Moose Whisperer

Back from our adventure in Maine.
Oh crap is it ever scenic up there.

Another Day * Another Bead

An "Instagram" snapshot of the sunlight streaming in and filling up my studio with a blinding, bright warmth.

I'm sorry there haven't been many photographs of all the new beads I have been making. I am keeping it simple and just rebuilding an inventory. I didn't have much of anything left after four months without any 'flame time.' Yesterday's beads are mostly small beads for simple hammered link necklaces.

If you look in the center of this pile of mandrels you will see the first marble made in the new studio.
Men love marbles. So, I better get busy because father's day is right around the corner.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Studio

The weather as it rolled towards my perch this afternoon.

The photo was taken with "Instagram" download it to your cell phone - it's a great toy.

Shane Fero - Glass Birds

I am so in love with these birds I ought to marry them.

Check out his crazy, amazing torch set up.

Click here to visit his website.

Let's Keep Craft Tidy

Is it weird that I always neaten up after I work?

Why do I put all the glass away, sweep up the wasted bits of rods, put my tools back in their drawers and roll my concentrator back into place after each and every time I work? It seems silly. I was watching You Tube videos of other glass workers and their bench surfaces were wild nests of of tools, rods, twisties, frit, flotsam and jetsam.

Fresh Flowers

I know, I can hardly believe it, new beads!

Pairs of blossoms for earrings, still on their mandrels.

Having my own lampworking studio is amazing, sigh.

I worked for hours and hours this afternoon and will be able to do the same tomorrow, it's dreamy.

Keg Stands

There was a professional photo shoot in my backyard last night.

That's Miss Margaret upside down in her cap and gown (honors tassels and all) doing a keg stand.

The photo is by Patrick J. Stefano, super genius, and was set up to promote Rohrbach's Beer (a local craft brewery).

Bedrizzled

We're wondering - will the cold drizzly rain ever stop?

Everyone has the spring sniffles and a sorry attitude.

Graduation

That's what I am talking about.

It's been a whirlwind of road trips, family gatherings, grad parties and keg stands.
Right now, I need a nap.

White Violets

Why are they still called violets when they're white?

Hey it's macro Friday.

New Beads

This is the first crow torched in my new studio.

It's beyond great to be making glass again. I feel goofy it's so good.

In a hour or so I am heading over to my new studio to unpack a kiln full of beads that I made yesterday.
So much anticipation. Crows, a dove, flowers, big hearts... there's a party in my kiln.

Mad Scientist / Artist / Historian

Saturday was my daughter Margaret's senior thesis exhibition. She is graduating, with a BFA, from Alfred University this spring.

She has studied alternative photography - with an emphasis on historic processes. She tells me that she knows how to make almost thirty types of archaic, nearly forgotten, kinds of photographs. I am impressed and happy to have a mad scientist / artist / historian for my kid.

These are toned Cyanotypes. They are solar exposed and made with giant paper negatives. It's kind of cool, she starts with a digital image and then kicks it all the way back to one of the first photographic discoveries to make her images.

As you can see, these are some big photographs. Huge, painterly photographs.

Hey, that's me there in the middle, next to the gallons of milk.
Get it? Mother's milk.

Ready to Pop

I
am
bursting
with
happiness




or








maybe....














with the chicken and waffles I had for mmmmmMother's Day brunch.

You know it.
You're thinking why didn't someone take me out for chicken and waffles?

Today Is The Day

Ooh my!
Everything is hooked up and ready to go!
Today I will make beads.

I've got it all - Beauty!

Gas!

Oxygen!
(thanks again Kerry for demystifying this contraption)

And fire!
That's my lucky Frida Kahlo lighter.

GPOYPT

It's "Gratuitous Picture of Your Pet Thursday."

No, it's not real, like GPOYW (gratuitous picture of yourself Wednesday) or BTW (bead table Wednesday) or even Macro Friday...

But if you would like to post a snapshot of your furbabies today, please do.
I adore seeing pet photos.

Generosity

I completely believe this.

Want to know how I made something?

Just ask.

At the same time,
I do not pilfer other peoples ideas.
It almost always makes them crazy.

I am lucky -
I always seems to have enough of my own screwball ideas to keep me busy.

Doing The Bird Walk

I spent the afternoon puttering around my studio trying to feel serene, not manic, about not being 'lit up' yet.

I watched this pigeon, across the way from my window, patrol his ledge for about an hour.

Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, from corner to corner.
I felt as one with this pigeon, as I banged around my space fiddling with this and that.

Both of us very busy but not really accomplishing diddly.

Got Glass?

I finished unpacking, sorting and stashing my glass this afternoon.

I know it's preposterous, but I do so love a good session of sorting.

Do you think I have enough?

My mandrels and sketchbooks are also ready.

I almost don't dare say it - but I think all I need now is a propane tank and a fearless mindset.