New Ideas & Growth

I was blessed to have been able to visit the McNay Museum in San Antonio yesterday. Seeing the paintings, carvings, statues and the many other objects on display fills my artistic soul. I spent quite a while making sketches of monsters being slain by the saints. There was a wonderful carving featuring vines that I sketched out. Now I need to figure out how to recreate it in glass. With this visit I am able to sit down and make out a list of what I need to do to create the items I visualize.

Because I'm ADHD I tend to forget what I'm working on or have little focus for the task at hand. The way I deal with this problem is to try and remember to take my medication early enough in the morning so I'm not awake all night. The second thing is to sit down and make a list of things I want to accomplish in glass that day. My list could be simple as making some murrini and stringer. It could be as complicated as writing out lists of supplies to make a bead or set of beads. This might include getting some photos and sketches ready to make these beads.

Sitting down at the torch with glass and no plan might be a waste of time. On days I might have nothing on my list I try and play with the glass. If I'm not being productive I have to sit back and think what I'm going to do. I might not have any inspiration and need to come back at another time. Then there are those magic moments. You have glass laying on your table. There are stringers everywhere. You might have a little bit of silver foil laying around. And then all of a sudden your hands are twisting that mandrel as the glass is layered to create that bead.

I came to the conclusion tonight that I'm on another growth breakthrough. I needed to make some presents and had one idea that turned into many. Without the classes I've taken through the years I don't think that this growth would have been so spontaneous. It's with practice, experimenting and education that develops growth.

I absolutely love this time of year. It's been so beautiful the last few days. We had a bit of rain today but the weather guy said we'll have sun tomorrow.

Over the weekend I took Caitlin Hyde's class at Blue Moon Glassworks here in Austin. It was a blast and I learned so much. I think this was my favorite class so far. I loved how we took an image apart and learned how to create an image on glass. I was taught how to move the glass a little easier although I'm still practicing.

I made this bead and image after drawing it a few times and I'm thankful when my boyfriend pulled it out of kiln this morning he recognized it was a dove. He woke me up and said I did a good job. He loved all the beads I brought home from the class.

Now I'm off to make more beads.

Back to the Torch

I finally got back to the torch this evening after so long away. I've really missed working in the flame. I made some ruffle beads to get started and then made a very detailed set of jungle beads. I can't wait for them to come out of the kiln. I will probably get them out around noon tomorrow and photograph them as soon as I inspect each one.

Stop here if you don't want to read about my illness in the last month. Update...I had surgery on Thursday and a large gallstone was removed from my bile duct. It was about 1 1/2" in diameter so it was big and hurting.

During the last few weeks I developed a fever and cough. I went to the ER then to my doctor. A week later it was still bad so I went back. A x-ray revealed that I have pneumonia in my left lung as of Friday. I'm on another set of antibiotics but all seems to be going okay. I have a cough but it isn't as bad. The only thing I notice is that I do have a rattle if I lay on my left side.

I have been taking it easy and enjoying my time with friends and the pups. Ray has taken very good care of me and being a pest as to when I need to take pills.

Now off to bed. I'm sleepy and I babysit in the morning.

Ah Ha Moments

I just love those moments when you are letting your creative side go with the flow. I was just goofing around with some cone beads and the designs are coming as fast as the glass can melt. I'm happy the energy is flowing. In these moments I'm thankful to be blessed with such freedom to do what I love.

Happy Valentines and Thank You

Happy Valentines to everyone. I love Valentines day and sending cards to my friends and family. This year I didn't get to send out cards because of the surgeries.

I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts while I'm recovering. I had surgery on the 1st to take out my gallbladder. This was not a schedule procedure so it was a little surprise. On the 2nd they put in a stint for a large stone and some sludge. That stint comes out at the end of the month. I'm at home recovering and trying not to do too much.

Just a few minutes ago the UPS guys dropped off my glass order. I was doing the happy dance...not much movement since I'm still sore. It's going to take me a bit to stop looking at the pretty glass and create something.

Allergy Season

It's that time of year again for most of us in the Austin area. Cedar is in the air and I'm a stuffy mess. However, I've been using my time wisely while I babysit the girls. I completed my new bracelet with African trade beads. It is chunky but I think it looks great.

I wanted to start on a set of beads last night and had every intention of working on the new color choices I came up with. The glass didn't like the decision and made a new one for me. So I did everything in black and white. The hearts are so much fun to make. I made a button to go with the set but it didn't look great next to the beads. Oh well....

UT Game Day

UT National Championship tonight.

I am still playing with colors and coming up with more and more color themes to work with. For some reason I'm pulled towards blues and purples right now.

I created a bright set of fun shapes to clean up some of the glass on my desk. I think these are really fun.

I am thinking of working on some organic beads today. I tried to find my notes from a Kim Afflect class I took a couple of years ago but they haven't turned up. Next time I'll have them stored in the computer. I do have some great ideas so I'll just see how they work in the flame.