Time flies when your making beads...

I made this sweet duo tonight from beads fresh from the kiln...The body of the red beads are made from a simple and rich red glass layered with a deep brown stringer and melted in. It gives the red depth and sits nicely next to the muted grey. 

There was nothing more relaxing than making beads today with (dare I say it) a crisp breeze flowing in. Time flies by so quickly. I hope everyone has a great week!

Back to Center...

This has been the craziest time of my life (that I can remember anyway).  I finished grad school and landed an amazing job..which starts next week! Yikes! I have been growing Lizard Breath Beads and working on new creative projects and team working. Double yikes! It is all good stuff so I say BRING IT ON!  This involves a bunch of transitions and life changes and I know I will have to dig deep to do a great job.  I am inspired and supported by some amazing people! With that said I also want to be a BB..Better Blogger!  I need to get more organized with time and materials and fine tune this operation:)  So here here to digging deep, working hard and getting back to center.

Snap shots from my work bench...

The glass rods before then meet the flame

Nearly a finished product...a quick dance in the flame and then off to the kiln.

Transparent red glass as I let it drip a bit in the flame

 I had a very relaxing time at the torch last night. Here are some quick views of the flame, process and kiln. 

kiln controls

Inside the kiln

bit o'frit



Carpe Diem

Think Beyond

Do we seize the day or push on towards tomorrow? Both? As I listed these two items I thought they might be slightly contradictory in statement. I made them on different days and each message spoke to me as I pounded the letters in to the copper in my garage.  I think it's great to take in the moment and let it build you up for what you are working towards and trying to be. A work in progress...but enjoying the ride.  Who knew a necklace could provoke so much thought :)

One of my goals for this week is to restock the Etsy shop.  I have some exciting items in the works and many to be listed as the week goes on.  Stay tuned and checking in for more and more.  There is a link above that will take you directly to the shop.  I feel a give away coming on too!

In other news, I went to the Eden Corn Fest over the weekend to support my very talented brother and sister-in-law.   They are very creative artists that make and sell a variety of pottery as well as  jewelry and wares from antique silver ware. So cool!  If you are looking for a treat for your eyes..check out their Cardinal Designs facebook page. 

I love checking out other artists and seeing how, where and what they do.  So many amazingly talented people in the world. Sometimes I marvel at the ticker tape reel on Etsy as items pop up and I think about the hands busy at work all over the world...making, listing and sharing! Our day's work, creative expressions, and labors of love!  

....and then it was August.

Hayloft in the Grove-  East Aurora, NY

I have missed blogging this past week! Whisker Fest was a beautiful and fun event. I enjoyed a wonderful weekend with very talented artists as well as great visitors and supporters of the Whisker Fest cause. Thank you to all my friends and family for coming out and it was a pleasure meeting some new friends.

Kitty cat and doggy bling made special for the event

 Now it is time to move on to new projects and stocking my Etsy shop this weekend.  I made these earrings using a harlequin style bead.  The body of the bead is black with a series of cream colored dots positioned closely together and then melted flush to the surface of the bead. I then dot with a transparent turquoise glass and allow the beads to rest on the surface. A quick flash in the flame and then they are off to the kiln.  The technique is fairly easy but gives off a nice level of depth.   Have a wonderful summer weekend as August takes hold!