Twisted Tuesday - Holiday Special!

Forgive me this shameless self promotion, I just gotta say, I think Totally Twisted: Innovative Wire Work + Art Glass Jewelry (by Yours Truly) should be on every beader's wish list this Christmas!! With the holidays officially upon us, and as an author experiencing my first Christmas with my first book, I can't help it, I am biased, I know. To celebrate the season and to help stuff lots of stockings with copies of Totally Twisted, I have marked signed copies down 20% on my website.

So whether you have been holding off getting a copy for yourself, or you want to gift a copy to your best beady girlfriend, now is the time to order!! Shipping rates are the same: US Residents $3.50, Canadian Residents $8, and Everywhere Else $12 ( sorry I can't make it cheaper, books are heavy!) And I am happy to sign the copy to whom ever, just note it in the comments when checking out.

Now, for those of you that already have a copy of the book, and have been eagerly waiting that new kit that I hinted at a few weeks ago, it is here!! You can now order kits for UNHINGED! (photo of kit beads below) This is truly one of my favorites. I love making these beads and I love making this bangle. You can read all about the origins of this design in this 2008 blog post. This would be a great starter project for a newbie wireworker too. If you are gifting a copy of the book, this would make a great companion gift (hint hint)!!

While you are checking out all the Kits & Supplies, Oh My! on my website, you'll see that the 4 kits I launched earlier this yeas have been marked down too!! I have taken 10% off of Bang Gals!, Delightful, Framed, and Timeless. All because I love you guys and I am so thankful for your support and for making 2010 such an exciting year for me. Thanks so much to each and every one of you. This sale will be going on until December 31, 2010. That way, if Santa doesn't get everything on your list, you can come back and treat yourself to something special :) But, I hate shameless self promotion, so I won't be mentioning this again until it is about to expire!!

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas!!

A Bit Of This And That

:: these pieces are called "bauble", "ball bin", and "popularity", respectfully
:: beads for a black and white version on "bauble" are soaking in the kiln as we speak
:: looking forward to the trunk show at JOOLZ on friday from 4-7pm, who's coming?!?
:: maybe the twinkle lights at the the trunk show will boost my holiday cheer, it is rather lacking so far this year
:: i want some snow, dang it... said in my most whiniest of voices



:: hubby couldn't sleep black friday morning and decided to see what goodies could still be had at 5am...
:: i have a new laptop! and windows 7 is intersting, hmmmm
:: said laptop does not yet have photoshop on it, so pictures maybe lacking for a while
:: where the heck did i put that photoshop disc?
:: decided i don't like the l.e.d. lights i bought for the house, i am taking them down this afternoon and going back to the classic ones... they have a prettier glow

Thanks & Giving

A Mint Julep

Yes, yes, I know it is suposed to be Twisted Tuesday, and I missed Random Monday yesterday. There is just too much going on around here and something has to give. Even now, I am only popping in for a second to share these photos. I finished another piece, A Mint Julep, for next week's trunk show. I am loving it!! It was inspired by a vintage pearl necklace that Lauren has been sporting lately.

Gotta dash. ~K

Brought By The Breeze

That weather system that blew through here with its blustering winds brought some new jewelry with it. I have had spirals on the brain lately and decided to give my stringer work over to the almighty swirl. I can't begin to tell you how incredibly meditative it can be to sit at a flame melting fine strands of glass into flowing coils on the surface of a bead. *sigh* I made a dozen and a half hollows with just such a decoration and wired them into this pretty new Fall inspired necklace. I love it. There are several new colors of glass that I hadn't previously had the pleasure of working with found in this piece. The rusted red orange color is called Hawaiian Clay, and there is some CiM Plum and Transparent brown in there too. Add that pop of minty grasshopper green and I think you would be pretty hard pressed to find a more quintessential Fall color combo.

I think I have lost my jewelry making mind because... well, I actually can't get earrings off my mind either. You know me, I usually detest earrings. But, today, I love them. I dove into some new techniques and etched the metal for the first time this morning. I swirled the metal too... and that metal is sterling, in case you are wondering. I cut, cleaned, designed on, etched, cleaned, cut, patina-ed, and cleaned again to make those swirly little discs. Aren't they sweet? With those two little persimmon glass headpins, I dare say this makes a delightful set. Just different enough to hold their own, and similar enough not to fight each other for your attention. I like it when pieces play so nice together :)

You should be seeing lots of new pieces of jewelry in the next two weeks. Francie at JOOLZ asked me to stop by the shop for a trunk show on Friday December 3rd from 4-7pm during the annual Holiday Artwalk. The artist she had slated for the evening canceled last minute... and I am very happy to fill in. If you are local, I would love to see you in Canandaigua that night!!

Until then, I can't wait to see what else the breeze brings this way. 

Batten Down The Hatches

It is a horribly blustery day with all kinds of wind and rain. This morning my friend Lindsey came for a visit and we sipped on homemade Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and knit for what was too short a time. My frugal hubby had a coupon for Panera and we had buy-on-get-one-free salads in an absolutely bustling dining room for lunch. Yum. After running some errands, one of which was to get my hands on the latest issue of Artful Blogging, I came home to a whisper quiet house and toasty warm fire. My brain is being racked by the desire to debunk a difficult new wire link design that won't leave my imagination. Yet, my hands find they want to manipulate something other than wire... a wee bit of pen and paper. The other night, Andrew and I were looking for something and I came across my college sketch book. He was in awe, I was hyper-critical. I wonder why my drawing eye is so critical, nothing is ever good enough... yet, I still want to draw? It is whisper that I hear getting louder lately. Who knows where it will go... no matter the destination, I hope I can find ways to enjoy the journey. For now though, we best be battening down the hatches here...  we will be making some onion soup and settling in for a night full of howling winds.

Twisted Tuesdays - Studio Dreaming

For the past, um idunno... like, three years, I have said no less than one bazillion times that I want to find a studio outside my home. A place that gets me out of the dungeon basement and into a more vibrant environment with other artists. Don't get me wrong, I.love.my.studio. I am incredibly thankful to have the space that I do. It is big, it is convenient, I can visit it in my pajamas if I want, and it is mine all mine. I think it is real, true, human contact that I am craving more than anything. (That, and passing the monstrous pile of laundry I should be washing sucks.) I want to be around others that share a passion for art and build a sense of community around that. I am starting to get lonely having no contact with anyone but those that send emails to say hi. Which I think is leading to an overall funk that has me avoiding "working" more and more.

This past weekend, I visited a cool place where Anderson Alley Artists gather. Photos today are from that visit, and they don't do this space nearly enough justice (I had the wrong lens on my camera, oops). This building is an old warehouse/factor place that has been converted to lofts that are used as art studios. The size of the studios vary by what floor you are on, the second and third floors have rooms on either side of the hall, where the forth floor studios are much larger and are just on one side. And in most of the studios, there are a few artists sharing the spaces, making the already low rent, very very affordable. Many of the artists participate in something called 2nd Saturdays as well, which opens the building up to the public for studio tours and shopping! I found out via a jewelry acquaintance that there is a potter/painter looking for a studio mate which is what had me hopping in my car for the short 15min drive over to there to check things out.



When I left the building Saturday afternoon, I was completely torn. This space has a lot of positives, and a couple of pretty hefty negatives. I don't think I need to list the positives, just look at the space!! A few of you glass workers looking at these photos might see pretty quickly one of the challenges of the room... that LIGHT. The sun in this building is absolutely amazing. It just floods every nook and cranny, but for torch work, that much light can make it very difficult to see the flame. In my home studio, a part from a strand of twinkle lights, and a spot light in one corner, I torch in the dark. Okay... curtains would solve that problem right? Right.

So, I had a really great chat with the artist already using the space and was all set to go visit the studio again and take a few measurements when a part of our conversation got stuck in my head. Again, with that light coming in those HUGE south facing windows (there are actually two huge banks of windows in the studio), the room is completely unusable in the summer. The heat is just too intense to work. I thought at first, I could work at night, or I could put in air conditioners, or or or... but come on, I work on a 2000+ degree torch. It is already hard enough to torch in the summer let alone when in a room that can reach more than 100 degrees.

I decided as beautiful and awesome as the place is, this one, I need to let go. (Hey, if you are local and don't mind the light and heat, and want contact info on this studio, zing me an email!) This experience, though, did really reaffirm for me just how much I want this. So, the hunt is on. There are a few other options around Rochester that I am looking into... Hungerford Urban Artisans (no website available) is one, and Rochester Contemporary Art Center is another.

There are a few other arguments against a remote studio that I need to contend with still. Will I want to travel there when there is 3ft of snow? and What will I do in the summer when the kids are off from school? are two big ones I need to think about, but I will cross those bridges when I get to them. For now, I am still rearranging studio furniture in my head, envisioning the possibilities of an amazingly inspiring space, and wondering what I can do in the meantime to get more human contact in my life...

Because Orange Is A Rockin' Color

:: I started this toe-up hand knit sock last Tuesday and I finished it last night, time to start the second sock.
:: Orange is an awesome color, my sister's favorite color.
:: My sister turns 30 this weekend! Happy Early Birthday, Sister!!
:: I spent some time on the torch this weekend and I wasn't working with orange, maybe I will today.
:: Looking out the living room window, I think the neighbor's house looks orange today, even though I know it is a dark yellow.



:: I took the kids on a walk to Big Field last Thursday when they were off from school, some orange leaves are still clinging to the trees.
:: It was an Indian summer weekend, weather wise, and I hung the Christmas lights on the house. (Better to do it in nice weather than when your finger's might pop off they are so frozen.)
:: I also toured a studio this weekend that I am considering renting. Lots of positives! (a couple of negatives) It is a tough decision.
:: If I didn't have a million green peppers left from the last of the garden harvest, I would go to the store and buy an orange pepper to make stuffed peppers for dinner tonight. If only I could have left those of ours on the vine a little longer, they woulda turned orange... or red, at least.



:: This is my favorite photo from the walk last week and it was taken in the exact same spot as this photo back in June.
:: There are more photos from our walk in my photostream, if you are so inclined to look.
:: My coffee to creamer ratio is a bit off this morning. The inside of my mouth is feeling sticky sweet.
:: I wish I had a bag of oranges for breakfast today... I would bake the peels in the oven and smell the house up nice.
:: Alas, oranges, I have not, and they wouldn't go with my peppermint mocha creamer anyway.

This Moment

{this moment from SouleMama} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

A Ray Of Sunshine

We woke to a positively beautiful day this morning. The sun is shining, and it is expected to reach temps in the 60s. With the kids home for Veteran's Day, I have plans to get us out in the sun to soak up as much of that yummy natural vitamin D as we can. Before we do that though, Momma had to get some "work" done. After I cleaned these "The Eyes Have It" beads for kits ordered a few weeks ago, I was about to take them down to the studio for a quick photo shoot when I noticed a lovely ray of sunshine coming through the window of our front door on to the dining room table. Today being what it is, I lined up the beads like good little soldiers and started snapping away. This is one of those times that I wish I knew my camera settings better. I love how the photos turned out, don't get me wrong, but there is a magical glow that happens while sitting in a ray of sunshine that the camera lens looses. I wish I knew better how to catch that glow without completely over exposing the shot. *sigh* I am still learning though, and that is okay. All these little beadies are going to be wrapped and pack and sent on their merry ways to new homes all around the country. Not until tomorrow though, I forgot the post office is closed today!!

And a HUGE thank you for the wonderful compliments on yesterday's post for Jacob. I let him read it last night to which he said and I quote "that was really nice of you Mom."  He read all your comments too and says thanks. And apparently, now that he is thirteen, he thinks he can sleep until 10am and have chocolate cake for breakfast. Nice.

Things To Remember To Tell Him

1. You are my rock. I have told you many times just how special you are to me, how much I need you and your strength, and I hope you never forget how much I love you.

2. You are a fiercely devoted friend. There isn't anything you wouldn't do for a friend in need. But, sadly, you think our house isn't cool enough for those friends right now. That's okay.

3. You are so intelligent. Your report card today reads Math - 95, English - 91, Science - 92, and Social Studies - 93, and you aren't even trying. You even warned me in August that since this year won't "count" for college, you weren't planning on putting in all that much effort.

4. You like to argue these days. You have ideas and opinions all your own and you fight for their value. Someday, I think you'll know a few of those ideas are a little backwards, but I am willing to wait for you to come around.

5. You are tall. This is the year you will pass me in height. Never forget that just because you are bigger than me, it doesn't mean I can't take you down, boy. 'Cuz I can so totally kick your ass if I need to.

6. You are kind to your sister and love her in a way that melts my heart. There is a connection between you two that shows me you will be her rock too someday.

7. Your brother frustrates you right now, but I know it is because you are scared for him. You don't want him to be different, you don't want him to be bullied, you don't want him to struggle... you want him to be strong like you and you think your tough love will make him stronger.

8. You are pretty lazy too these days, if I am being honest. You hate to help around the house and it is only with threats of taking away your Playstation that I can get you to empty the dishwasher for me. Helping is something I hope you come around to soon.

9. You take after me with your looks, but you are more like your Dad than you care to realize and you two are really butting heads at this stage. He expects so much from you because he knows how just how amazing you are inside, he wishes he had that in him... but you think he is too hard on you. He loves you so much.

10. You can laugh so hard you can't breathe and no one has to say a word. You are constantly snickering and bursting out with a laugh at moments you remember from your day. So and so did this in lunch today... so and so did that in gym. I can't help but laugh when you laugh, but half the time I can't understand what you are telling me through your fits of giggles.

11. You are shy with girls, or so you tell me. Your team mates in football also sit with you at lunch, you told me they take your books and put them at the girls' tables so that you have to go over and talk to them to get your books back. You don't mind though.

12. You are handsome, at least I think so. You have such strong features to your face and when you smile your face lights up (your Dad's face does the same thing and it is something I love about him too). You hate your freckles though and you think they make you ugly. I used to feel the same way about my freckles. You asked Dad to teach you to shave last week.

13. You, my boy, are thirteen. On a crisp fall day in 1997, I gave birth to a 9lb 13oz baby that has become a young man I am so honored and proud to be the Mother of. I love you Jacob. Happy Birthday.

Twisted Tuesdays - Studio Work

I think after the ups and downs of the past month, these two photos speak for themselves and say a thousand words.

Frosty Monday Morning

:: oh my stars it is a beautiful morning
:: i wonder how many of the kids' friends said "what the heck is your mom doing?" when the bus passed our house today
:: i would love to explore these colors in glass *sigh*
:: fingers crossed, my fixed oxy-con should be arriving back to me today
:: our little lola boomer jane is growing so fast
:: the fine craft show was this past weekend and i really really missed showing at it
:: set up my new metalsmithing torch on saturday and the flame has no umphf... that means another trip to the welding shop today
:: in case you missed them, there are sets of note cards featuring my photos over on my website
:: i was asked by a book jacket designer in canada to use an image of lauren on the cover of a book of poetry that will be released this spring, so so cool
:: i think i will talk a nice long walk when i finish this post
:: no wait, i have a jewelry deadline...
:: i think i will head down to my nice, tidy studio after this post
:: oh, and i wanna go photograph my mom's latest litter of english bulldog pup pups today, they are two weeks old... can i get an "awwww"
:: i can not believe my baby boy is turning 13, THIRTEEN, this week
:: and just like that, the sun has burned off the frost... oh my stars i love the fall

A Little Detail From A Day Card Sets

I am so excited right now that my cheeks hurt from the grin I have that goes from ear to ear!! For a long... nah, LONG... time (insert timeline of about 3yrs or so), I have had this little whisper in my heart saying "put your photos on note cards." Fear usually challenges that whisper with remarks that go a little something like... "your photos aren't good enough, people that say they are are just being nice", or "no one will actually buy your pictures, don't be silly." Fear can be a powerful thing, but moving through it can be even more powerful!! I have finally been able to sock those bad thoughts right in the face and let that little whispering turn into a shout.

Last week, I picked a few of my favorite photos from the past few weeks, edited them just so, uploaded them in secret to be printed, and today those goodies arrived in my mailbox. I couldn't be more thrilled with how they turned out. I love each and every card and can't wait to start sending notes to anyone and everyone. Naturally, I ordered enough for you too!! There are two sets now available on my website. There are sets of four or sets of six images. (You can see the images that appear on the cards in this set on Flickr:: Postcards) They are printed on a lovely weight card stock with a beautiful matte finish. *sigh* OH how I want to pet their matte finish goodness.

There are just a few sets of each, so snatch them up!! I will NOT be reprinting these images again. You know me and my need to keep things unique. Christmas is right around the corner!! The sets would make super stocking stuffers or teacher gifts or Secret Santa prezzies or just a special little treat for yourself. I do hope you love them as much as I do!! Let me know if you have any questions.

(ps... as the first photo shows, you can now find me at http://www.kerrybogert.com/ too!! It is the same website you are used to seeing, but now you have more ways to find me.)

I Broke Up With The Mess In My Studio...

If I told you I hadn't spent time in my studio for nearly two months, would you believe me? Well, it is true. Early September was the last time I spent any quality time in there. The time was right before ArtBliss when I was banging out kit after kit to be ready to teach. Then, I put about 100lbs of tools and equipment into boxes that were shipped to Washington DC for the event. Just three days after the show, I was in England for a week (which I still haven't finished telling you about, jeesh). I came home to a bit of chaos and finally, finally, as of this week, I can see a the light at the end of the tunnel. Life has the potential to start returning to it's constant shifting state of normal soon.

So... yesterday was the first day in the past month that I haven't had to run to an appointment, set up a meeting, call the doctor's office, or or or... for anyone else. (No, wait, I did run out at lunch to a dr. appt, dang it) Regardless, I decided that yesterday would be THE DAY to get back in my studio. Something had to give in there, every surface was a disaster. Plus, I am still waiting for my oxygen concentrator to be repaired, so, in the meantime, there was some cleaning what needed to get done. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the past few months spent away from the studio. Something I have learned about myself is that even through I am a very open and share-anything-with-anyone kind of person, as a writer, I am extremely introverted. I don't let things out until they have formed into a complete idea. Not a bad thing, it is just that I haven't gotten to a place where I feel I can articulate all the everything in my head right now. Eventually though, I will and we will have a chat, you and I, and all that I have been feeling and thinking.

I can say this... it is good to be back. And just being in that space, that is mine all mine, felt really fantastic.

A BIG thanks to Wendy over at A Girl And Her Brush for the inspiration to do a time lapse video of my day in the studio. If you have a chance, you MUST check out Wendy's work. It so bright and colorful and fun and true.

(ps... I set this video to the Barenaked Ladies song Break Your Heart, ((arguably one of the best break up songs E.V.E.R. and one of my favorites)) but then YouTube said that was infringing on copyright. Sorry Barenaked Ladies! YouTube did an "audioswap" with something not protected.  SO, I have no idea which song plays with this video now. When I see it, it is still BNL. weird.)

Twisted Tuesdays - Good Things To Come

I am still working on getting to a place where I can get back to blogging regularly. We are going through a HUGE adjustment over here and I can't tell you how much it means to me that all you lovely readers are still here waiting for me. I will be back... soon.

I wanted to POP in on this lovely Twisted Tuesday to share a few exciting tidbits with you. This week marks the start of the new season of PBS's Beads Baubles and Jewels with new host Katie Hacker. You might remember that earlier this I went to Beachwood Studios in Cleveland Ohio to film a little spot for the show. Just this weekend, a link to a video of my appearance arrive in my inbox!! Check it out....

Isn't the make up artist at Beachwood Studios fabulous?!? HA! A think I babbled a bit, and I need to work on letting Katie finish her sentences, but hey, it works! And I hope it helps newbies decide which wire guages are needed for which projects.

Next up is another cool behind the scenes project I worked on earlier this year that is finally ready for its big reveal. The amazing Denise Peck asked if I might be interested in contributing to the second installment of Wire Style. And I said, OF COURSE I WOULD!! Again, Denise has put together a beautiful collection of 45 projects to delight your wire lovin' hearts.

Drum roll, please, for Wire Style 2!!

I find myself in some really wonderful company in this book. Jodi Bombardier, Jane Dickerson, Lorelei Eurto, Connie Fox, Lisa Niven Kelly, Donna Spadafore, and last but not least, my good friend, Cindy Wimmer. You can now pre-order Wire Style 2 at the Interweave Store and on Amazon. Grab a copy, I am sure you won't want to miss getting this!!