Bravo, Bethlehem!

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 08:26:48 -0400

At long last, the Bethlehem Bravo is in stock and shipping! This turbo-charged replacement for the legendary Barracuda is one hot torch. It has a number of features that make it a significant improvement over its predecessor.

First, the knobs have been changed. They stay cool, and their placement is much more intuitive so that you always know which flame you are adjusting. This is a welcome refinement. As a matter of fact, with this new design the entire body of the torch stays cool to the touch. Awesome!

The traditional Bethlehem blue has been changed to a black base. The nickel plated torch body is now stainless steel. And the standard configuration is a QUAD manifold, with a pigtail setup so that you can use it with or without a foot pedal.

The previous hose barb connection has been replaced by B fittings. So there have been a host of changes. And the torch ROCKS.................

Nortel’s on their Way!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:57:25 -0400

It’s true! We’re taking on another torch line! Nortel provides a assortment of torches at affordable prices. Not only that, their turnaround time is the quickest in the business!

Like Bethlehem’s and Carlisle’s, Nortel’s are assembled to order.
However, they tend to ship within a week, two weeks tops. You know THAT is much faster than average.

Another great feature is that when you place your order, you can specify hose barbs or B fittings, which are available at the same price.

Really wonderful is the ability to select 4 PORT or 2 PORT AT THE SAME PRICE. That’s terrific.

Anyway, as soon as the Nortel’s arrive and are up on the website, I’ll let you know. Won’t be long now!!!!

The Invasion of the Italian Stallions! Cesare Toffolo Podcast Up

Fri, 4 Mar 2011 09:11:36 -0500

It was worth staying up till 2:30 AM for! I had such a good time editing Cesare's podcast. And for fun and frolic we have Emilio Santini, "The Great Santini" on hand as our ever-jovial translator.

Cesare is one of the foremost flamework artists of our time, and a real trailblazer in Murano. He is one of the few serious artists to break with tradition and use borosilicate instead of "soft" soda-lime glass.

He often utilizes gold leaf in his work, which is a big part of Venetian tradition. However, borosilicate requires such high temperatures to work that it burns out the gold. Cesare is the only artist I've seen who has managed to work gold with boro successfully.

A visionary and a gentleman, his vessels play with scale, comment upon the human condition, and are basically a visual and philosophical joy to behold.

So whether you're working in your office, your studio, or just relaxing, give it a listen at: http://www.fireladyproductions.com/Site/Podcasts/Entries/2011/3/3_The_Invasion_of_the_Italian_Stallions_Part_1_Cesare_Toffolo.html.

Cesare Toffolo Article Makes the Cover of Glashaus! Woo Hoo!

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:10:01 -0500

Okay, I've been in print for over thirty years now, so it's not like I get that excited over every little thing. But I absolutely LOVE it when one of my artists makes the cover of a magazine. I've been with Profitable Glass Quarterly for about ten years, and in the Flow for a couple ....but this is only my second article in GLASHAUS, which is also my first European publication. SO......to have my article make the cover makes me no less than ecstatic.

Cesare Toffolo is a prince, in my eyes. I had only met him ONCE, at the Int'l Flameworking Conference before I went over to Murano with my daughter's maybe six years ago. I had hoped that maybe we would get a chance to say hello. But no.....

Cesare and his gracious and wonderful wife Teresa basically adopted us! They took us out for a boat ride in the Laguna, took good care of us on a daily basis, and then Cesare cooked one of the best meals we had ever had in our entire lives. I had mentioned that I had never met Davide Salvadore, so Cesare took it upon himself to create this incredible dinner party, in order for us to meet. He served pasta and salmon in a vodka sauce and it was so delicious. We ate outside by firelight in the garden. It was elegant, enjoyable and still stands out as one of the highlights of my visits to Italy.

Therefore, I consider it a great privilege to interview and share this splendid and cultured artist with the world at large. He and Teresa have warmth, class, talent....and are one of the most wonderful couples I know.

Caio!

All things Mickelsen, Including a DVD Sale! Save BIG!!

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:57:29 -0500

You know, Robert Mickelsen changed my life. His work always inspired me, and the privilege of producing his videos catapulted me in a new direction. I remember driving up to visit him for the first time. He was going to give me a little demo on torches. It seems so long ago....I think... because it was!

All the while on the drive up I was thinking “Please God, I want to produce this man’s video”..... It was a desire and I guess a bit of a prayer, too. It seemed a tremendous leap, because the video work I had done up to that point was very, very local, and he was so...BIG.....

As soon as I got there we started chatting, and not an hour had passed when he said, “Marcie, I want to have a video made and I want you to produce it.” Freeze frame. Heart stop. Time stood still. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Meanwhile, I just uploaded a TRAILER promoting his upcoming class at GLASSCRAFT, Inc. He’s a great teacher, so you might want to check it out.
Watch Trailer Now

And he has a new TOOL for flaring.
Watch Demo Now

In celebration of all of these new things, I decided to offer a SALE on both of his DVD’s.
ELEMENTS Regularly $50. SALE PRICE $30.
BUY NOW

And that very first life changing DVD:
IT’S JUST A DEMO
List Price $50 SALE PRICE $30.
BUY NOW

Bethlehem’s PM2D-Quad Now on SALE!

Wed, 2 Feb 2011 11:23:12 -0500

Save yourself $320 on Bethlehem's PM2D-Quad. The Lexus of torches, it's got smooth, intense fire power. Best in the business for color development. Surface mixed, it's razor sharp center fire will strike details like no other! Water cooled. Suellen Fowler, the color queen of boro swears by them. Sale Price: $2999.99. ...

Announcing the 2011 Lauscha Tour AUGUST 9th-16th, 2011

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:53:42 -0500

Yes, it’s that time again! Time to think about our wonderful summer tour to Lauscha! I just got off the phone with our Christmas ornament maker, Michael Haberland, and confirmed the date for this year’s ornament workshop. We always have one “Christmas” day while we’re there....since Lauscha IS the birthplace of the glass Christmas ornament.

We visit so many local artists, as well as the famed Lauscha factory. We have a day trip to Coburg Castle, one of the best preserved castles in all of Europe. And then there’s the live music nightly at the Koppleinkirmes festival, along with schapps, beer, and the legendary Thuringen sausage. YUM!

I can hardly wait!
By the way, the cost of $2500 includes hotel and food, admission to all events and the Festival, transportation to the Castle and transportation from Frankfurt to Lauscha and back. Almost everything is taken care of.....The only things NOT included are your airfare to Frankfurt, and alcoholic drinks.

Our list of artists is impressive, and we have more and more fun every year!

Listen to some of the fun guests have had on previous tours!