Return from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Good to be back home after being away for two weeks.  Wish I could say the weather was perfect - it wasn't.  We had several days of clouds, over cast skies, and in some cases, downpours.

But there's a rainbow in there somewhere... and here's the picture. For some reason, the picture appears darker than it should...

But at least it was warmer than at home in Michigan and when it was cloudy, there were still palm trees and beautiful tropical flowers to enjoy.

And it was nice coming home to nice weather, including sunshine which makes the transition so much easier.

But now, it's time to hit the torch in preparation for our two bead shows - Bead Bonanza, Sunday, March 11 and our newest adventure - BeadFest Santa Fe, March 15- 18.

I will of course be with my fellow Fire Foxes at the Fire Foxes Glass booths.

So there are many beads to make to prepare for both shows with a small downtime in between.

Here is another piece inspired by my last class.  I call it
"Martian Flutter-by".  It reminds me of an abstract butterfly - gee, and I just got back from a vacation...

It is much prettier in person.  It is a broach and about 4 inches by 4 inches.

This piece is currently available at Lawrence Street Gallery.

What have I been up to?

I have been feverishly making beads to prepare for our two up-comming shows. If you need spacer sets come on over and see me at Fire Foxes Glass in March! I make spacer sets as warm-ups to bead making or before  playing with a new color. So as a result, there are lots of spacer set in new colors.

Even though we have been blessed by a warm and sunny winter here in south-eastern Michigan - I know I am ready to "think spring" and I think these pieces are pretty "springy" (is that a word?)

Fairy Necklace - Spring  

I call these "Fairy Neckpieces".  They are lampwork leaves, flowers and crystals built on silver-plated neckpiece. They are comfortable to wear and I try to keep these light and delicate in their design. I tend to believe that if one is good, 3 is better and 5 is fantastic.

Fairy Neckpiece - Bridal Tears 

Matching earrings are available. Both pieces are available at Lawrence Street Gallery.

They will also be at Bead Bonanza on March 8th - not so sure about Santa Fe as we have REALLY limited space.

I will have the components to make your own piece at both shows. And of course you can contact me, Fire Dance Lampwork

New pieces

I am continuing to explore what I learned in my last class.  My goal is to "make it my own". But while on this journey I have had a great time playing with shapes, form and color.

Carnival

This is the second piece I made on my own after the class.  I was using the extra pieces that I made.

I really like this one too.  It's more "wear-able", about 6 inches across.  I have worn it twice to test drive it.

This one, is much smaller. I had a friend of mine on my mind when I made it...

It's about 3 inches tall.  It can be rotated to it's side as well.  I think it's cute and also quite"wear-able".

I have been asked about the weight of these pieces. They can get kind of heavy but I wore the above piece with a knit cotton blazer without any problem. Gauzy silk - no way!!!

These pieces are currently at Lawrence Street Gallery. Eventually I will get them up on Ety.com

But for now, am working hard to prepare for  Bead Bonanza and BeadFest SantaBeadFest Santa Fe Fe next month!

And I am working on matching earrings and rings to go with these pieces.

I am having too much fun!!!!

Color of the Year

I have been know to get into color slumps - and can't seem to find inspiration any where.

Sometimes I can come up with some cool color combos, either on my own or by being inspired by things around me.  I once took pictures of the upholstery of a restaurant booth - still working on that one...

But there better sources than taking pictures in restaurants (though it might work for you).

Check out the PANTONE for Spring 2012 collection.  It will give you a color boost - and with the gray skies of winter, we can use it.

TANGERINE TANGO it the color for the Year 2012.

"Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.


"Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."



It's worth checking out the Pantone site, PANTONE because their forecasts effect everything in our lives.

I was looking for a bedspread in shades of soft pinks and greens - no such luck.  Those are not trend colors for the year.

And these decisions were not made last year, but several years ago so manufactures can produce the needed paints, dyes and pigments to make the cloth, house paint and finger nail polishes in these trend colors.