Turn hot glass into cool stuff!
3333 Lake Shore Rd.
Buffalo, NY 14219
716-481-5664
I am honored that my miniature pet portraits are considered among the best in the world. Several of my dog heads have been featured in Flow Magazine's "Gallery of Women in Glass" and Beading Times selected me to be its "Artist of the Month" largely because of my sculpted dog heads in glass.
My portrait of "Casey," my Australian Shepherd, (pictured lower right) was selected for inclusion in 1000 Beads (Lark Publication Company, 2014), a book honoring some of the world's finest bead makers from all media.
I lovingly sculpt each pet free hand from molten glass using no molds or paints. I strive to capture each pet's features and personality in glass. As in nature, no two sculptures are ever the same.
I only accept projects that I am confident I can complete beautifully. For example I may decline sculpting a dog with an entirely black face unless the customer accepts that the dog's details may appear to be less visible than in real life.
I would be honored to sculpt a likeness of your treasured pet in a 1" glass bead you can wear or display. (Various display options are shown on this page.)
Let me know if you have a cherished
pet you would like me to sculpt for you or you would like to learn more about this truly one-of-a-kind creation.
Expressively yours,
Necklace
Driftwood Stand
1" sculptured bead strung on semi-precious stones or sterling silver, with or without dog bone accents.
Price: Starting at $250
1" or 2" sculpture placed on custom treated driftwood stand.
I would be honored to sculpt your dog in glass and create a truly unique gift for you or someone special in your life.
 | ||||
Customer Testimonials
Dog Portraits
Message from the Artist
Request Information
Display and Pricing Options
Sculpture without display
Vicki would like at least 3 photos of your dog's head, one from the front (with an expression you like), and one profile from each side.These can be emailed to her or sent by snail mail.
Vicki will contact you to reach consensus on a shared vision for the project, time frames and price. If desired, you may pay over time. Before Vicki begins sculpting you will need to send Vicki a $100 deposit.
As soon as Vicki has a sculpture she likes or needs feedback on, she will send you a picture.
Once you have approved a photo of the completed piece and have paid in full, Vicki will carefully pack the piece and ship it to you insured. In the unlikely event that you do not approve the piece after she has sculpted the pet a minimum of 3 times, she reserves the right to discontinue the commission and retain the entire deposit. (To date, this has never happened.)
There are no refunds or exchanges on custom orders once they have been shipped, unless they arrived damaged.
Each sculpture starts as rods of glass that Vicki melts and manipulates in a propane and oxygen torch. She typically creates each sculpture on a 3/32" mandrel, creating a vertical hole through the sculpture. She can create a sculpture without a hole, if preferred. It has taken Vicki 6 years to develop the approach and needed skills to create these one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Including the prep time needed to blend colors and create custom canes, she may work at the torch as long as 4.5 hours straight to complete one sculpture.
Vicki typically completes a sculpture of each pet 2-3 times before she is confident she has captured its "essence." Vicki will seek the customer's guidance and feedback throughout the process to ensure you both have the same vision.
The Artistic Process
Price: 1" starting at $240
Price: 1" sculpture $220
NOTE: All sizes are approximate and are influenced by the pet's breed
Order Process
Ready to order? Contact Vicki to start the process.
