Create Beautiful DesignsYou can view some of the artwork that our customers have created using our machines below.
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Lisa Atchison - Master Glass Bead Artist
Lisa uses Ameritool's Universal Grinder in her work, and recommends it to her students and associates. Discover more about Lisa at her website - Click Here Biography: In 2003, not long after discovering handmade art glass beads, I entered the world of lampworking and never looked back. I took a beginners class at a local bead store, and was completely hooked with the first light of the torch. I love everything about it….the creative outlet, the artistic fulfillment, the chemistry…everything!About the same time, our daughter decided it was time to leave the nest, and unknowingly donated her room for my studio. My husband was a bit skeptical when I told him that I wanted to plumb natural gas into the room, and purchase oxygen and a torch! Three weeks later the transformation took place. I spent the next few months setting up the studio, and the next two years reading books, practicing dots, stringer control and shaping, trying various techniques and trying new things. I then discovered that I love making organic focal beads. With nature as my inspiration, I strive for a soft, elegant organic style in my beads by using blended flowing transparent colors to achieve depth, cubic zirconia, dichro, fine silver, copper and murrini. A secondary process of copper electroforming, using leaves from my yard, is often incorporated into the bead design. I have been fortunate enough to take classes with some of the finest instructors including Michael Barley, Andrea Guarino-Slemmons, Trey Cornette, J.C. Herrell, Cynthia Tilker, Kim Fields and Brent Graber. |
The Amazing Work of Char Jorgensen
- AFMS Wire Master 2009I used Tronex tools in many of the 10 pieces of wire wrapped jewelry that I submitted for competition in Billings Montana in July of this year. They are strong, and easy to handle for even my small hands, and the do not mar the wire. The more I use them, the better I like them. The cost is equivalent to name brand tools that you need to condition to make them mar proof. I am already recommending them to my students.
Oh, and I did take the National trophy for Wire Wrapping!
Char Jorgensen
AFMS Wire Master 2009
- AFMS Wire Master 2009I used Tronex tools in many of the 10 pieces of wire wrapped jewelry that I submitted for competition in Billings Montana in July of this year. They are strong, and easy to handle for even my small hands, and the do not mar the wire. The more I use them, the better I like them. The cost is equivalent to name brand tools that you need to condition to make them mar proof. I am already recommending them to my students.
Oh, and I did take the National trophy for Wire Wrapping!
Char Jorgensen
AFMS Wire Master 2009
My name is Shelby Raymond. Collecting, cutting, polishing and admiring stones are some of my greatest passions. I am fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world! Kermodei bears, rambling moose and soaring Bald Eagles make their home in the boreal rainforests of northwestern British Columbia, Canada.The ocean, several rivers and hundreds of creeks amble through the region, bringing with them a glorious variety of tumbled stones. The Skeena River Basin, the Rocky Mountain Range, Pacific Coast, and Haida Gwaii (a.k.a. Queen Charlotte Islands) have a fascinating variety of geological origins and the rocks native to this area and to the exotic terrains come in a dazzling array of colours, shapes, sizes and compositions.
When I moved to British Columbia, I moved into a home previously lived in and loved by a lapidary. Up to this point I had noticed rocks, but never really considered doing anything with them. I began digging up the yard to put in flower beds and dug up rock odds and ends, cut pieces and slices of rocks in every colour and design. I began bringing them into the house and one day my Sweetheart suggested, quite kindly, that perhaps I'd like a rock tumbler...and that was the beginning of an obsession!
I adore making all kinds of pretties with stones - pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins, key-chains, and magnets as well as other fun things that tend to pop up! Entranced by the local stones and geology, I scour the northwest with my best friend (my husband) and our precious black lab, Gracie, in search of unique stones.
"First thing I need to say, now that I have a few years working with my rocks, making jewelry and buying supplies at Ameritool - you guys and gals ROCK!
The products and customer service have been awesome and I appreciate every effort made by your staff to help out. That’s why I keep coming back, even when there are stores up in the hinterlands of Canada who sell similar products - it’s the customer service that keep me loyal, and make me not mind additional customs charges, extra shipping time and additional taxes to the cost.
Please always remember that - so many places tend to forget how much good quality customer service creates. Many of us don’t mind paying a bit more, as long as we’re treated well.
I adore your equipment. I can work in my studio or on the upper deck – they’re portable, lightweight, do a grand job and don’t shower the neighbors with rock bits and water spray. I’m not limited to only cutting my rocks during the summer, which was the case before I got my trim saw. I do my rough cutting on a tile saw, but use my tough little trim saw now as well - year round! Sacrilege I know, but I’m playing with river rocks, not emeralds. Although, I must admit I do get a bit fussy when I’m working with the B.C. jade and the trim saw wastes nothing with its tiny kerf. :-}"
http://www.skeenastormstones.com
When I moved to British Columbia, I moved into a home previously lived in and loved by a lapidary. Up to this point I had noticed rocks, but never really considered doing anything with them. I began digging up the yard to put in flower beds and dug up rock odds and ends, cut pieces and slices of rocks in every colour and design. I began bringing them into the house and one day my Sweetheart suggested, quite kindly, that perhaps I'd like a rock tumbler...and that was the beginning of an obsession!
I adore making all kinds of pretties with stones - pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins, key-chains, and magnets as well as other fun things that tend to pop up! Entranced by the local stones and geology, I scour the northwest with my best friend (my husband) and our precious black lab, Gracie, in search of unique stones.
"First thing I need to say, now that I have a few years working with my rocks, making jewelry and buying supplies at Ameritool - you guys and gals ROCK!
The products and customer service have been awesome and I appreciate every effort made by your staff to help out. That’s why I keep coming back, even when there are stores up in the hinterlands of Canada who sell similar products - it’s the customer service that keep me loyal, and make me not mind additional customs charges, extra shipping time and additional taxes to the cost.
Please always remember that - so many places tend to forget how much good quality customer service creates. Many of us don’t mind paying a bit more, as long as we’re treated well.
I adore your equipment. I can work in my studio or on the upper deck – they’re portable, lightweight, do a grand job and don’t shower the neighbors with rock bits and water spray. I’m not limited to only cutting my rocks during the summer, which was the case before I got my trim saw. I do my rough cutting on a tile saw, but use my tough little trim saw now as well - year round! Sacrilege I know, but I’m playing with river rocks, not emeralds. Although, I must admit I do get a bit fussy when I’m working with the B.C. jade and the trim saw wastes nothing with its tiny kerf. :-}"
http://www.skeenastormstones.com
Furlong Glass StudiosBrayton
Furlong of Furlong Glass Studio
Emerging Artist Brayton Furlong practices the art of flameworked glass in Santa Cruz Ca. Noting his tireless dedication to the medium; he has been awarded numerous scholarships from Penland School of Crafts where he has studied under such notable masters as, Paul Stankard, Brian Kerkvliet, Lauren Stump, Henry Halem, and Gary Beecham. Brayton Has worked in almost every facet of glass there is, from scientific to off hand, fusing, slumping, casting, mold blowing and flameworking. Brayton owns and operates Furlong Glass Studio, a flameworking studio dedicated to teaching and producing handmade one of a kind flameworked art glass for galleries throughout the US. - For More Information about Brayton Furlong and Furlong Glass Studios Visit: http://www.furlongglass.com/
"I use Ameritools 8" lapidary wheel daily to facet my glass paperweights into a perfectly polished, and finished product. I hold a high standard for the quality of my facets, and ameritool has the right equipment to get the job done quickly, with very little cleanup or maintinence. The highly durable and light designs of their equipment make them easy to operate and completely portable!"
Furlong of Furlong Glass Studio
Emerging Artist Brayton Furlong practices the art of flameworked glass in Santa Cruz Ca. Noting his tireless dedication to the medium; he has been awarded numerous scholarships from Penland School of Crafts where he has studied under such notable masters as, Paul Stankard, Brian Kerkvliet, Lauren Stump, Henry Halem, and Gary Beecham. Brayton Has worked in almost every facet of glass there is, from scientific to off hand, fusing, slumping, casting, mold blowing and flameworking. Brayton owns and operates Furlong Glass Studio, a flameworking studio dedicated to teaching and producing handmade one of a kind flameworked art glass for galleries throughout the US. - For More Information about Brayton Furlong and Furlong Glass Studios Visit: http://www.furlongglass.com/
"I use Ameritools 8" lapidary wheel daily to facet my glass paperweights into a perfectly polished, and finished product. I hold a high standard for the quality of my facets, and ameritool has the right equipment to get the job done quickly, with very little cleanup or maintinence. The highly durable and light designs of their equipment make them easy to operate and completely portable!"
KB Glassworks is the collaborative team of Brian Kitson and Andrew Brown. Their glasswork is not only wildly creative but shines with old-world craftsmanship. Their website - www.kbglassworks.com features examples of Kitson's Borosilicate Beads, Pendants including some amazing Butterfly Pendants and unique Paperweights that draw the viewer into a microcosm of color, designs of mysterious depth. Andrew's gallery shows his diversity as an artist with a crosssection of his work including his Ammonites and Faceted Ammonite designs. Andrew's borosilicate beads are both elegant and quirky, some segmented, some with tactile protrusions of the glass. Both Brian and Andrew use the Ameritool Universal Grinder/Polisher and the 4" Trim Saw to work and finish their creations.
A great example of this is the "Cherry Red Pendant".
This borosilicate pendant was made using Glass Alchemy color, fumes of 24k gold and pure silver, and a Gilson opal. The pendant is lampworked then fully kiln annealed. After the annealing process it is then cut then ground down, and polished using the Ameritool Universal Grinder/Polisher to reveal the core (similar to a geode).
Both artists use the Universal Grinder to finish borosilicate beads and paperweights to a gemstone-quality. Using the Ameritool Universal allows them to create a curved grind that produces a subtle color gradient in the glass
A great example of this is the "Cherry Red Pendant".
This borosilicate pendant was made using Glass Alchemy color, fumes of 24k gold and pure silver, and a Gilson opal. The pendant is lampworked then fully kiln annealed. After the annealing process it is then cut then ground down, and polished using the Ameritool Universal Grinder/Polisher to reveal the core (similar to a geode).
Both artists use the Universal Grinder to finish borosilicate beads and paperweights to a gemstone-quality. Using the Ameritool Universal allows them to create a curved grind that produces a subtle color gradient in the glass
KAREN PESTER
For as long as I can remember I have been involved in art. As a child growing up in Ann Arbour, Michigan I spent many hours watching my grandfather, who was an artist, paint. Every summer I would accompany him to the Ann Arbour Fair where he would display his paintings. One year his booth was next to LeRoy Neiman’s booth. Watching him paint his wonderful athletic figures was amazing!
I have been teaching art to children for about 20 years in Palos Verdes and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. It has been a very rewarding experience.
I also teach adult glass classes and share my glass art skills with friends. During our classes we exchange ideas and glass making techniques which fuels everyone to create new and exciting projects.
When I purchased my first kiln for firing ceramics, I discovered that I could fire glass in it. This was the start of my glass art interest and have been working with glass for over 10 years. Glass has become my passion in art. When I travel I get inspired by my new surroundings and try to put that inspiration into my glass work.
I have recently been welding and incorporating glass into my welding – it is so much fun! I have more ideas than I have time to get them done. "I use my Ameritool grinder everyday. I couldn't make my glass pieces without my Ameritool grinder - it is one of my favorite tools!" - Karen Pester
www.mothstoaflame.com
The exquisite jewelry of Carmen and Bob Menelly
In Memoriam of Carmen - You are always in our thoughts.
The incredible work of John Gullak.
John uses Ameritool Products
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