Sunday, February 28, 2010

Shameless Follow My Blog Giveaway!!!!


Ok here it is! The giveaway is for this sweet little off mandrel focal. It is one of my trials of a new bead style that I am playing around with.
Here are the rules, leave a comment and I will write down all the names and pull a name on Wed. March 3rd. at around 7:00 pm.
I would love it if you would follow my blog too! I have really enjoyed reading the blogs that I follow and have found so many talented people out there in "blog world".
Look for more giveaways soon!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Holler atcha Girl

Seems that every time I have some artist come in and teach I pick up new ideas and have a couple of ahh haa moments. This time it was watching Steve Sizelove work while at MGE. He did a simple technique,used both in hard and soft glass and one I have done before, but it caught my eye. He works in boro, me I work in soft glass. The challenge was could I interpret it into soft glass? Well I worked on it and some tries were successful and others...not so much. I did get a couple of fun things and I will photograph all attempts so that you can see my process and how I develop a style..from inspiration to a bead I can be proud of.
So stay tuned they are in the kiln. Check back soon.

Oh and I am going to be having a blog give away. In other words a shameless attempt to develop a blog following! Make sure you stop by on Sunday night for details

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Midwest Glass Experience 2010















I finally have some time to show some pictures from Midwest Glass Experience . If you don't know what MGE is, it is a yearly event at the studio where I work. I came up with the idea last year to give people the ultimate experience in a professional glass studio with all the glass toys you can think of! We have glass teachers come from all over the country and teach mini classes for three wonderful days. This year we had Steve Sizelove, Andrea Guarino, Ofilia Cinta, Kate Mckinnon, me and Lisa Colby a metal smith who taught us to solder and set our own bezels. We also had classes in glass blowing, kiln work and cold working.
If you are a glass nut this event is something you cannot miss. It rocks..BIG TIME if I do say so myself.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

A Simple Thank You

I need to be writing about the wonderful weekend we had at my work with the Midwest Glass Experience but.....
Yesterday I got a little thank you note from Lori Anderson (our Bead Soup organizer). It was just a simple little note but it was hand written, unusual these days.
I remember having to write my Mom in college every week and boy did I get in trouble if I didn't. I had to write thank you notes to all my aunts at Christmas to thank them for gifts. I used to get letters from my sisters when they were in college and letters from relatives far away.
But lately we have all not taken the time to hand write notes or letters. And because of that it is rare that we get letters in the mail. Rare that we reach out in a simple way to connect.
So thanks Lori for that simple gesture and the kind words.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Bead Soup Reveal!



















Yep here it is the big reveal! It was so fun
participating and my partner was the best. I had not made a necklace in a long time that didn't have any lampwork beads in it so it was a great challenge and with such yummy soup it wasn't hard. I added some fresh water pearls and some more carnelian, but used almost every stone Lori had sent me.
Thanks Lori for a great time! Can't wait to do it again.


Make sure you check out all the bead soup participants.





Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?


So I get a phone call a couple days ago and it's my buddy Sage Holland. She is coming into St. Louis to pick up her son Beau who flew into Canada from France and took a bus to St. Louis (long story).
We haven't been able to see each other for about a year so it was nice to catch up and go out to dinner. We met up with a good friend of hers that she hadn't seen in 10 years so it was so fun to see Sages face light up when her friend came into the restaurant.
We stayed up late looking at beads of Sage's, Beau's and mine, and talking about the bead world.
Remember my last post about fixing up the house room by room...well Sage got to stay in our updated guest room and it was so nice and cozy.
I miss her already.

Hey Feb 10th is when we post our Bead Soup creations so make sure you all stop by.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I am a Big Girl now

It is so hard to hear about all the friends and friends of friends losing jobs. It's so scary, so out of control. My husband and I struggled for so many years , both owning our own businesses. Money was tight, keeping the house was always a question, deciding if we could pay our health insurance , or our house payment. Living with our stomach in knots.

Over a year ago, right before the great economy tank, my husband got a great job. Now everyday we get up to go to work I count my blessings.
Because of the money struggles my house was alway mis-matched, and kind of sloppy looking, with weird wallpaper, bad paint jobs, and dated everything.

Well slowly but surely we are re-doing a room at at time. Tearing off wall paper, new carpet, new paint, and furniture. Not quite there yet, still need, drapes, knick knacks, and lamps etc...I am beginning to feel like a big girl. Like an adult in an adult house.
Slowly but surely step by step.