New Beads

More of those beads

The Amazing Lampworking Weekend

(Rods and rods of glass - yum!)

So... I promised some about my weekend. First of all it was supposed to have been a Jennifer Geldard class in Colorado in October, but due to a serious illness, Jennifer had to cancel her class and my bead friends and I had to figure out what to replace it with. We settled on Frantz's Lampworking With The Stars Weekend.


(Maggie and Me)

Saturday morning I got up at 6:00 and drove to Shelton, just in time for the 10:00 class to start. Corina was teaching the first day. A few years ago Frank got me a day with her as a birthday gift - remember? She's such a great teacher and this class was even better than I'd remembered. She's organized and uses the time well and really explains things as she demonstrates techniques. Plus, she's entertaining. If you are a lampworker and ever get a chance to take one of her classes, you really should.


(Note the dog in Corina's shirt, it was soooo COLD there.)

Anyway.... we spent a few hours making starburst cane for milifori, twisty stringer cane, goldstone stringer, dicroic stringer, and learning to paint fish bones with glass on a bead (dot manipulation and stringer control). Then we had lunch and came back and learned how to make that amazing bead I showed off yesterday. I could have stopped there - that was more than enough to learn in one day - several hours of making components and almost an hour making the bead. My arm was shaking when that baby went into the kiln I tell you! But oh NO we were far from done! Next we messed around with some Triton silver glass and tried to make a bead that I thought looked like raindrops. Mine came out ok on one side, the other side was a little too melted... but now I know what to do and I bough some Triton to try here in my own studio this week. Still not done, oh no. Next we learned how to make a dot that looks like a bezel set jewel. So cool! And not hard at all, you just have to have it planned out ahead of time. And THEN... dinner. At 8:30. And still, we were not done. Back we went to the classroom and Corina showed us how to make what she calls her Quark beads. And then a flower bead with stamen cane. And then... she was still going, but Maggie, Angela and I could not stand it any more and we had to go. It was 11:00 and we were frozen to the bone and not even able to concentrate any longer. So we left for the night.

The next morning started at 9:00. First thing I had to do was go see that bead - the one I'd been dreaming about all night and waiting for more than if Santa was coming. Seriously, more excited than Luke will be Christmas Eve. And there it was, as perfectly wonderful as I'd been thinking it was. It has not left my hand, pocket, neck or bedside table since that moment.


(Kimberly making a really rockin' bead)

And then we had to get to work again. Kimberly Affleck was teaching a class on silver glass reactions. Pure magic if you ask me. She pulls out this honking big torch and gets to work, melting glass into big huge melty globs and it was like getting whiplash after watching Corina create with absolute precision and order the day before. I'm not complaining though, it was a great balance between the two of them. Kimberly wowed us with one amazing magical creation after another. Leafs that she pulled off the ends of rods. Mixing silver glass in with goldstone frit and striking or reducing color with absolute sureness every time. Long skinny beads made with silvered twisty stringer canes, melted until they were just flowing from one end of the mandrel to another. The time flew until it was 8:00 and everyone was pretty much burned out and unable to make another thing or put one more concept into their brains. Seriously. That's how it felt to me anyway.

It was amazing and I'm trying trying trying to remember it all. One thing I know for sure, my beads will never be the same again.

(Big thanks to Angela for the photos!)

My MOST Favorite Bead Ever

I love this thing! I made it this weekend in Corina's lampworking class at Frantz. It was a WOW weekend, I'll tell you all about it soon!

Another Necklace

I have an idea for these - the flower part can be a bracelet and I'll include the back part to convert it to a necklace. What do you think? The problem with these things is they are not resizable... this is my struggle here.



Oh, and I decided to put my necklaces up for 10% off until Christmas. See my Etsy Shop for details.

Blue Between Black Friday Sale!

♥ Black Friday Weekend Sale: Don't fight the crowds, shop online instead! This weekend only, 20% off anything in my store. For sale price, please check out but *DON'T* pay! I'll send you a custom invoice! ♥

BlueBetween.etsy.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for Luke's adorable pine cone turkey centerpiece today.



Luke also came home yesterday with this amazing bag decorated in a hand print turkey, full of cards of handprinted and illustrated things he is thankful for. I'll share with you because they brought tears to my eyes. I hope you have such a great list too. Happy Thanksgiving with lots of love!



I am thankful for having a school. This one is just right.

I am thankful for having great grandparents. They give me money for college.

I am thankful for having a family. I love them.

I am thankful for friends. They look out for you and help you.

I am thankful for my dogs. I love playing with them.

I am thankful for having a house or else I would have to live in the streets.

Back Home

We had to make a quick trip to Florida to visit family. All is well, or as well as can be. It was cold there, but sunny. It's cold here too. And sunny. Go figure. Here's a quick picture of the mountains as we left. I'm sure they looked the same when we came back, except it was dark and cloudy and I didn't see them.



Anyway, I'm glad to be home, I have so much I want to do, and am so far behind between these two family trips and Luke's birthday and houseguests last month, so far behind. Anyway, I am starting a quilt (yes, imagine? My mother-in-law inspired me, she made us all lap quilts which we are loving now that the house is cold and drafty again), I have two glass birthday gifts to make (one late, one hopefully on time), beads I want to make and list for sale, some family jewelry to restring, and holiday gifts to make. Lots of stuff and of course it's half-days at school and Thanksgiving coming and ugh, I have to put it all on hold another week. Creations will happen, and soon, stay tuned.

Shiba Inu Pups

We've been watching these pups for a day now, they are so fun.

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

Back to Basics

I made beads today. I can't remember the last time I got to do that. I've been wanting to make trees... so that's what I did. Plus some of my little flower wheels. In some strange black glass color that reduces to metalic. No idea what rod I grabbed.



Basics... my feel-good beads. Except I'm not feeling it. Why is that? I should be bouncing off the walls with Obamania. Except I'm feeling a bit bad for him, what a mess he inherited. Plus November rains are here and oh are they cold and dark and wet. Which is fine if it's only a day or two or four. But it's going to be months and months of this. And... well, just stuff. I'm pooped out. October does that to me every year.

So I read a good series of books last week - the whole series, yes. Twilight and New Moon and Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. They suck you in, trust me. Vampires and werewolves and love stories. Not the deepest reading in the world... but a good escape. Give them a try if you are feeling the need to run away too.

They're getting a puppy!

The Obama girls are getting a puppy! LOL, isn't that the cutest thing? Luke was babbling at that point, how were they going to keep track of a puppy in the White House? How were they going to house train it when the house was so big? Hoping they didn't lose it... he was very concerned. Very cute. And no big thing that an African American was elected president, so what, of course and why not. The next generation, isn't it wonderful?

I'm so relieved. Happy too, but it's hard to feel it for all the relief. There was a part of me that thought our voting system was so messed up that we would never see what the American People really wanted. Ever again. But this restores my faith and my hope in this democracy. And I'll get excited... once it finally sinks in that it's real. I keep checking the headlines making sure they aren't taking it away from me.

Check out this slide show, it's still giving me goosebumps!

Halloween 2008

I pulled it off. Luke had a great time, Zoe loved wearing her bones costume, the house looked fun enough. We have more than enough candy to last through Christmas. Now I can crash. Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Too Busy for Words

Life has been too crazy busy these past few weeks... serious to-do lists including flying across the country for a weekend to help get my grandmother moved in with my mother. Tomorrow is my favorite day of the year and I am not even close to being ready to enjoy it. I rushed the pumpkin carving, my window bats are not up to par, the yard is not decorated... and I never made something goulish to wear out of glass. Oh well, maybe next year. Tonight, it was dinner out with Luke's grandfather who is in town... and while it was just the second to the last thing on my list for the day, it was nice to get out to the water. Things slow down there. It was much needed.

The Mountain

That's what we call her around here "The Mountain". Of course, in my family, she is known as "My Mountain" if I'm talking about her, or, if Luke is, it's "Mom's Mountain". He gets Mt. Baker. Frank gets Mt. St. Helens. My Mountain is Mt. Rainier.



Here she is with "The Lake", Lake Washington.

Fall is Fun by Luke

Fall is fun
It tastes like pumpkin pie
It smells like wet dogs
It sounds like crunchy leaves
It looks like jack o lanterns
It feels wet

By Luke

Vote!

"Goodbye Summer!" By Luke

Goodbye Summer!
Goodbye T-shirt
Hello Vest
Goodbye Ice Cream
Hello Soup
Goodbye Lemonade
Hello Hot Chocolate
Goodbye Hot Weather
Hello Cold Weather
Goodbye Baseball
Hello T.V.
Hello Fall

Red

Any Abe-Hicks fans reading here?

Abraham on the current financial situation:

Pumkins and Politics

We went to the pumpkin patch today. Luke chose to wear his new Obama for President shirt.



On the way home we stopped for pizza at our favorite spot in Everett, Brooklyn Bros Pizza. We parked right in front of the county's Obama Headquarters and decided to run in and get a yard sign!

Today's Walk

I'm avoiding the news. Trying anyway. You know I can't stay out of politics, I go back and forth between enjoying it all and wishing it was over... but the news these days is dismal. Today I peeked at the headlines and just about choked. So Zoe and went for a walk instead of checking CNN on the Blackberry during Luke's soccer practice. I'm glad we did. I found our "Edmonds Marsh" - a nice little bird sanctuary near the beach with wooden boardwalk and interpretive signs with information about the birds who live there. Will have to go back with my zoom lens one of these days.



Then we went on to my lovely fishing pier. No seals or sea lions today, but that's ok. It was a nice walk, Zoe enjoyed herself too.



And now we are watching the news. Or not really, it's Michelle Obama on Larry King Live. She is one impressive person. I really like her. And that's not news so much. Just politics.

The Big Bold Necklace Collection

I listed my necklaces on Etsy today. Here's hoping not everyone is worried about the economy, huh?

Luke's School Fundraiser

My school's annual fundraiser with Innisbrook has begun. Innisbrook Wraps has beautifully designed gift wrap printed on quality recycled paper, coordinating gift wrap accessories, gourmet foods and fine Helen Grace Chocolates that make great gifts, Time Inc. magazine subscriptions, and more.

For every item that is purchased, Innisbrook donates up to 50% of the purchase price to my school. I also earn a prize credit for every item purchased except school supplies. The more prize credits I earn, the more prizes I win!

Please consider visiting the Innisbrook website and making a purchase on my behalf. A link is included below. Our sale will be over soon, so don't wait. Place your order today.

Thanks for your help!

Seller: LUKE Seller ID# R157167D
School: BRIGHTON SCHOOL
School Number: 105733

Click the link below to visit Innisbrook.com and they will recognize me and my school automatically.

http://www.innisbrook.com/index_students.cfm?id1=R157167D&id2=&id3=

If the above link does not work:
1. Click below
2. Enter the Seller ID# R157167D
www.innisbrook.com/id.cfm

So Long Starbucks

So long, Starbucks
It was nice while it lasted.
I will miss you so much.
(Actually, I already do.)

This winter,
When it's cold
And grey
And dreary...
It will be very hard
To find a better treat
Than your Sunshine in a Cup.

Hot tea doesn't do it.
Hot chocolate might,
But then I might as well just
Have a mocha.

My body will thank me.
At least it better.
Coffee Free.
Dairy Free.
Chocolate Free.
(No, never chocolate free!)

But if it doesn't,
And if the economy
Doesn't totally crash...
I'll be back.
For my Sunshine in a Cup.
That lovely chocolately
Java drink...
Grande No-whip Mocha,
You will always have a spot
In my heart.

Pink

It's a pink day here. Pink sweatshirt, pink necklace, pink flower, pink chucks. I'm so not a pink person, what's up with that?

Another Necklace

Are you sick of this style yet? I hope not, because I have a feeling there are more coming :) I do need to list them on etsy soon though, they are piling up.

My New Favorite Edmonds Spot

The public fishing pier - I just found it this week and I'm so happy I did! We saw a seal swimming and a fisherman told us there was a sea lion "just over there" but we didn't see him come up for air. I'll be back there often to see what I can see. Happy.

A New Necklace

Surfboards

They are not, but they look like they could be. Australian war shields. Wouldn't they make great designs for beads?

milk allergy

I made my mocha with almond milk today.

I don't love it.

But I don't hate it either.

the sniffly post

I'm not grouchy any more, thanks, but I am sniffly now, and my head feels like it's stuffed full of cotton balls. The bee sting only itches, that's an improvement. Coffee was good. Cheese toast too. The sun is out and it's supposed to be 80 degrees today. Oh, and not all the beads were bad. Some nice ones after all. I can't decide if I want to take the dog for a long sweaty walk or just go back to bed... not a bad dilemma if you have to have one, right? Have a happy Saturday.

the grouchy post

I got stung by a bee today. It hurts.

I colored my hair yesterday and it came out B.L.A.C.K. Yeah, I know my hair is dark, but not black and it doesn't look right.

The beads I made today are mostly K.A.K. Not sure what that stands for, but you get the drift.

Logs are still in my front yard.

Luke brought home a cold from school. We are both sniffly.

Luke made me buy a bag of dried seaweed for school snacks because the boy next to him at snack time brings it in and Luke thought it looked interesting. He decided it wasn't as interesting after all and so now I have a bag of dried seaweed that smells and looks like fish food.

My grandmother decided that digital cable it too difficult to learn and so it going back to regular cable even though it means she will no longer get her favorite channels (they have converted to digital only). Getting old must totally suck, not to want to learn a new remote control.

I'm kind of sick of politics, and who ever thought I'd say that. I can't wait until it's over. Of course I hope my guys wins. Hope being the word of the century. Or is it change? Whatever...

When does Gray's Anatomy start? Or Private Practice? Anything good coming this fall? And I need a good book to read, the one I have going puts me to sleep after two paragraphs.

Autumn on the Way

Maggie Towne made the beautiful lampwork leaf beads, lucite flowers from Germany, garnets, pearls, glass, etc.

Sorry for the awful photo, it's so much prettier in real life, as usual, I'm struggling with my photo studio, lighting, etc.

Caramel-By-The-Sea

This delicious necklace features lampwork beads by Angela of Blue Lagoon Beads, pearl, citrine, glass, Hill Tribe silver, brass, stainless, etc, etc.

Watermelon Inspiration

This:



Led to this:

My Munchkin

Doesn't he look like he's begging for a hug?

Clearing Out

Drama. Of course there is drama. Someone called the city and complained about the trees being cut down and the city came by to inspect and ask if we had permits. Contractor had been told no permits were needed... it went around and around and I'm not sure where that stands. What a headache. All the lumber from the sick trees in the back yard has been removed and some of the logs left today. The sun has been shining ever since they were cut down and I'm so thrilled by the light. It's still all good. And will only get better and better. Stump grinding, new top soil, then the fun part - planning and planting.

All Down!

And my madrona tree still lives! The true test will be if it survives the stump grinding... but oh, I'm happy there is still hope for it! And ah.... hear that? Yes, the saws are turned off. Phew.

Half a Tree Left

House still standing. Madrona tree still standing. Lamp post still standing. Heart is beating too fast, but all is well.

Today

I feel like a tree killer, but I adore my new sunlight. Adore. Is that stronger than Love? The lack of privacy thing is going take some getting used to - I can't wait to plant my hedgerow and baby white birch trees. And my strawberry patch. And my cottage garden. It's going to be beautiful. And so much sun, I'll get to plant whatever I want for a change! (Two trees standing, and counting, am a nervous wreck with all the sawing and chipping and branches and logs crashing.) The neighbors might forgive me someday, even, if the hedge and birches grow fast enough. It's not like they were pretty trees, just tall and old, all trimmed up and ugly, leaking drippy sap and dropping pine cones and not letting anything under them grow. Seriously, I'm not justifying a thing here, I've never liked these trees and I usually am a tree-hugger kind of person. It was just time for these to go. They are almost gone, and I'm just crossing my fingers that a.) the house doesn't get a tree dropped on it (the one they are working on now is 10 feet away from my living room) and b.) that my baby madrona tree survives all this - I love that little tree.

In other news, Luke started school today. He had a good day, though I could tell he was nervous (he was holding on to the front seat of the car and wouldn't get out this morning, how obvious was that?). I think he'll be fine, he likes his new teacher, knows a lot of the kids in his class, had a treasure hunt, otter pops, and pizza for lunch, and even has a new pair of eye glasses he can leave at school. It's going to be a good year. He will see that soon enough.

I cleaned out the studio today, set up my photo (oh, they just dropped a log on my stone patio, ouch) studio again, and had time left over to make some watermelon beads.

Nervous.... these saws... one or two more days and then stump grinding noise and then we can enjoy our new sunshine and blank slate of a front yard.

I Like This

Abraham-Hicks quote from today:

"You can't take sides against anything. If you would just be one who is for things, you would live happily ever after. If you could just leave the "against" part out."