Sept 15 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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