Tokens

You know how when you are reading blogs and one click leads to another click? You end up some place you never would have found otherwise. This happens to me a lot. I will be at one of my "usual" blogs and they'll link to another blog, I get caught up there and click links they have posted in their blogs... it just goes on and on. I LOVE when that happens. I love coming up on an unexpected corner in some one's life. It is kinda like when you drive around the city at night when lights are on in houses and buildings, often without curtains, and you get a glimpse into a moment in some one else's life.

Well, there are two blogs in particular that I have really been enjoying lately. The first is Ali Edwards blog. I don't know much about scrapbooking but oh how this site makes me want to experiment with it. Ali's projects and photos are intriguing to me. I love her graphic style, her loopy handwriting, and the nostalgic tone to images. I may never know how to use digital scrapbook pages... but I know a blog that keeps me inspired when I see it.

A few weeks ago, Ali started talking about her "One Little Word" project. If I am understanding it right, you pick a word that speaks to you and keep it in your mind through out the year. She says, "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."

I see projects come up on blogs all the time. I try them once in a while, like last year's "A Year Of Everyday Life" which I totally fell off the band wagon on. I know I am a bandwagon faller offer. I get excited about things, then loose interest, and end up letting it slip. I have always been like this. Which is one of the main reason's that Ron never wanted me to buy my own kiln and torch 4 years ago. He thought for sure that it would end up being a waste knowing me and my short attention span.

I am okay with that. I am okay with being a bandwagon faller offer. Instead of a faller offer, maybe I should consider myself a jumper. I know when my attention is starting to falter, and I start to look for other things to fill the need that whatever the project was filling. At least I can say that I tried and had an experience, right?

Anyway, I am getting off track. I saw Ali's One Little Word project and it has been with me for weeks since seeing it. There wasn't a single word that came to me as "my word". But as I was typing "words" for my book... or listening to "words" being spoken to me... or seeing "words" in the world around me, I would stop a second, think about it, and wonder if it was "my word". Nope... nothing was fitting.

I started this saying there were TWO blogs that I have come to love recently, and it is time to introduce the second. Months ago, when I was doing that photoshoot for that magazine article that I didn't end up liking, my friend Cindy sent me a link to a blog with another artist and her photoshoot results. The artist is mixed media painter Kelly Rae Roberts. At the time, I didn't bookmark her site for some reason, but through one link or another, I have ended up back there a few times. Now, I check it everyday and the other day, Wednesday to be exact, I finally picked up a copy of her book, Taking Flight. I wasn't sure I needed what I thought was a "painting" book. When I picked it up, and started to flip through the pages, I discovered it reads like a book book, not a project book. Though, yes there are projects in it... but the point is the journey, not the finished project.

I started reading Taking Flight last night.

I am about to go off on another tangent here... hang in there, it'll all come together by the end.

Something that I struggle with as an artist is the feeling that I lack a lot of depth/thought/feeling in my "work". So many artists have messages they try to convey in their work, deep thought behind the decisions they make for a piece, or feelings evoked in them/others through their mediums. Yes, I put thought in to my work. BUT... I feel like I don't put enough effort into the thoughts I have. Maybe that is just the perfectionist in me... nothing is ever enough for a perfectionist. And try as I might to let the need for perfection go, I just can't seem to do it. I can find fault in so much that I do. Who wants to go around feeling that way?

As I was reading the first chapter of Kelly Rae's book last night, the descriptions along side her work struck that cord of my feelings of shallowness. She would describe how she was creating with an intention and the descriptions were making me wonder what my intentions are with my work. Can beads and jewelry have intentions? A strong theme through the dialog in Taking Flight is listening to the whispers of your heart about the life you truly want to live. It can be a longing whisper to run a marathon... or a whisper of a desire to learn to paint.

One thing I am very good at is hearing my whispers. I know the things my heart is longing to do. One of things I am not good at it is giving those whispers a chance to be realized. I think that comes from my perfectionist tendencies. Often times, I think I have a fear that I will go for one of those big dreams and fail. If I fail, then I am not perfect. I know, I know... everyone is scared of failure. I have no reason to feel like I'll fail. I have shown myself is more ways then one that I am a strong woman and when I do put my heart into something I don't fail. And then, failing at something teaches you lessons that make the chance of success that much more the next time you try, right?

Anyway... reading Kelly Rae's book has really left me inspired. I want to give more of my whispering dreams a chance to take flight in my life. Something else happen while I was reading last night too... my One Little Word came to me... "Token".

Token (tō'kən)
n.
1. Something serving as an indication, proof, or expression of something else; a sign.
2. Something that signifies or evidences authority, validity, or identity.
3. A distinguishing feature or characteristic.
4. A keepsake or souvenir.

v., -kened, -ken·ing, -kens.
1. To betoken or symbolize; portend.

adj.
1. Done as an indication or a pledge.
2. Perfunctory; minimal.
3. Merely symbolic.

I think it is a perfect word. It is "my word" and I am excited about spending time this year looking for tokens in my life. A token of love, a token of possibility, a token of forgiveness, or a token of sadness. It can be so many things. My personal hope it to find a token in each day and as suggested by Kelly Rae, I am going to start a journal. My journal won't be for my heart's whispers though... it is going to be to keep track of my tokens.

See how it all comes together?

To celebrate my word and get started on my journey, I am naming my first mixed media piece of 2009...

"Token Of Possibility No 1"

Confessions Of A Poor Juggler

Let me preface this with a warning... I am about to dribble on and on about feeling like I can't keep up and that I am feeling like a crappy Mom because of it. I don't need consoling. I just need to rant and get the feelings out. Feel free to rant too in the comments. I think it'll be a good release.

I feel like I am a fairly decent juggler. Not literally, cause I can't juggle for real, but definitely figuratively. I have a lot to balance and keep in motion. I am a Mom of Three, a Wife, Housekeeper of a 5bedroom 2bath home, and I am an Artist. Looking at those four little titles would have you thinking "that ain't so bad", but there are so many layers to each of them.

Mom of Three is complicated by having one child in his first year of middle school, one child is struggling with bi-polar, and the last one just started kindergarten. I don't think I need to explain the layers to being a wife, lol. I think anyone in a relationship knows how much work they are. If you have read my blog through the summer, you know a lot of about what I have juggled with our new home. On the surface, "5bedroom 2bath home" sounds fabulous... but it was built in the 1940s and I am putting my heart into fixing this place up into a place we can be proud of.

As for the Artist, I am feeling like it isn't as glamorous as it sounds. I think it is every high school doodlers secret dream to be able to say they are a successful working artist. I mean, seriously, it is an awesome thing to be able to say, isn't it? I am a successful working artist. But the art balls that I juggle aren't all glass rods and roses. There is the business half of it too that if not delicately handled will suck the creative life right of me. Who wants to write expense spread sheets, and learn html, and book shows, and mail packages, and organize sales summaries?

So here I am, day to day, trying to keep all the family-home-life-art balls up in the air like they should be. And I am thinking "WOW, look how well it is all going... I am doing this... I am making it work..."

And then I go to curriculum night at Jacob's school...

Let me tell you about my Jacob. First of all, he is wicked smart. The boy has been reading since he was four years old. In kindergarten, they sent him to a multi-age 1st grade classroom so he would be challenged. He was in enrichment programs in 2,3,and 4th grades. In 3rd grade, he was reading at the 9th grade level. Now add to those brains the skills of an athlete. He loves sports. He excels at every sport he tries. He learned to ride a two wheeler when he was 3. He gets grand slams in baseball, scores goals in soccer, and is a defensive force to be reckoned with in football. If brains and brawn aren't enough... add to that a huge, kind heart and a great sense of humor. The kind of heart that will have a tea party with his 5 yr old sister and the sense of humor that has parents coming to me saying how funny their son thinks my son is. He is just a great kid.

SO WHY IS IT THAT HE IS BEHIND IN EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL?!?!

Last night was a shocker for me. Unfortunately, I think it is my own fault. I feel that the way I parent really depends on the kid at the time. I give them what they need as they need it. Andrew struggles in school, so I sit with him every night and do each bit of homework with him step by step. Lauren doesn't have homework but is becoming more social, so I sit with her and listen to all the stories she has to tell me about her day. Jacob has had my trust. I ask him "dude, you got any homework?" And when he says "nah, I did it in study hall" or "Zac lent me a pencil and I finished it on the bus"... I trusted him. But now I have learned that he isn't doing his homework. What he is doing isn't being handed in on time. And now he owes almost every teacher 2-3 assignments!

I know this move has been a big adjustment for him. He has been thrown into this new environment with all these new people and I have expected him to become a juggler himself. Can't you juggle school, new friends, sports, and your family wonder kid? That sentence right there is why I feel like a crappy Mom today.

At the same time, I do what I know. My Mom was never all up in my business picking every single homework assignment outta my nose for me. I either did my work, or suffered the consequences in school. Sink or swim kid, you have to learn. Why isn't that in him? He is like me in so many ways... why isn't that in there too?

But then I waffle, and the guilt comes rolling back. I don't do enough for him... but I don't feel like I could handle more... I could be doing more, if I let this or that go... if I balance this or that better... maybe if I wasn't "working" so much... ugh! It is such a sick cycle.

Deep down I know that I will find a new way to juggle. It has already started. I will become the parent he needs right now. I will make him show me I can trust him and that he is as capable as I know he is. He'll do he assignments and show me they are done. I'll guide him through time management. I'll make him miss football to show him what is most important. But I am worried that something else will suffer. And from that worry will come the compensation in my actions to balance everything else in a new way too.

That... and I think some chocolate cake will help.

Why Didn't I Think Of That

First, Thank You. Thank you for the wonderfully warm and thoughtful comments and emails from yesterday's frustration post. I think having to slow down these past couple of weeks has given me more time to be nostalgic and reflective. I am one of those "learn from the past" kind of thinkers, so remembering to me is important. If I am mindful of how I have lived my life, then the things I don't want to relive won't happen again. Or at least that is my theory. LOL.

I have to say, I was a little taken back by your comments about my strength. Most days when I am writing this blog, I am sitting at my dining room table with a cup of coffee. I feel like I am sitting with a good friend. Some days the talks over coffee are light and carefree. Other days they are a bit deeper. All make us grow closer as friends. Silly to be friends with people you don't even know are out there, lol... but it works. Anyway, I don't write what I do to hear how awesome someone thinks I am. I just write what is on my mind and it is easy to share. I am honored you think I am so strong.

But, enough of the sappiness for one day. Today is a new day and I am full of some new energy! I am finally to the "get to move things in" part of the studio prep!! I put my desk up and started unloading the first box the other day. Then I got pulled in a million directions... then I painted the shed yesterday (see photos: it's yellow and Lauren helped). Today though, the rest of the boxes are getting opened up and things are getting unpacked!!

Several people mentioned my Hot Head torch yesterday. It is a torch that runs on small 1lb cylinders of MAPP gas rather then my heavy duty oxygen/propane torch. I had a "why didn't I think of that" light bulb moment! OF COURSE I could use the HOT HEAD!! But then... something I forgot to mention. Remember week before last when I mentioned I might get some torch time at the old house? Well, I got the time... but when I turned on the kiln it didn't heat up. The relay is out and I need to get the replacement part. That's another thing that will get done today. And hopefully I can get some torch time in by the weekend. YOO HOO!!!

And in additional exciting news... I had a late evening email last night from one of my magazine editors. She would like some projects for another up coming book!! So that is TWO new books I am working on projects for. How exciting is that?!? I can't wait.

Total Frustration

Do you think it is possible to die without creativity in your life? Because, frankly, I am going absolutely insane. I never realize how dependant my sanity has been on being able to create. But then again, as I sit here and think back to how I started to be more creative, I should have realized it.

Maybe it is time I share that part of my life. I have told a few people about it... friends and family know about how I got to be the person I am today. But I haven't ever just sat down and shared it here. (And for lack of anything else to write, it'll give me something to do.)

You already know that I have always been an artistic person. I took a lot of art classes in high school. It comes from my Dad. He had always been a doodler and sketcher. And when I come across drawings of his in old photo albums I am amazed. He had a wonderful eye for perspective and I think he could have been an amazing cartoonist. Anyway, he says now that when my drawings started coming home from school, he stopped drawing. It still surprises me to hear that because (being the perfectionist that I am) I can find fault in pretty much anything I have done.

As I have joked about here many times, there are a bunch of sides to my personality. Along with that artistic being in me, there was a very practical student. I worked hard, got great grades, did work study programs at Kodak (ask me about microdensitometry sometime) and tried to figure out what I was going to "be" when I grew up. It was a toss up between being an English teacher (because I love to write) and being an Architech (because I love design).

Enter in the man in my life.

Ron and I met when I was very young (was 16 and he was 24). We were both working at a local golf club. It wasn't love at first site or anything. It was something that developed over time. And me being the naive, young, people pleasing gal that I was slowly started forgetting who I was in lue of this relationship. I gave up my friends to be with him and his, I gave up the idea of going off to college to stay near him, I stopped doing the things I loved to do and did the things he wanted to do. And in Ron's defense, he never asked me to do anything... it is just what I did.

Eventually, we moved in together (my idea) just two months after I graduated high school. I did get that scholarship to a local college for visual communication and graphic design. So, I started down a college path that I ended up finding to be a total waste of time. The classes were easier then high school and with no effort at all I have a GPA of 3.925 (yeah, I had 1 B and 15 As). Ron was going to school too and working. I think we were slowly growing apart. Until... just 6 months after moving in together, we found out I was preggers.

We should have seen it coming... there is this family joke that Kester's can get pregnant if the wind is blowing the right way. We had been together almost 3 years at that point, and had tossed around the idea of getting married. But in our theoretical conversations, it was after school was done. Now that we had Jacob on the way we decided to speed things up. I was 19 when Jacob was born and then 6 months later, we got hitched. And then... 6 months after that, we found out Andrew was on the way.

By the time that I was 21, the girl that wanted to go away to college and become something grand... and never wanted to have kids... was now a stay at home Mom watching Barney for hours with no friends (gave those up remember) and had no means to busy my mind (cause I quit school). We couldn't afford to have me work, we would have had to pay for me to work with what the cost of daycare would have been. I started to feel so trapped. And I completely shut down.

In the summer of 2001, I was 23 and I had a nervous breakdown. There is no way else to put it. It was never officially diagnosed, because I refused to go to the doctors. In my mind it was everyone else's fault that I was so unhappy. It had been coming on for a while. Slowly, I just detached. I broke Ron's heart and told him I wanted to leave him. I am so thankful now that he wouldn't let me. I did end up getting a part time job bartending in the evenings at that same golf club where Ron and I met. But bartending while so depressed is never a good idea. I was drinking a lot. And after my shift, I would drive to the park and just sit in my car and cry. I didn't want to go home. There were so many times I thought about just driving away.

Just as slowly as it came on... I worked on making it go away. At some point I flipped a switch in my mind and started to accept responsibility for myself. It was my fault I wasn't happy. I needed to figure out what I needed to be happy. It started with a trip to England for a wedding. It was ten days away from everything and by the end of the trip I knew I wanted to be back home. I started remembering things that made me feel good before. I loved to read for myself but hadn't bothered with babies around. So I started to pick up "chic lit" paperbacks to fill my afternoons. I got a full time job too and let the boys go to daycare. I remember one conversation with one of my aunts. She said she went through a similar time. And she assured me that it is okay to go back to work, and okay if I needed more. Not staying home didn't make me a bad Mom.

By 2002, for some wild and crazy reason, I wanted another baby. Ron was totally against it. We had talked about things so many times and had decided that some of my breakdown that summer had been post pardum depression after Andrew. Ron was very scared that it would happen again. Plus, we had started to see the troubling behaviors in Andrew that would later be diagnosed as Bi-Polar disorder, and Ron felt all our attention should be on him. Eventually I wore Ron down. And after a horrible miscarriage, in 2003, we were blessed with Lauren.

This time, staying home was a choice. And being home was worlds different then it had been 5-6 years before. I held on to the knowledge that I needed to make sure I was keeping my mind occupied and my heart happy. No one else can do it for you. When Lauren was about 5 months old, I got it into my head that I wanted to write her name with wire, for a necklace, like the ones you see at street shows. I went to Michael's, the craft store, and by the end of the evening I had 22 pairs of earrings. The rest, as they say, is history.

So... here I am... in the new house that I fought so hard for... with the things I love so much, that keep me sane and happy, taken away. I know I am being dramatic, it's only away for a few weeks. But, I have become so dependant on my art that is like my right arm. I can't do without it. Saturday afternoon had me sitting on the kitchen floor crying. Ron wanted to know what was wrong, and I said "I just need my torch back... I need to be making things... I am full of ideas and can't get them out... I AM JUST SO FRUSTRATED!"

I know what you are thinking... just get your ideas out in your sketch book, Kerry, or go sew something, or paint something... you don't have to torch. And you are right. I can, and I will. But for the moments I can't, all this that came before is why I wish I was.

Wait Lists

I think that it is pretty apparent that I am not a patient person. I know I have an inner two year old and I accept that. I have grown accustomed to it, lol. I want a new glass color... I order it... I want a new tool... I buy it. Patience smacience. I don't do patience.

These past few months have tested my patience in more ways then I can name. A few things came to a head today, so to speak, and it has me reflecting on patience, and life lessons. So bare with me while I get a little introspective. I find myself in the midst of a life lesson in patience. I have had to be patient about the house, both buying and selling. I am learning better patience with my kids, their wants and needs. I am teaching myself patience in my business (because of the house) to save and buy better/more wisely.

In some ways, the lessons are paying off. I did better research and was able to save over $100 on some sterling supplies I needed. Then used my scrap metal to pay for what I needed to buy. In the past I would have just ordered what I wanted from the same old place for the same high price. So my patience did my business good. I am getting better with being patient with the kids too. It works... things are good with them.

In other ways, I am being pushed to be more patient. I received two letters today... one via email and one via my old fashion mailbox. The first was in the mailbox, a letter informing me that I have been put on the "Wait List" for the 2nd year in a row on an art show that I really want to be a part of. The second was the email saying I am on the "Wait List" for the other show that I was dying to do this year. I have been accepted to all the others I am usually accepted to, but these two continue to elude me. So, more waiting there and another year of trying to get "good enough" to get into those.

The other thing forcing me to be more patient is the house. Things didn't end up going well last night. The couple's realtor (who our realtor said is shady) convinced the couple that our house is too small. So... no offer on the house. And now, our final walk through is scheduled, our closing is scheduled... everything is moving forward and we have to be patient when it comes to this house. Ugh.

Okay, so I don't have any point to get to with this yet. I don't think you can have a point until you are finished learning the lesson. I guess I still have loads to learn in this patience lesson. I'll let you know when I have learned it.

Holiday Weekends

Finally, after nearly a month of weather barely out of the 40-50s, the weather man is calling for an awesome weekend here in the Greater Rochester Area. You should have seen us all shivering at baseball last night. Imagine the verge of rain, wind, 40degrees and an open field. Yeah, it felt like March, not late May. The forecast for Monday... sunny and 78!! YOO HOOO!!

We have another over booked weekend. Tomorrow, Ron walks the stage to get his Master's degree with a luncheon after, Sunday is the Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill here in Rochester (Ron's going) and Monday, well, I am sure there will be a picnic involved. PLUS, we lowered the price on the house today too, so it is now at a price that will have it move, in our realtor's words, "surprisingly fast". We have been feeling the crunch with our closing just 3 weeks away and no offer on the house yet.

I want to send a shout out to the ladies that sent me emails yesterday about Beading Daily's latest email!! It looks like they have added my "Berry Wine" bracelet to the downloadable project line up. I should add a list of projects to the side bar so they are more easily accessible.

Which leads me to yesterday's comments... I hope that you WILL try these projects and I hope they spark your creative juices to create your own new pieces. Please send me pictures of what you make with my tutorials, I LOVE SEEING THEM!!

Yesterday's remarks on my part, were kinda generalized. Which I did to embarrass the one particular person they are directed at. I have some pent up emotions about a particular situation and I didn't want to publicly "call out" an individual but rather, let every one know that it isn't right when they take designs that aren't theirs and represent them as their own. It hurts and frustrates me to see it happen. I know things are going to be copied, it is a fact of artistic life. I have to think, every time I post a photo... "am I ready to see this done by some one else?" I have been told by a number of people, "don't post it if you don't want it copied". Sometimes I am so excited to share something I have come up with, that I post before thinking that. Other times, I know a design is so simple and basic that we see it every where (like lariats), so it is my beads that make the piece stand out. Sharing my process and what I make is a huge part of how I work as an artist, I don't want to change that because of the unethical behaviors of a few "bad" people. I think the majority of you who read this blog know me pretty well. You know the kind of person I am. You know how committed I am to making truly unique work. And I think you know that I am not a mean/aggressive/threatening person either. I love this blog. It is my little corner where I get to be exactly who I am, and if I am having a bad day and someone has got under my skin you are going to hear about it. I can't help it. It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to, LOL.

So, I will just say... thanks for stopping by today! I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!! And lets all hope my cough goes away and my hearing comes back by next week, LOL!

And in the words of Forrest Gump "... that's all I have to say about that."

On the mend...

I am not 100% yet, a couple nostrils are still clogged and I have no hearing in my right ear... but I am not feeling as drained of energy as I was earlier this week. As is evident by this cool new work!!

There is this new little shop here in Ontario, NY that a friend of mine is opening. She asked if I would display some of my work to help fill up her lovely glass case. I know my market... and little town Ontario is not the place to be trying to sell my kinda art jewelry. BUT, I thought maybe some of my recycled art pendants might be appreciated by the locals.

I have been trying to come up with a display idea for a week or two now... and suddenly last night it hit me!! ACEOs!! As soon as I woke up this morning, I filled a tissue with weird colored nose contents... grabbed a cup of coffee... and went down to my studio.

Now not only are the pendants made of recycled components, so are their displays!! You just snip the colored wire on the back of the ACEO to take the pendant off, and you are left a very cool mini work of art. Each one is signed, titled and numbered. They were made on bicycle playing cards, which I think is very cool. Why? Because a pack of cards is only about 75cent and it can make 2o or so ACEOs.

Thus far, I have made about 18 new bottle cap pendants and I am up to 6 finished ACEOs. I won't be posting these on my site just yet. I can't tell you how awesome it felt sitting at my desk painting all morning. I really got into a zone. I have a few to put in that new little shop, and I am trying to build up some inventory for the first SHOW of the year coming up in JULY!! I know you might be thinking July is months away, but with the move, Lauren getting her tonsils out, kids finishing school... and just life in general, it will be here before I realize it.

However, if you see one that you absolutely can not go on living without, zing me an email. The cost is going to be $55 each. Don't forget... you'll need a chain to wear the bottle cap pendant on!

I thought I would add something... I was a little apprehensive about sharing these. I think I have a blog stalker that is "borrowing" some of my ideas. I am afraid that I'll be seeing her knocking off these next. I am trying to be okay with the fact that my work is so awesome that everyone wants to be just like me, but sometimes it just plain sucks to have your original works hijacked with someone else getting the credit for ultra awesome-ness. I am not going to change who I am as an artist and start putting my art in a bubble that no one but me gets to see, just to keep it from being violated in these ways. Just beware unethical blog stalkers! I know you are out there, and so do the wonderful people that support me and my work. They are on to you too!! Remember, what goes around, comes around.

eta: I want to add a more visible response to a comment I received about the last bit of this post. The ending of this post was not meant to be harsh or threatening to every day blog readers. I apologize if anyone felt offended. I felt I needed to address the issue of people who come here, sees things they like, and then feel free to copy, claim as their own, then sell my designs. It has been brought to my attention by readers sending me private emails that it has happened in just the past few weeks. I have said on several occasions that I don't mind being copied, what I mind is people not giving credit where it is due. I suggest reading THIS POST, if you haven't already, to get a better idea of the kind of thing I am talking about.

Again, I am sorry if I offened anyone. But I stand by my words. I am going to leave them, and not edit the original post. I want the unethical visitors to know it isn't right what they are doing.

YOPP

"...And he climbed with the lad up the Eiffelberg Tower.
“This,” cried the Mayor, “is your towns darkest hour!
The time for all Whos who have blood that is red
To come to the aid of their country!” he said.
“We’ve GOT to make noises in greater amounts!
So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!”

Thus he spoke as he climbed. When they got to the top,
The lad cleared his throat and he shouted out, “YOPP!”

And that Yopp…
That one small, extra Yopp put it over!
Finally, at last! From that speck on that clover
Their voices were heard!..."


From Dr. Suess's Horton Hears a Who.

Horton has always been a favorite around here. We actually have the old VHS of How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Horton as an extra on the video. I love how Dr. Suess made up his own words. YOPP, happens to be one of his extra good ones in my opinion. Naturally, I took the kids to see the new movie when it came out. I thought it was great and it was oh-so-very visually stimulating!! Enough so that a couple months later, I am still thinking about things I saw in the movie that I want to translate to beads.

The one thing that has stuck with me the most is tone on tone stripes. I love love love stripes. Maybe it is the orderly-ness of stripes, I don't know. What I do know is that stripes in jewelry don't make you look fat and that is an extra good thing. So, above you see the YOPP necklace. Fantastically fun stripes in a fabulous new color with subtle weightless stripes and swirls of sterling silver... *sigh*.

Last week when testing the Zoozii's tool, I was keeping true to my "Lemonade Stand for Art" promise and decided to pull out some old glass I hadn't used when I bought it. I had four rods of a color called Orange Sherbet. And oh my stars, I am gonna have a hard time not reordering more of this. I used up every inch of that glass!! It is soooo delicious. It is soft and creamy, opalescent, and a wonderful softer version of my favorite Coral Orange. I found it meshed wonderfully with pale turquoise and transparent aqua. Add in a dash of persimmon red and you have a combo made in heaven!! For the bracelet below, and for the LSFA (Lemonade Stand For Art), I decided to conserve wire and put a dent in my Accuflex beading line. Cool huh?

A Lemonade Stand (of Art)

Feast your eyes on this little number! It is a custom Playground Necklace in yellows (obviously) that I am calling "A Lemonade Stand". It is headed out to CA to the biggest fan of Playground Necklaces ever (this one is her 5th). A perfect sunny necklace going to a very sunny state... it works.

There is a challenge I am issuing myself and I think I can relate it to a lemonade stand if I try. See if you can follow me with this...

What is a lemonade stand about? I usually had them when I was little. My Mom or Dad would take me and my sister to our grandparents' house. They lived on a golf course, so it was easy to set up a little stand by the 3rd green that was in there backyard. I think we charged a quarter a cup. Most golfers would buy a glass and give us a big smile. Others were nasty grumps that would fill their cup at the water cooler on the next tee.

But then, why lemonade? I know for one, it is because it is tradition/cliche. But then again, it is/was because it was what was on hand. Personally, I can't stand lemonade and in fact, it was the only thing that my Mom ever got sick on while she was pregnant with me. I have to choke it down. So my thinking is there was always lemonade around because I had drank up all the other flavors. It was the leftovers, lol.

I think lemonade stands are about making do with what you have to get something you want. I wanted to sell lemonade to earn money for things. I can't remember anything I wanted to get off the top of my head, but I am guessing it was candy. We weren't well off people, my parents couldn't afford to give us allowance, so if we wanted something we had to do things to earn it. In hine site, it was probably very good we had to earn things rather then having them handed to us all the time. I think it is a lesson my kids need to learn (but we'll save that discussion for another day).

Last weekend while I was cleaning the garage, I did a lot of organizing to my glass desk space. There was a bucket full of rods I had been lazy about putting away. There is an overflowing tub of shorts that I saw I had been adding some not-so-very-short shorts to, too. As I was trying to put away all those rods, and sort through all those not short shorts, something dawned on me. I have a ton... a ton... of glass. Okay, maybe not a ton, but certainly enough to last weeks, if not months. I have gotten in the habit of ordering glass every time I run out of a color. No more transparent teal (one of my favorites), well, let's put in an order... oh and while I am at it, I am kinda low and turquoise... oh and isn't that a pretty shade of copper... might as well get some ink too... my orders end up costing me $200-$300 at a time (sometimes even more). And I place 5-6 of those orders a year. The result is my fully stocked glass rack and too many colors to count that are not getting used.

I really started to think I am being too wasteful. And the more I organized, the more I realized that I really need to start making do with what I have. The thoughts organized further and I started to think what a great artistic challenge it could be. Inevitably, I am going to run out of my favorite colors, just like I would drink up all the packs of Strawberry flavored Kool-Aid first. But what a challenge it could be to find inspiration in colors I don't usually use. Like yellow... hello... doesn't this necklace rock? And I can't remember the last time I ever used yellow!!

Waiting as long as possible to reorder and making do with what I have will be helpful in other ways too. Ron feels like we are hemorrhaging money at the new house, so we have put each other on extremely tight spending leashes. Absolutely NO unnecessary spending!! Now, glass isn't "unnecessary", it is a very obvious business expense. But I know I could be more conscientious about what I am doing. I could certainly use my "lemonade" colors (this by no means applies to yellow only) and earn some pennies for new things I want for the new house (like a new sofa!).

Do you think you could do it? Could you go as long as possible without reordering supplies? Could you challenge yourself to be creative with alternate colors you wouldn't normally use? Could you be resourceful, penny-wise, and artistically inventive? Could you have "A Lemonade Stand of Art"?

Unhinged

Before you scroll down to look at the other photos, can you guess what this is? I love this shot!! What you are looking at is my new "Unhinged" bangle!! I really don't know what has gotten in to me. Yesterday, I had that mini rant about how unball-like my day/week has been. But out of the blue, I found everyone behaving/playing nice and I was in my studio poppin' out all sorts of new things. These new bangles are just the tip of the jewelry iceberg that came through here!

So, where the idea come from for these bangles... I have mentioned several times that I am in love with Stephanie Sersich's glass work. Last week, I got my copy of her new book, Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads. I first heard about this book right from Stephanie when I was at the B&B Show last year. (I bought one of her awesome heart pendants!)

At first glance, I didn't really think the projects in the book were for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the book, especially the beads through the ages portion, but I think I lust after her beads more then I lust after her jewelry style. But then, there was this one project that I kept turning back to. Turns out it is a project featured in the latest issue of Stringing Magazine too (page 66). It is called "Double-Clasp Bracelet".


The timing of this inspiration is perfect... lemme explain. Recently over at Lampwork Etc, Linda Campbell of Black Bear Art Glass posted a link to THIS ARTICLE written by Dick Lehman for Ceramics Monthly Magazine. The article is fantastic! Period... you just have to read it. I have been hoping for an excuse to post a link to it. I couldn't more eloquently phrase how I feel about inspiration/borrowing/copying. I know you are probably thinking "what does making bowls have to do with making jewelry?" Well, not much but what I loved about it is the idea that you should "steal" others ideas, then take those ideas and change them so much that one wouldn't know where the ideas ever originiate. I think there is a lot of "borrowing" going on out there and not enough "stealing"... read the article, you'll know what I mean.

I think this new bangle is a great example of "stealing"! I stole Stephanie's idea to make a two part bracelet. Then I transferred it into my style... wire. Then I decided that interchangeable wasn't for me and I made a hinge in the middle instead. So see... I was inspired but the end result was so far removed from that inspiration that you couldn't tell one influenced the other!!

Another thing I liked about this article is the parts on sharing knowledge. I think the idea that all artists are standing on the artists of those that came before them is so true. And sharing ideas, techniques, methods... everything... is so important to the growth of an art form. It is why I write my tutorials and one of the reasons I am writing my book. I want to share how I do things and I want to see how others take the next step, make things better/different... essentially "steal" my ideas and take it to the point that you wouldn't know it was mine to begin with.

Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this!! Please leave me some comments. Tell me what you think of the bangles... tell me what you think of the article... tell me, tell me, tell me!

Nonsense in 2008

YOO HOO!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Welcome to 2008! I hope you all had a blast last night and got to smooch someone special. I got to smooch 4 someones, lol. This year we had a quiet night at home full of Crazy 8s, homemade personal pizzas and a giant sleep out in the living room. Every one tried to stay up, few succeeded. Ron made it until around 10pm, Andrew until 11:40, Lauren until 11:50 and it was just me and Jacob up for the count down. I gave each of my crew a kiss before shuffling off to bed by 12:10, lol.

Oh, how different it is from back in the day. I remember staying out until 3-4am and sleeping till noon. I doubt I could do it these days!

As I layed in bed... waiting to drift off to dream land... I was finally a little reflective. Last year was full of some many things, but then again, it feels like it was a split second of time. In that pre-dream state, the name for this new necklace design popped into my head too. Not only does it fit the necklace... I think it fits the approach I hope to take into the new year.

This is "The Nonsense Necklace"!

I freaking love it. It has so many endless possibilities for expressing your own personal style. So far I have come up with five basic ways to wear it. But that is just the start. Subtle changes here and there, and there are even more ways to wear it.

It starts with a 40in chain!! Dats right... FORTY INCHES!!

The beads slide all over the place. You can let it hang long (photo 1)... you can double it up with the beads hanging low (photo 2)... you can slide a few of the beads around, turning it into a double 'v' (photo 3)... part the beads and use them as dangles for a traditional lariat (photo 4)... or let all the beads hang together and use the free end like a lasso for even another style of lariat (photo 5)!

This is the prototype of the new design. I still have to work out what color combos to make and I need to make the smaller accent discs on a slightly larger mandrel so they can spin all the way around the chain. Right now they can't get past the small link I use to connect the chain ends.

So how is this like the attitude I want to take into 2008?

Well, it is kinda hard to describe. I am not one for resolutions... I have told y'all that before. If I want to change something about myself, I just try and do it... I don't wait for a certain date on the calendar. But I want to have more nonsense in my life. More "just for fun". Less stress.

Here is hopeing we all can have more nonsense and fun!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Win Some, Lose Some

There are times when I get and idea so stuck in my head that I can't get any other work done until I get the road blocking idea out of the way. I think it happens when I have fully developed a design in my mind, but still can't quite picture it. I mean, I have figured out the logistics of making it, I have basically built it in my mind's eye, but I need to actually hold it in my hands to know how it will really be.

These bangles were one of those blocking ideas. When the idea for them POPPED into my head, I couldn't move onto anything else until I just sat down and did them. Lauren had been wearing a bunch of rubber bands on her wrist when I said to myself... "what if I make the same thing with wire?"

Now, the title of this post is "Win Some, Lose Some" because half the time I get stuck on one of these ideas, it doesn't turn out all that great. (I have a lots of wire links laying around that are perfect examples.) I think these bangles are one of those ideas. They are just okay. I am not thrilled with them, but then again, I don't hate them either. Very blah.

Do I think I wasted my time making these? No. It was a great learning experience. I practiced my "silver core" technique for lining the beads. I got to work on my soldering a little bit and tried sanding to really smoothing out the joints. What will happen to these? Well, they will probably float around the studio for a while. Lauren will wear them too. And they will be like that until someday when I am out of 16gauge wire and desperately need a few inches to finish a project... then I will cut them apart and recycle the wire.

Another interesting thing happened as a result of these... after I finished them, I went on Etsy and typed in "wire bangles" to the search field. I wanted to see if anyone else was doing anything like this. I was kind of shocked by what I saw. Not these bangles... but a number of my "Sandy Lantern" bangles. And you know, not a single one gave credit to me (or the magazine for that matter) for the design. It got me to thinking... are people scared to acknowledge sources? Do they think they will lose all their customers to the original creator? Why is it so hard to admit you didn't come up with the idea?!?!

Don't get me wrong, I am not mad about it. Which is another thing I got out of this project. I actually surprised myself. I wasn't as upset as I was in the past by situations like this. I would be furious and frustrated to see someone claiming it as their own and teaching it... but these were single artisans selling one or two in their virtual shops. I found it more disappointing then anything else. I think that is me evolving a little as an artist. I have said in the past that someday (hopefully) it won't bother me at all... I think I am moving down that path of thought.

Internal Debates

The other day my friend Lindsey blogged about guilt and bliss. Or rather letting go of guilt and following your bliss. It has stuck with me the past few days and for lack of anything else to write about, I figured I would take up the blogging torch she lit and continue the discussion here.

So... I won't ask if you carry on internal dialog... I think everyone does. I even go so far as to have full internal conversations with people before I actually see them. LOL! It is very much along the lines of conversation "prep". You think of what you think someone will say and you think what you think you will respond with and then you think what you think they will say back to that. Sometimes it makes conversations sound a little rehearsed when you actually get to have them with the person... but most of the time things never go how they do in my head.

Sometimes I think it comes from having too much time on my hands, but then again, I don't have much time on my hands. But maybe it is the lack of a lot of social interactions. I have friends, I get to see them from time to time, but for the most part I bum around my house with my kids, creating things to my hearts content, while washing dishes (yeah, the stupid dishwasher isn't fixed yet, ggrrrrr) folding laundry and that sort of thing.

Along with these internal dialogs, I have lots of internal debates. Weighing options, arguing points.... I often even go so far as to change the subject on myself when I can't think of what else to tell myself, lol. Kind of like when you are in an awkward situation and you don't want to get involved with whatever is going on so you just change the subject.

For me, I think all the talking to myself that is going on in my head helps keep me sane. Although I know how very insane it sounds. Today, I went back and forth all day about what I should do for my free time while Lauren is at school. It went a little something like this...

Me: Hmmm... resining paper... resin it to canvas... oh then pen and ink drawing... swirling scrolls... layers of colors... pinks and reds... (I wish I could explore more sides my artistic mind)

Other Me: I need to fill this order and that order... make beads in this color... and don't forget to order that color glass... what am I going to blog about, I wonder if anyone left comments yesterday, I better check... so... I need to drop off Lauren, ramp the kiln, dip mandrels, make beads...

Me: OR... I could run to Michael's, get some canvas and have them here to play around next week...

Other Me: but those people are waiting for their orders....

Another Me: why are you even considering getting new stuff... you just bought a ton of fabric to make clothes for Lauren for Fall... maybe I should cut some patterns out...

Other Me: I really need to get a jump on those orders and nail down exactly what I want to make for the Gallery...

Me, again: Oh... and that book I got the other day on felting... I need to draw out those new ideas for mixed media brooches... what colors for those... Gang if they turn out half as nice as what I see in my head they are going to be gorgeous!

Most of this was going on around noon, when I was loading Lauren in the car and heading to the post office before preschool. I eventually convinced myself that I shouldn't buy canvases (at least not today) and literally forced myself to drive back home from preschool and not head over to the plaza with the Target, JoAnns and Old Navy is, lol. Then the internal debate started again as I sat in front of the torch... lol. I couldn't decide what I wanted to work on... the special orders I took (even though I told myself I wasn't going to make custom things anymore)... new necklace design... experiment with hollows (I made my first one the other day I am so psyched!)... oh.. maybe BANG Gal beads.

Eventually, laying on the couch and reading for an hour won out. I don't know where I am going with this... like internal dialog, this whole post is very much a 'train of though' posting. I am just going with it, alright. Why fight the dialog? If I escape for a little while... let my subconscious work on things for a while... maybe I will figure out what the hell I wanna do and the lights will go on and I'll slide right into my creative groove and have debates about other things like... hmmm... cake or ice cream for dessert tonight...

Please feel free to comment and share your internal debates... I would love to hear about it!!

Oh, and today's image... some of my "old school" art... not figurative "old school", literally "old school". It is a pen and ink drawing I did in 11th grade. It is small, only about 4x6. I have kept it all these years (about 12yrs since I was in 11th gr). It is one of my favorites. I thought the figure in the lower left corner fit the post for today.

Eventful Days

It has been an interesting an eventful day around here.

In some good ways, and some not so good ways. First... I got couple of cool new things started and some done. But unfortunately I am doubled over with a stomach ache due to either "girly" things or bad Chinese. So, I am being lazy and don't want to get the camera out. But I will tomorrow, for sure!

I was sent a link to this CLASS being offered at a bead show in September. I am sure all you hardcore "Kabs" followers will say... 'Hey! That is your Sandy Lanterns Bangle!'. I said the same thing when I opened the link. I sent emails to the class instructor and to the group hosting the show. The instructor doesn't feel that my design was original, says that she doesn't subscribe to SBS Wire Jewelry Magazine and that it is a simple design anyone could have come up with. I haven't heard anything from the group hosting the show. But I just find the whole situation terribly frustrating. I know I am not the be all and end all of wire working. I know 'bangles' have been around since the dawn of time. And I would have considered this coincidence if it wasn't for the lampwork beads being the same size and shape... the layout of the beads being the same... and those small spacers right at the ends before the coils. It is just too similar. I truly think I came up with something original when I made my Sandy Lanterns bangle. I'll give the artist the benefit of the doubt... maybe she didn't intentionally set out to make the same bracelet. Maybe she saw mine way back in Feb 2006 when I posted it on the B&B Forum or here on my blog even. Maybe she saw it in one of the wire forums where people have tried my project... who knows. But I think she was in one way or another definitely influenced by my project either consciously our unconsciously and it should be acknowledged that I am the original designer.

Now it has been argued that 'hey, you gave up rights to the design the minute you gave it to the editors of a magazine...' To that I say "take a look at what the editors' themselves have to say..." On The Bead&Button Magazine website you can download the following from the magazine's editor, Mindy Brooks.
___________________________________________

Beaders' Ethics
Mindy Brooks
Editor, Bead&Button
editor@beadandbutton.com

When, if ever, is it acceptable to sell or teach another person’s designs? That’s a question we hear frequently at Bead&Button, and it tells us that many of our readers care about the ethical and legal issues involved when it comes to the money-making aspects of beading. Unfortunately, we also have firsthand experience with beading’s darker side – the dishonest few who cause heartache and financial harm by cashing in on another person’s original work. And when unethical people profit from ideas that don’t belong to them, it hurts us all. Maybe it was inevitable that as beading became more popular, people would look for shortcuts to exploit the growing number of lucrative opportunities, and maybe there is nothing one editor or one editorial can do to change that. So, it’s gratifying to know that my concerns about the ethics of beading are shared by the editors of other beading magazines, including Cathy Jakicic of BeadStyle, Marlene Blessing of Beadwork, Pamela Hawkins of BeadUnique, and Leslie Rogalski of Step by Step Beads. They will also be covering this topic in upcoming issues of their publications.

To address the question presented at the start of this editorial, Bead&Button’s position on copying designs is as follows:
1. It is unethical to copy an artist’s work to sell without the artist’s permission.
2. It is unethical to copy any work that has appeared in a magazine, book, or website and represent it in any venue as an original design.
3. It is unethical to teach a beading project that has appeared in a magazine, book, or website without the artist’s permission.
4. It is unethical to teach a beading project learned in another teacher’s class without the teacher’s permission.

If you agree, please help disseminate this message by including a copy of these statements with your class materials, your kits, and the pieces you sell. You can download a copyright-free version at beadandbutton.com. Mindy BrooksEditor, Bead&Buttoneditor@beadandbutton.com
________________________________________

I also wanna encourage you jewelry makers out there to read THIS ARTICLE also published by Kalmbach on the rights of jewelry designers, the rights of beaders (the magazine readers) and a bit about copyright law. I found it very informative.

Okay so that was a big chunk of my day. The other parts were spent running the kids around to doctors appointments... disabling blowout fights over who's turn it is on the PS2... and wishing I could make beads. I unloaded my football and soccer responsibilities for the night on Ron and I am gonna just lay down and relax.

Sneak Peak

I have been working on some fun new beads!! Here is a little sneak peak for you... these and lots more are going to be partying in the Bead Box this week! Aren't these FUN!?! I am going to have lots of brights in lots of shapes and sizes, cool huh? Ron says I should be keeping these and making jewelry, but I am going to share :) then maybe make extra for some of my own designs.

We are all huddled in the house today trying to keep warm. It is freezing cold and snowing here, so it's hot cocoa, baking cookies and movie watching for us. The studio is only 25 degrees, but I am gonna brave the frigid air to make beads this afternoon. Ron said something about bree, crackers and wine this evening too... looking forward to that!!

Class last night went great. All the girls left with great new bangles... gotta give a shout out to Melinda, Danielle, Mary and Lesley... HEY GIRLS!

Lesley shared an interesting tidbit of info with me that I want to talk about. (Hope she doesn't mind, I don't think she will.) She told me that while at a craft show a few weeks ago she saw a jewelry vendor selling "Berry Wine" bracelets and "Sandy Lantern" bangles. Lesley has seen my designs and recognized them right away. She asked the artist if she knew me and had taken my classes. Lesley said the artist turned bright red and was rather embarrassed. So, Lesley suggested she put out something that let buyers know they were my original designs. She said when she went back by the booth later,the vendor had put a small sign out.

So it got me to thinking... I can't remember if we have talked about this before or not... but I am sure some of you wonder where I stand on the whole issue of "copying"... duhm duhm dum (insert dramatic music). The topic of copying is a highly highly controversial one. In many jewelry/art/bead forums the mear mention of the word has people taking sides, starting fights and ending friendships. As an "author", I have to realize that my designs are going to be reproduced, my tutorials are going to be tried by people and yes... people are going to sell it as their work. Personally, I would never do that to another artist. If I try a tutorial, or I get inspired by another artist's work, I give them all the credit. I do not sell projects that I make from tutorials. I used them as a learning tool! After I complete a project, I take the new things it teaches me and I work those skills into my own style/designs.

In a perfect world, here is what I would like the people who use my beads or make my tutorials to do...

If you use my beads... let the buyers know "These beads were made by Kerry Bogert". If you have a website and have item descriptions, that is the best spot to let people know I made the beads. I would love a link to my website, but that would be a bonus. You pay for your beads so really, what you do with them is totally up to you. Just don't try to claim you made them yourself ;)

If you are using my designs... let buyers know "This design is by Kerry Bogert and was in such and such a magazine". I really feel strongly that since you haven't "paid" for the rights to the design, that you need to be linking to my website in this instance. Now, if you have done like I do, and you used the tutorial as a spring board for your own piece... it's all up to you. I would appreciate a "inspired by" tag but that is gonna be your call.

Now in rare instances, I have come across bead for bead copies of things I have made. For me, that is a big no-no. And when I need to, I let the maker know that they have come to close for comfort. It has only happened a few times, but it does happen. (And I am sure more then I know about.) For the most part, I am a very down to earth designer. I give people the benefit of the doubt. I know I didn't invent everything, and I know if something inspires me, it can inspire others too. So who's to say that what I think is original isn't original for someone else too. I hate to cry "copier", I really do. I have been accused of "coping" before, when I absolutely had not... and I did not appreciate the accusation. I think that contributes a lot to the stand I take now. I don't want to assume the worst in people, as was done to me. So I try to stay open minded. And, I am sure as I continue to grow as an artist, even the bead for bead copies won't bother me. It really should be considered flattering, I suppose. Someone likes what I do enough to make it for themselves. Just like I did 4 years ago when I was thinking I could make a necklace I saw at Target for less money. We all start somewhere.

I am a firm believer in "sharing the knowledge"... I hate information hounds who won't tell you so much as the time of day let alone where they found those cool spacer beads. Those of you who send me emails asking questions know that I am always more then happy to share sources for things, techniques for making stuff, and if I don't know the answers... I try to point you to someone who does. I don't worry that if I tell you to get the ceramic spacer at Mykonos.com that you will go out, order them, then buy solid color discs, make two dozen of my "Fling" earrings, and sell them all to the highest bidder. I think you would be surprised just how many people do think that way. I think it is a terrible perspective.

Anyway... that is my 2cents on "copying". Any questions?

Color Theory

I watched a fascinating special on PBS a few nights ago about piano prodigies in competitions in NYC. It followed several pianists ages 14-18 through an event that was several days long and had them doing things they had never done before, like this thing they called 1 Piano 4 Hands. You should have heard the amazing threads of sounds these kids could pull out of the pianos. It was just awe-inspiring.

There was something that stuck with me after watching that. This one teacher was saying how she had perfect pitch at the age of 3. She could just tell when things didn't sound "right". The amazing music I was hearing was truly art with the piano as the media and notes as the colors. Once my brain started connecting those dots, it made me think of myself and my art. Since I was very little, I could see when colors weren't "right". I wonder if that is one of those "gifts" that I have as an "artist", like knowing the sounds a note should make is a gift that musicians have. Sounds kinda snotty of me to give myself "gifts", lol, but it was just something that stuck with me. I do love color, love finding balances, love combining just the right shades of this and that. I see when the wrong colors are together and they are fighting for attention.

I have always found it very difficult to embrace the term "artist". I really respect the label and think too many people use it too freely. Especially in this area of NY I am in. It seems that artists have lost a lot of respect, that people see them as a dime a dozen and that anyone could do what an artist does. I think finding things that set myself apart from the everyday crafter/artist will help me better identify myself as an actual Artist. This new theory on color is going to be one of those things in my mind that I think sets me apart.

So, I just thought I would share my little theory and enlightenment. Feel free to share the things that set you apart from the jewelry maker next door. I would love to hear what you think!! And if you can't think of anything, then that is what you need to make your New Year's Resolution... find what makes you different and celebrate it!!

In other news... thanks so much for all your Hope-You-Heal-Soon messages. My fingers are feeling much better. I just need to try really really hard to not pop the big blisters. I was actually able to make a couple beads yesterday. I did some things that didn't require a lot of detail, so my hands stayed away from the flame. I am very pleased with what I am seeing. I keep squealing when I open the kiln so it's a very good sign. I am hoping to do a Bead Box update on Tuesday when everyone heads back to school and work.

My Mom picked this week's freebie winner and it's CHRISSIE K! Yoo Hoo Chrissie!! I will get the next pic posted asap. The beads are already strung and ready for their debut. Something bright and colorful :) Thanks sooo sooo much for your support everyone. It is very greatly appreciated!