Sisters artist creates beauty from glass

Susie Zeitner must have wondered if her world was ending in 2004 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, out of that painful experience, beauty has been born, as well as a very successful creative business.

"In 2004 I was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and I am proud to say that I am fully recovered. This did slow down our moving here full-time as my husband has a good job with Comcast and fabulous insurance," said Zeitner.

Although a part-time resident of Sisters for the present, Zeitner has worked hard at being a full-time part of the community.

"We are trying to get very involved in the community. I donated to My Own Two Hands last year. I have done the same thing this year," said Zeitner of her glass creations.

Zeitner is a firm believer in incorporating art in all its forms into the educational system. "I have children and feel passionate about helping youth to have opportunities to explore their creative abilities. The community of Sisters is very forward thinking when it comes to nurturing the creative arts for kids," said Zeitner.

Programs that are sponsored by the Sisters Folk Festival, like the My Own Two Hands art party and auction and the Americana Project are a way of leveling the playing field for students.

"I want to give so that any child who wants to be able to develop their creative side, whatever it might be in art or music, or anything creative will be possible. For me, donating this piece is like giving a scholarship," Zeitner said.

The work is a chandelier made from fused and slumped glass that appears as though a symphony of colored light was somehow frozen in the middle of a performance.

Zeitner's new artistic career began as she was recovering from her cancer treatment. She was building some light fixtures for their new home in Sisters and went to Design Lighting of Bend to pick up some hardware. When Zeitner took the glass piece into the Bend store, everyone from the owner to the sales people stood in admiration. The owner of the store, Brent Newman, asked if she would make three of the chandeliers for him, and Zeitner agreed.

When the lights were competed, Zeitner and her husband Dan took them to Design Lighting.

"Before I left the store, Brent had sold two of them. So it has been a really successful relationship. Since then I have had people come through, and I have two sales reps in California. When we are completely settled in Sisters, I intend to really grow the business. It has been a really serendipitous blessing that I never really saw coming," said Zeitner.

The process used in creating Zeitner's works of art is every bit as imaginative as she is: "I do fused kiln glass. I make both art and architectural art pieces out of glass which I assemble and then fire in a large kiln. Technically, it is called fire and slump. What it really means is, it's kind of making a large and creative pizza. I use pieces of glass, sheet glass and glass powder that is almost as fine as powdered sugar.

"The powdered glass is available in perhaps 100 plus colors. You make the design and assemble the pieces and then fire it in a large kiln," said Zeitner.

Zeitner has a kiln that is capable of producing pieces that are six feet in length. She has even created countertops for a bathroom vanity in a home located in Sisters.

The My Own Two Hands Art Stroll is scheduled for Friday, April 13, concluding with a gathering at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon Friday evening; the My Own Two Hands Art Party and Auction will be held on Saturday evening, April 14, at Ponderosa Forge.