The CCE wouldn’t be able to operate without the dedication of our many volunteers. From our committee members to our podcast content teams, to our awards juries, and even those who have taken the time to provide your input at town hall meetings, we couldn’t keep the organization going without you.
From time to time, the CCE likes to recognize volunteers who have made outsized contributions to the organization, and this year we presented the Volunteer Recognition Award to someone who definitely deserves it.
Majda Drinnan has been a stalwart member of the CCE Awards committee for 11 years, as well as a jury head for the last 8 years (and a jury member before that). She manages all the trophies and certificates that are handed out at each ceremony.
In addition, she uses her glassmaking skills to create the CCE special awards each year. The trophies that we give out for the Lifetime and Career achievement awards are hand-made by Majda in her glass studio – they are each one-of-a-kind original works of art.
Thanks Majda for your continued dedication to the CCE!
In the photo series below, Majda demonstrates how the Special Awards are handmade in her glass studio.
Every award starts with a sheet of clear glass that’s cut into two circles. The two layers are then fused together to create a solid circle with rounded edges.
When the disc comes out of the kiln, it’s cleaned and placed on top of the CCE logo. The red paint is a mix of very fine red glass powder, water and aloe gel. After the paint is applied, it’s re-fired in the kiln.
After the glass paint has been applied to the glass, it’s put on a light table to check for holes. Then it goes back in the kiln to be fired. This process is repeated two to three times – paint, fire, paint, fire – until a nice solid colour is achieved with no holes.
The middle picture below shows the result after a second coat has been fired. You can see I’ve re-applied the glass paint over top of the two Cs, and the lighter coloured E still needs the second coat.
The finished award is then taken to get a wooden base put on it and engraved.
Out of the kiln and ready to drop off to the wood artist to engrave and create the bases.