Where have I been?!?

I've been sucked into the year end inventory and taxes preparation. Trying to get that all in order and clean out the office and studio. Now THAT's a major task!

I've created an anti-valentine pendant. These are entitled "pins in my heart." My 14 year old was having a particularly bad few weeks and I just felt bad for him. It's tough to be a teen. Their hearts are so soft and the smallest slight can feel like needles and pins. When I went to the torch, all I could think of was how he felt. So instead of trying to put it out of my mind, I just let it in and be the inspiration for the day.

Published and going on The Road!

I've received the copy of the Annealer magazine - all the effort I put into taking the pictures paid off! I've had several comments on how good the pictures are - of course, it's not all me - the magazine layout for them is fabulous - nice clear, BIG pictures! Remember, if you're interested in the tutorial, pick up an issue of The Annealer Magazine. I've posted a couple pictures of what you can do with the knotting technique once you learn it.

Tomorrow, I'm going to get back to the glass - now that inventory is done, I've been in the studio creating inventory for the next glass show - Urban Glass in NYC and the Spirals that will be coming out in the April edition of Beadwork.

I know, I know, you're thinking, Cindy, why so early? It takes time to create each bead by hand. Every single bead is wound by hand onto a mandrel. So it takes time to create inventory. Urban Glass will be the first show for the spring - I'll also be at Beadfiesta in Monticello, NY in April - that's a new show I added this year. It's their first in NY! I'm excited as the Beadfiesta people are terrific!

Pushing...err changing website buttons?

Re-vamping the website - I'd like to change the words on the buttons - does anyone know how to do that? I'd love to use this flat spiral - such a great one - you can see where I started to wind the glass and where I took a breather then where I ended - love the texture! Would make a great button....now, if I can only figure out how? Let me know if you've got any ideas!

The Annealer Magazine - Lucky Knots!

The Lucky Knots and Lampwork tutorial is published in the Annealer Magazine! After all the struggling I did to get the pictures just right, it was well worth it! They look great in the magazine and are very clear!

Inventory or how many glass rods does one really need?

Do I really need this much glass?!?

The short answer is no.

But there is it, you see it and I counted it - each...glass.....rod.....one...by....one. I have accumulated 4640 rods of glass during my 8 years of lampworking. Why would someone buy that much glass?

New glass colors are like the box of 64 Crayolas you NEED to have! You need to have the box of 64 instead of your little box of 8 because the kid sitting next to you has the box of 64.

I blame this all on streaky pink Yes, that's what I said - streaky pink. I didn't get any of it when it was around and because everyone else wants it, I want it too!

I've slipped into mob mentality! Bring back the streaky pink!

Darn those Italians! They make a color you think you have to have and then leave you!

So in order to compensate for my lack of...ummm..glass, I have acquired multiple pounds of every color. As many "odd" lots as I can get my hands on.

4640 rods worth.

Yup, it's all streaky pink's fault.

Buy some beads and help me get rid of my excess glass. Purdy pleeeease!