Random thoughts for the day.....

Well, first off....happy belated 4th of July to you all!  I hope you had a great weekend with lots of food, sun, and fireworks while surrounded by loved ones :)  I got to spend the weekend with DH (who shall be henceforth known as "the dude").  We didn't have anything big planned.  In fact, we try never to do anything around holidays as neither of us can handle the stress of crazy drivers and the overall frenzy that seems to surround any kind of holiday.

We lounged around the house. I actually got on a bike and went on several bike rides with the dude.  There are parts of me that hurt that I didn't even know existed!  For someone who only learned how to ride a bike in her late teens I think I did OK.  It's still an ugly sight but I'm getting there :)  We also grilled on the BBQ and made the yummiest fajitas.  I'll have to post our special concoction sometime soon.  You'll love it!!

I did get a small bit of torching in and my most favorite bead of all time was born this weekend.  I have it listed for sale but, seriously, would be more than happy if it didn't sell.  Hmmm, maybe I should deactivate the listing and just keep it for myself.  Is this one I'll regret selling?

The bead is big.  Focal sized. Definitely meant to be worn as a stand-alone on a simple chain or ribbon.  The bead caps are all handmade by yours truly.

Anyhow, other than taking it easy and enjoying time with the dude I'm also buzzing with some big news.  I can't share because I don't want to jinx it but you know sometimes you have such a big secret it's just dying to pop out?  I haven't told anyone other than the dude and a couple of select peeps.  All I can say is that it's going to be a stressful next couple of weeks.  I'm just on tenterhooks and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to stand it!!

Well, before I ramble anymore I'm signing off.  This is going to be a crazy work week so you definitely won't hear from me at least until the weekend.

Have a great one!!

Scattered....

That's kind of how I feel.  That might be how I've been feeling for a while but consciously I'm really feeling that way today.  I had the best of intentions for this day off:

1.  Finish online tests for school
2.  Torch

Well, I managed to accomplish #1 (yay!) and am officially done with all the testing for my summer course.  Phew!  One final assignment - which hopefully I'll pass the first time around - and then I'm done until classes start back up at the end of August.  Now...you'd think that means I'll have plenty of time to "play" but not really.  Feeling guilty about not having worked much this year I've scheduled myself for lots and lots of work while I don't have any classes.  Maybe not such a good idea?

I sat down to torch.  When the 3rd bead exploded I figured it just wasn't meant to be and shut it down.  I wish I could be a more "on the fly" kind of beadmaker.  Just as much as I could never be a jazz musician because I totally lack the ability to improvise I also cannot come up with bead ideas on the fly.  It's a curse :)  I'm just not flexible enough to go with the flow.  I need some sort of plan....some idea of what I want to accomplish.  Give me Bach any day.

So, today I feel artistically stonewalled.  And maybe that's way I feel all antsy.  Like I'm not quite sure what to do next.....because I didn't get all the things on my list checked off.  Gawd....talk about OCD!!

OK...enough of that....here are some pics of recent stuff just for fun.

Hope you're having a good day wherever you are!  It's 90 degrees out today (more with the humidex I'm sure!) and I'm staying indoors.  Maybe I'll even try to get back on the torch :)

What to do when you're stuck at home

after getting your wisdom teeth removed and you look like a chipmunk and can't go 2 seconds without slobbering all over yourself.....

Get out the PMC and get to work!  Since I'd recently emptied my stash of mini silver spacers it was time to get cracking at making some more.

I didn't count but I'm pretty sure there are at least 100 spacers there.  Hand cut, hand decorated, and the most time consuming - hand polished.

I keep wondering if there's an easier way to do this but I guess not.  It's the polishing after the liver of sulfur treatment that takes the most time.  I'm seriously considering whether to adjust pricing on these things to reflect the total handmade-ness of these beads.

Anyhow, at least it kept me busy today.  I wasn't fit for anything but being at home.  Tomorrow? I have big plans for melting some glass :)

Trey Cornette teaches a mean class!

So I travelled all the way to PA last weekend with hubby in tow to take a beadmaking class from Trey Cornette.  The class was held at Noodlesaurus Glass Studio and I'm telling you.....if you can take a class from Trey or you can take a class at Noodlesaurus....DO IT!!!

Kris and John Schaible were awesome hosts and the 6-torch studio - just perfect for an instructor and 5 students - was an awesome place to take a class.  I loved the small group. We got so much individual attention and there was always room to look over Trey's shoulder while he demo'd.  I don't think it could have been any better.

I wanted to learn about twisted cane and scrollwork.  I learned so much more.  I don't know how many glass epiphanies I had but I came away with a greater understanding of how glass moves, learned a few of Trey's tricks and really got to pick his brain about all sorts of things, both glass and non-glass related.

Here's a hastily snapped pic of the beads we learned how to make.  Mind you, I wish I could take credit for the rockin' Sun Garden bead in the middle (long green bicone) but that was my prize in the demo bead drawing at the end of the class! 

Things I really enjoyed:
1. Meeting everyone!
2. Trey's generosity in sharing
3. How each student went home with a demo bead
4. The smaller studio setting really enhanced my learning experience

I really could go on and on....and on.  But I think you get the idea.  Anyhow, just wanted to share some beady goodness and say a huge thanks to Kris for hosting the class and to Trey for teaching the class.  I feel like I really came away with some excellent glass knowledge which I hope to incorporate into my art going forward :)

Fire on the Mountain

was such a blast!!  Pictures of final product to come at a later date.  I just have no time this week to even attempt to take and edit photos but I came away with a kick-ass Libby L. flower pendant and a Brad P. inspired vessel.  Those of you who know me know I don't do that kind of glass work.

Brad and Libby are FABULOUS teachers so if you ever get a chance to take one of their classes you definitely should! 

I had such fun rooming with the coolest group of gals and met a whole bunch of new beady friends.  These meetings are the best!

Unfortunately....it's back to reality.  I would like to simply make it through this week (keep chanting "one day at a time"). 

Big thanks to Marjorie, Gary, Brad, and Libby as well as all the other Fire on the Mountain peeps for putting on such a great show!!

See you again in the Fall! (I hope!)

Exercise in frustration....

I've been holding off venting to the world but this morning I feel like this:

I feel like I may need to exercise some primal scream therapy or something.  For the most part I'm pretty level-headed.  Until something really irks me and then I have been known to say some not so nice things under my breath.

I have been taking a course at the local community college.  Believe me...it's no institution of higher learning.  Still, I'm invested in this course, learning as much as possible, getting the best grade possible.  If I'm foiled in my quest because the person teaching the course is a butthead who has no idea how to teach and the reason I get a poor grade is not because I dropped the ball I'm going to be (I already am!) a seriously unhappy camper.

I find it highly inappropriate that we should be teaching ourselves the course material.  Not only that but when did you ever have essay questions as your whole science exam (won't say which science)?  I mean, 10 essay questions in 1 hour???  And then you tell me that the reason your taking points is not because the answer I gave wasn't right but because you didn't like how I answered the question?????

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!

I WANT TO HIT SOMETHING!!!!

Check out this site....

I recently discovered Barbara Lewis' website/blog through a fellow lampworker.  Once I checked out her stuff I fell in love and am determined to get an enamelling class under my belt (like I really need more hobbies, right??)

In any case, Barbara recently upgraded/updated her blog and I'm telling you, you should check it out.  Her blog is Painting With Fire Artwear. 

I'm hoping that I'm one of the lucky ones who gets their name pulled for one of the awesome giveaways she's doing!!

It's beautiful outside today.  Finally some sun and warmer temps.  We're off for Thai food and then a day of R&R.  Life is indeed good!

Hope you're having a good one wherever you are :)