For-Ever!

Boy, it seems forever since I have blogged.  Well, almost forever, I think it was early this year the last time I sat down to write anything.
But, in the meantime, I have been keeping up with Facebook posts, did some YouTube videos and still listing on Etsy.

My recent works have been some blown vessels.  Been making some simple (altho still very shapely and elegant) vessels in mostly clear or transparent glass so that you can see what's inside.  I have some with mini marbles inside (shown above) some with sand and mini seashells, some with mini hearts and some with micro beads.  I have made all the marbles and hearts myself also.  These are very cute and the glass topper with cork can be removed so you can add your own items if you wish.  They will also hold perfume or essential oil if you would like.

I do have some available now at my Etsy shop - - - http://www.etsy.com/shop/JeansBeads?ref=seller_info
And I will also have some available at Coppper Con this coming weekend in Avondale, AZ.  For more info on the 32nd annual Copper Con Sci-Fi convention, look here - - http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/events/articles/20120822coppercon-32-convention-avondale.html
They also have a FB page.  These conventions are so much fun with different panels and discussions to attend, presentations, readings from authors, activities, gaming - and Filk music (can't forget that!).  If you like to read, write, game or watch anything Sci-Fi, this is a fun weekend!

Keepin' it on Track

Dragon Eye Pendant made with black and pure silver - now for sale on my Etsy (will come to Vegas if still around).

It's already almost a month into the new year - time seems to just fly by sometimes.  There are so many things with my glass art that I want to practice with, new things I want to try, and even new glass I want to experiment with, but I have to remember to keep myself on track.
I have an ongoing project that I am working on which will keep me busy working on beads thru June and I also have the big Glass Expo in Vegas coming up at the end of March, so I need to make sure I keep up with my production and don't stray too much from what I need to get done.
I usually make a list for each week, noting the stuff that needs to be done and also the stuff I want to get done for upcoming shows.  This helps a lot to keep me on track, but also allows some lee-way in case I get bored doing the same thing over and over and over.  I keep this list on my workbench as a reminder of my "plans" and it also reminds me of upcoming projects which might of slipped my mind.  That helps me stay motivated and always looking toward the future.  I think writing out your plans or dreams is always a great motivator and sometimes can break down huge projects (or obstacles) into smaller, more bite-size pieces.

Wow, January 2012 already!

Amazing!  I can't believe it's already 2012.  What happens to the time?  Sometimes it just seems to fly by.  Most of November and December flew by like a whirlwind to me, and now the New Year has already crept in.
I have been busy working away lately.  I have a special project for the Beads of Courage charity that I am working on now - - and I must say I am humbly honored to be asked to participate.  This project will last for a 4-5 months and will keep me busy at the torch.
Besides that, I have the annual Glass Craft Expo in Vegas at the end of March.  So looking forward to that show, which is basically the only big show I have done the last few years.  It is so much fun and I get to meet so many great and talented glass artists.
So . . . I will be very busy working on stock for the Vegas show as well as the BOC project, which is a very good thing.
Been working on a few new designs lately - - some Retro Ray Guns for mainly the Sci-Fi conventions I go to (but will bring them to Vegas, too), mermaids and various ocean themed beads.

Keeping Busy

I have been keeping busy lately, filling some orders and making how-to lampworking videos for YouTube.  I have several new videos online now and more to come soon.  Most of my recent videos are more intermediate/advanced techniques which might take a little practice for beginners.  But, I am also going to add more technique/color-reaction videos that will be more simple so that anybody should be able to use immediately.  I hope that I will be able to give some viewers and aspiring glass artists some tips and tricks to help with their creative processes to make their own cool beads!

Here are links to my last couple videos posted .. . .

This is the bead made in my Feathered Rainbow Tutorial on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h00_ntA8G7Y

Here is another tutorial on YouTube of on-mandrel implosion flowers.  The bead actually made in the video is the yellow one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_WvTs4Z6CY

This is a 2-part video, so be sure to tune into the second half, too.

And this is a little bunny bead which will be yet another tutorial coming up on YouTube  within the next few days!

The Scars of a Lampworker

Yes, being a lampworker can be exhilerating, exciting, fun and even exotic to some, but it also has it's risks.  Working with an open flame has it's dangers, but for me, all the cuts and burn scars are well worth it. 

Every scar tells a story, and I am glad to say that I am proud of my scars and that the more scars I build up, the more experience I gain at the torch.

This first scar was my worst burn ever.  It's hard to see, so I have highlighted the area.  The whole side of my hand was burnt from the first knuckle down to my thumb.  I was distracted by my son who came into the studio and ended up putting my hand right in the flame - - duh!  A fresh little burn is right above it and to the left, from a piece of flying glass.  I am surprised this scar is so small since such a large area was burned, but probably just the worst of it scarred up.  I now have a small lighter area there with a dark spot at the bottom.  And, of course, even after being badly burned, I had to finish the bead I was working on!

These are a bunch of little scars I have gotten over the years from little shards of flying glass when rods have shocked when first putting them into the flame.  These are no big deal, some hurt a little, but I just brush them off and keep on torching.

Here's a nice one.  This was a larger piece of shocked glass that flew right into my elbow area.  The piece of glass was triangle shaped so I have a nice triangle scar there now - - pretty cool! 

This is one I got just last week and it's healing up pretty well now.  A hot mandrel fell right between my fingers and both my ring finger and my middle finger were burned, but my ring finger got the worst of it.

And here is my newest wound.  Not from a burn, though.  I was playing with a little boro the other day and have a coffee can of rods I was using. Now that I am back to soft glass, I had the can of rods on the floor by my shelving unit.  Duh!  I walked right into a rod that was sticking out and got a nice gouge on my shin.

I believe scars have a big influence on who we are, whether those scars are visible or not.  And whether you have physical scars or scars of the heart, I hope you are as proud of them as I am.  We all make mistakes, we all slip up sometimes, but the most important thing to do is lift yourself back up and keep on going.  

Flowers For Fall

Been experimenting a little as I am trying to get back into a regular torch routine.  The weather is cooler now here in AZ (as least at night) and whether I have neck pain or not, I have to get back on the torch.

I have been playing with an old flower design I tried years ago - - think they look pretty cool.  I did not invent this design, tho, and I am not sure who did.  I have seen a few beads like these floating around from different

artists.  I am not sure if I make these exactly like others do since I figured this out myself, but they look similar to others I have seen out there.

I am hoping to get some of these online as pendants soon.  I will string them on a headpin with small beads and/or crystals and attach a spring ring so that these could be easily strung onto a corded or chain necklace, a key chain, bookmark, chain-pull, sun-catcher hook, etc.

 I am heading to the chiropractor again this Friday and I am hoping my neck issue begins to improve as it has been, altho too slow for my taste.  As for now, I can only torch for a few hours before the tingling and pain shooting down my arm from my pinched nerve starts being too much to handle.

Wish me luck and I hope you enjoy these floral beads as much as I enjoy making them.  I am also planning on making a set of these, but am trying out different color combos to find my favorites (so far, I really like the orange and aqua one).

Fall Time in Arizona

   Yep, it is finally fall here in AZ.  I can tell because the tree out in my front yard is shedding it's seeds and leaves like crazy - - we will need to get that cleaned up soon before we are fined by the dang HOA.  I hate HOAs, can't wait until we can get out of this house and into real private property!
   Anyway, the weather has been nicer during the days here, altho it has still been hovering around 100 on some recent days.  Since the nicer weather is here, I have been really aching to torch.  The only thing holding me up is my darn neck!  It's been acting up again, shooting pain and tingles down my right arm which causes a big problem if I try to torch, even for short periods of time.  You would think going to the chiropractor for the last 2 years would of helped it by now - it worries me at times.
   I did finally get onto the torch last night for an hour or so.  I picked up the boro again, trying to get some good color out of it in small experiments.  It was hit or miss with getting any color out.  I really think I need to set up my old National Blow Pipe for some good heat - my minor just doesn't want to do it, especially on a oxycon.
   And wouldn't you know it - a dang hot mandrel slid right between my fingers and gave me a nice little burn and blister.  I guess that's what I get for trying to force myself back on the torch.  No worries, tho - - I will be back at it soon, pain or not.  I can't stand just sitting around all day, pain or no pain.  I will be back at it soon and hopefully will make some good stuff to show, especially if I go back to my comfort zone - soft glass.