Monday, August 30, 2010

Back to School


I am sure many of you have kids going back to school. Such an exciting time of year. My classes start tomorrow. A fresh batch of students to introduce to the wonders of glass.
It's so much fun to see how excited they get as I make a simple bead. Such a everyday thing for me that I forget how cool it is to see glass melting and being shaped into a round bead.
I really need to figure out how many times or students I have taught glass bead making to. It's got to be getting close to over 500. Wow that's a lot!
Be working on my metal and will make sure I get some pictures up soon.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ohhh such a bad girl.


Hate it when I don't post for a long time, but my Dad was in the hospital, and I was really nervous and too unfocused to do a good blog post. Dad is fine but when you have only one parent left it can get kind of scary.

Ok on to matters of epic proportions...etching metal. Ok so a fellow blogger Judith posted some pictures of her super cool etchings that she had done. She got some really good deep etches and we exchanged emails about how sometimes you get good etchings, and sometimes you don't.

Recently I had a friend tell me to try Red permanent markers, saying it worked better than black. Well I tried it and I am thinking I got better results with black. So I tried a little experiment and it does seem the black is better.
In the photo the two smaller ones I used black permanent marker, and the larger I used red.

Anybody else have any results they might like to share for deeper etchings? Longer soaking, red or black markers? Humm the mystery's of etching.


Sunday, August 8, 2010

Oh felting how I love you so..


Dang and double dang. Why oh why did I have to start loving this felting thing? I have always adored the wonderful and talented Gail Moore who felts beautifully and teaches! I never felt the pull until lately.
On the other hand do very simple beginning type stuff, but I am starting to expand and my head is spinning with ideas.
I guess its the feel of the fibers, the rich colors, and the endless possibilities that are pulling me in.
Of course I always have loved fibers, and now the goal is to combine the glass, metal, and fibers altogether. It will take time cause I just don't want to slap stuff together, but take my time to really discover what feels good to my aesthetic.
Patience grasshopper...

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

I'am Backkkkkkk


Yep back from the ISGB Gathering 2010. I had a blast.
We had a wonderful opening reception at the Eastman House in the Gardens. We were able to wander in the home of Mr. Eastman. It was a beautiful night.
I reconnected with tons of my friends and then back to open torch.
Next up demos on Friday and then while I was in the Tech Vendors area who do I see but my buddy and author of Totally Twisted Kerry Bogart!

The Bead Bazaar was on Sat. and was so much fun. I was next to my friend Nolly. My friend from work (Denise) was my roommate and she worked my booth so I could look around and see everyone's work.

I talked to several studio owners (who hopefully I will be teaching for next year), and tons of people asking where I teach. So if you are interested in me teaching in your area the best thing for you to do is contact your local studio and let the owner know!
They love to know they can fill a class if they feel there is an interest in an artist.

I went out to dinner with some really fun people on Sat. night and we literally laughed the whole time. Some pretty witty people in the ISGB.

Got to spend time with tons of old friends and made lots of new ones. Can't wait till next year!