Bogenrief Studios

[Tom]

I am going on a short day trip next week, probably Wednesday, and will be taking my daughter.  I am going to Spirit Lake, Iowa to a taxidermy shop to pick some things up, but on the way we will be stopping at both Bogenrief Studios.

The stained glass studio is in Sutherland Iowa, in an old school building.  It is huge!  Here is a link to the studio there.

http://www.bogenriefstudios.com/

Then from there we will be going to Spencer Iowa to the Bogenrief Blown Glass Studio.  Here is a link to that site.

http://www.bogenriefstudios.com/studios.html

I havent told my daughter yet, and am hoping to surprise her.  I called the blown glass studio and asked if they could make a "tie dyed" mug or bowl, as my daughter loves tie dye, and they said they have never tried it before but would be willing to give it a shot on commission, so I am going to have them attempt it, and whatever comes out will be a gift for her.  I hope it works, but since we will be right there watching them make it in the furnace room I am sure she will enjoy it what ever the results.

[PiscesGlass]

What a fun day that's going to be Tom!  Wish I were going there too!  Just beautiful work by the Bogenrief Studios, thanks for posting their links. I've been to check out their website in the past and marvel at the complex panels they've produced.

I hope that you and your daughter have a fabulous time!  And that they manage to make her a Tie Dyed project.  Take a bunch of pics ok?

and HAVE FUN!  De

[Anne]

Wow, don't they do wonderful work. Have a great time Tom and enjoy the time with your daughter.

[nansea121]

Have fun taking in all that lovely work and don't forget yer camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JoanFrances]

Oh, Tom that should be a wonderful day and made even more special with the gift to you're daughter and sharing the day with her.

I have a question, if you don't mind, maybe Vic or Wayne could answer, if you don't get to ask them, the panel named "Day Dream": I was wondering if the painted detail is also some fusing work?  The hand area looks like maybe the pieces are fused, as I don't see connecting cut lines at the tips of the fingers, to the surrounding pieces.  The panel is amazing and I found myself getting lost in the piece studing the details.  Beautiful

Have fun Tom.  Can't wait to hear all about it and see pictures if they allow you take them. 

[Lady Helen]

Not sure I'm up for a stop at a taxidermy shop but otherwise it sounds like a nice outing
with your daughter.

Have a great time and if possible take some photos!

[Audrey]

How exciting. Be sure to post a photo of the mug or bowl.

[Vic Rothman]

The hands look like they are just painted, and cut with deep inside cuts. The tips of the finger touch other leads. You don't need a lot of cut lines if you are a skilled designer and a great builder

[JoanFrances]

The hands look like they are just painted, and cut with deep inside cuts. The tips of the finger touch other leads. You don't need a lot of cut lines if you are a skilled designer and a great builder

Thanks for the quick response Vic, I understand how skilled they are, but I didn't see the finger tips touching lead where they are rounded and go up into the deep cut of the next finger.  At my age I won't live long enough to get that skilled LOL.  The panel is beautiful and done at a level I could only dream to reach.

[Wayne]

Yes, it is interesting that they kept the two baby fingers open like that and needed to have the deep, inside cuts.

[ct4mom]

Wonderful links.. Have lots of fun Tom and take lots of pics... Im sure your daughter will be thrilled.

[Judy K]

Have a greatttttt time Tom. We will all be with you in spirit.

I too liked that "Day Dream" window a lot! The bead work coming down the front of the dress is incredible. Her face is perfect! Thanks for sharing her with us, Tom.

[Elizabeth]

Beautifull site, Tom!  Like too much stuff to mention.   Love the combining of techniques.   Thanks for showing us.   Have a wonderful day - looking forward to the pics!!   Maybe your tye dye'd item will start a new range for them!!!

[mona]

Okay, I gotta go there.  I have relatives in Lake Park, Ia that I can stay with.  I don't think Spencer or Sutherland are that far from there.  Lake Park is about a 3 hour drive for me.  Sutherland about an hour from Lake Park, Spencer even shorter.  Or I can find a place to stay in like Milford.  Hm.... got to do some planning for a spring jaunt.  Thanks, Tom for posting this.  Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time.  Post a picture of the tye-dyed piece.

[Tom]

Yup Mona, it would be a great little trip for you.  And I am sure your relatives can also give you lots of other ideas for things to see and do while visiting.  The Iowa Great Lakes Region is a great place to visit, I wish I could get there more often.

[Tom]

Just got home from the trip to both Bogenrief Studios with my daughter.  It was a really good day for us as we had a lot of fun, and learned a lot too.  I am too pooped to post pics now but will try tomorrow when I am more rested.

The painting with the fingers someone was asking about > when painted it is one complete piece of glass, and the part between the fingers is just painted black, then cut out with a ring saw to get the deep inside curves.

The big elephant / jungle piece was not there,  They took it to Atlanta a few months back and where ever they had it at, it was on display and going to be auctioned, but was sold within 3 days to Tyler Perry.  For those who dont know him, he is a tv star, producer and personality.  They wouldnt tell me the exact price, but "over" $200,000.00.

[PiscesGlass]

Whew sounds like you had a great time Tom!  Can't wait to see your pictures posted after you've had a chance to catch your breath and rest up a bit.

I sorta figured that the hand must have been cut out with a ring saw (I'd do it that way so as not to break the nicely painted piece of glass..why take a chance).  Very cool though and I'm glad that you remembered to ask them how it was accomplished.

Loved the elephant/jungle piece..nice to know that they made some very good $$ on that..what a whale of alot of work that must have been.  Very detailed piece of work.

Welcome back!!  De

[Barbara]

Glad you had a great time Tom.  Quality time with the daughter won't be forgotten.

[JoanFrances]

Sounds like a great day Tom,  Can't wait till you post the pictures and hear a little more.  Did you get to have the tie die piece done? 

Thanks for the info about the fingers being done.  That panel must have been amazing to see in person. 

[ct4mom]

Sounds like you two had a great time....cant wait to see the pics!!!