From the Flame

New Ideas & Growth

2010-03-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

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, experimentation and education that develops growth.

I can't wait to see the beads tomorrow. The ideas kept flowing and experimenting on one bead led to new designs on another. So I hope to post new beads in the next coming weeks.

2010-03-16T19:17:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

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.

It's Been A Month

2010-03-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

I had to title this blog It's Been A Month because since January I have had only three days that I felt well. I'm not complaining since a few visits to the ER and to the doctor it was decided I had gallbladder disease and had three surgeries since then. My last surgery was today to remove a stint that was put in on February 2nd. He also removed a 3 centimeter stone. The only thing that is lingering is a cough I've had for more than two weeks. The surgeons suggested I see my doctor to determine if I have bronchitis. All roads lead to recovery.

So in all that time I've had a lot of time on the couch and on the computer. I researched a lot of makeup because I need the help to get the latest eye shadows, etc. I love the smoky eye look but couldn't figure out how to get there. I went to Sephora the other day and asked if they had any kits. They showed me a couple but I decided to go with Two Faced Smoky Eye Kit. I love it. It has three different pallets, brushes and cards showing you how to apply everything in one little box/package. The price is average at about $34.

While at Sephora I had a lot of questions about different looks. They suggested I go to YouTube and watch videos by Lauren Luke. With the extra help from Sephora I think I'll be able to get the look I want and great instruction.

I also have some great new ideas for beads. As soon as I am able to sit at the torch I plan to work them out. I bet you'll see a lot of play beads for the next couple of weeks.

Ah Ha Moments

2010-02-14T22:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

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. Yesterday I had to go to the ER with pain. Thankfully they eased my pain with some great meds. They found a couple of infections but I'm glad they ruled out an abscess. 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.

Howdy

2010-01-26T10:39:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to stop in and say hello to everyone. I have been a little under the weather and haven't been able to make many beads. Thanks to everyone who has wished me well. I really appreciate the thoughts.

I made a few beads last night before I went to bed. I made one set of ruffles and a set of flowers in similar colors. I'm very excited with a variation of flower and I'll put those two on Etsy once I get back home. The flower beads are similar to the ones in the photo. They are five sided instead of six and they have three different colors. The new style flowers are five sided and has ruffles. I can't wait to get home, clean them up and take photos.

Help in Haiti

2010-01-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

I am sending healing thoughts and prayers to the people in Haiti. If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross by sending a text, type in the message "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10. You can also send at text to Yele Haiti's Earthquake Relief efforts. Type in the word "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5.

Allergy Season

2010-01-12T09:50:00.001-08:00

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....

New Beginnings

2010-01-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

Before the end of 2009 Ray and I had a discussion of what we wanted this year and how we could get there. We definitely want to move and have a large shop for Ray's cars and equipment as well as a studio for my use. So knowing what we wanted we both came up with a game plan to get there. On my end I said I would exhibit at bead shows and crank out beads in mass. I also decided I needed to make some jewelry for the shows and my website.

I had a go at the spiny knot bracelet that Stephanie Sersich teaches. The first bracelet didn't turn out so well. I made mistakes and I learned from the mistakes. So I took it all apart and remade it. I'm very please with the results.

The button and several of the beads in the bracelet are my creations. To my surprise, I actually like making the buttons. I am now making a similar bracelet using my African trade beads I've had for years.

For the past few days I've been all over town trying to find the waxed linen for the bracelets. A big thank you is in order for the staff at Sea of Beads in Austin for helping me find the extras for my bracelets. They are a great group. I also found River Bend Ranch Studio on Etsy. She sells very pretty colors of waxed linen. Now I'm off to finish my second bracelet.

UT Game Day

2010-01-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

I'm probably one of a handful of folks that could really care less about football. However, this is a National Championship night and UT is playing. I will not be watching the game but my team spirit, for what it's worth, goes to UT. The game will be on at the house. I'm going to be torching all evening.

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.

A New Year

2010-01-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

It's been a great year so far. At the end of last year I took time to experiment with colors and shapes. I've been blessed with the luxury to experiment, read tutorials and just play with glass. This new year will bring a great variety of beads to offer.

Along with the experimentation I have been contemplating having a table at some bead and jewelry shows in the Austin area. If those go well I may plan more shows away from home. First I need to create a lot of beads for those shows. The first show I'm thinking about is The Whole Bead Show at the Palmer Auditorium in March.

The final thing I would like to speak about is the current project I've just started. I normally don't like to make jewelry but I've made an exception. I am working on a spiny knotted bracelet demonstrated by Stephanie Sersich in her book Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads. I've made all my components in a color palet I thought would be nice. I went to the local bead stores to get the other supplies and beads I needed. Now my plan for the day is to start the bracelet.