fire and glass

When I first began melting glass I was averse to presses. I’ll admit it. I was a press snob. I thought they made the beads look too commercial…too perfect, no longer hand made. And, I thought they looked 'easy'. But I noticed that the trend seemed to be designers (who were doing most of the purchasing on EBay) with a huge preference for pressed beads, so some where along the way I decided to give them a try. The first one I bought was a spree. Someone said that was the easiest to start with. I think it was a good month before I had one bead fit for selling…granted, I did give up on it for a time and let it sit in the corner to collect dust for a bit before I decided to give it another go. So much for ‘easy’. The use of presses to form a well balanced, nicely shaped bead with neat ends takes a good deal of practice and with the help of artisans before me I learned a few tricks of the trade . Mostly I learned through trial and error. Removing and adding glass until my eye was tra...

These came out of the kiln yesterday. A rather subdued earthy palette.. Last night I created a most beautiful bead in my head just before I went to sleep... shhhh..I don't want to say this too loud, but I think my muse is back. Click on the image to visit the auction for these handmade glass beads

..and anyone else contemplating serious changes to their blog template. Back it up first. I know we've all heard that more than a few times. But seriously , back it up first. I think I know enough code to squeak by and then I get myself into trouble and I realize that in reality I only know enough to cause problems. If my blog seems to be transient every time you come in here, its because I've ruined my template trying to install code to give myself peek a boo posts...you know the kind that if you have a very long post like the 'Artisan to Note' interviews, you can just post teasers on the main page putting the remainder else where on your blog with a 'read more here' link. It's the *elsewhere* that poses a problem for me. Bear with me, I'm sure I'll work it all out.

I've been fantasizing lately about learning metalwork. Just enough to incorporate it into my flameworked glass somehow. The act of hammering and flaming something as inscrutable as metal into a malleable shape is very similar to glass work I suppose ... Quite some time ago I came upon this wonderful ironworker, Kirsten Skiles and added her site to my ever growing list of 'Noteworthy blogs' so that I can share her with all of you.. and so that I could peek in from time to time. She's always hard at work. Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to work with metal? When I was a senior in college in anthropology, I decided to take a jewelry class. I thought it would be a casual class, beads, macrame, fun stuff. Little did I know, I was getting into a hard-core art class. I loved it. I got hooked. Click on the images for more detail Did you take classes or are you self-taught? I finished up my anthropology degree (1996) and stuck around town to take jewelry c...

Click on the image to take a closer look

..and other treats for the soul. Do you indulge yourself? All the experts agree that it's vital for good mental health to treat yourself once in a while to those things you consider a luxury. and, if you're going to eat cake, morning would be the best time to eat it. It was my sons 17th birthday yesterday and the cake was there on the counter this morning, as were the saucer and forks. All laid out and waiting.. I've a whole list of things to do today, if I run while doing them I'm sure I can work this off of one hip anyway!..Enjoy your day.

Thursday morning.. I'm trying to keep to somewhat of a schedule. Contrary to what those with a regular 9-5 may think, working at home is difficult. At least for those who are undisciplined ~like me. I've decided that Thursday will be for blog writing..hence, the entry...and for working on the construction of jewelry, which I don't enjoy nearly as much as I do melting the glass. That would explain the 3 containers of beads you see in front of my work space there. The trouble is 'creativity' and 'schedules' ...and there is a word for this but my brain is failing me at the moment. They just do not work well together..it's as though someone is standing over you saying 'Create...NOW' One sort of rebels at that and locks up. However, if you're going to be professional and make your work a successful business you have to find a way to keep your muse on call. I've filled my work space with color and past work...drawings, paintings, words...as wel...

How do you find that colorful creative energy that is needed to fuel your work? Here are a few concrete ideas that I have used in the past. 1. Curl up with some really great quilting/fabric or interior design magazines and just absorb the color combinations and patterns. Pottery and dishes are great inspiration for jewelry..as are museum catalogs..look up by gone periods and ogle some of the jewels or even the dishes of that time. Art Deco. Byzantine. Renaissance. 2. Add music to your space. Music can inspire and move you..be bold and listen to something you wouldn't normally listen to. Mood changes the flow in your environment and can definitely alter the work that comes from within. 3. Get outside. Breathe in the fresh air and try to see your surroundings through child eyes. Notice texture,line and color. Is it possible to take a rod of glass and mimic the pattern of wood? Notice how cool a shade of brown looks with a certain shade of moss..How is it that nature never messes u...

I enjoyed creating this small botanical series of focals with the hand-pulled cane yesterday. These came out of the kiln this morning. I etched them all to bring out the background detail..which etching tends to do..and oddly the silver glasses in the leaf cane would not etch and remained fairly glossy. Just one of the design elements that the glass decided on.. These are very tactile and would make lovely pendants. Click on the image to check out the auctions.