Bio:

Photo by J. Keith

Julie began fusing glass in 2003.  Originally trained as a professional musician, Julie is accustomed to spending hours perfecting a task.  It takes discipline to become an artist of any genre and transferring her passion and drive from music to glass was a natural and logical course.  She knew that one day, even if that one day began in her retirement, she would be working in this medium.  The combination of her creative energies and musical instincts became her greatest asset.  Her pieces sing and take center stage in any environment. 

Snowbird Creations Glass Studio is situated in the beautiful mountains surrounding Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County Maryland.  To visit her studio and gallery, call for availability and directions.  The location is in one of the more pristeen areas that is tucked away in the woods full of wildlife and inspiring vistas.

She is executive director of 'Glass, Glorious Glass' - the annual art glass tour of Garrett County held the first weekend of August.

DIRECTIONS: Snowbird Creations Glass Studio is located in the Sky Valley vicinity in Swanton, Maryland.  Take the 495 south exit from Maryland I-68.   Turn Right onto Sky Valley Drive, turn right to enter Sky Valley, right at the 'Y' to stay on Sky Valley Drive. Enter Loch Glade Sanctuary; Sky Valley Drive now becomes Traci Lane.  Take the 2nd right on Orchard Lane, 2nd left on Snowbird Lane.  The studio is at the top of the hill, last house on the right - 398 Snowbird Lane.  During studio tours, signs are posted starting at the intersection of 495 and Sky Valley Drive.  

From Oakland, Maryland, travel north on 135, which turns into 495.  Turn left in Swanton to stay on 495 north.  Left on Sky Valley Drive and continue as above.

Gallery and Studio Schedule:
The Glass Gallery is open seasonally - Memorial Day through mid October - Saturdays from 10-4.  All other days by appointment.  Do not hesitate to call 301-387-4624.  I will gladly open for you!  

The following dates include my studio tours with fusing discussions and demonstrations as well as special local events.   Directional signs will be posted when appropriate.

'Memorial Day Weekend Open House' - Studio/Gallery tour - May
'First Light of Summer' - Studio/Gallery tour - weekend following the first day of summer - June 21st
'Garrett County Artists Open StudioTour' -
Last weekend in June
'Art in the Park'-  Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center - 2nd weekend in July - on site
'Glass, Glorious Glass' - Studio/Gallery Tour : 1st weekend in August
'Art and Wine' - Garrett County Fairgrounds - weekend after Labor Day - Sept - on site
'Autumn Glory'  Studio/Gallery tour- 2nd weekend in Oct
'Mountain Maryland' - Artists Studio Tour - first two weekends in November - sponsored by the Allegany Arts Council
'Black Friday''- Friday after Thanksgiving - Nov - Gallery open
'Gift Giving' - month of December Saturdays and by appointment

I welcome visitors to my  studio and gallery at any time. 
Call 301-387-4624  for an appointment.  

In order to fuse different glasses together, they must heat and cool at the same rate of expansion. In other words, the glasses must be compatible or during the annealing (cooling) process, the piece will shatter. All of the glass that I use is compatible. From the cathedrals (clear) and the opaques (solid) to the dichroic (coated) glasses, all of these colors and textures can be fused (melted) together to form any number of shapes. I create my design, choose the colors, cut the glasses, place the entire design in the glass kiln (2-4 layers of glass stacked over a clear base), fuse (melt) it up to 1500 degrees, cool it very slowly, place this now flat fused slab of glass over a mold and put it back into the kiln at 1220 degrees to be slumped into the mold of choice. A piece can take several firings depending on the texture desired.

Galleries:

The Gallery/Garrett Arts Council
Oakland, MD

Rocky Gap Lodge
Cumberland, MD

The Connoisseur Shop
Cumberland, MD

Penn Alps
Grantsville, MD

William Ris Gallery
Stone Harbor, New Jersey

The Shoppes at Heritage Square
Oakland, MD

Maryland Life Magazine Jan/Feb 2005 Premiere issue
Maryland Life Magazine Holiday Gift Section Sept/Oct 2006 issue