The Penland Book of Glass

If you haven't seen this wonderful book, pop over to Amazon, and check it out. When my teacher from last summer, Shane Fero showed it to our class, I knew I needed a copy. It features 10 fabulous artists and is eye candy for the fellow glass addict. You'll also find some used copies on Amazon, which make the deal even sweeter.

Why?

I was reading the Society of American Mosaic Artists' website recently and saw a question they had asked award winning members...

"Why do I express myself in mosaics?" and their varied responses touched me in so many ways. Partially, because I love to hear how each artist has chosen their area and why.

Do you ever think about it for your work too? I know I get asked that question in different ways pretty often.

I'd love to hear your response. So please post it in the comments. Tell my why do you?

And as for me, it was a multitude of reasons. I had been working in watercolors and loved layering the colors and the look of sunlight streaming through them. I thought perhaps glass would be able to do that for me too. And a somewhat oblique reason was that I was rather frightened both of broken glass and flames. I knew by facing that, and having a wonderful reward for dealing with it, would help me get over it. (and yes, for you subscribers, that's why I chose to sky dive too- I am scared of heights).

But back to the artistic reasons.. please share with me your thoughts. I know that there are some wonderful feelings that are evoked when we discuss our mediums and I'd love to hear yours.

I Used To Be Cool

I was researching Louisville, KY, because I might be visiting there next week and found this T-Shirt business, www.iusedtobecool.com on one of the city-centric websites, Keep Louisville Weird.

Well, you know any name that has weird in it, will attract me like a moth to flame, so I checked it out....and of course, after chuckling through all the different products from this company, I ordered one.

I know, it will embarrass my kids even more, but what the heck. I already do. And I think it's funny and it makes me laugh.

If you plan to be in the Louisville area Thursday, Oct. 9th and possibly Friday the 10th, drop me an email at studiomarcy@gmail.com to let me know. We can see if our schedules might mesh. I'll be there with my family and hoping to tour some of the local glass facilities during my free time.

See you tomorrow, http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com, with some more morning madness and a little fun tossed in too.

Paperweights and Chris Buzzini

I can't remember how I luckily chanced upon Chris Buzzini's paperweights.  But I am on the email list to see the new ones as they are offered. 

Here is his latest one called "Tahoka Daisy and Berries". I think it's magnificent.

If you'd like to see more of his work, click here.  It's a link to his sold gallery and there are other lovelies shown.  His realism and attention to detail, should not be missed.

You Know You're A Beadmaker When...

One of my recent fixations has been joining Facebook, because I've found a lot of beadmakers, as well as friends from the past and relatives too. To me, it's like having an international small town with your best buddies and new friends all in the same place.

(If you join it, please "friend" me, Marcy Lamberson, and if we haven't met, just write "blog" on the note so I know that you're okay to be one of my new friends)

Well, one of the things that one can do on Facebook, is to have little questionaires that you ask your friends to fill out and you get to know them better. Here is a current one for beadmakers. I thought I'd answer it and then you feel free to answer also in the comments.

You Know You're a Beadmaker When...

1. You know you're a true beadmaker when - You look at life as beads. "Look at that child over there, wouldn't she make a great bead?"

2. Your favorite glass- No favorite soft glass, but currently I am loving some of the colors of CIM glass.

3. Your favorite torch - I own quite a few, but right now, I keep going back to my trusty old Minor that I've had for 8 years.

4. Name 1 or more beadmakers who inspired you - There are many who have inspired, but I have to say that Deanna Griffin Dove's early classes, when I was beginning were outstanding. She knows so much and expressed and shared her knowledge so well.

5. My inspiration comes from - Life. Books, people, inanimate objects, photos, fabric, nature, everywhere....

6. When I'm making beads I listen to - a variety of things...always the ka-chunking sound of my concentrator as well as sometimes television, books on tape, music or the birds in my backyard.

7. I love making - whimisical sculptural beads that stretch my abilities. If they make me smile and are a challenge, then I'm really happy.

8. My favorite drink at the torch - homemade lemonade, but I seldom have it.

9. You know when you've been at the torch too long when......you've burned yourself and you finish your bead instead of tending to it right away.

10. I love being a beadmaker because - there is a mild euphoria when I sit down at the torch or when I teach this art form. Stretching what I know through the molten glass makes me feel joyful.

And one that I am adding...
You know beadmaking is in your blood, when you unintentionally buy a jacket that matches your didymiums and then wear it to the Southern Flames demo and you still haven't noticed, until you see the photo a week later. Seeing this photo made me laugh. And don't ask what I was doing. I must have been explaining something serious that required two fists. It's got to be one of the very few photos out there where I'm not smiling or making a goofy face.

And now I'm off to finish adding more beads to my Etsy shop and then take the rest of the day off to see the outstanding American Craft Council Show which is in Atlanta for a few days. Ah, bliss.