Dobrila Studies in Murano

One of the canals of Murano

Techniques Dating Back Centuries
The Venetian Island of Murano is a port city famous for its glassmakers. Since the 10^th century, Murano glass has enjoyed a worldwide reputation. Murano’s reputation for producing extraordinary glasswork holds strong today. The artisans of Murano still employ techniques from centuries ago. If you’re interested in working in glass, Murano is your city. Few people get the chance to visit Murano, and not many get to study there.

Learning From Masters
In November Eleven Eleven Jewelry’s Dobrila Pintar got a chance to not only visit Murano, but to train with some master glassmakers. If you’re a follower of Dobrila’s on Facebook and Twitter, you know about her glass beadwork, her custom jewlery, and one-of-a-kind glass creations. Like all artists, Dobrila is constantly refining her craft through practice and additional training. In Murano, she got to learn from some glassmaking masters. Dobrila learned more about glassblowing beads and glass sculpture. She also got to work and learn alongside masters, including beadmaker and author Corina Tettinger (Passing the Flame: A Beadmaker’s Guide to Detail and Design).

Corina, Corina!
Tettinger, who hails from Washington State, is a world-renowned beadmaker who teachers classes all over the United States and Europe. One look at Corina’s schedule posted to her website makes one tired just looking at it. In 2012, she’ll be in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark! Stateside, she’ll be in Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

One-of-a-Kind Jewelry
Dobrila, a talented artist in her own right and a talented artisan, has acquired new skills to help her create even more unique beads, jewelry, and glass art objects. Be sure to visit Dobrila’s website to see her latest creations in glass.

"Murano"

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Dobrila to Exhibit at One of A Kind Show in December

Billed as Chicago’s “Most ONEderful time of the year,” the oneofakind show at the Merchandise Mart is the perfect place to do your holiday shopping. More than 600 talented artists will bring their unique creations to the Mart from December 1 – 4, 2011. The Mart is located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza.

Artist and custom jewelry maker, Dobrila Pintar will be exhibiting her unique creations. One-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and glass-blown Christmas ornaments will be some of the items you’ll see when you visit Dobrila’s booth.

The oneofakind show lets you get up-close and personal with the artists and artisans. Artists will be available to speak with you and there will be demonstrations and workshops that you can participate in. Multi-day tickets are available for $12, $9 for seniors and students; children 12 and under are free.




Show Hours:

Two of Dobrila's hand-blown Christmas ornaments

Thursday, December 1 noon - 9 pm
Friday, December 2 11 am – 9 pm
Saturday, December 3 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, December 4 10 am – 5 pm

Be sure to stop by and visit with Dobrila, where she hopes you’ll be “wishing on a jewel” this holiday season.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets for the oneofakind show, please click here.

Dobrila Pintar to exhibit during Chicago Artist Month

Dobrila Pintar will be part of the Open Studios event at Bridgeport Art Center October 21 – 23, 2011.

One of 40 artists

Dobrila is one of 40 artists opening their doors in celebration of Chicago Artist Month. The exhibition opening and reception, “Creative Cornerstones,” is Friday, October 21 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. On Saturday, October 22, there is a panel discussion on the 5th floor from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. From 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. the EastBank Building 100th Anniversary Party will feature a performance by Chicago’s own, Scarlet Monk at 9 p.m. On Sunday, October 23, Open Studio hours are 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. with an “Artful Brunch” at 12 p.m. on the 3rd floor. Bridgeport Art Center is located at 1200 W. 35th St. (entry at 34th Pl. and Racine). For more information call 773-247-3000. Free parking is available at the Bridgeport Art Center for this event.

Historic Location
Built 100 years ago as part of the Spiegel complex, the Bridgeport Art Center is now home to over 40 artists. Artists will be opening their doors during Chicago Artist Month and hosting exhibitions, panel discussions, and music performances.

Dobrila Exhibiting at Bash On Wabash

Meet Dobrila Pintar at popular festival



Artists and custom jewelry maker, Dobrila Pitar, will be exhibiting at the annual Bash on Wabash, Saturday, September 17 and Sunday September 18, 2011 at 14th and Wabash. Dobrila will be selling her custom, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces at the “South Loop’s premier outdoor event.” The event includes, food, music, and local artisans.

Be sure to stop by and visit with Dobrila and find out about her new studio and future art classes.



Dobrila (right) at last year's Bash



The Bash on Wabash is an event suitable for the entire family. The Bash hours are noon – 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Dobrila Exhibiting at local block party

Artists and custom jewelry maker, Dobrila Pitar, will be exhibiting at the annual Festival on Prairie Avenue, Saturday, September 10, 2011. The festival location is 18th and Prairie Ave. The family-friendly event is from 12 noon – 6 p.m. Stop by and visit Dobrila to learn about her custom jewelry and find out about her new studio location at the Bridgeport Art Center. Dobrila will be teaching classes and workshops for adults and children. Be sure to ask about her class schedule for this fall and winter.

What is Lampworking?

Dates Back to the 1st Century B.C.

Lampworking (sometimes called flameworking or torchworking) is a practiced art form that dates back to the 1st Century B.C. Murana, Italy, became the center for lampworking in the 14^th century. Often confused with glassblowing, lampworking does not use a blowpipe to manipulate the glass. Instead, glass rods are heated and manipulated over a flame or torch that uses propane or natural gas mixed with oxygen.

"In the Eleven Eleven Studio"

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Powered By Oil Lamps

In the beginning, lampworking was done using oil lamps (thus the name). Artist had to blow air into the flame using a pipe. Lampworking artwork includes beads for jewelry, Christmas tree ornaments, paperweights, and much more.

Dobrila’s Technique

Lampworking is the technique that Dobrila Pintar used to create her jewelry. The technique guarantees that each bead produced is unique and special. Dobrila sometimes combines glass beads with silver and other metals to produced interesting necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

One-of-a-kind pieces take time

In the new studio

Dobrila Pintar, artist and jewelry maker, just moved into a new studio. Watch this short video demonstration on how she makes glass beads. It’s a fairly labor-intensive process, but the results can be pretty spectacular. By using various flaming techniques, Dobrila can customize each bead, which makes every piece of her jewelry unique one-of-a-kind creations.

Jewelry Making: It's Part of History

Check out this short video that illustrates Dobrila's jewelry making skill.

For more information about Dobrila and her custom jewelry and jewelry making classes, find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.