Summer life

Raised Garden Beds

Summer is here in full force - I reflect on what I have done for the past 4 weeks and am hard pressed to be able to say what I have accomplished...


Husband recovered from knee replacement and doing very well. I still do certain things that require lifting, carrying and walking on uneven surfaces.


So I have tended the vegetable gardens, our raised beds and daughter's tomato patch (when she's not able to). There will be much salsa and tomato sauce this fall!

Tomato Patch

I continue to explore my Hopi figures - no pics at this time. And have been working on a glass show for next month at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale - and trying to get a couple of new things together for that.


The heat wave of last week did little to encourage studio work - even with air conditioning it was still a bear.


And I have been doing a lot of basic stuff for the upcoming show in Philly next month.


So I promise to get some bead and jewelry stuff up here soon!!!

June 2012

No apologies - just the new stuff!

Am back from doing the Bead and Button Show for the 9th - or is it the 10th year - for our guild, Glass Act.  Been home a week and feel like my feet are back on the ground.  No new travels until Bead Fest Philly in August.

But at least I can post a new piece I did. Yes, I have been inspired by my recent travels - it has taken some time to get my ideas translated into glass.

While in Santa Fe, I fell in love with the culture - of course. But in particular, the Story Teller figures which are traditionally made of local clay and fired in wood burning kilns.

This is an example of one made by the Jemez Pueblo I believe.  The figures relate to the oral tradition of passing down Pueblo history.

At any rate, I have been playing around with the concept, trying to make it my own.  It took some time and a lot of good glass gave it up for my research but here's one of my interpretations of the figures.

My little figure has the traditional 'maiden's' hairstyle, and is wearing

her turquoise jewelry.  I for course have used my artistic license.

I hope to eventually add the little children in some way but then it will go from a bead to a small sculptural piece.

She's about 3 1/2 inches tall and also has little sisters who are about 2 inches tall.  Hope to get some new pics taken in the new couple of days.

No, I haven't given up my Island Girls, just taking a break...

Too long again!

I just could not keep up - sorry. The past 3 months or so have been whirlwinds and very little to do with glass or jewelry.

But please know I am not complaining at all.  February, I had two lovely weeks in Puerto Vallarta, March I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 10 days, 4 of which were devoted to the BeadFest show with Fire Foxes. But the rest was vacation time with husband.

April found us in South America and I do mean south! Patagonia for almost half of our time but we did hit Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina of course - and lots of other places. We were gone for 17 days and add 2 for travel.

But Santa Fe and Patagonia gave me lots of inspiration and am working on some new ideas that are related to Santa Fe. Details to come. But for now, here's a teaser pic -


This is an iceberg on one of the arms of Lake Argentino on our was to see the Upsala glacier. This was fantastic but awesome was to come.


The trip involved a van ride, about 30minutes, a boat ride - maybe 2 1/2 hours each way, a 4x4 ride - another 25 and then the short hike - maybe 800 meters.


It was all worth it.


If only this could be captured in glass...

Been too long

Can't believe it's been more than 2 weeks since posting. But have been traveling!  2 1/2 weeks after coming home from PV, Joy and I headed out for Santa Fe to do Beadfest there for Fire Foxes.

I haven't been to Santa Fe since I was a very little girl... but it is beautiful and have to post a few pictures of things we saw and places we went.

Inspiration was everywhere! Colors, designs and textures oh my!!! Can't wait to get to my torch!!!





These pictures are from Madrid, New Mexico - on the Turquoise Trail - from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.


I love the glass fence which surround the house and property. A new and unique way to recycle glass!

The blue doors and the metal cut-outs I love too! These colors are found on much of the homes and building throughout the areas we traveled.

And this picture is just for fun.  Hope to add some links to artist we met and who's work we saw while there

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!!!!