Since I sold the pair of crows in my Etsy 'Belvedere' shop I put up a couple more. One is a little smaller if you're more into blackbirds than big fat ravens.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Crows Again, Again
No time to linger today, I have chocolate birthday cupcakes to bake. My husband is celebrating his 64th birthday. Yes, there will be much singing and playing of the Beatles song "When I'm Sixty-four."
Since I sold the pair of crows in my Etsy 'Belvedere' shop I put up a couple more. One is a little smaller if you're more into blackbirds than big fat ravens.
Since I sold the pair of crows in my Etsy 'Belvedere' shop I put up a couple more. One is a little smaller if you're more into blackbirds than big fat ravens.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Lampworking - Circa 1871
A fascinating illustration of a young woman lampworking.
Parisian worker blowing an imitation pearl bead.
From Les merveilles de l’industrie (The wonders of industry) by Louis Figuier, Paris, circa 1871.
Via archive.org.
Parisian worker blowing an imitation pearl bead.
From Les merveilles de l’industrie (The wonders of industry) by Louis Figuier, Paris, circa 1871.
Via archive.org.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Crows Again
I intend to teach myself to work in a more sculptural way with the torch.
This week a cooked up another batch of crow focal beads - this time after more sketching and thinking. Who wants to admit that they lay awake in bed and ponder lamp working techniques before nodding off?
This one has got the twisted shape of a big, ornery crow. It is almost 2 inches from beak to tail feathers. Same as before it is plain old Effetre black with swathes of Double Helix Triton and Psyche that have been heavily reduced.
I have listed a couple of them in my Belvedere etsy shop. (sold)
This week a cooked up another batch of crow focal beads - this time after more sketching and thinking. Who wants to admit that they lay awake in bed and ponder lamp working techniques before nodding off?
This one has got the twisted shape of a big, ornery crow. It is almost 2 inches from beak to tail feathers. Same as before it is plain old Effetre black with swathes of Double Helix Triton and Psyche that have been heavily reduced.
I have listed a couple of them in my Belvedere etsy shop. (sold)
American Robin #10
Yesterday I finally made myself pick up my brushes and get back to work on this huge painting.
It seems that late winter does me in, every year shortly after Valentine's day I just stop painting.
/blog%202010/robinsmarch2520104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">
I don't know if it's the lack of light, or my mood but it always happens.
It was a paint explosion, I worked for hours.
Happy sigh.
It seems that late winter does me in, every year shortly after Valentine's day I just stop painting.
/blog%202010/robinsmarch2520104.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">I don't know if it's the lack of light, or my mood but it always happens.
It was a paint explosion, I worked for hours.
Happy sigh.
Friday, March 26, 2010
A Spring Necklace
Completely over the top and not for the faint of heart
Once I got started wiring bits of gems and pearls together I just didn't want to stop.
There must be a mile of 22 gauge sterling silver wire in this royal baby.
It started with a pair of my lampwork glass leaves. Iridescent green ones made with Double Helix Gaia. I dug through my boxes of pearls and stones and put in a little bit of everything that looked great with the leaves.
To unify the design I used lots of these little 'pod' dangles. They're labradorite, opal glass and cornflake pearls. I love using cornflake pearls as bead caps.
It was delivered to the museum gift shop on Tuesday. Everyone there seemed to love it, I get a little nervous when I make anything that is so over the top. Usually, I just try and keep it simple.
It seems like spring is here. Look, see, the snowdrops are out
Once I got started wiring bits of gems and pearls together I just didn't want to stop.
There must be a mile of 22 gauge sterling silver wire in this royal baby.
It started with a pair of my lampwork glass leaves. Iridescent green ones made with Double Helix Gaia. I dug through my boxes of pearls and stones and put in a little bit of everything that looked great with the leaves.
To unify the design I used lots of these little 'pod' dangles. They're labradorite, opal glass and cornflake pearls. I love using cornflake pearls as bead caps.
It was delivered to the museum gift shop on Tuesday. Everyone there seemed to love it, I get a little nervous when I make anything that is so over the top. Usually, I just try and keep it simple.
It seems like spring is here. Look, see, the snowdrops are out
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Worm Lover
Yesterday was a bone chilling, wet, gray blanket of a day.
It was barely above freezing. with the winds blowing erratically, and a fine misty rain whipping around all day.
Dreary, m'dears, dreary.
I thought I would get to torch this afternoon but it ended up being an inconvenient time.
My mood got as dark as the skies. Eventually, I did get to flame and my frustrations turned into bliss. It's true, I had a stellar work session full of golden leaves, a giant hollow bird, a handful of blossoms and a new flock of iridescent crows.
Just look at this poor bastard worm, inching across my driveway through a near freezing puddle. I picked him up, barehanded, and put him in a nice spot in my flower bed.
Foolish matron, tree hugger, worm lover and unrepentant liberal - that's me.
It was barely above freezing. with the winds blowing erratically, and a fine misty rain whipping around all day.
Dreary, m'dears, dreary.
I thought I would get to torch this afternoon but it ended up being an inconvenient time.
My mood got as dark as the skies. Eventually, I did get to flame and my frustrations turned into bliss. It's true, I had a stellar work session full of golden leaves, a giant hollow bird, a handful of blossoms and a new flock of iridescent crows.
Just look at this poor bastard worm, inching across my driveway through a near freezing puddle. I picked him up, barehanded, and put him in a nice spot in my flower bed.
Foolish matron, tree hugger, worm lover and unrepentant liberal - that's me.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Fern Bracelet
Yesterday I finally got around to assembling all my lentil shaped 'fern; beads into a bracelet.
This is one of my favorite styles of bracelets to make - I call it the 'five lentil.' Pretty easy to see why, it's five lentil shaped glass beads strung together and attached to a chain with a dangle on one end and a fat lobster claw clasp on the other.
The best thing about this style is that it will fit anyone no matter what size wrist they have.
I wish I knew what the small gem stone spacer beads are - I never labeled them after I brought them home from the bead store. All the findings and the chain are sterling silver.
The beads are plain, old Effetre white with Double Helix Gaia raked on for the fern fronds.
I delivered it this morning to the museum gift shop.
This is one of my favorite styles of bracelets to make - I call it the 'five lentil.' Pretty easy to see why, it's five lentil shaped glass beads strung together and attached to a chain with a dangle on one end and a fat lobster claw clasp on the other.
The best thing about this style is that it will fit anyone no matter what size wrist they have.
I wish I knew what the small gem stone spacer beads are - I never labeled them after I brought them home from the bead store. All the findings and the chain are sterling silver.
The beads are plain, old Effetre white with Double Helix Gaia raked on for the fern fronds.
I delivered it this morning to the museum gift shop.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Bugs in His Brain
This in one of my two silly dogs - Napoleon P. Oodle.
He is trying to rub the bugs outta his brain. He looks a little like a cubist Picasso painting of a poodle with his limbs all in the wrong places.
I never realized until I was looking at these snapshots that the tulips on my needlepoint footstool are probably where I got the idea for my latest blossom earrings.
Please note that there is a spirit hovering over the footstool in this one. Yes, I know that this photographic phenomenon is actually the shutter catching the image of a falling raindrop - in my bedroom.
He is trying to rub the bugs outta his brain. He looks a little like a cubist Picasso painting of a poodle with his limbs all in the wrong places.
I never realized until I was looking at these snapshots that the tulips on my needlepoint footstool are probably where I got the idea for my latest blossom earrings.
Please note that there is a spirit hovering over the footstool in this one. Yes, I know that this photographic phenomenon is actually the shutter catching the image of a falling raindrop - in my bedroom.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Crows
It's time for me to start working in a more sculptural way with glass.
I am itching to teach myself something new with the torch.
Naturally the place to start, for me, is with birds.
And if it's birds it has to be crows.
These large focal beads have a black base that was decorated with threads of Double Helix Triton and Psyche for iridescence.
Preliminary crow drawings.
I am itching to teach myself something new with the torch.
Naturally the place to start, for me, is with birds.
And if it's birds it has to be crows.
These large focal beads have a black base that was decorated with threads of Double Helix Triton and Psyche for iridescence.
Preliminary crow drawings.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Loving the Green
Gaia - that is. The iridescent metallic green glass made by Double Helix Glass Works.
A leaf bead that Gaia over transparent grass green and teal. The Gaia has green, blue and violet flashing through it. These two beads are just wild in the sunlight.
This pile of beads will be all wired together with silver and become a bracelet.
The small round ones have a core of pale opalino blue encased in Messy Cirrus. The were heavily etched. The contrast of the ultra shiny leaves and the satiny, beach glass like rounds is very nice. I may also throw in some labradorite for good measure.
I had a wonderfully long session at the torch yesterday. I cannot wait to see the beads - it felt really good while I was working.
p.s. happy Saint Patrick's day.
A leaf bead that Gaia over transparent grass green and teal. The Gaia has green, blue and violet flashing through it. These two beads are just wild in the sunlight.
This pile of beads will be all wired together with silver and become a bracelet.
The small round ones have a core of pale opalino blue encased in Messy Cirrus. The were heavily etched. The contrast of the ultra shiny leaves and the satiny, beach glass like rounds is very nice. I may also throw in some labradorite for good measure.
I had a wonderfully long session at the torch yesterday. I cannot wait to see the beads - it felt really good while I was working.
p.s. happy Saint Patrick's day.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Antique Keys Galore
I found a lovely stash of antique skeleton keys junking last week.
This morning I listed a bunch of the small ones in my Curious Old Things Etsy shop.
I banish winter!
The last of the snow on our sidewalk. The first crocus cannot be far behind.
This morning I listed a bunch of the small ones in my Curious Old Things Etsy shop.
I banish winter!
The last of the snow on our sidewalk. The first crocus cannot be far behind.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Spring Blossoms - a second boquet
A whole new batch of spring blossom earrings.
Little lampwork glass flowers with freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones.
All of them are ready to deliver to the museum next week.
If you see something you want -
email me and I will set them aside for you -
or put them up on Etsy with a reserve in your name. $27.00 per pair.
These have pale green pearls and garnets,
and these have brown pearls and peridot.
These little green glass and big white pearl snow drops are may favorites.
Little lampwork glass flowers with freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones.
All of them are ready to deliver to the museum next week.
If you see something you want -
email me and I will set them aside for you -
or put them up on Etsy with a reserve in your name. $27.00 per pair.
These have pale green pearls and garnets,
and these have brown pearls and peridot.
These little green glass and big white pearl snow drops are may favorites.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Gaia Leaves
More sculpted leaves.
These are transparent teal and transparent grass green wrapped in bands of Double Helix Gaia and heavily reduced.
I wish you could see the flashes of violet as you move them around.
These are transparent teal and transparent grass green wrapped in bands of Double Helix Gaia and heavily reduced.
I wish you could see the flashes of violet as you move them around.
Homage to Dr. Seuss
I made another pile of small flowers for earrings.
When you make these you have to make a couple of extra petals for each pair.
because when you re-introduce them into the flame they sometimes blow up in your tweezers.
These blue ones were especially cool, until they broke.
I used an encased blue and white twistie to make each petal.
When I was done with all the little pairs I had a pile of spare flower petals.
I used them to make one, big fanciful bloom which reminds me of a Dr. Seuss flower.
It's about 2" long.
We are so, so close to spring!
When you make these you have to make a couple of extra petals for each pair.
because when you re-introduce them into the flame they sometimes blow up in your tweezers.
These blue ones were especially cool, until they broke.
I used an encased blue and white twistie to make each petal.
When I was done with all the little pairs I had a pile of spare flower petals.
I used them to make one, big fanciful bloom which reminds me of a Dr. Seuss flower.
It's about 2" long.
We are so, so close to spring!
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