Cold and Fire.....November 27, 2005

Studio has been too cold to work in the past few days....the studio is unheated and has to be at least 30 degrees Farenheit for me to be able to heat it with the kilns and space heater I have. I've tried to work when it was colder, but it's just too darn cold! Spent the day putting up auctions and scheduling some for the next few weeks. When it warms up outside, I want to be able to work at the torch!

November 22, 2005....Beadmaker as Photographer?

I intended to get to the studio yesterday but spent my torch time taking pictures! After I took the pictures, then I had to edit them into web-seeable shots - I don't alter the look of the beads or the colors or try to smooth out any of their handmade quality when I photo-edit. If I didn't lighten the shots then they'd just be too darn dark for anyone to see! It's kind of fun to do the close up shots but all of this takes time! I spent all of my torch time photographing, photoediting and then posting auctions! So, I'm thinking that a beadmaker or really any artist might also be considered a photographer! Yes, I could pay someone to do the photographing but have you tried to find someone who specializes in small works like beads?!? They're just not to be found! So, I've posted the fruits of my labor - check out my auctions on ebay and justbeads.com under Lampwork Diva.

November 17, 2005.....

First snow today! I know living in the Northeast US that we'll eventually get snow but I always like it to hold off because I don't have any heating system in my studio - brrrrr! I won't be able to get to the torch until this weekend but will have a few extra days over the Thanksgiving holiday. I've been working on the LampworkDiva logo, business cards and some other informational materials. I've got some photographing to do of some beads I made last weekend too. I'm working at keeping a steady stream of new bead auctions up on justbeads and ebay. I'm varying the number of beads I put in each set to see what buyers like.

LampworkDiva Logo and Auctions....

I've had a good friend of mine create a logo for Lampwork Diva! I am debuting her here! The logo is based on beads I have created in the flame. This one is made of enamels painted onto glass and then formed into a bead in the flame. She is a tribute to Picasso and is entitled Picasso's Amour. She isn't for sale but definitely is a DIVA!

There are auctions up on ebay and justbeads. For those beadlovers not familiar with http://www.justbeads.com - you NEED to GO THERE! What's great about justbeads is that is it just that - BEADS! No wading through the volumes of different items that you can get on ebay - if you are looking for just beads then you gotta go to JUSTBEADS.COM!

Here are a few of the beads I've put up on justbeads.com - search for LampworkDiva and you'll find me!

Eye Candy.....

New Auctions on Ebay!

November 5th, 2005....so I'm trying to get myself back into the swing of posting bead auctions weekly. All auctions are made by "the Diva" that is the Lampwork Diva! I've been focused on doing more art and less computer so it's been awhile since an update. I know in the land of the internet that means people have already forgotten me so I have to start all over again! But instead of griping about my lack of computer motivation, let me tell you about the work I've been doing lately.

In September, I took a class in blowing glass with Sally Prasch! It was way kewl! I've posted a picture of Sally here today so you can see the master at work! She started in glass art when she was 13! Wow! Imagine having that much clarity in your life - to know what you wanted to do! Sally is a very generous artist and very encouraging to her students.

Blowing glass brings up a whole other set of skills that I am eager to develop. Most people think that the wound glass beads are "blown" but they're not! they're wound on a thick wire or mandrel. Before I took Sally's class, I had been playing with blowing glass with a stainless steel pipe - a blowpipe - and was having some small success. Taking Sally's class gave me more confidence to continue.

Ok, I think I've spent enough time at the computer this morning, my studio should be warmed enough for me to go to work for a few hours. I promise to post more - in the mean time, take a look at my auctions on ebay:http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlampworkdiva