From This to This

I was asked if I could make a black and white business card holder...so from this

and this

I made this...

More glass from the kiln...

I haven't made beads for what seems like a long, long time.  My goal is to turn on the torch and spend many, many hours just playing.  My hope is that some of it will be good enough to restock my Etsy and Artfire shops again.

Just Playing...

Summer was great and as fall is swiftly approaching I find myself just wanting to find a corner in the sun and sleep away the afternoon...at least one afternoon before the days get cold again.

I did the market in the park this summer and it's been an interesting thing for me.  What I can say is that it's totally different to sell in person than it is to sell online.  Without my secret weapons, I would have never have been able to do it.  First, many thanks to Jeff...he can take the ideas in my head and make them work and having there when it's time to tear down makes it all so much easier for me.  Then I have my Mom...she helps in so many ways.  From pricing, to cashier, to customer service, to promoter, to banker...she does all the things that allow me to stay in "creative" mode.  And you can't deny the touches of my youngest niece...she helps design displays, and she has the eye for how things should be arranged within the space.  We've had good sales, but I have to admit that I would do it just to have the moments with family...

This is a custom bracelet I was asked to make to match one of the copper necklaces I've loved making...I think it turned out well.

And now to go find that warm place in the sun and relax for just a little while...

It's Winter again...and it's really COLD!

It truly is winter....again. You always know it will be coming and yet, somehow, I am never quite prepared for how really cold North Dakota can get in the winter.

I needed a new picture for my website, so with some help from the season I came up with this one...yep, I went out and gathered a bowl of snow for the photo.

I spent a week away from home. It was so much fun to get out of town and just hang out, but as always, it's nice to come back home.

Let's see, I've made a few beads, finished a necklace for a customer and had a small group of teenagers over to visit the glassy space. I'm always awkward having people watch me...I'd rather be the watcher than the one being watched.

No Snow Yet!

It's hard to believe we have no snow yet. I am not complaining and I am sure that it won't last long, but for now I am enjoying the days. I took the pick-up down to the body shop to get a new window and decided to walk home. I took the long way around as I did some banking, made an appointment to get my hair cut and just enjoyed being out in November without snow boots.

I had visitors to my studio last week. I have to admit that I don't always find it easy to let people into my work area. I'm beginning to feel a bit more confident in my ability to make a bead, so it's not quite so scary to have people see the good, the bad and the ugly....

Just a couple of pics today and then I must get some beads measured and listed...