Fire Dance Lampwork Beads and Jewelry

Color of the Year

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

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.

Sara Sally Le Grand -Part II

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's Part II on my Sara Sally La Grand class - can't believe it's been two weeks ago!

The way our class was set up, there were two parts - the first day was lampwork - learning how to make the components for the final pieces we were making. I did that on Friday, then on Sunday we all came back to learn how to assemble everything.

That gave me Friday night and all day Saturday be the over-achiever and make lots of parts

I decided to focus on a color scheme to cut down on my design issues when the time came. It turned out to be a very dramatic one - red, white and black.

So here is my "final" for the class. The picture on the left shows how it was designed to be worn...

But is was pointed out that if you turned it to the side, it looks like a carnal mask!

I have a great time playing with the shapes and forms. This is definitely not a piece to wear in a "hugging" situation.

I want to figure a way to display this in a shadow box so it can be enjoyed when it's not being worn.

Have been asked about the size, 6 inches from point to point. Not for the faint of heart...

Class with Sara Sally Le Grand

2012-01-20T05:48:00.001-05:00

Last week - and it's hard to believe it's been that long ago - I took a fantastic class with Sara Sally Le Grand.

I came away so inspired - more ideas than I can fabricate any time soon.

Sara is a wonderful instructor, full of information and more than willing to share with us. And the way her class was set up, we actually had time to work on making pieces. And she was available to help if you had a question or a problem.

I love her work - it's so organic not just the color but the shapes.

Here's the piece I bought from her -

There were so many wonderful pieces it was difficult to choose. The title of this piece is
"Louie Batton". She made it in honor of a bat that was in the convention center in Louisville at the "ISGB Gathering "conference last year.

Too bad you can't see the bat wings in this picture.

In my next entry, I'll post my piece - maybe even PIECES!

New piece of work

2012-01-14T19:50:00.001-05:00

I continue to explore working with my glass flowers, leaves and pods. Am taking a class with Sara Sally Le Grand this week and hope I have something worth showing from there.

I am hoping it will allow me to "take off" in some different directions.

It takes time for lessons learned in a class to stop looking like you took so-and-so's class and the techniques become your own. I am looking forward to that journey.

But in the meantime, here is one of my "big honkin'"floral pieces. It has a sunny feeling about it.

I was inspired by some of the gardens we would stumble upon while wandering the neighborhoods of Murano, Italy.

Unfortunately, I can't find the picture I was looking for, but the garden was at the rear of the house and it faced the pathway we would sometimes take.

Since I couldn't find that picture, I am adding one of grapes growing outside of one of the glass studios we visited.

These colors inspired the piece in the post below which I refer to as "Autun>"

Both pieces are available at Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-30T10:34:00.000-05:00

Wow! Can't believe it's been over 2 months since posting! New Year's Resolution is to do better at this.
It's been a great year. I have learned so much and have several new things I look forward to exploring in the world of glass next year - and to see how these explorations will fit into what I like to do.

The Fire Foxes will not only be in Southfield, MI this spring but we're headed for BeadFest Santa Fe as well and we are excited! We won't have a big booth but we'll be loaded down with lots of goodies for sure. Even if we have to stuff our pockets and wear everything around our necks on the plane!

Happy New Year to everyone!

More Flower Jewelry

2011-10-24T18:06:00.001-04:00

Am adding my favorite piece that I put into Our Town. I'm really getting into making flowers and jewelry from them. It can be time consuming on both ends. But exploring colors and combinations has been a lot of fun.

I call this piece "Autumn"...

It's been too long...

2011-10-15T06:07:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe it's been almost 3 months since I lasted posted. Since that time I went to the Gathering which is the ISGB's annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky - a great place to visit during July.

In August, Fire Foxes did our annual show, Beadfest Philadelphia - which I sat out.

And September I was gone 18 days to visit Barcelona, Spain for 4 nights followed by a wonderful 11 day cruise of the Mediterranean. We visited Sicily, Greece, Malta, Croatia and Italy. We saw Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics, climbed the wall in Dubrovnik, Croatia and climbed Mt. Versuvius in Pompeii. (there was a lot of climbing involved in this trip - lots of walls too)

And this month, Bead Bonanza with the Foxes and "Our Town" which closes today, so I am very much behind in my blog.

But I will post some pictures of my newest work.

This set I call, "Summer Dreams " and it is the second set using my floral and leaf beads. This set is available for sale at Arts Afire, in Alexandria, VA.

Will do better at updating this blog. I missed it!

Cass Tech

2011-07-25T12:27:00.000-04:00

Much to write about these days - but first I need to vent about my old high school. This was my reunion weekend, dare I mention which one? Cass Tech was a very special school. First it was 8 stories high and we had 4 large elevators.

We had 27 curriculum there from Chem-Bio to Heating and Cooling. My graduating class was about 1,100 students, about 100 were those who graduated in January (this is probably dating me right there!)

The build has been empty for some time but I did not realize they had begun the demolition and was shocked to learn not only had they started but were at least 3/4 of the way to completion.

So here in Detroit we are losing another major landmark that should have been preserved and re-purposed.

The new Cass is doing well at producing high achieving students as well. the current principal was there and announced that 98% of the graduating class of over 600 where headed to college and that 85% of the class had received scholarships.

The building is gone but the spirit lives on...

My 4th of July

2011-07-09T10:15:00.002-04:00

My blog tends to go off in different directions - business but my travels as well. I would like to think that my travels influence my work in some way or another.

But last week was spent with friends up north in Benzonia, MI - which is near Crystal Mountain, Crystal Mountain and about 25 minutes southwest of Traverse City.

One of the high lights of the trip was the Frankfort Parade - it was great! A true small town parade!

The state police on horse back, followed by one of the most important people, the lucky officer who gets to clean up the horse poop! She deserves major pats on the back!

Several fire companies were in attendance and the one who got the most attention was this one. They would stop the truck and 2-3 men held up the ladder while another firefighter climbed up one side and down the other.

And the thing that was most touching to me
was to see the VFW members and the grand
marshal of the parade, another VFW member...

It was pretty cool to spend the 4th in Small Town, USA.

Baltimore Show

2011-07-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

I hope to post info on some of the wonderful vendors who were at the show. This of course requires taking pictures, assuming of course that I have made something to take pictures of!!!

So for now, here are some booth shots...

Home Again - return from Baltimore

2011-06-29T09:57:00.002-04:00

Well, another show is under our belt - the Best Bead Show in Baltimore in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Very beautiful area, the Marriott where the show as held was lovely and I got to meet some great new vendors with really cool stuff - more on that to come.

I feel like I had just recovered from the trip to Milwaukee only to be packing up and on the road again. But road trips are fun in their own way. So off Joy and I went, leaving Kathleen and her broken ankle at home to mend.

We battled torrential rain and road construction but made it safe and sound to our destination, only to discover (clue the creepy music) "the incline of doom" that served as the loading ramp for the lower ballroom where we were going to be located.

Pictures will not to justice to the 60 degree or greater slope. Add to this high, narrow concrete walls and a long drive, plus a line to drive down to unload and you have a nightmare in the making...

A decision was made NOT to attempt to drive down this monster so we used our dollies and hand trucks to move everything down... More to come...

Home Again

2011-06-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

We are back from Bead and Button and it was wonderful to see old friends and make new ones. Now to get ready for Baltimore next week - check out show listing on this page.

Will try to get some new things up on Etsy as well, as I promised some of the folks I spoke with at B&B.

And will have to post pics of some of the goodies I got. Copper, which was hot 2 years ago was almost impossible to find. Pewter seems to be "in" for now. Some of it is just beautiful, breathtakingly so. It looks like it was molded from Hill Tribe silver. It is nickel and lead free, highly polished given a lovely patina. Can't wait to play with it!!!!

Getting ready for Bead & Button

2011-06-04T20:57:00.000-04:00

The heat is on as the song goes... the torch has been humming and I'm trying to sort, price and organize my trays. I will fret over this until the car is loaded. In the great scheme of life, it's really not a biggie but always seems to be at the time.

Chef Pierre's sous chef will be at the show as well as a full company of 'accouterments'. Doing this grouping has been a lot of fun I only worry no one else will get as much of a kick from them as I did making them!

But I have been doing something more sublime as well - I guess to counter the ridiculous, "Chef Pierre Monkee".

Here a a couple of simple tab sets that I enjoyed doing. Love playing with frit. For non-glass workers, frit is crushed or even ground color glass that is added to a piece to give it color and texture. It can be used as a background or simply on it's own.

Blue Hawaii

Hawaiian Sunset

Nothing fancy, but I like the colors and textures... I can see them in bracelets for sun wear...

So incase I don't get back to the blog, if you're there, come meet me at Bead &Button in Milwaukee next week, booth 1018, it's the Glass Act booth but we're listed as 'SE MI Glass Beadmakers Guild'.

Monkey Business

2011-05-29T08:03:00.024-04:00

Behind on the blog again and Etsy of course. But here's something I haven't done in awhile - a monkey.

Introducing, Chef Pierre. He's wearing his chef toque, white smock with black trim and buttons, black pants and white gym shoes. (I should add a red dot to signify Converse shoes in honor of my son-in-law the chef. No Chef Pierre is not model after him). He's about 3 inches tall from his shoes to his toque, not counting the copper wire work.

And since he's a chef, he needs 'accouterments' - french for 'stuff'. (Ah, all those years of studying french in school are paying off!!!).

I had been making veggie beads but the chef needs more stuff so here it is!
Have to confess, am loving the french bread and since this picture, my wine bottles have improved in their shape.

Chef Pierre and his accoutrements will be appearing on Etsy soon. Aurevoir for now...

Show updates

2011-05-17T14:21:00.000-04:00

Time will get away from me, the garden has been calling...

But a little business to address, new shows. I've made a couple of small changes to the blog lay-out and now you can find show info more easily.

Now for a sunny day to take some new pictures of actual work!!!

Spring has sprung!!!

2011-05-05T13:32:00.000-04:00

I guess it's really here. After so many gray skies, rain, drizzle and fog (I am so grateful no tornados) we have had two days of sun and relative warmth in a row! Hooray!

I really have been making beads - lots of experimenting with CIM colors - which I would buy and not use for some weird reason. But it takes time to take pictures of beads and jewelry, so instead, here are some pics of flowers in the yard.

The daffs and Charlie Brown (my dwarf weeping cherry) are part of my "Mom garden", in honor of Chuck's mom, Helen, and my mom, Eva. Charlie Brown was so small when I got it, maybe 18 inches 10 years ago, but he's at least 3 foot now. The magnolia is a slipper magnolia I believe.

Off to work in the garden for awhile - beads are a-commin'!

Spring is Here?

2011-04-19T08:19:00.000-04:00

I guess I was premature on my comment. Yesterday we got snow, about 3 inches. The weatherman can say 1 1/2 but in my yard - 3 inches. The good thing is that by noon, most of it was gone. I would rather have the snow than an ice storm.

The flowers will be fine... they are pretty in the snow. Need to adjust the contrast on the one pic. I can't help but wonder why it is that the preview, everything lines up so nice but when it appears on the web, so much for formatting...

Now here is a new piece that was inspired by spring - OK, the hope of spring...

Spring is here

2011-04-06T07:52:00.000-04:00

I guess it's safe to say that spring is here. I tend to be doubtful about these things as some of the worst weather I can recall has happened in April. We may get snow storms but I really hate ice storms. They take down power lines, tree limbs and branches and of course driving is awful.

Here are some pictures that make me feel that there is real hope for the spring...

Spring is Really Here!

2011-04-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

The angle of the sun has change, the crocuses are up, snow drops and of course the weeds, well maybe they were there all a long.

In honor of spring, I have added a few more of our spring buddies - Lady Bugs...

They're in my Etsy Store... and available as pairs if you like. Great for earrings.

Thanks to you

2011-03-26T16:08:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came by Fire Foxes Glass booth and those I saw while working the Glass Act booth. I do so enjoy seeing friends old and new at these shows. We Foxies are working on adding a new show to our list (it will be indoors!!!) Details to come

But I am working at adding to my Etsy shop. My goal is at least 3 new things a week. Here's something new - a Bumble Bee...

New Beads, new theme

2011-03-15T12:12:00.003-04:00

I am known for doing thematic beads, Valentines' Day, Easter, Halloween (I think my favorite), Winter/Christmas.

In preparing for the Tucson show, I got inspired by the southwest and Mexican art. Sometimes inspiration is hard to come by but as I looked around, I realized that I have all this great colorful, bold Mexican are surrounding me at home.

So here are some of my Mexican themed beads -

The heart came from a piece of fabric in the dress of a doll from Mexico.

The bird is a common theme in Mexican art.

Bead Bonaza, March 20, 2011

2011-03-05T13:43:00.001-05:00

I'll be at the GLBW's Bead Bonanza with my foxie friends, Joy and Kathleen at the Fire Foxes Glass table. Come by and see us.

Southfield Municipal Complex Pavilion
26000 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48076
Sunday, March 20, 2011
10 AM - 5 PM, admission $5.00, lots of free parking

I am excited! It's inside and warm!!!

We'll have some new stuff that we are excited about, we look forward to seeing you there!

Add caption

This is an lampworked/electro-formed piece that was inspired by a skirt I saw in a catalogue.

There is a set of matching beads available as well

I'm back home!

2011-03-02T11:03:00.001-05:00

I have been away from my blog for quite some time. After returning from frozen Tucson, I had 5 days to prepare to leave for 2 weeks in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I am not complaining. It was great to warm up, relax and get inspired - and let's not forget going shopping.

I've been working on a Mexican/Central American theme since the first of the year. The gray skies of Michigan in the winter can be tough for finding inspiration for color - nothing against grays, blues and white.

So I started to look around my home. I found loads of color in the Mexican, Central and South American handcrafts that we have collected over the years - and of course while in Mexico I had to pick up a few items to add to the collection - all in the name of "inspiration" of course! My newest friend, or I should say, one of my newest friend. I also got a blue flamingo...

So, the talavera tiles and pottery, the wood carved alebrijes, and Aztec dolls have become my source of inspiration. Please check out my Etsy shop, Fire Dance Lampwork on Etsy.com

Long time - no see

2011-02-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

Well, all I can say is that I have been really busy - busy preparing for Tucson, getting there, surviving it, and the trip home.

The booth looked good - but the weather was wicked cold and windy. Two temp records that had been on the books for more than 100 years were broken while we were there.

There were natural gas shortages - people without heat and water because of the cold.

We had to rent a propane heater, not just for us but for the sake of our customers.

Everyone was great, our hats were off to those braving the cold to visit those of us in the tents. Here's Joy, toasting a marshmallow on our lovely rented "Bronze Heater". It saved our lives!

And on a more serious level - here's a nice shot of our booth in the evening - we almost froze to death!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-06T06:58:00.000-05:00

Well I have not done a good job of keeping up with my blog! Suffice it to say this has been a year of major travel - travel for the sake of travel, travel for shows, and travel for education. I had been away for a least 3 days every month except for the month of March.

January - 6 days in Cancun
February - 14 days in Puerto Vallarta
March - nothing
April - 2 days in DC area, leave for the Mediterranean
May - Greece, Egypt, Cypress, Israel, Turkey (17 days)
June - Milwaukee, Bead and Button
July - up north in Michigan 2 and the Gathering in Rochester, NY
August - Beadfest Philly, 5 days
September - Murano Italy, class with Lucio Bubaco, 12 days
October - Grand Rapids, only 1 night, up north 2 nights
November - South America (left on Halloween), 21 days
December - Cancun, 7 days.

Pretty full calendar! I am not complaining! It will probably never be that hectic again.

So do I post and not make beads and jewelry? Afraid not. But there is little on the travel schedule for 2011 so far. Ramping up for Tucson. And as soon as I get a chance it's back to Etsy and taking pictures and posting. Wish there was an app for that...

So until then - here are some pics from my Mediterranean trip...

It's been awhile...

2010-12-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

The fall has been very hectic, much travel, several shows, and now get ready for the holidays.
Am leaving Cancun today to return home...

November we were South America, Chile, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, and Argentina. I am proud to say I've been around Cape Horn!

Have not had time to attempt to translate any of my travels into glass...

Thank you Grand Rapids

2010-10-19T00:32:00.000-04:00

A big thanks to those who came to see us at the Western Michigan Bead Expo. The show has moved to a new venue, the Prince Conference Center at Calvin College -beautiful and intimate - and best of all, free parking. Thanks also to Nancy and Robin for all of their hard work putting the show together.

As a Michigan artist, I appreciate all of my customers - without them I couldn't follow my passion - lampworking. I know these are tough economic times but please know your patronage is appreciated. I worry that we will lose some of our smaller bead venues and some of our artists for lack of support.

When I came home from Grand Rapids on Saturday evening I notice I had received a catalogue from "an oriental" bead importer/supplier. My husband had looked through the catalogue and commented on why should people buy from us lampworkers when these beads are available.

All I could say was ours is a superior product, there's a person with a name behind each bead who works hard to make a small piece of wearable art. If you just want a piece of glass, those beads will work for you and you are supporting some factory worker overseas.

But if you want something special that is unique and a miniature piece of art - I'm there along with many other Michigan lampworkers.

So again, than your for your support.

New Etsy listing

2010-10-13T16:00:00.000-04:00

I am working hard at getting my work up on Etsy, not really good at taking pictures but am getting better! And since Halloween is upon us, and it one of my favorite times, I have to have Halloween beads! Here's the newest one up, a "haunted tombstone" though he's not a really scary ghost...

West Michigan Bead Expo VII - Grand Rapids

2010-10-12T10:19:00.000-04:00

Another weekend coming up and another show. Joy and I head to Grand Rapids on Friday for the West Michigan Bead Expo VII. It's a great show in Grand Rapids and this year they have changed the location. This year it's at -

Calvin College
Prince Conference Center
1800 East Beltline SE
Grand Rapids, MI

Saturday, October 16
10 am - 5 pm
Admission - $3.50

We are looking forward to being there at their new location, look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

Bead Bonanza Thanks

2010-10-11T06:21:00.000-04:00

For everyone who came by to see us - thank you so much. It was good to see our "old" friends and we made some new friends. Be sure to check out my Etsy store. It is a work in progress with a major learning curve. But I am up to 4 items as of this moment and there will be more holiday themed pieces going up this week.

Bead Bonanza - Sunday, Oct 10

2010-10-07T13:59:00.000-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog!!! I will be at Bead Bonanza, Southfield MI this Sunday with my foxie beadie buddies, Joy and Kathleen in our Fire Foxes Glass booth.

The show runs from 10 until 5 and is at the Southfield Civic Center Pavilion,
26000 Greenfield Road
Southfield, MI 48076

Admission is $4 and parking is free. Come by and say "hi"

Home from Muarano, Italy

2010-09-30T07:24:00.001-04:00

Got back last Thursday and hit the ground running, dinner and concert on Friday, out of town guests and dinner out on Saturday, grandson & husband birthday - dinner out on Sunday. By Sunday, a sinus infection and jet lag had a major hold on me.

Much better now but busy getting ready for Bead Bonanza on the 10th and the show in Grand Rapids on the 16th - check show listing.

Will have pictures up soon. I had over 3,000 and have edited them down to about 2,000. Still have a long way to go!

Off we go!

2010-09-11T07:15:00.000-04:00

Well, today is the big day. I have packed and repacked my bags several times and knowing me, I will try to sneak in there one or two more time. I am excited to be going and will try to upload pictures in case anyone is interested - if not, oh well, keeps me busy.

Tomorrow will be a busy day, Joy and I will arrive at 9:15 and be met by Ofilia, drop off our bags and hit the ground running as it were. Details to come.

September 2010

2010-09-09T19:22:00.000-04:00

Wow am I behind in this thing! No pictures yet but they're coming!

First, I will have 3 pieces in the "Our Town", a four day exhibit and show at The Community House, in Birmingham, MI. The opening night party takes place on Wednesday, October 13 5:30 - 9:30. The show itself runs through Saturday, October 16. It is an amazing show. So much art in one place and for such a short time but sales are brisk and the money goes to support various programs of The Community House.

Second, Joy and I are headed to Murano, Italy on Saturday for a 7 day glass workshop with Lucio Buccaco, and tours of some pretty cool places. I hope to see a lot, learn a lot and we won't say - eat alot.

There will be pictures...

Bye-bye Philly

2010-08-22T23:56:00.001-04:00

Well, Bead Fest Philly is over for the year. The booth is packed and we're all tired and looking forward to a good night's sleep before the long drive home tomorrow.

It was wonderful to see all of our old friends and to make new ones. Thank you for stopping by and shopping with us. We look forward to seeing you again next year...

Hello Philly

2010-08-22T08:53:00.000-04:00

Joy, Kathleen and I are here as Fire Foxes Glass. It's our last day before we head home. It has been a good show and great to see our friends from past shows in Philly but I have seen several friends from Bead and Button show! I love it!

As much fun as it's been, it will be good to return home!

Almost there

2010-07-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Have been working on getting stuff together for the Bead Bazaar and making sure I have pen and paper for taking notes at all the presentations given by the different artists.

No new pictures to put up - would rather be making beads but brunt my left thumb and fore finger trying to catch a mandrel falling out of the 950 degree kiln - not so good. Put an end to bead making for the day and into next week. Good news, no blisters - got it under cool water for 15 minutes.

But will have lots when I get back! I am getting excited!

Bead Unique Magazine, Summer 2010

2010-07-24T07:33:00.002-04:00

I have been remiss in posting this. When I first scanned it in, it think it was before the computer died and had to be replaced, when they copied the hard drive some things didn't "translate" well. Then I lost the magazine - found it again so here's the picture of my "Luna Vessel" - one of my favorites.

So if you have the summer issue, you'll find my work in the gallery section.

ISGB Gathering, Rochester, New York

2010-07-24T07:27:00.003-04:00

I am excited to be attending the Gathering in Rochester. It's been at least 3 year since I attended my last one in Minneapolis. Am looking forward to the presentations and of course all the tech vendors with all their goodies but I have to be good since we're headed to Murano, Italy in September...

At any rate, by beadie buddy Joy Cichewicz and I will be sharing a table at Saturday's Bead Bazaar. Know I will be at the torch until Tuesday trying to get that last bead made!

July 7, 2010

2010-07-07T22:54:00.003-04:00

Am working on a "sea shore" theme. I think I'm stuck and I guess I have to work through it. The starfish necklace turned out nicely I think... it's available at the Lawrence Street Gallery, Ferndale, MI - www.lawrencestreetgallery.com

There is a learning curve on this

2010-06-25T00:28:00.003-04:00

I am still learning how this works. Have been able to add a page with a picture. The learning curve is going to kill me but I am determined. Hope to have pictures of actual work up on this thing soon.

Welcome!

2010-06-23T17:01:00.003-04:00

Well, we're trying something new and I think I'm going to like it and maybe you will too.

Bear with me, this is a work in progress and there is a learning curve but I'll figure it out (thanks in advance Joy!!!)

But at least you know where you can find me at shows this summer!!!