Making
the Cherry Blossom Andon: Pattern and Background
© Jo Perez
The design
for this andon was inspired by the beautiful blossoms of spring and was
designed using a computer. Copies of
the design were printed out to make the pattern (cartoon) and pattern pieces. When the pattern is laid out and the paper
pattern pieces have been cut, it’s time to select the glass. Here you can see further in the process,
when the cut pieces of the background glass have been laid out on the pattern.
Selecting
the glass for the background is a critical decision that shapes every glass
choice that follows. This is
Youghiogheny glass, which has a beautiful flow of color that suggests flowers
and leaves in the background. This
sheet of glass has a dynamic energy that creates movement in the piece. I selected a continuous sheet that would
flow around the andon. The solid piece
for the back panel was the most exciting section of the sheet and can stand
alone. Notice that the back panel has a
curved cut out. This will vent heat out
of the andon when it is lit.