What is our journey on this planet? What makes it meaningful? Connections– to things and with people that you love.
I recently returned to New York City for an installation of a chandelier created as an heirloom piece for the client’s family. We melted precious metals into the glass as a time capsule preserving the value of our existence now to be forever encased in glass for the future. The glittering glass chandelier is the object around which the connections are made. I am honored as an artist to make such an object for the investment of the family lineage.
My grandmother passed away yesterday. She was one of my biggest fans.

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Written by: Julie
Illuminata
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Posted in:
artist, creative process, custom glass, custom glass lighting, Design, General, glass blowing, incalmo glass, LED Lighting, Pioggia, Raindrop, Spirale, Venice | 4 Comments »
As an artist who works mainly on custom commissions, I do not always have the pleasure of seeing all of my glassworks installed at the location for which they were designed.
Last week I debarked an overnight flight to find my way via taxi to the apartment in the heart of Manhattan where my chandelier waited for me — sleeping in the custom crates– hopefully intact.
A feeling of joy washes over me as we open the crates to find all glass in perfect condition. I have a mini- celebration to myself.
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Written by: Julie
Illuminata
Tags:
design, New York City
Posted in:
artist, creative process, custom glass, custom glass lighting, Design, General, glass blowing, incalmo glass, LED Lighting, Pioggia, Raindrop, Spirale, Venice | 4 Comments »
We are all concerned about the changes in the lighting codes and becoming energy efficient. LED’s are the way of the future. I also use xenon as a halogen replacement, for bright sparkly light.
Here is a project I did in Northern California for a luxury bathroom using LED’s and recycled metal. It is part of the Pioggia series. “Pioggia” means Rain in Italian.
Individual glass raindrops made in the studio, light up and transfer the light similarly to fiber optics. The perforated steel creates a light/shadow effect. Here, I have used a dimmable, warm-white LED system in the fixture. Read more…
Written by: Julie
Illuminata
Tags:
bathroom lighting, custom glass, custom lighting, design, LED, Lighting
Posted in:
artist, creative process, custom glass, custom glass lighting, Design, General, glass blowing, incalmo glass, LED Lighting, Pioggia, Raindrop, Spirale, Venice | 4 Comments »