April 29, 2006....Homage to ancient peoples

Here is my homage to the ancient peoples who would thank the goddess of the earth for bringing forth the flowers each spring. Small talismans would be created representing the goddess and worn in to honor and thank her for another spring. I'm very grateful for another spring and the profusion of yellow blossoms everywhere, from daffodils to the forsythia that I see on my morning walk. Since yellow flowers are everywhere, it is only fitting that this homage be crowned with a wreath of yellow petals. She is created using Italian black glass, sunny yellow tipped with red.

April 23, 2006.....Inspiration

On my morning walk, I pass this large group of forsythia bushes....the yellow is so joyful this time of year! I love the yellow flowers that coat the entire slender branch! Although I haven't consciously been doing it, I've been creating these flowers in beads for awhile now - but with black rather than a brown - I'm inspired to try to make a more 3D sculpture of the joyous yellow blooms - I don't know how anyone can't find inspiration in these happy little flowers!

April 16, 2006....Happy Easter!

A low key kind of day today. Will be going out for Easter dinner at about 5 pm.

I've been working on jewelry pieces...lots of earrings to sell at outdoor shows this summer and more of the Lucky Knots and Lampwork necklaces for a "live jurying." I'm thinking about NOT doing any shows this summer and focusing on some ideas I have for glass sculpture and beads. If I do that, then I'll do a show or two in the fall along with my annual open house. Haven't decided for sure but think that's what I'll do.

April 13, 2006.....

This is a close up of a neckpiece I made entitled, "Mardi Gras!" It's a happy piece but I have to admit to feeling a little blah and overwhelmed this morning....I have a several things to do on my plate...I have to make a few pieces of jewelry for a "live jurying" I'll be doing at the end of the month....I have to take some pictures of a tutorial for a knotted neckpiece I make for a magazine and I have to make a custom order. That's on top of some of the interpreting work I do! So, feeling a bit overwhelmed- like "where do I start?"

Monday morning... April 10, 2006

Here's a bead self portrait . I made this awhile ago and it really doesn't look all that much like me but it's retro style. Very 1960's - early 70's in feel. I'm busy with other things right now and not spending time at the torch. I will submit to a juried show later in the month but must do it "live." I've been turned down once before for this particular show and skipped the jury last year but thought I'd try again this year. It's a very small, select show around Thanksgiving. I'd like to fill in a show for that time of year so I'm going for it. It will be finished work, though and I'm working on some pieces to take with me. I'm also working on a tutorial for an online magazine. Both of those things are keeping me away from the torch for a bit.

April 1st!.....Warmer Weather!

I returned from the Urban Glass Show on late Monday afternoon. Whew! What a trip and what a good time! I really enjoy the comraderie of the other beadmakers at a show and the opportunity to meet customers! I always see lovely bead jewelry and seed bead work! Being a very tactile person, I like it when the customers offer to take off a particular piece so I can hold it in my hands.

Weather was beautiful here yesterday - some rain but it was 74 degrees! I was in the studio working with a new prototype tool. It's exciting when you think of an idea and someone is talented enough to execute it. I'll talk more about the tool later on once I've worked with it a little more.