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Cindy Brandt who was originally
trained as a mathematician at the University of Pennsylvania
spent 19 years as a computer systems designer before she decided
it was no way to go through life. Refusing to choose a single
medium, she works in both fiber and glass, creating functional
work, wall pieces and jewelry in both mediums.
FIBER
She works primarily in silk, creating bright scarves, clothing,
ties, jewelry and wall hangings. Inspired by color and texture
her goal is to create a three dimensional quality in a two
dimensional piece. Her work has been exhibited and received
awards in numerous juried shows and sold in craft galleries
nationwide. She has taught silk painting and other fiber workshops
for years for Springwater Fiber Workshop and the Art League
School. This year she will be repeating her workshop for the
Smithsonian American Art Museum at the Renwick Gallery. Some
of her fiber work can also be seen in the Potomac Craftsmen
Gallery which is also located in the Torpedo Factory. Check
out her silks on her fiber
web page.
GLASS
Working with fused glass for more than 10 years, she was first
attracted to glass like silk for the wonderful colors. But
once she started working with glass she found it particularly
exciting that there were infinite ways to manipulate it for
different effects. She is enjoying exploring many of the various
types of "warm glass" including fusing, casting,
enameling, and beadmaking. She creates unique plates, platters
and bowls as well as fountains and wall pieces. Lately she
has concentrated on developing her unique "woven glass"
wall pieces which were accepted into several shows and got
her an invitation to have a small local museum show in 2010.
She also recently completed a 16 piece installation for a
major wall in a new local building. Her glass work can be
seen on her glass web page.
JEWELRY
She started experimenting with glass beadmaking (called lampworking)
around 2000 and immediately got hooked. She enjoys making
the beads because it is a relaxing, near-zen experience. It
has also given her a chance to combine her previous metalsmithing
work with the beads to create her glass jewelry. The glass
pieces perfectly complement the bright hand dyed silk clothing
she creates in her studio. She is particularly fascinated
with the possible combination of glass, colored metals like
niobium or anodized aluminum and hand dyed silk. Her glass
bead jewelry can be seen on her jewelry
web page.
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