Paper Dolls in Glass resonate with Families - 28th Jul 2014

I started making (what I call) the Paper People series in 2008.  Others call them cut-outs, paper dolls, paper families.  I have always received great feedback for these in cast glass, but interestingly these were very slow to sell.

Technically quite difficult to cast in glass, I actually gave up making them for a couple of years.  But over the past couple of years demand has been high.  I have overcome some of the technical problems and the Paper People Series in cast glass are now sold around New Zealand at various galleries.

These are the latest in the Paper People series to travel to new homes.

Mould Making Silicone available at Dicastglass - 28th Jul 2014

RTV2 (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) Silicone Rubber is a Premium Mould Making silicone that cures at room temperature to form a tough and flexible silicone rubber in under 24 hours. It offers excellent detail reproduction with high tear strength for long lasting moulds. RTV2 Silicone Rubber moulds release easy due to  non-adherent, flexible and elastic properties when used at the correct mixing ratio.

RTV2 Silicone Rubber has a medium viscosity which makes it ideal for pouring or brushing. Its high temperature (up to 200°C) and chemical resistance make it well suited for all types of casting resins such as polyester, polyurethane and epoxy as well as some low heat alloys. Applications include arts restoration, general handy crafts, wax casting, plaster forms, seals, stage decorations, statuettes and many more.

When RTV2 Catalyst is added at 3% to the RTV2 Silicone Rubber, the product has an average working time of around 30-40 minutes at 25°C. The actual curing time is approximately 2-4 hours. The mixing ratio needs to be accurate so an electronic scale is recommended to weigh the RTV2 Silicone Rubber and RTV2 Catalyst. Do NOT attempt to speed up or slow down the working time by adding more or less RTV2 Catalyst. Do not use this product in temperatures below 0°C. Be aware that the more RTV2 Catalyst added may result in greater silicone mould shrinkage.

MIXING RATIO – 100:3

Knitting Sculpture at Hamilton Gallery - 25th Jul 2014

Di Tocker's glass sculpture 'Stick to your Knitting' is on exhibition at Aesthete Gallery in Hamilton, NZ.  Made in 2010, and selected as a finalist in the Ranamok Glass Prize, Di is thrilled to see it on exhibition again.  Crafted from 14,000 glass beads and borosilicate glass rods shaped into 'knitting needles', this assembled glass artwork has made its way to Canberra, Sydney and finally back to New Zealand.

'Stick to your Knitting' currently hangs in the window at Aesthete Gallery, Cnr Rostrevor and Victoria Streets, Hamilton.  Aesthete is open Wednesday to Friday 10 am -4pm and Saturdays 10am - 2pm.

Investing in Studio Glass Art Objects - 8th Jul 2014

This article form The Age, Melbourne Newspaper is an interesting read on the rise of art investors looking at glass art objects

Ranamok Glass Prize Finalists 2014 announced - 6th Jul 2014

This is the final year of the pristegeous Ranamok prize.  The winner will be awarded A$15,000.

Best of luck to all, especially the kiwi finalists!

First prize awarded - Di Tocker - 20th Apr 2014

Di Tocker has been awarded
First Prize: Decorative and Sculptural Glass, at the Easter Show Art Exhibition in Auckland. 

Her winning glass work is Room #1, the first in series of works she is continuing with in 2014.

Room #1 encourages viewers to look within the glass into a mini world of ever-changing light, bubbles and distortion.  Within the glass is solitary figure sitting on a bed and a ladder leaning on the wall.  Di says this series of works are about relationships, containment and escape.

View more works in this series here.

Demand adds more Glass Workshops - 14th Apr 2014

High demand has led to glass artist Di Tocker putting on an extra Glass Casting Workshop in 2014.

The Winter Workshop to be held in August is FULL already so Di has decided to add another 3 day Workshop in October/November.

Full details are here.

Awards / Trophies - All class in Glass - 1st Apr 2014

Di Tocker has doubled her portfolio of Awards clients this year.  As organisations seek to define their individuality and profile success along the way, they are increasingly looking for unique ways to do this.  One way is to present very individually designed awards.

Di Tocker designs and creates handcrafted, high quality awards in cast crystal glass.  When creating such awards, Di takes many factors into consideration; representation of the organisation, how the award will feel when received and the final home or the place the award will end up after the presentation.

More images of Di Tocker's cast crystal glass awards can be viewed here.