Glass Rooster Bead Redux

Just wanted to show you the final photo on the lampwork bead that I'm sending out for Beads of Courage. After blogging on Tuesday about my designing in glass references, now you can see the outcome.   I think it definitely reads "rooster" and although the legs are a bit shorter and thicker than in real life, I wanted them to be a bit sturdier for practicality.

Wishing you a wonderful day and see you tomorrow.

11/11/11....Santa Is Watching You!

I know, it's not even Thanksgiving and the holiday beads are up.  I thought because today is 1111111, or  however many ones there are in it, it would be a good one for him to be watching out for us. 

Santa is currently living on my bead rack and is hoping to be adopted to a home where someone will give him sweets and finish getting him ready for his special day.  He knows his belly is supposed to shake like a bowl full of jelly and unfortunately for him, I've given up the sweets for awhile.

Santa can be found in my StudioMarcy etsy shop HERE.

Tammy Jones, New Lampwork Beadmaker- Wow!

I met my new friend, Tammy Jones on the internet.  I love reading Jewelry Making Daily's emails and metal jewelry artist/editor Tammy had mentioned in a post, that she had always wanted to try lampwork.  So I wrote her and told her that I would love to teach her.  (Heck, I felt like I knew her, because I had been enjoying her posts and I love to teach private lessons.)

So Tammy drove hours and came to my home studio for some fun.  And I have to tell you, she took to it immediately.  I was amazed.  You see that cupcake?  She made it after a few hours at the torch.  I can't tell you how impressed I am.

I didn't know how to take an artful photo of what Tammy made, because I was showing her how to use wires and form beads on the ends of them. (the wires makes the shot look cluttered.)  But you can see a leaf and a stamped flower bud on wires and the rest were on mandrels.  She made a red rose and girl's face too.  In the bottom corner, is her very first and only donut bead ever.

Needless to say, she aced her first class and I look forward to seeing how she incorporates her new skills in her jewelry. The new friendship was a real bonus and Tammy, can't wait for your next visit!

Steampunk Owl

I've been doing a lot of experimenting recently.  And I'm not sure where I'm going with it yet.  But here is one of my first attempts at making some sort of clockwork gears encased inside of an owl bead.  I used little metal pieces on other parts of him too.  His beak is made from a little screw and he has brass leaf findings on his wings for additional feathers. I used silvered ivory, hoping to tie the look together, but it might be too much.

I like the concept, but I think it doesn't quite have the look that I'm trying for yet.  Not sure where it will evolve.  I'd appreciate your comments- ideas and suggestions.

Studio Lighting- What do you have?

Messy, but well lit table top

"H" shaped track lighting
(If only I knew how to make these two photos go side by side...)

Recently, I was asked about studio lighting.  What did I have, and did I have any recommendations.  That's a pretty broad question, as my goal with lighting is to have "a lot!"

I don't see well enough without it.

So I have included two quick snapshots I took to show my friend as to what my studio has and to show her what it offers.

I have to admit, Home Depot is one of my main sources for just about everything.  It's only 5 minutes away from my house, so that's where I go.  My husband and nephew installed track lighting from there with a lot of the little spotlights, so I could have enough lighting to not only light up the room, but give me a lot of light directly onto my table.  The track is shaped like an "H".  The long lengths of the room have tracks, so it covers my tools and glass on each side and the center, shorter bar goes over the top of my table.  I can add more little plug in lights, if I need them, but this really seems to do the trick well.

But in my conversation with my friend, she mentioned that her ceiling isn't conducive to track lighting and would probably need either table clamp-ons or table top.  So I'm asking you- my readers, who I affectionately call my "Think Tank"...what do you use that you love?  Any tricks or comments for my friend who is looking for a way to light up a dark garage and have plenty of task lighting as well.

Honestly, I'm "of that age" where lighting makes a huge difference.   I bet there are some of you readers who have great ideas to share.  It seems like we are always re-inventing the wheel, when co-operative  sharing would be so much easier.

And while I'm asking for input, if you have questions that you would like this "think tank" to address, please let me know.  I don't want to ask people for trade secrets, but a little sharing makes us all benefit.

See you tomorrow, right here, http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com