years ago. At the time, they were just $5.85 per ounce. I have been pretty much using those same bags of paints (except for a couple of replacements) since that time. I have, of course, been painting so much in the last year, that I have had to update my stash. I don't know if there were any interim pricing increases, but those same paints are now selling for about $15 to $20 per ounce. Crazy, huh?
Still, I like their consistency and ease of firing. As well, they actually have a very true red color (as seen in my previous post) that is hard to find in other lead free paints. So..... that's life, I guess.
Anyway, here's an image I finished last week - Enjoy!
"The Watcher"
Reverse Painted and Kiln Fired Glass mounted on wood approx. 10 x 4"
