JEANNIESBEADS

Oct 10 2010

2010-10-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving - all Canadians -. I find it's not quite the holiday it is in the States, but Happy Thanksgiving none the less. We'll be doing some yard work in preparation for the coming winter, as well as having a traditional turkey with some of the trimmings. There are just the two of us, but that's no reason to not have a special dinner.
I've been following a couple of blogs, well, alot of blogs, and I have to say that I agree with those instructors out there who tell us one and all, if you are going to write a blog, keep it upbeat. Parden me, but for those people aren't happy where they are, either keep it to yourself, or change your life. We only have so much time on this earth, and we each have to make the best of it.

Sept 28, 2010

2010-09-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Almost the end of September - can you believe it? And it looks like my warm, lovely summer weather is almost gone also. We've actually turned the furnace on today....well, just to get the dampness out of the air.

Along with September almost gone, I've lost that driving desire to make beads. I'm thinking maybe it's because September was such a slow month for sales. Yesterday I hauled out all my lampwork books and perused them hoping for inspiration. The flowers that Leah Fairbanks makes are oh so lovely - and Larry Scott's dot beads - his technique is so exacting...no spark yet.

So, what to do - maybe I need to continue making soap. Two weeks ago, I noticed that we were almost out and ordered my supplies. I've developed a recipe over the years that not only requires coconut oil, palm oil, and olive oil, but I also include castor oil, shea butter, canola oil, sweet almond oil and some good old vegetable oil - and I can't forget the goats milk and a bit of white clay. All of these oils together have resulted in a gentle, conditioning, moisturizing bar that we not only use on our bodies, but Bruce uses for shaving, and I use as a shampoo. So, if you've never tried hand made soap - the next time you feel like treating yourself, it's worth a try.

Sept 15, 2010

2010-09-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am having a drawing on my facebook site http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanniesbeads/125348505100 - it's a $35.00 coupon to be used on either my Etsy or Artfire site. All you have to do is click on the button to "like" the site - good luck. I'll draw the randon winner in the morning - Ontario time. Good luck!

Sept 15, 2010

2010-09-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

My kiln is back in working order! The relays that I ordered were here in record time. I changed them out one by one to determine which one is bad, so now I have a working kiln, and a spare relay!

Florida was fun - although I didn't like the fall I took while on a 27 mile bike ride. Luckily I was homeward bound, and only had to ride about 5-7 miles with a bruised hip and skinned knee and elbow.

Sept 5, 2010

2010-09-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

.....What to do when my kiln is on the fritz???? Some of my experiments worked having them sit in a fiber blanket - some of them just cracked .....

August 16, 2010

2010-08-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Photography - there's always room for improvement! I thought my first picture was "pretty" good - good enough for listing this set of beads - but as the day wore on and I thought about it, I decided it was a pretty "blah" picture

so decided to re-shoot it - this week, I'm trying something different - taking a picture on a mirror.

Definitely worth the extra time it took, I think.

August 7, 2010

2010-08-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Two days worth of torching, and one small handful of little beauties! Take a look at these? Can you imagine that a couple of these tiny beads have as many as 36 dots! Most have around 18. Of course, this doesn't include the rejected ones - the god awful yellow ones that are just plain gaudy - the ones that came out just a bit too small, and a couple that came out too big. The interesting thing about lampwork is that in alot of cases, you just don't know what the finished bead is going to look like till you see it. Alot of the glass colors look different when they are hot (molten)....like red. Red turns black when it gets hot. Try and make a red bead with black dots - you're working blind.

I am pleased to have a commission to create another necklace like this picture - just tickled! It will probably take one more session at the torch to make sure I have a good selection of beads for this beauty -

August 6, 2010

2010-08-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Are these not Cool! And so easy to make. The instructions by Cindy Gimbone are in the Aug issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry - if you need them. They don't give the instructions for making the lampwork bead though. I just used somewhere between 3-3 1/2" of 14 g wire, made sure that the glass was melted onto as much of the wire as I could, then wire wrapped it and used my ring mandrel to bend the ring into shape. Such a fun, easy project! I'll "antique" the copper wire ones in Liver of Sulphur.

August 4, 2010

2010-08-04T07:20:00.001-07:00

Twas a hot and humid run today. Aila was happy to get watered down with the hose once we got home. It helps her cool off a bit quicker I think.

I've put a couple of my older items on Artfire on Clearance today. It's time to make room for some new items. I've also listed a couple of new items there, as well as on Etsy.

August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

The start of my birthday month. I see no reason why I shouldn't celebrate for the whole month - and to start off with, DH has decided to join me in this lampwork adventure. He's been copper coring beads for me - and NO, we did not buy any of the machines out on the market that will make coring easy for you. We have a disk cutter for cuttong bead caps, a couple of hammers for texturing, and a dapping set for forming the bead caps, and for securing the bead cap to the bead. See how well he has formed the core to capture the bead cap! This is not just a slight flare as I have seen some of the machines do - it is a well formed flare that forms itself to the bead cap (or bead) -

With whatever I've done in the past, I tend to be a tool minimalist. And believe me, I was ready to go out and buy a neat coring machine. Thanks to DH, we've not only saved ourselves some money, we are continuing to do what we love without collecting a bunch of "one use tools".

July 31, 2010

2010-07-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

Happy end of July people - hopefully August will be a better month. I'll have pictures of beads in commemoration of my brother Dan's life hopefully later this weel.

July 28, 2010

2010-07-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Version of Amy's "Storm" technique. This is my first attempt at actually writing down instructions for some bead I've made, so please bear with me....no pun intended. My husband once ran into 2 grizzle bears on a run in British Columbia, but he is still here today to talk about it - so anyway - on to the instructions.

1. I've made a thick 2-4mm stringer of Amy's Storm Technique as she describes in her tutorial. See her Etsy site at akdlampwork Sometimes I twist the stringer as it is pulled out - I think this sort of helps add to the "storming" of the glass - Just remember to have a sort of thick stringer - as you are going to make a disk from it.

2. Starting with a small base of black, (about two times around the mandrel) I then add a disk shape from the stormed stringer. I try to add at least 2 or 3 rounds to the disk.

3. Then, I add 4 dots of clear to both sides of the disk and melt them in. The clear dots are off-set from each other -It might be interesting to see what the bead would look like if the dots were adjacent to each other. Please forgive the poor pictures. I am not used to making a bead and having to take a picture of it also - and then try to figure out the settings of the camera.

4. Encase the bead with at least 2 rounds of clear. Something I have to keep reminding myself of is that "more clear" is better.

July 21, 2010

2010-07-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

So, I had a special request for two sets of my "sparticle" beads, and got a bit carried away, trying to decide what my customer really wanted. Here's the result.

July 18, 2010

2010-07-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

Maybe this will be the saga of a quilt I am destined to make. June's Challenge. I've never had 27 - 1/2 yards of fabric, with corresponding background fabric at my disposal to make a quilt, and now I have. The history of my quilt making has been as follows: When Hubby and I were poor, and he was finishing up his degree at Michigan Tech, I could afford to go to Ben Franklin to find some sort of cotton material to make a quilt with. All I could find was this hidious green, orange and yellow callico - and with that, I made my first quilt. My daughter has it now, and won't give it up for the world.....
Twenty years later, we were in Northern Ontario - Timmins, South Porcupine, to be exact, and the only fabric store around (and I mean for at least 60 miles, was FabricLand. Needless to say, when we planned a trip to my brother's in Marquette, it tried to correspond with a sale at JoAnn's, where I would just buy 1/4 yard or 1/2 yard of pieces of fabric that I liked. I'd take them home with me, add them to whatever other fabric I had, and then I'd make some squares, and when I had enough, I'd see if they were enough to make a quilt with. I also enjoyed making alot of miniature quilts....mainly because I could try out a technique, and it wouldn't take up that much material.
Will, because of a newfound friend and cousin of mine, I have been given 27- 1/2 yard cuts of corresponding material, and not only one, but two pices of background fabric to work with, and the instructions are to make a quilt.....Do you know how exhausting it is for me to find a pattern - something I want to work with for a long time!!!! I've looked at my books and magazines for three days, then searched the internet for inspiration - to no avail.
Today, I decided to just start - I've always liked the Carpenter's square pattern, and I've cut it out and am hand piecing it. I don't know where this quilt is going yet - I'm thinking that something will be the center medallion, and I'll work around it -
The picture is the fabric I've been given to work with - any ideas?

July 17, 2010

2010-07-17T06:15:00.000-07:00

I'm quilting again! And overwhelmed! I received a present from my cousin - there are 4 of us doing June's Challenge - and here's a picture of the fabric she sent! 27 coordinating fabrics...now to decide on a pattern. That will be hard for me - any suggestions? I thought I might do an applique, but then decided that I wanted this quilt finished before 5 years were up - so now I'm thinking of a medallion in applique, and sewn borders around the medallion.....

And here's a quilt I started to assemble from pieces I've been working on - I like it. I've been going through my scraps and cutting 4 inch squares to make half triangles for the next border.

And finally, we are attempting to copper core some of my beads. Instead of buying a special machine, we've been using a dapping set. It's a learning process -

July 7, 2010

2010-07-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

I think my focus this past week has been to see how many different designs I could make from Dots - Still practising the new techniques that Kristina Logan showed us at Bead and Button.

July 6, 2010

2010-07-06T06:06:00.001-07:00

With the July holiday over, it's back to "normal" for most of us. The temperature was almost 70 F when we woke early for our morning run! I'm flumixed as to what to do today - pull and make rhubarb crumb, pick peas, wash clothes - torch - I've got a new idea to try. It includes "storming" some stringers as per Amy's tutorial. In the mean time, some bright yellow/orange/red beads I've made from encased stringer. Now on my Etsy site.

July 4 2010

2010-07-04T18:59:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th of July, and belated Canada Day! We've had beautiful weather for both holidays. I just got in from watching the fireflies, and listening to either thunder, or fireworks (most likely thunder). I love this weather! No beads to show tonight, but a beautiful set of flowers we received from a new friend.

June 30, 2010

2010-06-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ah, back from vacation. After spending 3 weeks away from the torch, it's hard to get in the swing of things.
Bead and Button was Great - lots of beautiful beads to see, and supplies to buy - and I had an awsome class with Kristina Logan! Totally awsome.
Then, it was a two week road trip to Oregon and British Columbia to see our son, and some long lost relatives.
I've been working on a special request - and as usual, it's a challenge. A customer wanted one set of beads I made awhile back in a bigger size....Did I remember the exact color combinations I used? No - do I need to be more particular about the size of bead I make? Yes. It's fun - and a challenge. Tomorrow, I'll try again - and my customer can pick.

June 13 2010

2010-06-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Bead and Button was so much fun! The class with Kristina Logan was wonderful. I learned a totally new way of making beads, starting from the basic bead to DOTS - so much to practise when I get home from our vacation.
I was amazed that some of the people I met last year still remembered me - just fun to see familiar faces again. Thanks to all those who took the time to talk to us and offer us their words of wisdom.

May 31, 2010

2010-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Summer weather is hear, and I'm lovin it! Of course, making beads can get a bit hot at times, as my "studio" is in the garage. I have a fan that helps. I spent the weekend doing some ruthless gardening. With the rain we've had, the weeds can take over in no time at all.

May 23, 2010

2010-05-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful weekend we are having! Yesterday started out with some rain (we made it home from our 9 mile run just before a downpour), but by afternoon, the sun was shining, the yards dried up, and the temperature just right for enjoying the outside. Today was also beautiful!

I'm going on a "little" vacation to see a friend of mine - she's got some fun things planned for us - shopping - antiqueing - socializing - so I've listed a couple things on my Etsy site tonight, as I won't be around for the next two days. Anything sold will be mailed first thing Thursday morning.

Happy Victoria day to all.

May 14, 2010

2010-05-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

I had the most exciting time on Wed night. The local sorority invited me to demonstrate my jewelry. I didn't want to take a torch to the Gallery, so made some examples, took some pictures and had an informal talk about making lampwork beads and jewelry. All the ladies seemed interested, interested enough to buy some of my finished earrings, bracelets, and pendants. Thank you ladies for making me feel welcome. Any time you'd like to do it again, please let me know.

A break in the weather today - too nice to stay inside. I've been outside weeding and trimming. With all the rain we've had, everything is just growing wild. Wonder if it's too early to put out tomato plants?

April 30, 2010

2010-04-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! Warmer weather today - looking forward to working in the gardens, and going for my run in shorts!
Well, I finally remembered to bring the ipod out with me and listen to the novel I borrowed from our local library - "Deepest Water" by Kate Wilhelm. It makes the time go so pleasantly - I just sit and listen while letting the glass melt. Not sure I'd want to be tested on what I heard later on, but I enjoy listening to the story none-the-less.
I've finally gotten around to repeating a set of beads that sold very quickly - bright, happy aqua flowers. Enjoy.

April 28, 2010

2010-04-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ya know, when one spends almost all of one night updating programs so that she can download audiobooks from the library, the least she could do is remember to bring the itouch out to the studio to listen to the book she downloaded! GRRRRR.... some really neat beads came out anyway - they should be listed on Etsy tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a BHB I'm pretty happy with.

I still have clearance beads listed on Artfire = JeannieGalt Just check out the Clearance section.

April 26, 2010 Clearance on Artfire

2010-04-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Check out my Artfire site for clearance priced items on my focals - $5 to $7 each.
JeannieGalt All else is well - looking for some warmer weather tomorrow to try more Sparticles.

April 19 2010 Bothered

2010-04-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

I usually don't write about things that bother me, but today is an exception.
1. Aila, our Terveran, and I were out for a nice gentle run this morning, when a runner passed us on the other side of the road. He gave us the FINGER - not once, but three times! I can understand that he might be afraid of dogs, but Aila was under control and on a leash. So - after the first time, when he looked back to check on my progress, which he did repeatedly, I waved - two times.

2. Corrina has been generous enough to give out for FREE, a page showing her groundhog beads, and a short description on how they were all started. Did I mention that she is not charging anything for them? Here's her web site, and here's another web site where someone has graciously laminated the sheet and was selling them for $13 - I can only hope that she doesn't re-stock!

http://www.corinabeads.com/index.php
http://hotbeadbox.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=257

April 19 2010

2010-04-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful weather coming our way again - I can use it after the half marathon yesterday in 40 F weather - with wind.

Time to check out a really neat artfire shop - Donna has made some wonderful jewelry for us! http://www.artfire.com/users/glassandwiregems. Also check out http://ajdjss.blogspot.com/ - for other neat shops on Artfire.

Feb 19, 2010

2010-02-19T16:16:00.001-08:00

It's just me and Aila (our Belgian Terveran) this weekend, and I've been enjoying spending time at the torch without having to think about anything else - and I'm likin the results - Here's a picture of the best so far Sparticles. I should have more like these with big holes for biagi ets bracelets by Monday!
And on a side note, the sun has been shining for two days - the snow is melting, and it feels like spring is on it's way :)

Feb 16, 2010

2010-02-16T17:27:00.001-08:00

Sometimes things just don't turn out the way I plan. Yesterday, I was going after Bold, Bright Black and White tab beads. I was sure that Anise White would give me that result, along with doing it's thing by difusing some of the color and creating that little bit of interest you see in the twisty. I thought it would be especially appealing on a murrini - As you can tell from the first picture, you can hardly see my murrini! Subtle was not what I was after. Back to the drawing board - -- Today I tried plain old white and black - and the results are much better. It's fun to experiment though - sometimes things ture out as you anticipate, sometimes you get a suprise. It's all a learning experience.

OWOH Winner

2010-02-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

it's 12:13, and the winner of my key chain is MITZ! I'll be sending you an email shortly for your address.

Thanks to all the people who entered this - it was a fun event - both for me as a participator and a hopeful winner!

Feb 11, 2010

2010-02-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

I've just finished "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall - a very interesting book, if you're into running. The lessons learned about living and running, as the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico live is inspiring. A great story. I probably will not take up running barefoot outside, but will continue to strengthen my feet and ward off my heel pain by barefoot running on our treadmil.

Feb 9 2010

2010-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

Snow and wind today, so no torching in the "studio" garage! I took pictures instead, and then promptly deleted them all. So here's a set from yesterday.

Feb 1 2010

2010-02-01T13:40:00.001-08:00

I decided it was a good idea to play with the color combinations that Michelle suggested, and I think I'm liking the results. I didn't have a deep pink, so used a medium purple instead - and tried encasing my stringers so that the colors wouldn't run into each other so easily. There are some other experiments in the kiln now - hoping to show them tomorrow. Any other favorite color combinations?

Jan 30 2010

2010-01-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

Another cold spell has set in - and tomorrow we are supposed to run 9 miles outside - I'll have on my winter running pants as well as some fleece shorts to keep my legs warm.....

I believe I had an AHHAA! day at the torch yesterday. I've been working on disk beads and manipulating the glass, but wondered what the technique would like like on a round bead - I like the end result and will continue on this course for awhile - My next dilemna is color scheme. I will probably get into a rut using black, ivory, turquoise and mustard - any other suggestions?????

Jan 28 2010

2010-01-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

It's too cold and windy to try and warm the garage up enough to be comfortable torching, so it's picture taking time. I collect all of my orphan and not so perfect beads and send them to an organization called Beads of Courage. Their mission is To provide innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them. Their web site is http://www.beadsofcourage.org

Besides sending just beads, I try to make heart beads, which are given to kids who have completed certain hospital procedures. Here's a photo of the hearts I made yesterday.

Another photo is of beads that make me think of warmer weather to come.

One World One Heart

2010-01-25T13:07:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful idea - from A Whimsical Bohemian http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/one-world-one-heart.html
This is a give-away - and all you need to do is post a comment to my blog. If you don't have a blog that your comment relates to, please leave and email address, as if you are the winner, I need some way of getting in touch with you.

My entry is a keychain/pendant. It is multifunctional - lampwork beads by myself, combined with copper wire to create this flob.

Join the Magic Carpet ride, and leave a comment. Remember, you must leave a comment to be eligible to win, I must have a way to link back to you or leave an email address so you can be contacted if you should win. This event is open till Feb 15. I will be taking entries till 12 noon, eastern standard time, and will email the winner by 7pm that night. Good luck, and enjoy. While you're here, have a look around.

2010-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a long time since I've written anything here. Maybe it's because I've been in a slump. Christmas was a great time to visit with the kids - and believe it or not, I didn't touch the torch that whole time! Then, it was trying to get back into the swing of things - and wondering where I wanted my beads to go. My inspiration came when my torching friends and I made plans for Bead and Button - We're taking a CLASS this year - I'm so looking forward to learning more about dots from Kristina Longan. She is such a fantastic artisan.

Other stuff - I can't understand why this bead is still sitting here on Etys.
Check out this link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30975883
It is the sweetest heart big hole bead for valentines day!

This is what I've been working on. More beads with dots to follow - I've got to practise.

Dec 18 2009

2009-12-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

How time flies - Christmas in a week. I've decided to take a short break from torching to get this quilt basted. It's only been waiting for me to quilt for a couple of years!

Oct 27 2009

2009-10-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

I've been playing this game called Mohjong on the computer, and it's got me hooked. I tell Bruce that I play it to keep my mind active. He does crossword puzzles, I play mohjong. It's a game where you have to match tiles - you win if you clear the board of all pairs. Today, I WON! It was fun to see what happens when you win. First, you hear the noise - it sounds like ocean waves, but then, in the background, you see this tiny volcano, and pretty soon, black smoke is billowing from it - really cool. Think I'll play again.

I've also been working on wirework and different ways to mount my pendants. I'm liking what's happening.

Oct 26 2009

2009-10-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

I had a compultion to buy another of Lydia Muell's tutorials - here's the first beads. There's lots of improvement to be had. I have to work on color, make sure my silver glass does it's thing before I encase it, make sure the encasing covers all the glass underneath, apply racu in the appropriate sequence so that it doesn't melt and spread, etc. Still, I like these beads.

Christmas is coming!

2009-10-21T14:01:00.001-07:00

JEANNIEGALT

Unique Gifts

Oct 14 2009

2009-10-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go to? I'm still not ready for winter! We started cutting down the curly willow today (it has to be cut down every year, as the branches grow up to 10 feet each year!) and by the time I was through with one tree, it was time to come in to warm up.

A picture of some beads I'm proud of. These blue flower beads have been encased in clear glass three times, which takes alot of time for each bead, but which really enhances the depth of the bead. I've just listed it on Artfire, if you're interested.

Sept 29, 2009

2009-09-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

The end of September is almost here - the wind is blowing, and the temperature has dropped - I'm not ready for winter! None-the-less, my earrings say it's inventory clearance time. Please visit www.jeanniegalt.artfire.com and www. jeanniesbeads.etsy.com to see some great deals.

Sept 13 2009

2009-09-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Almost the middle of September already. I wanted to post this picture of a dragonfly that Rebecca, from http://www.rebeccascreations.etsy.com/ has made from a couple of my beads - awesome wirework - and such a cute looking dragonfly - Rebecca not only makes dragonflies, she has added some handmade wallets, tiny little pockets just the right size for your credit cards, coasters from polymer clay, and some jewelry - check her site out!

Sept 2 2009

2009-09-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Where has the summer gone? All of a sudden, it's long pants and cotton sweaters. And time to trim the cherry tree. For the last couple of years, we've let it go without pruning, and now it needs alot of pruning. Bruce is taking the first bunch of branches to the drop off place now. I want summer back! This week, it's Big Hole Bead time - I hope to be listing something new each day.

August 19, 2009

2009-08-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

The month is just flying by - it's my birthday month you know - I used to have just a birthday week, but this year, I've changed it to a birthday month. In that month, I will have visited my son on the West coast, and my daughter on the East coast, and spent some time at home, who could ask for more. I've also been experimenting with more boro - and have some results worth bragging about - more to come later - I think I'm hooked.

August 17, 2009

2009-08-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted - sort of been blahhh where beads are concerned....but for the last couple of days, I've tried my hand again at Boro - boro has given me headaches in the past, maybe it's just what happens when one tries a new medium - and boro is certainly a new medium compaired to soft glass - no compairsons. Today, I'm proud of what came out of the kiln. Some are still experiments, and will be priced as such, a couple are real keepers. Check out the "clearance" items on my artfire shop the next couple of days....www.jeanniegalt.artfire.com

On another note, my daughter and I had an excellent visit with my son in Vancouver last week - full of exhausting activities - like climbing the Chief in Squamish and the Grouse Grind in Vancouver....exploring all the artists at Grandville Island, running along the water, and watching the Policemen and Firefighter's world games.

July 30, 2009

2009-07-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

What a couple of frustrating days at the torch. I finished watching Smiley's video on off mandrel pendants, and decided to try boro beads again. I have problems with boro - probably because I'm new at it. I've burnt off mandrels, having almost completed beads drop onto my table never to be recovered or used, there are lots of air pockets left in encased beads, I'm not getting the colors from the glass that they say I should be getting - it's a challenge....I've got some hints from some of the beadmakers on Lampwork Etc - and will try again tomorrow. One thing I've learned---I'm reminding myself of what I did to make these beads on the little white circles of paper attached to the beads. How many times have you made a bead, only to go back to it a bit later and not be able to remember how it was made?

July 27, 2009

2009-07-27T13:26:00.001-07:00

Awhile ago, Ann asked me to make her a special set of beads - she had a necklace in mind, and needed more beads than I usually sell in a set. She wanted a large set of my ochre, turquoise, and brown beads - stripey beads, beads with dots, lots of ochre spacers. She had some of her own beads and needed my beads to complete her design. I'm thrilled at what she's come up with. And I love it when people send me pictures of their finished projects. Here's hers. Enjoy. Please check out her Artfire site where she has many lovely pieces of jewelry as well as some of her mosaics for sale.

www.poetryInPieces.artfire.com

July 21, 2009

2009-07-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

So, we were driving home from our daughter's in Virginia, and stopped at the Bob Evans in Breezewood for Bruce's favorite breakfast. We were sitting there eating, when an elderly man who had finished his breakfast stopped at our table on his way out of the restaurant. "Forgive me", he said, "I'm just like this", and goes on to tell us the following story.....

"An elderly lady was told by her doctor that she had to take a certain pill for the rest of her life. No exceptions, the doctor said....she must continue the pill for the rest of her life. But not to worry, he told her, he would call up the pharmacy and have the prescription sent to her home. Later on the same day, this lady called up the doctor, being terribly upset - he tried to settle her down to see what the problem was....she asked if he was sure that she would have to take the pill for the rest of her life. Yes, she was told...but she continued, examining the pill container again ---- it says "no repeats"."

At that, the gentleman who had stopped at our table wished us well as we all had a good chuckle, and continued on his way.

July 20 2009

2009-07-20T15:50:00.001-07:00

We're back from visiting our daughter near Washington DC. Finally, after about 4 road trips down there, we have figured out how to get to her place with the least amount of road rage as possible. The beltloop is just traffic that we are not used to....bit with her help, we've found an easy way to get to the Braddock metro station, which is very near her home.

Our visit was really nice - the weather was fantastic - great for walking and enjoying the outdoors. We walked to old Alexandria, where we got our by-yearly running shoes, and most important, we were able to visit Arts Alive - a glass store in Old Alexandria that totally impressed and intimidated me....works by people I've envied were there - great pieces of glass art that I can only hope to equal some time from now. It gives me something to strive for. I am totally impressed with Heather Trimlett's twistie control and her disk beads - hoping that she gives a class in either Toronto or Detroit one of these days.

We had a great walk at the Great Falls Park Trail - seeing a couple of the locks of the C&O Canal - and a great day to enjoy it - half sun, half clouds so that it didn't get too hot. Aila, our Belgian Shepard was great also. Right now, she's accompanying Bruce with his harmonica - howling away....it's so funny. She's a great dog. A one family dog. She is only happy when we are all togather, otherwise, she's worried about who's not present.

No pictures this time. Maybe I'll get on the torch tomorrow, or sometime this week. There's zucchini bead to make tomorrow - we were gone for 3-1/2 half days, and three zucchini are big enough to make bread from.

2009-07-16T15:11:00.001-07:00

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July 15 2009

2009-07-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd include a picture of an awsome bracelet that Manamoon made from one of my focal beads - check out the rest of her jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5540019 She's done some really interesting stuff with wire wrapping.

July 13, 2009

2009-07-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am at a blahh spot for making beads - sales tend to be not as fast as I would like, or I don't seem to be making what jewlery makers are looking for....so today, I made for myself. While at Bead and Button, I bought a couple of Dora Shubert's beads - two larger beads and two of her tear drop beads. I've been wondering what to do with the tear drop beads, when a friend of mind said she was thinking the same and was about to make some beads to encorporate them in a bracelet - so that's what I tried. I really wasn't happy with about half of the beads that came out of the kiln, but the ones I'm showing are going to be OK. I just need another day at the torch to come up with enough to complete a bracelet.

Another thought I had was to see how small I could go. Last week, I had a commission to duplicate a set of beads that I made over a year ago. Since then, I think I've improved, and my customer must have thought so also, as she asked that the beads be 8 x 11 mm - which is smaller than I traditionally go. I had a go at it, and am hoping she will be happy....Those beads are made, so I decided to see how my favorite beads would look smaller. I LOVE black base with bright turquoise, pea green, and purple beads - here's the result. Think I'll make more of those tomorrow - Can't you see a bracelet with black spacer beads - or maybe an 18" necklace, each bead wired to the next....lots of torch time coming up.

Oh, I almost forgot to let you know - My blue hollow beads took first place - that's FIRST PLACE in the Artistry in Glass quarterly bead competition - I'm quite proud of these beads - hollows, decorated with my murrini, twisties, and stringers. Have a look - the blue ones.

June 28, 2009

2009-06-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd include a picture of some of the flowers that are now in bloom in our front garden....This is a garden my daughter designed - basically alot of flowers that are draught resistent, don't need too much care, and are native to the area. It's evolved since it was first planted...Milkweed found it's way in - the flowers are so fragrant - and a favorite of the monark butterfly. Something is usually in flower most of the year, and if not, there is such a variety of texture and green, it's still pleasant to look at, I think.

June 23 2009

2009-06-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Often, when I sell beads on Etsy or Artfire, I wonder what becomes of them. Everynow and then, someone will send me a picture of their creation....as did Nastasia - She bought an eclectic set of beads - alot of blues and purples - a really big hole bead, and a hollow bead were part of the set. This is what she's come up with. I'm amazed at her creativity. With the use of crystals and smaller beads, she's made my big beads look awsome. Thanks Nastasia for sharing.

BYW - does anyone know the best place to get a new harmonica? Hubbies harmonica is wearing out - one of the notes sticks, and he's looking for a new one. It's a hoot - Aila - the Terveran - howls everytime he starts playing. I think she thinks she is accompanying him!

June 20, 2009

2009-06-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

We have jam and frozen cherries for this coming winter! Today, we picked the rest of the cherries off our cherry tree that I thought was a plum tree - and I have to show you the very best cherry pitter ever. For the last couple of days, I have dreaded this day, as my hands have been sore from squishing and pulling out cherry pits...unable to find a cherry pitter in town, I took to the internet to see what my options were....lo and behold...I came across a couple of alternatives - a straw - I tried this last year to no avail...just couldn't make that straw shove the pit out of the cherry. Ordering one was out of the question. Our cherries were ripe NOW - two days from now they will be full of mildew, and the birds will have eaten even the bottom ones. I found something written about a bobby pin or a hair pin. Not having any hairpins around, I substituted a piece of bent wire and pounded it into a wine cork which is to be the holder. It works like magic! Push the end of the "hairpin" in, bend it towards me, and pull out the cherry pit. No more cramped, sore thumbs. Picture attached of the pitter and the jam. Not included in the picture are the 4 frozen servings of cherries or the cherry crumb that I baked for super.

June 15 2009

2009-06-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

I've decided to add some of my mini quilts to my Etsy shop. I've been quilting for close to 20 years now, and it's time I let go of some of my smaller quilts. Hope you enjoy.

The birds are still enjoying of cherries. We picked enough for Cherry Crumb yesterday. My hands are stained with cherry juice. Does anyone know a really easy way to pit cherries?

June 13, 2009

2009-06-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

The birds are just lovin our cherry tree.....robins, grackles, and a couple cardinels, I think. Just wish they would eat the whole cherry before going on to the next one....What a mess. Hoping that we will be able to harvest what we would like before they start getting mold on them. Cherry crumb is to die for -

That reminds me - when Bruce was gone, I bought some really delicious ice cream with nuts and chocolate and all sorts of goodies - and I forgot about it .....see you later.

Oh, beads from a commission that Sherie asked me to do. She says she Lovveeeeees them. What do you think?

June 11, 2009

2009-06-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I've started to use Flickr to create a history of my beads - check it out - I'll add new folders for each month.

Beading today was good. I think I have some pretty good stringer control coming on one set, and I'm back to making big bold dots on a base of black. They're in the kiln now - should have photo's of them tomorrow.

Oh, some good news, the Gibson Gallery has decided to try a consignment shop on a temporary basis for about six weeks starting in July. I'm hoping to have some of my finished jewelry there - will keep you posted.

June 10, 2009

2009-06-10T16:30:00.001-07:00

I'm excited that two of my classes are listed at the Gibson Gallery for July - Wire work bracelet is being offered on a Saturday, everything included to complete one bracelet...extra wire available for a second. And Knitting - the new yoga - two monday nights in July - some people say that it's becoming a lost art - but I see alot of young people taking it up, and there are so many new and fashionable things to be made - everyone should learn how to knit....We'll start with a scarf and see how it goes.

Picture posted of two bracelets I've made, showing techniques you will learn from the wire work class.

April 22, 2009

2009-04-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

I've been in a rut, not knowing what kind of beads to make lately, but yesterday, I thought I'd give racu a try, and I really like the results. Now up on Etsy.

2009-04-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

We've been taking Aila, our Belgian Terveran to a refresher course in basic training - and the trainer's site had a quote I think is worth repeating.....

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his leader. He will be yours faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

April 19 2009

2009-04-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well, it certainly has been awhile since I've added anything to this blog. Probably because bead sales haven't been that great. I'm thinking it must be the economy - I still have good beads, don't I?? Faith was rekindled yesterday when a beautiful person came to my home, looked at my beads and bought a whole bunch full!! Needless to say, I was thrilled. Thanks - you know who you are.

On the dog front. Aila and I had another refresher course at our local dog training place. We did good. Let me tell you, it is scary to be in a yard with 18-20 other large dogs, all walking around in close quarter....and one dog decides he doesn't like the dog near him - lots of growling and snarling going on....we survived. That was during the first 15 minutes. Now, envision this - 8 dogs and masters facing 8 other dogs and masters....3 feet apart. Remember folk dancing in grade school when you and your partner had to go through a line of people - that's me with my dog - only we couldn't race through - we sat our dog, walked to the end of the leash, then called the dog, who would sit, then we would repeat. ...through a line of dogs and masters...and my dog doesn'e like other dogs. All went well. We survived - we did good. After a little more than an hour, Aila had had enough, and we were lucky enough to play - jumping over barrels, going over ladders, climbing up slides. She had fun, and was more than happy to go find Bruce and head to the truck.

Beading went well in the afternoon also. Maybe I'll get pictures tomorrow. I have some encased red and green, as well as some silvered glass flower type beads.

Feb 28 2009

2009-02-28T16:05:00.001-08:00

And winter is still with us. I did manage to run outside once....and was going to try again today, but during our walk with the dogs, I changed my mind.....cold, damp, sharp wind is not what I enjoy running in. I'm looking forward to going to Florida next week.

There are some days when I shouldn't even bother to turn on the torch, and I think today was one of those days. The bead release didn't want to stay on the mandrel, the bead release broke off the mandrel and decided to become entrenched in the bead I was trying to make....There may be a couple of beads that worked - will see when then come out of the kiln. This is a bead I made last week - still dots - There are so many combinations one can try out.

Feb 16 2009

2009-02-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

More dots - it was a dot week. well, not really dots, but flowers and distorted dots. I hope to work with some Boro tomorrow though. My first couple of attempts with this glass were nothing to brag about, but I think that I am starting to get the hang of it. Alot of the effect I want to achieve is by using a really oxidyzing flame or a reducing flame - something I need to practise. In the meantime, a picture of more "dots".

Winter is still with us, and I still haven't had a chance to run outside. There was one day when I thought I would - but the morning greeted us with 3 inches of new snow. Bruce found a road route today, though, that looks promising.

Feb 11 2009

2009-02-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I did start writing a new blog, and the power kicked off for a moment....just enough to kill the computer......OK, where did I leave off...As you may well know, I like "dots", and this week, I have been making more of them, along with flowers. I've come up with a couple new complex designs that I'm happy with...pictures attached. I'm also working with different colors than I normally use. They may not be shown here, but look for them on either the etsy sight, or the artfire sight. I'm really happy with how the "berry" transparent is working for my flowers, and will always like "pea green" and "leaky pen" - a couple of my favorites. Check out the hearts. These were re-used from beads that I didn't like. I've re-heated them and formed them into hearts....If anyone tries this, PLEASE be careful. Even though these were re-heated on the top of my kiln, at my first attempt, I introduced them to the flame much too quickly, and I had big pieces of glass flying.....

Jan 22 2009

2009-01-22T16:08:00.001-08:00

A good day today, Bruce and I drove to London to pick up my glass order - Lots of new colors, as well as some boro glass to try.....Now I have to manage my torch time, as boro takes a different annealing temperature than soft glass does....and I want to play with boro, but I also want to make more flower beads, as per Lydia Muell's tutorial.....a picture of some of the beads I am happy with.....

Jan 9 2009

2009-01-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

Did I tell you that I am finished with the actual quilting of my brother's quilt? Now it's just to trim it off an put on a binding. Now that I haven't anything to do while watching TV, I started finishing a wig rose applique that was started at least two years ago. Watching TV while doing nothing else puts me to sleep! I need something to do to keep me awake. I'm looking for a sock pattern that I like, but in the meantime, will continue to work on this applique project. Pictures to follow.....dear niece of mine, if you happen to find this, could you keep the secret ???

Jan 6 2009

2009-01-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

I have to brag - I WON - there is a bead contest that I enter every chance I get, and this time, my beads took first place! These beads were a challenge - based on Lydia Murell's tutorial (which is a very thorough tutorial on her technique of making hydrangea flowers).

Winter continues, although the sidewalks are clear, and we can run outside. We just have to watch for broken glass - Aila somehow cut her paw during one of our runs. She hasn't been able to come with us for a couple of days till her paw heals up.

Jan 3 2009

2009-01-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

Red is a color that I find hard to work with - I can never be sure which shade of red is going to come out of the kiln. It must have something to do with my flame and the oxygen/propane ratio. These beads have a lovely deep shade of red...and of course, they are dots.

Please stop by and check out my ETSY shop. I'm having a sale. With every regular bead purchased, you can get a bead/bead set of equal or lesser value for 1/2 price.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

How time flies! Another year! I gave up making resolutions a long time ago...but this year, I think I should concentrate on spending more productive time on my beads, and the business of selling them. With the economy in the straights it's at present, we are all feeling unsettled, and my bead sales have shown this. I've got to think of some new ideas - in the mean time, a picture of what I've been working on.

December 17, 2008

2008-12-17T15:25:00.001-08:00

We received about 4 inches of snow last night - "it's beginning to look alot like Christmas!". I hope at least the roads will be clear by next Sunday, so that I can drive to the airport to pick up our son without worry....I really don't like driving through Detroit, but I am determined to get more practise at it!

Well, besides working on the torch, I've decided to try quilting again. I used to be a pretty good quilter...haven't really done much of it for the last two years. What has inspired me is that my brother, who is going through radiation for cancer now, has been known to take naps in his sunroom, and use one of the older quilts to keep warm. I know they probably don't cover his whole body well, as he's quite tall, and when I made the quilts, I had my sister in law in mind...so I went through my old blocks and put together a quilt that is sure to cover him from chin to toes! Now it's time to quilt the thing. I am a hand quilter. Nothing against machine quilting, I just like the hand work. I have this quilt set up on my movable quilt frame, so that I can take it from TV room to reading room, depending on where I want to be.

Nov 17 2008

2008-11-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

We actually had snow yesterday. Not enough to really stay on the ground, but you can tell that winter is coming. The birds have been visiting the feeder regularly. The "studio" is getting colder, and I've been putting the kerosene heater on to keep warm. None the less, I was happy with the beads that came out of the kiln - lots of turquoise with reactive glass.

Nov 13, 2008

2008-11-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

What a day today! Posting time on Etsy. Large hole beads this time.

Nov 12, 2008

2008-11-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

I have been having alot of fun just letting glass drip - controlled drip. Thanks to Sarah Hornik's tutorial on "pink", as well as the tutorial she listed on LE. More beads today. Hoping to get a picture up shortly. This necklace is listed on my site www.jgpgesigns.etsy.com

Other than that, bead sales are slow. So here is a question for you - what kind of beads are you looking for? Colors - neutrals - round - tabs - bead sets - focals? any suggestions are welcome.

Nov 9 2008

2008-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Sarah Hornik has graciously given us free instructions as to how she does her "ribbon" beads, and yesterday I experimented. The attached picture is what I came up with. I haven't done much experimenting in letting glass "drip", so found this experiment interesting. I really like the results I achieved. Thanks Sarah, for your generous gift.

Nov 8 2008

2008-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming, and snowmen abound. Well, here's one. I have more in the kiln. They aren't melting. They are just waiting for the appropriate time to come out. Today, I also experimented with a technique that Sarah Hornik so generously gave us. ....the technique was fun to do, and I learned a thing or two about letting glass drip, and encasing stringers. Hope to have those pictures up tomorrow.

November 4 2008

2008-11-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

I finally took a picture of the beads I was raving about yesterday. How come when I look at something a second or third time, the novelty has worn off, and they don't look at special any more. I had a fun time reconnecting with "dots". I still like dots. I was focusing on making "perfect" dots, as well as plunged dots. Also, the "warring states" bead is still one of my favories - dots on top of dots....All for now - time to turn on the TV and see how the votes are coming in. Also, a picture of some "funky" bracelets I finished for my little store up North to choose from.

November 2 2008

2008-11-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how the time has flown by - November already. For a short update, my daughter and I did finish the Marine Corp Marathon - in 5 hours 2 minutes. We trained to finish around 5 hours, so we did accomplish our goal. Our feet were sore - and we were tired, but all in all, in pretty good shape. No more long runs for awhile. If we can maintain an 8-10 mile run on the weekends, I'll be happy.

Now to try and get back into some sort of routine. I've been at the torch again, and am pretty excited about the encased and etched beads I've done. They have a translucents that is hard to describe.

I don't have a picture yet, but I've made some awsome purple and white beads, concentrating on just dots. After all this time, I've learned something about them. It has alot to do with how you melt them in as to keeping them as dots and not having them distort on you.....I tried meling in the side dots first - and it works! Hoping to get a picture of them tomorrow. These may make an awsome necklace that I can take to my favorite gift shop....

Sept 15 2008

2008-09-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Back to running - it was a long run today - 22 miles actually. The first 17 went OK. The last 5 were a bit of a challenge. But we did it. Bruce ran with me for the first 17, then followed me on his trusty old Red bike for the last 5. The weather cooperated though. We had 60 degree weather compared to the 80's of yesterday. Anyway, with that, the rest of the day was pretty much a right off. Only one set of beads to show - some turquoise that I have been playing with. They actually have a base of green, with some reactive glass so that the turquoise dots on top consolidate into neat little circles within circles. Tomorrow will be torching time, and I hope to do some more bling bling dot beads as well as try something a bit more masculine.

Sept 12, 2008

2008-09-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

I read on Lori Greenburg's sight the other day that it was time she got back to making what we really enjoy - and I also have always enjoyed "dots" - I still like dots....and in the process of using some of the odd lots I received awhile back, I came up with this set of beads. They are a bit larger than what I have been making recently, but I like that also. These beads say something. They are meant to be noticed. And I like them.

By the way, did you notice the new feature on our blogs - you can now subscribe to posts and comments. It's pretty easy, just click on the "subscribe to" button half way down on the right hand side and follow the instructions. You can also list yourself as a follower - It would be interesting to see how often this gets read.

Thursday August 28 2008

2008-08-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

The weeks continue to fly by. Already I can tell that Fall is on it's way. The mornings are cooler, making running alot more comfortable....in anther sense, I don't want summer to end. I like warm weather. I have spent my torch time learning this week - Chaos beads by Sherry Bellamy and Lydia Muriel's tutorial on her encased florals. More work is to be done on both of these techniques...but I will show one of my encased florals. Still alot of work to be done on this one...

August 24 2008

2008-08-24T17:16:00.001-07:00

I just had to include a picture of the beads I was able to create today. I am especially proud of the Chaos bead - compliments of the excellent tutorial by Sherry Bellamy. Also included are a group of beads - base is ivory, decorated with Silver Cinnamon - the ASK glass that is no longer available. It has a really neat reaction with the Ivory - first outlining the cinnamon with a dark ring, then fracturing the ivory to give it a really organic look.

Last, more reactive glass - Iris Blue. The base is grey, giving the iris blue a mustard look. First, the Iris Blue expands till it reaches itself, outlining the base color. Then when a color is added on top of the iris blue, the color sort of absorbs into itself, leaving an outline of lighter color, and consolidating that color into the center.

Marathon training - I did complete 19.68 miles on Saturday. The first 8 were a piece of cake - I really enjoyed being out in the county running with the wind. The next 7 miles were OK - started to feel a bit week, but electrolites and Cliff Shots helped alot. For the last the last almost 5 miles I was windering what in the world I was doing this for....my feet hurt, and I was tired...but I DID IT. Next long run is in three weeks.

August 22 2008

2008-08-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've had fun making focal beads. There is so much space on a focal for one to add dots, color, murrini, stringers....Also, I've had a chance to view Sarah Hornik's tutorial on using rubino, and had some fun trying one of her focals also.

As an update for marathon training, it's a 20 mile run tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it goes. We are planning on an early start, as today was hot and humid. Unfortunately, hubby won't be running with me. He's got a pulled muscle, and has decided to rest....fortunately though, he'll be following me on his bike, so he can lug extra water, food, tylenol, etc.

August 18 2008

2008-08-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Time does fly when you are having fun, or are busy. Can't really remember all that has happened since the last time I wrote - I went to Florida to visit family - yes - it was hot there, but I enjoyed it. My sister-in-law and I ran 11 miles in preparation for our marathon coming up in October. Since then, I have been trying to get back into the swing of things here at home...chores that have been waiting for quite a while need to be done now....taking care of the dogs, running....torching...the days just fly by.

Lately I have been experimenting with reactive glasses, and am really excited about the results. Greens, blues, deep reds, and tans are all developing - on bases of ivory, silver ivory, black and opal yellow! I think I've finally figured out how it's done, and what's most exciting is that I can reproduce the results from day to day. Along with the reactive glass, I've done a couple sets of violet and white beads, copper green and iris blue, as well as turquoise and white....a pretty productive day today.

July 28 2008

2008-07-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes what comes out of the kiln really suprises me. I might have mentioned that I have a new torch - and so I tried some reduction glass the other day. I'm really happy with these results, just posted on ETSY. I am hoping I have enough extras of the reduction glass to make a bracelet for me

July 25 2008

2008-07-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it certainly has been awhile since I have updated this blog. I'm still here - Still enjoying "retirement", and most importantly, still torching. I have upgraded to a Mega Minor torch, with an oxygen concentrator, and let me tell you, "it is GREAT". No more burnt glass...no more funny colors. No more waiting forever for the glass to melt. I am also having some luck with the reactive glasses.

Here's a picture of the beads I have listed on ETSY tonight. Tomorrow I will list more, and then, on July 30, I am off to Florida for a couple of days. Ya, sure, who goes to Florida in July!!! My excuse is that I have family there. The beads will continue to be up on my sight, but just to let you know, any sold between July 30 and Aug 4 will go in the mail Aug 5.

July 1 2008

2008-07-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

Happy July 1st to all Canadians.

Aren't these necklace's awsome! Designed by Patricia Weppler and incorporating my focal beads. Please visit her blog at http://patriciawepplersjewelry.blogspot.com/ She tells me she is getting ready for a show she is doing this coming September. Should you be in the Glen Falls, NY area this September, see her at the Colors of Fall Art Festival.

I often wonder what becomes of the beads I create. Thanks Patricia, for showing off your stunning work! Glad I could be part of it.

June 28 2008

2008-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Sparticles

I have a hard time with naming my beads. My daughter helped me come up with this name though. I took a private lesson with Corina Tettinger this summer, and as part of her lesson, she showed me how she makes Quarks. Having a daughter who is a physics engineer, and having learned about quarks previously from her, the name immediately intrigued me, as did Corina's beads. I came home from Corina's lesson, and practiced, and practiced, and did some more practicing….and have come up with the following beads.

Now to name them…I can't name them quarks – that name has been taken. I went to my daughter for help. There are lots of physics names out there, but none had the ring to them that "sparticles" had.

Sparticles. There is a supersymmetry theory out there that says for every particle we know of, there is a sister particle that has yet to be discovered. For example, the superpartner of the electron is the selectron, the partner of a quark is a squark. The whole group of these supersymmetric particles are called sparticles for short. Sparticles have not existed naturally since the "big bang"

At CERN, Geneva Switzerland, the world’s largest particle physical laboratory, where my daughter happened to work for a summer, there is a really big Hadron Collider, where they are trying to smash protons up by having them run into each other at a very very fast speed. When they collide, they will unleash energies similar to those found during the Big Bang. That's when scientists hope to see supersymmetric particles or sparticles.

Till scientists can give us a picture of real sparticles, wouldn't it be neat if they looked something like this series of beads?

June 25, 2008

2008-06-25T17:08:00.001-07:00

What a perfect day for beadmaking today - and what neat beads came out of the kiln. After hmmming and hmmming this morning, Aila (our faithful dog) and I went for a short run, and then spent about 2 hours at the torch. I have been practising encasing murrini, and finally, today, the results are worth showing. It's just the pictures I have to work on. There is so much reflection and gleam coming off these beads, I am having a hard time getting a picture that replicates their clarity...will post what I have for now, and see if I can improve on the photography later.

June 22 2008

2008-06-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day today- sunny and warm, but not too warm. We started the day with a short 3.5 mile easy run. I wonder if there are any other lampworkers/jewlery designers who run? Anyone signed up for the Marine Corp Marathon? Let me know! The dogs certainly enjoy these runs, although the older dog runs about 1 mile and then goes home for a rest in front of her fan. The younger dog could run all day if we let her. After some weed pulling (and there are lots of weeds), it was torch time. Not a very good day today - I did finish one set of beads, but spent the better part of my torch time practising "stringer control". I took a lesson with none other than Corina Tettinger while out west, and am trying to undo some bad habits I have acquired, as well as learning some of the ideas she showed me. She is really an awsome teacher as well as lampworker. I'd recommend workshops with her anytime.

June 20 2008

2008-06-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've added an entry to this. We've "retired" from our full time jobs, and are adjusting to "retired" life. So far, it been very hectic. We've traveled from Detroit Michigan to Vancouver, BC to visit our son, and are settling into a new life style. Today, I have also started training for the Marine Corp Marathon that well be held in October. This is the first marthon that I have entered - with my daughter. My sister in lay, as well as my niece and her husband have also entered. Today's run - 8.9 miles was pretty good. I was tired after 5 miles, but managed to finish feeling OK. Torch time went well. I have been experimenting with some reactive glass and like the results. Now on ETSY, a set of turquoise and white, as well as red and white.

Thursday May 22, 2008

2008-05-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have updated this - time flies - I retired from my daytime job, ran a half marathon with my daughter in Virginia, and am now getting ready to drive cross country to visit our son.

Before I left my day job, I gave everyone there a bead pendant/key chain to "remember" me by. The next day, one girl told me the story of how her eight year old daughter drooled over her bead, just itching to have her mother give it to her, which didn't happen. Well, I brought her daughter some of my orphan and extra beads - this is a picture of the thankyou card she wrote in return. It's a card that I will keep.

SALE TIME

2008-04-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

I really don't know how many people come to this site, but if anyone does, just to let you know I'm having a sale on my ETSY sight. Buy the first item at regular price, get all other items (of lesser value) at half price. Just convo me, and I will adjust pricing and put a "reserve" on the items for you. I have some ideas for new beads, and will have time to create, so it's now time to reduce my inventory a bit.

April 18 2008

2008-04-18T17:03:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day today...I actually had to time my torch time around the weather - because I wanted to enjoy the beautiful day we were having. I've had some good torch times this week - working on a hothead, in the past, I haven't had much luck with reactive glasses....but the blue and black set gave me hope that I can achieve something with reactive glasses. Also, the black and white is another reactive black, when the stringer was left raise, a beautiful golden metallic sheen developed. :) Amber, Ivory and Silver seem to be classic also. I love those colors together. And how can you go wrong with purple. I am really liking the new kind of bead I've been making with these.

April 11, 2008

2008-04-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Time flies - almost the middle of April already...and finally, we are seeing some nice weather. I've been in a bit of a rut at the torch lately. My inspriation came back when one of my custmers sent me this picture of a bracelet she made from a set of beads. It's a golfer's bracelet! Here's how it works in her own words:

I created the Golf Stroke Bracelet because I have such a hard time trying to remember the number of times I hit the ball on any given hole. (Yes, I hit it a lot!!) Anyway one of my girlfriends showed me this stroke counter she had on her golf bag. It was basically a piece of nylon rope that had 10 plastic miniature golf ball beads afixed to it. Everytime you hit the ball, you slide a bead down the rope. At the end of the hole you count the number of balls and then you know what to write on your score card. Well, being the girly girl that I am I wanted something that looked a little nicer, could fit on my wrist, and match my golf outfits. So I created the Golf Stroke Bracelet. After I hit the ball, I slide a bead over. At the end of the hole I count how many I slid and then I know what to write on my score card. Once I write my score down I move the beads back into the starting position. It's functional during the game and after I play and we are in the club house having some refreshments it still looks good on my wrist. Unfortunately the bracelets haven't helped me play any better, just keep my score more accurate. :)I also wear them during the day when I'm not playing golf to remind my self to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. For every glass I drink, I move a bead". Should you be interested, she can be reached at: cognitojewelry@cox.net

I should be able to use one when I am running laps at the track, cause after 3, I sort of forget how many I have done (and I'm tired of keeping track on my fingers.

March 25 2008

2008-03-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder just how many people have looked at this...One of these days, I will try to figure out how to send an email to those people interested in receiving automatic updates. We had a lont, 4 day weekend with Easter - two good days of torching...one bad day. I am still intrigued by the warring states beads. Maybe I just like the dots. One of the hardest decisions to make is which colors of glass to use - white goes with everything, but one gets tired of that after awhile. The blue and black color scheme I sort of stole from Corina Tettinger's latest beads. She did three awsome sets of blue and black beads - I thought the colors would do the warring states design justice also. It's always fun to see how the reactive glasses will work. These include opal yellow, copper green and rubino, I think. The orange shebert really say "spring", don't they. Too bad the weather isn't cooperating yet. Rumor has it we have 4 more weeks of winter! Stay tuned - my next set is going to be black and white (maybe not that boring). I think I am starting to ramble. Bruce was in bed this past weekend with a really bad cold - just hoping I'm not getting it.

Good Friday, March 21 2008

2008-03-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

You know, I thought Spring was on it's way, but I was cleaning off my new set of beads today, looked outside, and there is a regular snowstorm starting up. What I saw was not a couple of flurries that was going to stop anytime soon. The bright spot of the day are my beads - it's part of my study in the reactions of opal yellow, copper green and edp purple. They are reactive glasses, and depending on where you use the colors, you will get either a spreading out of color, or a condensing of color. They are bright and pretty and make me smile. Now on ETSY.