Site last updated: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Art comes in all media at Artisan and Vendor Show

Andrew Leitmeyer demonstrates glass-blowing techniques at the Spring Artisan and Vendor Market at Butler Arts Center on Saturday. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 04/30/22

Andrew Leitmeyer sometimes suffers for his art. But when you are working with molten glass and intense heat sometimes you get burned.

“It happens all the time. Hot glass and cold glass looks the same. It’s a lesson learned,” Leitmeyer, of Kittanning, said as he fired his oxygen/propane torch to 2,200 degrees in order to begin to bend a glass rod into plasticity before working it into a colorful decoration.

Fortunately, there were no mishaps during Leitmeyer’s demonstration of his glass-fusing technique on the sidewalk outside the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St., during the center’s Artisan and Vendor Show on Saturday.

He starts with glass rods and tubes heated until he uses gravity and centrifugal force to bend the glass into the shape he wants. During the process, he introduces metal or ground glass to add color to his creation.

He makes pendants, figurines and a host of other objects. “Anything you can do with wood you can do with glass,” he said. “I learn something new every time I pick up glass.”

“The key is to make sure everything is melted in. If it’s hot enough, two pieces become one piece of glass. It adds stability,” Leitmeyer explained. “Usually, when you are working with glass the saying is ‘The hotter the better.’”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.

Related Article: Art comes in all media at Artisan and Vendor Show
James and Lori Roxbury show off some of the wooden creations that James Roxbury makes and Lori Roxbury finishes at the Art and Vendor Show Saturday at the Butler Art Center. ERIC FREEHLING/BUTLER EAGLE
Ben Hughes of Butler shows off some of his photographs for sale at Saturday's Art and Vendor Show at the Butler Art Center. ERIC FREEHLING/BUTLER EAGLE

More in Digital Media Exclusive

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS