Stripes + Explosion = Striplosion Beads!

I can not begin to tell you how much fun I had working on this new collection of beads. It started last week. I was messing around with trying to design a headpin with a swirly pattern. Instantly, I was hooked. One headpin led to another and that led to, of all things, stripes. These are so so incredibly fun. They kinda remind me of the infamous "Kissmyassite" we coined at Bead Fest last summer, but in the best possible ways. I make no assuptions about these beads being naturally occuring... they are very much handmade, by yours truly.

I hope you like the beads. I know I do!! There are nine items in total. Lots of headpins, hollows, sprees, nuggets, rounds, and even a KABOCHON. Oh yeah! You are going to see some new designs from me with similar beads in the coming weeks. I can't wait to share them with you. Until then, happy Bead Box browsing!

Today, my studio was flooded...

WITH SUN!! Back in January, when moving into my new space, I pondered with a friend if my little santuary would ever see the light of day. Being tucked into a north corner behind another building, I was skeptical. We thought, maybe the angle would be right in midsummer perhaps. (and don't feel bad for me beign behind another building, I wanted that! I like the cave like feel. Makes for better torching.) I couldn't be more thrilled about being wrong!!




(note to self: turn your auto-focus on when shooting in bright sun, oops)

Many a bead has been made at that desk this week and I am so very pleased to say that I am planning an update TOMORROW. I am thinking of doing an evening update. We haven't had one of those in a while. I am hoping it will mix things up a bit and give more people a chance to snag some beads. I will be back with some sneak peak photos for you too and let you know an exact time. Yee Haw!

Bead Box Announcement!

Here is a sneak peek at the sets that will be offered on my website later today! Check my Bead Box Buyables: Just The Beads, Please page at 1pm for the listings. See you there!

Twisted Tuesdays - New Kit Release!!

Confession 1: The last time I spent more than 30 secs in my studio, more than a run down and grab a pair of scissors or tube of glue amount of time, was nearly sixs weeks ago.

Confession 2: I have had about 8 big boxes of new studio goodies delivered to my house this week but I have barely had the heart to open them. They are filled with a plethora of new glass colors, a complete "The Smith" torch set up, and foot upon foot of wire.

I could go on to confess other things right now, like how I am still in my pjs at 10am and haven't had a shower even though I have been up since 6am, or the main reason for confession 1 is that I am avoiding a hip high pile of laundry, but HEY, it is Twisted Tuesday!! and we need to celebrate all things TOTALLY TWISTED. Forget the pjs and laundry... forget the messy studio and unpacked boxes... forget that life gets away from us sometimes. Agreed? Agreed. I am ready to dive back into the studio for some quality cleaning time and to get back to creating some beautiful beads. (Although I may not be able to take part in that art show I mentioned the other day, I can still squeak out beads here and there while Andrew is at tutoring!!)

I have a surprise for you!!

I am ready to roll out a new kit from Totally Twisted!!

I thought a lot about which project would make the best new kit. And, I have two for you. One will be released today and the other next week. I wanted a kit that would have great bang for its buck and one that is easy to tackle for newbies or pros alike (and for me in the studio too). SO, the first kit will be for The Eyes Have It, found on page 129 in my book. A few of you that have seen me in person recently (like at ArtBliss!) got to see the beads for these kits in person, and I was thrilled with the reactions. Oh what fun it is to hear oohhhs and aaahhhs when dumping out a pile of beads on a desk.

Here is how the new kit works. They will be made to order (unlike kits of the past which are usually ready to ship), they will be available in three color combos to start, and I am limiting the quantity I will make to 5 in each color. Also, the price of sterling silver is sky high at the moment, so I am also giving you the option to order just the beads (minus the sterling) if you like. Being that this kit uses 8ft of 16g wire, at today's price, it will save you $35 (kits are priced at $120, just the beads at $85)! I will need about 10 days to make the beads, clean them, kit them, package and ship them. Meaning, orders placed today will be shipping on or before Friday Oct 29th. And they should be in your beady hands by Nov 1st!!




The three color combos I am offering are 1)The Original - black, pink, and rose, 2) Ivoried - ivory, dark red/brown, and silvered ivory, and 3) Tealy - transparent teal, turquoise, periwinkle, and coral. I love each of the combos so much. The Original is rather fun and sassy, I think it is a great anytime color combo, but will be especially nice come Valentine's with that lovely pink. Ivoried let's out a bit of your wild animal side with the way the edges of the dark red/brown feather into the ivory. This combo would be great with oxidized copper or brass too!! Tealy is just plain fun, and possibly my favorite. I can't get enough of these colors!!

An important note: these kits are intended for personal use only, NOT FOR RESALE. You are more than welcome to purchase just the beads and use them how ever you like in other projects of your choosing to resell. however, I am asking that you not purchase the kits, make The Eyes Have It, and then offer it for sale. Thanks for your understanding on this!! These make GREAT GREAT gifts though!! Christmas is around the corner, hint hint. ALSO, please remember, INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED! A detailed, step-by-step, tutorial is available in my book, Totally Twisted.

HAPPY KIT SHOPPING!!

... And More Beads

Over the past few days, as I have been working on the kit beads, I had made sets here and there of other beads too. One of the things I didn't take advantage of at the last bead show was my very eager-to-buy-beads students. Part of me feels like I shouldn't be selling extra in the classroom because I am there to teach not sell. But the business part of me knows that this is a HUGE part of the teaching biz. Students like to buy from their instructors. Now that my kits are done, I will be able to spend the next 5 days working on these bonus beads!

Some of the beads are fresh from the kiln, some are de-stash style sets built from beads on my desk. Who remembers THIS SET OF BEADS from 2007? I think my stringer skills have vestly improved in the past 3 years and I totally want to revisit a few of my older sets or only sorta oldish sets. Wow, it is fun to scroll through the ole archives. It really sparks ideas!

Anywho... if you are intested in snagging one of these sets before the show, you can zing me an email (they are $100 each). (strike that! they all sold!! THANK YOU!) Otherwise, what remains after Bead Fest will be posted on my website when I return!!

Twisted Tuesday - Flashback Collection

For this very fine Twisted Tuesday I decided to post some Bead Box goodies!! Go have at 'em. There are just 2 sets and 4 new focals. I had a blast playing with my new Zoozii's tool (the big hole disc tool). I took a que from my sister for the name. She said the stipes were very 80's, so, we are calling this The Flashback Collection. I tried to use lots of different colors... different from my usual blue/purple/green combo I favor.

I hope you enjoy them!!

Good News, Bad News

Which do you want to hear first? The good or the bad? Not that you are actually going to answer me, but I thought I should at least ask. I think I will hit you with the bad news first...


Bad News: Bead Box beads just aren't happening this week. I had really hoped I could cast a magical spell and the beads would make themselves, photograph each other, and write up lovely descriptions about how you would love them, but *sigh* I lost my magic wand. I kinda had an inkling on Tuesday and Wednesday that I wasn't going to pull it off, but I was trying to be hopeful. Now, with all the secret happenings (eeekkk!!) I know that it won't happen this weekend either, but hopefully, HOPEFULLY, the end of next week. Y'all know I love ya, and want you to have pretty beads to play with, thank you for being patient with me.



Good news: I had about an hour yesterday between appointments I was able to sneak into the studio to whip up these bangles. I have had bangles on the brain lately. I love them! Besides my secret happenings, I am also working on a collection of designs to pitch my second book. Bangles are going to be a big part of the pitch, me thinks. Back to these ones though, I should share the inspiration that sent me into the studio yesterday. I ordered myself a set of bangles from Etsy seller: Bullfinch & Barbury. I love the rustic charm these have and, needless to say, the colors. It got me thinking, how would *I* do a continuous, slip-over-your-wrist bangle were I to give it a go? Why, I would use colored wire and glass, naturally. I wore these all afternoon, running around to appointments for the kids. They were a huge hit. They feel great on your wrist, they have just the right play-ability factor, they are colorful, and they turned out totally me. Oh, and see, I told ya that ledger would make a fantastic photo prop!

Nervousness

This was me, this morning, just moments before my phone was set to ring with a very very important call. I was thinking, "Oh my stars... am I really doing this?" I was a huge ball of nervous jitteriness, can you see it in my eyes? It took so much effort to contain my smiles and excitement. (There are many a photo in my files now of me laughing too, but those I am keeping to myself.) I wanted to capture a snippet of it, of that excitement. I want to remember this moment and the butterflies that I had bubbling inside my innards. It really is amazing what nervous energy can accomplish, I tell ya. I was up, showered, hair done, and make up on, having an orange and a glass of water (no coffee) by 6:30am.

I am so tempted to tell you all what is going on behind the scenes here. I just can't though. Not yet. Rest assured it is big, and it would mean some pretty major life changes. Not-throw-your- family-in-the-back-of-a-pick-up-truck-and-move-to-another-state kinda life change (the kind I experienced with my parents more times than I can count as a child), but the kind of change that is pivotal. There are two paths before me, and I may need to choose which direction I want to take my art/life/career. I am proud of myself for seeking out the chance to have a choice of paths. I heard a whisper in my heart at the thought of an opportunity and I didn't quiet it. I turned it up full volume and went for it. It is scary and exhilarating at the same time. One of the best feelings in the world, if you ask me, and I hope y'all get to feel it in your own lives now and then.

The events of the past 24 hours had another effect on me... no studio time. I was knee deep in research (oh my, was that a little hint?) I am trying to get in there though!! I got stuff needs doing and things that need making. Many hands shaking like leaves isn't going to help much, but I am gonna try. Here is a little sneak peak at beads that will be available later this week... Friday or Saturday maybe. Wicked cool 80's stripey rounds, and wildly layered mod dots. Cool huh?


Anywho... thanks for letting me get out of a bit of excitement here and understanding my secrecy. Hopefully the suspense doesn't have to last for too much longer.

A Green Random Monday

:: Green in color... green in purchases... green in plantings
:: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I had a wonderful day... did you?
:: Oh my stars, it snowed yesterday... SNOWED! And on Saturday there was 60mph wind gusts. It is more like November than May.
:: HAPPY 12th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to hubby & me yesterday too.
:: I was able to finish up my Mom's sweater (details on Ravelry if you would like to make one yourself) and she loves it.


:: Spent all day Saturday with my Mom and we got lots of new goodies for the gardens, plus I picked up an old travel trunk for $15 (photo below).
:: 2 Spirea (my new spring favorite), 1 Berkley Blueberry, 1 Reka Blueberry, Apple Mint, Peppermint, Red Rubin Basil, Sweet Italian Basil, and 5 Forget Me Nots too.
:: I got me some planting to do with week.
:: Cool things happening on the Bead Box front. An update in a few days? Maybe. Hopefully.
:: Our backyard is a wildlife preserve. We have 2 bunnies, 1 groundhog, and Momma & Daddy ducks. Not to mention a bazillion birds.


:: Rusty, the cat, just went after one of the bunnies... oh dear.
:: There are awesome things in my sketch book.
:: I had busy brain the other night and I think I have a title for book #2. Maybe I need to get on that second proposal.
:: Spending the day with Ron today. I can't wait for our special lunch date.
:: OH OH OH... an episode of the Lorelei & Kerry Show coming up tomorrow!! Stay tuned.

The Big Bead De-Stash 2009

THE BEADS ARE READY!! Go have at 'em!!
And while you are at it, don't forget to grab a signed copy of Totally Twisted too!!

This Is Gonna Be BIG

Are you ready for this?!? I am destashing my lampwork beads!! Sets are combined, photos are taken, and now, I just need to edit images and load 'em on my site. It is gonna be today!

I'll post here when the links go live!!

Make 'n' Take

I decided to try something new. Make 'n' Take beads... I make them and you take them, lol. As I find the time, I will be making beads to offer up on my website. In the past, I would pick a color combo and over a couple weeks make a whole bunch to offer up all at once. Now, I am going to be posting whenever I have something. I think it will make things more random and give more people a chance to be the lucky person to stuble across a fresh set of beads. Sometimes there will be lots of beads, and sometimes just one or two.

Pop over to my Bead Box and check things out!

A Beady Day

I am headed to my website to load up a fresh batch of Bead Box beads. It is an update that is long past due. I haven't had beads for y'all in ages. I wish I had more, but we'll just ease back into things. There are four sets of beads, and the two buttons I previewed on Watch Me Create last week.

I am lovin' the golden tone of this yellow. I am not a "gold" person. I don't own any, I don't wear any.... but this is delicious. It looks lovely with oxidized silver. The necklace I shared yesterday has a mixture of metal finishes. Did you notice? There is some bright silver, and a mix of oxidized with in the chained area. Who says a piece has to be all bright or all oxidized? Why not mix it up a bit? I played with a newish shape. It is kinda like a disc/barrel/rolo/spacer thingy. I love it. I want to make a whole necklace of just them.

I wanted to pause for a second and thank everyone, again, for the comments and emails on about my "encountering reactance". I so appreciate your support. I am so happy to have you all here behind me no matter what. And you know, more then anything, I am mad at myself. I shouldn't let anything, anything, get it the way of doing what I love to do. Don't worry... I think I was being a little dramatic. Awakening to my spoiled behavior doesn't mean that I won't be creative in other ways. I just need to better prioritize. If I want to knit or sew or paint, I can, and I will, but I need to make time for working too. (check out Kelly Rae's post HERE, timely don't ya think? I am sure that is what I was trying to get across on Friday.)

Anyway... Lauren's birthday quilt is coming along nicely, and I cast on a new top for the spring and summer that I am loving. All that is for another day... today is a beady day!! Go get yourself some goodies!!

Sunny Yellow

It is a very rare thing to find a Sunday post here on the blog. I couldn't wait till tomorrow though. I had a freaking awesome hollow making day on the torch yesterday. This being in the studio everyday thing has really had it's benefits. I am lovin' it.

I am at a total loss for what to name this new creation. When I came up from the studio with it on, it made Ron say "wow". I am thinking "Sunshine Daisies" but that is kinda corny. I can't help it though. Every time I see something yellow the phrase "sunshine, daisies, bottom, mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow" from Harry Potter runs through my head. Something needs to be named that so I can stop having that stuck in my head, LOL.

Okay, so this piece might end up being submitted to something special. There is an exhibit coming to the Memorial Art Gallery called Glass Wear. While the show is running, glass artist from The Gallery Store will be having trunk shows at the museum. (more info on my trunk show at a later date). The Gallery Council is asking that the trunk show artists donate a piece to be auctioned to benefit the museum. The aution pieces will be on display during the Glass Wear exhibit up through the night of the Glass Gala on May 1st. I have been told that you'll be able to bid online too!! How cool is that?!? I wanted to design something wowie and zowie that could hold it's own with the types of pieces that will be on display in the exhibit. This might just be "the one". Ron is thinking it is just too good to give away... I would love to hear your thoughts!!

OH!! I almost forgot... there is gonna be a Bead Box Update tomorrow!! Stay Tuned!!

Sneak Peak At WMC

Later today on Watch Me Create, I will have a post about the inspiration behind these new beads.

There are plenty more where these came from. I am having so much fun with these colors. The yellow is a bright golden, sunny yellow and it is made even warmer with the neutral grays. When you see what else I am cookin' up, I think you are gonna love 'em as much as I do. These are going to look wonderful with oxidized wire. Yum.

And, um, looking at this gigantic photo of these relatively small beads is making them look weird. They really are delightful in my hands. I don't think blowing up a bead 500% is the best thing to do sometimes, lol.

Bead Box Beads!

Beads are coming in just about 15 minutes... are you ready for them?

Sniff, Sniff, Ugh... and Beads

Yep, I am sick. Ugh. Everyone in the house has had a cold in one form or another for at least a month now. I have been lucky and stayed germ free... until now. I started feeling it coming on Sunday night and it finally hit full force in the middle of the night. I am sure you all know what I'm talking about. The tossing and turning, the stuffed on one side drippy nose thing, phlegm on your teeth grossness... yuck! Oh well, it can't last forever. I'll just take it easy and knit on the couch with some peppermint hot cocoa.

And while I am at it... I'll be working on a Bead Box Update too!! Consider this your official warning... Bead Box Beads TOMORROW!! Let's say at Noon-ish (east coast time). I have lots of goodies that I am very excited to share. And I decided to upgrade every one's shipping to USPS Priority Mail, so beads will be in your mailbox in time to make some last minute holiday gifts, if you are so inclined. Or, wrap them up as a gift to yourself!! LOL.

And every set of beads will come with a free squirt of Lysol disinfectant to make them germ-free, lol.

Bead Box Teaser

Today turned into one of those running-around-like-chicken-with-its-head-cut-off kind of days. Between sleeping late, needing to be up early for tutoring, a 9:00am doctors appointment, Ron home sick from work, Lauren at a friend's house, a spur of the moment phone call from my editor, and little Rusty needing his shots... I didn't know if I was coming or going. Things have finally slowed down to a point where I can get back to what *I* had planned for the day.

What's my plan?

BEADS!!

I streamed Christmas music in my studio yesterday while snuggling up with my torch. I am thrill with what the kiln was holding this morning. And I am headed back into the studio to make more. I am giving you a little teaser of some of the new beads you'll see in next week's Bead Box update. A few beads inspired by the Wood Grain plate I showed you in yesterday's post. A few long tubular beads... that have never been available on my site before (how cool is that!). I revisited some "cube" designs with my famous square dots. And yeah, even a big toggle style bead (or two... or three). Oh and there are Mod Dots in there too. All the colors are ivory, intense black, turquoise and persimmon. Not very Christmasy, I know... you all know that I am not a holiday theme bead maker anyway.

It is shaping up to be one heck of an update if I stay on the roll I am on!!

Supporting The Arts

Edit to say: THE BEADS ARE UP!! Go check them out!!
_________________

First - THERE WILL BE A MINI BEAD BOX UPDATE TODAY!! When I am done with this post, I'll be cleaning, photographing, editing images, and posting a small batch of beads. I had hoped to spend a few hours on beads yesterday to have more to offer, but those efforts were thwarted.

I really like the word thwarted. When a plan has a wrench thrown into it so it doesn't go how it should, it was "thwarted". I even like saying that word. Thwarted. The th tickles your lips. LOL.

Anyway... why my plan was thwarted. I got a call from a member of the Gallery Council at the Memorial Art Gallery yesterday. She said she had been trying to get a hold of me all morning! (New house, new phone number, I thought I had updated them on that.) She called to see if I would be interested in doing an interview with someone from Rochester Magazine about the November Fine Craft Show at the gallery. OF COURSE I WOULD!! She said it would be via the phone, that works for me and it would be that afternoon. I said, great! and that after 12:30 would be awesome since all the kids would be at school and I could give her all my attention.

I had planned to make beads, but I didn't think it would be good to have a concentrator running, torch blowing, and fans fanning while talking on the phone. So I opted to read email and play scrabble on Facebook to pass the time. (I know, I should have been working on the EIGHT tutorials I have due next Friday.) I was really kinda nervous about the whole thing. I didn't know what to expect. I have never been interviewed before. What would they ask? Could I sound intelligent and articulate? I had my stomach doing flip flops and for no reason, cause things went fine. And I really should have made beads because I didn't end up getting the phone call when I thought I would.

Melissa, the writer, called around 9:00pm to have our chat. She said she loves blogs, so if you are here... Hey, Melissa! Anyway, I don't want to spill any beans about what we talked about. I'll leave that a mystery to be revealed in her article. But it was a good conversation, I think. I hope I represented the caliber of artists that will be presenting at this fantastic show well. I truly am honored to be among them. The Fine Craft Show is like nothing you'll find anywhere else in Rochester. You'd have to go to Toronto, Chicago, or NYC to find anything close to it. One of the exciting things for me, as an artist, is that I won't be lost in a sea of crappy crafters (you know the ones I mean... scarecrows on wooden sticks? come on) at this show. Only 40 artists are selected!!

Okay, enough gushing about being in the show... I'll leave that to the Rochester Magazine article. Besides, I have photos that need taking and beads that need posting. Check back soon!

A Little Alcove

To the left of the fireplace in my dining room, there is a doorway. It is the start of a hallway in which you'll find the boys' rooms, the twisted stairs, the yellow bathroom, and this little nook. I am calling it "The Alcove". I love little spots like this in my house!! I bet brandy new houses don't have this kind of character. (Hey Cindy, see if your builder can make an alcove for you.)

Anyway... I couldn't leave it empty. The rather rickety old table is from a garage sale on Park Ave that Ron went to about 10 years ago. It was a great $5 find. The old, very heavy, antique mirror will need to be moved. Were I to hang it on the wall, I would have a lovely view of my chest, but would be needing to bend down to check my hair. LOL.

I am thinking I should paint this little alcove a color. Maybe tangerine... OH, or I could paint the side walls of it a color and leave the back wall white. There is an idea! I already know the picture I'll hang instead of the mirror. It is a painting of John Sloan that I did in high school. I think it is only fitting that he watch over the boys.

Okay... in beady related things... yesterday is was invited to be a contributor on a new book!! YOO HOO!!! The details aren't set in stone. I don't know publication dates or anything. But I do have a deadline and I will be coming up with 5 projects for it. I think you'll find the subject matter rather interesting. I let you know more details as I have them. It is all very exciting. It brings me that much closer to being able to get my own book published!! Which by the way, I have written the forward on, the "basics", the "tool talk" and 13 of 26 projects for!! I am definitely going to take advantage of this torch hiatus to get those last 13 projects written and start shopping for a publisher.

Oh... the toggle beads in the new project shown in Creative Jewelry... the emails have started coming in asking about the focal beads and how to order them. There is a small, very slight, chance that I may go to the old house and spend a few hours torching. My desk isn't fully packed so I could sneak out just a couple of focals. BUT, it is only a maybe, I can't promise. If I don't get to it, you can bet that a big batch of those beads will be first on my list to do when the torch is set up. And I will be sharing the tutorial for the "t" bar part of the clasp very soon. I thought I would get it in at the end of last week, but it just didn't happen. Oh well...