Weekly Featured Artist - Dave of Dichroic Art Jewelry by Dave

This week's Featured Artist is Dave, who makes glass art jewelry and sells on eBay in his shop, Dichroic Art Jewelry by Dave.

Tell us about yourself and your art!
I started experimenting with glass about 5 years ago after visiting a gallery in town that featured some glass work. It intrigued me that glass could be melted together and even bent using heat. I bought a kiln and started making plates and bowls and many vases, too. They were popular, but I couldn't sell enough to make a living so I began trying my hand at jewelry. I wanted to make something unique so I tried etching drawings on dichroic glass. I had many failures, but finally mastered it and began selling them on Ebay. After a year or so I started using a special paint on the glass and it opened up a new world for me. Everything could be in color now and the designs were endless.
With a special glass saw I can now cut and shape the glass into cats, puzzle pieces, spirals, etc. I sell mostly on Ebay, but make a lot of special orders, too. Here's my address on Ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/Dichroic-Art-Jewelry-by-Dave.

How long have you been working with glass?
About five years and I now do this full time.

Have you had any training?
I haven't had any formal training, but I've done lots of research at the library and on the internet.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned through your art and selling it?
I have learned to never give up if you think you can do something. I've also met some great people through my sales on Ebay.

You make Autism Awareness pendants. Is there someone in your life affected with autism?
When we lived in California I had a friend with two autistic boys and I saw what she and her husband dealt with. I was forever moved by this and am now offering the Autism Awareness Pendants to help promote awareness in the general public. I've also donated many of these pieces to groups raising money for this cause.
What is your favorite candy bar; why?
It has to be Mounds. I love the combination of coconut and chocolate!

If money, responsibilities, and time were no issues, where in the great wide world would you go and why?
I would try to visit as many different countries as possible to meet the people and learn about their cultures. Africa would be my first choice and, more specifically, Zimbabwe, Botswana or Kenya.