Tuesday, January 31, 2012

What? It's Tuesday? Where Did Motivation Monday Go?

So yesterday I completely forgot it was Monday.  But the good news is I was extremely motivated!  I think I had double the number of beads in the kiln this morning than any typical day in a long time.  I'm up really early this morning, so I'm going to make this post quick and get straight to work.  Watch for lots of new Etsy listings today!

For some reason I've been thinking about birds lately.  I have no idea why since I typically steer clear of sculptural work.  But I'm going to see what I can do with these little guys as inspiration:
















and I think it's a Traveling Wilburys kind of day:

Happy Monday (Tuesday)  Thanks for stopping by and stay motivated!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

What's Up Wednesday - Murrini

upcoming events, news, and interesting tidbits

The good, the bad and the ugly.  Sometimes you have to share them all!  I tried making murrini for the first time the other day.  I have a new appreciation for those that make these little guys! I've always been impressed with skill required to produce those tiny works of art.  I tried the simplest one, and this is what happened:


Teeny, tiny little things!  And using the glass nippers had these things flinging all over my studio!  I was down on my knees under the table trying to find them and wound up with 8. So I tried incorporating them in a bead.  This has never been my strong suite, which is actually what made me want to make these in the first place.  I figured if I practice the application with murrini I made, I wouldn't be wasting the fancy ones I've purchased!

This one turned out ok ~ if a little bland:

Now for the real fun.  (fun?)  Trying to encase the little guys.  

Oh look ~ little red bats!  So not what I was going for! 

And so I head back to the torch for more practice.

Have an absolutely fabulous Wednesday!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Motivation Monday - Colors

Things that inspire me, color combinations I love, the music that rocks my studio and 
anything else that makes me want to jump up and make a bead!

I seem to have been inspired simply by color lately.  It happens occasionally, a whole day where only 2 or 4 colors come out of the kiln.  This week I had a coral day, and a blue and green day.  It's a good exercise to just see how many ways you can use a few colors.  Today I really think I want to focus on pink and black. I found this pic on pinterest and while I don't think I have a pink that vibrant, I'm still inspired by the photo.

Really, if any glass company produced this color I would buy a hundred pounds of it! In the mean time, I'll work with what I have (and see what I can come make with layering).

On the other hand, I purchased a photo from Natural Illumination the other day that I find really inspirational, so maybe I'll go with that; the ocean always, always inspires me and the quote is awesome!! (p.s. great customer service and stunning photo!)


and the music for the week is Styx
Friends of mine are opening for them at a local show, so of course I had to get tickets!  Congratulations to Lynus and Lucy!


Thanks for checking in ~ and stay motivated!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What's Up Wednesday

The view from my studio window

The view from inside the studio

Guess where I'll be all day!

Stay warm my friends!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Motivation Monday - Colorful Combinations

Things that inspire me, color combinations I love, the music that rocks my studio and 
anything else that makes me want to jump up and make a bead!

It's Motivation Monday and do you know what I want to make today?  Everything!  I'm sitting here with a hundred ideas running through my head; colors, shapes, styles ~ and I just can't decide where to start.  I seriously need to focus!  

If I could make a bead from my thoughts right now, it would look like this~

or this

I think I need to listen to something really calming today!  A reminder to just breathe is probably a good idea.
There's a Jimmy Buffet song for everything!

Thanks for checking in and stay motivated!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What's Up Wednesday - New Torch

upcoming events, news, and interesting tidbits


I got a new torch! Well, I got it last summer, but I finally set it up!

  I've been using a Nortel Mega Minor for the last year.  

I love this torch!  It's perfect for what I do, the flame is big enough to melt glass fast, and small enough for detail work.  I can fiddle with the knobs for a wide range of propane and oxygen mixes to affect the colors of different glass.  Plus, it's pretty!


But, I bought this guy.  It's big.  So big that I've been afraid to set it up.  It's been in a cupboard in my studio since last summer.  I finally decided I had to set it up, so I cleared my bench and set it up next to my mega minor, because I knew I didn't want to switch completely yet.
This one has a HUGE flame!  Just about the first thing I did was burn through a mandrel. Mandrels are made of stainless steel and I didn't even know it was possible to melt them!  So far, in two days of playing with this, I've made approximately ONE bead that wasn't totally ugly.  I even pulled out my boro glass, and still got ugly beads.  I'm going to have to use my smaller torch for a while to catch up on orders, but I WILL master this one!  

Monday, January 9, 2012

Motivation Monday - Cake Pops

Things that inspire me, color combinations I love, the music that rocks my studio and 
anything else that makes me want to jump up and make a bead!


What's motivating me today?  I don't know yet, but I better find something!  Whenever I'm stuck for ideas, I head over to pintrest. It's really a great place for inspiration! Maybe I'll try these?

And I think the music will be old school today:


Thanks for stopping by and stay motivated!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Relay for Life Fundraiser

I am getting a seriously late start on this!  I'm participating in the Anacortes Relay for Life again this year and I need to start working towards my goal of raising $200.00.  I have several items available for sale if you are interested in helping me reach my donation goal  :)

Two year calendars ~ 2012/2013 $4 each


Pink rubber Awareness bracelets with your choice of word:  Survivor, Faith, Hope or Strength 
$1.50

And Purple or Pink beaded bracelets with shell hearts, letters spelling Hope, and a silver hope/ribbon charm  $5.00


If you would like to make a donation and help me reach my goal please leave a comment here, send me an email, contact me on Facebook or through Etsy and tell me which item or items you would like and I will send you a Paypal invoice.  Shipping is included and every penny raised will go directly to Relay for Life. 

Thank you for helping me reach my goal and supporting the fight for more birthdays!

You can follow the progress of my team here:  Team Hope For Tomorrow



Featured Friday - Natural Illumination

Cool Handmade Stuff From Artists I Admire

Today's Featured Friday is Natural Illumination

My customer turned friend opened an Etsy shop yesterday!  She takes beautiful, tranquil photographs and incorporates inspirational quotes.   And she's super sweet!  :)

This one is my favorite!

Or maybe this one?!


It's so hard to choose!  But I've already placed a custom order ~ Yep, she will customize any photo to fit your favorite size, color tone, quote,and  picture combination. How cool is that!

What are you waiting for?  Go check out her shop!

Thanks for taking a peek ~ and check back next Friday for more fun, handmade finds!



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

What's Up Wednesday - The Flow

upcoming events, news, and interesting tidbits

I have an exciting announcement!  I'm very honored to have been included in The Flow Magazine's 7th Annual Gallery of Women in Glass!!  


I can't believe my work was included amid all the truly incredible, inspiring artists in this magazine!  If you have a copy of The Flow I'm number 81 on page 16.  


Thank you to The Flow ~ I can't tell you how thrilled I am!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Motivation Monday - Chinese Character Beads

Things that inspire me, color combinations I love, the music that rocks my studio and 
anything else that makes me want to jump up and make a bead!

The first Monday of 2012!  I'll be in the studio all day today and I'll be working on Chinese character beads since I have a special order and I need to replace some in my shop (plus, they're fun!).  

Here's one I already made:  Friend

Here's the special order character I'll try today: Unity

Whew, this one looks hard!


And I feel like rocking 2012 ~ so I think I'll crank a little Nickleback!

Thanks for stopping by and stay motivated!