Latest county dictates

I'm beginning to feel like we're part of a soap opera here in "The Bird Road Art District". At least 4 of our neighbors have moved out, and others are looking for new space even as I write this. We all thought everything was worked out when the Fire Department gave us permission to keep our loft structures as long as they were empty and the stairs removed. Now, Dade County seems so hungry for money, they are forcing us to buy demolition permits to tear them down totally. We don't know if that means removing all the electrical and air conditioning too, or not. If so, then we'll need to decide if we can stay, or need to move to a new location. What a roller coaster ride we've been on these last 8 or 9 months. It seems there's something new every couple of weeks. I hope that means there is still hope we can avoid all the demolition.
On a happier note, response to our classes has been good, and we're trying to come up with some new ones. As soon as we get the tables downstairs, and the kilns are more accessible, we're going to expand our fusing department and do more jewelry related classes. I've spoken to several artists who are interested in teaching techniques like wire wrapping, fusing with gold decals, combining glass with precious metal clays, braiding with the Kumihimo techniques, and more. Our latest projects have included experimenting with fusing cubic zirconia and glass, and making flat flower beads on the torch. We're going to teach classes on how to do all these techniques - as well as how to wire the flowers into designs for clasps, pendants, brooches, and even how to sew them onto beaded ropes. You can take one class, or both.
Those of you who do stained glass, remember that we have all the sheet antique on sale for 50% off. It's such beautiful glass that it would be a shame to pass up this bargain.
Hope to see you soon in the Studio!
Lynne