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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 in Alexandria, and several workshops for the Smithsonian
American Art Museum at the Renwick Gallery. Some of her fiber
work can also be seen in the Potomac Fiber Arts 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 16 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 several commissions including
five glass walls in the World Bank Headquarters Building and
a 16-piece installation for a new building in Chevy Chase,
Maryland. Some of her commission work can be seen on her commission
web page. Her glass work can be seen on her glass
web page.
JEWELRY
She started experimenting with glass bead making (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 metal
smithing 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. Her newest line of
jewelry is called Fickle
because it allows the user to purchase one pair of earrings
and change the beads as needed. Her glass bead jewelry can
be seen on her jewelry
web page.
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