Cleo Dunsmore - Presented at The Gathering

Cleo Dunsmore not only makes outstanding glass fish, but has a way of speaking that you know immediately, she's an artist.

I was lucky enough to meet her prior to her presentation at the Gathering and see her beads in advance. All I can say is if you pick one up, you want one...or more.

These trout and other fine finned friends are beautifully rendered in glass. The details are true to the creature, and yet, they look and feel like a 3" treasure that you get to hold in your hand.

Cleo and I chatted and she told me a little about her life. I mean, how many people do you know who actually own an art car? (I'm a big fan of those!) Her passion for what she does shows in her conversations. But you need to check out her website as well. Because I must say, her goddess and totem beads seem to be very true to who she is as well. She has a multi faceted personality and each type of bead reflects a different part of it.

So if you didn't know Cleo, you should. Not only is her glass beautiful, but so is her spirit. She is warm, interesting and looks for the good in all. I was so glad to have met her at the Gathering this year and hope to see her in future years.

I Didn't Know Pigs Smile

I was going to write about the Gathering, but I came across this photo from National Geographic's web site and it just made me smile.

I have not seen pigs look so happy before, but obviously they love harmonica music. Who knew?

I'll be back tomorrow with Gathering chat, but this photo compelled me to share it. You know there will be a bead or a glass sculpture connected with it some day.

Gathering Class

This is a photo of my sculptural bead class at the Gathering. I know, I should have taken some snapshots of their wonderful work, but the students are more important.

left to right: Barbara, me (Marcy Lamberson), Alison- sitting, Cathy, Max, Rachelle and Lee.

What a fun group of students they were too. We made all kinds of beads to learn sculpture- seashells, puppies, cupcakes, birds, self portraits and more. What made me the happiest was seeing them interpret an item (3-D & 2-D) that I didn't demonstrate and get it so spot on. It meant that they could look at almost any photo or object and figure out how to make it in glass. I have to say their little Vikings were wonderful too.

I'd like to thank FlameTree Glass for donating the glass for our class. Lisa St. Martin and Larry Brickman ran the class area with efficiency, professionalism, such a great attitude and helpfulness. Thanks to them too. But most of all, thanks to my students. I really liked all of you and enjoyed teaching you my passion for sculpting glass. I hope you'll send me photos of your work as you try new subjects.

Tomorrow, more about the Gathering. Perhaps a little about the presentations.

Still Unpacking

I'll be back tomorrow ready to blog, here on http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com. I just need one day off to catch up and later today- reopen my etsy shop. See you tomorrow with some photos and lots of commentary from the ISGB Gathering and teaching there.
Later gator-
Marcy

The Munsell Hue Test

Have you seen this? It's the Munsell Hue Test to gauge how well you can differentiate color.

Each line's first and last block are fixed and you drag and drop the color blocks into place. It tests your color vision.

You can find the full size test here.

I'm looking forward to hearing how you do.

See you tomorrow.

Blog Award & Blue Mouse

A big thank you to Nomad Crafts for choosing me to receive the One Lovely Blog Award. I am honored and look forward to passing on this award to the following blogs who all are very deserving.

But first, let me chat a tiny bit about the mouse in the photo.

Perhaps you notice his different appearance? He is glass, but he has been covered in transparent enamels from Thompson. After he was annealed, I acid etched him for about 20 minutes.

Those transparent enamels are a lot of fun to use. (Opaque ones are a blast too!) When covering a sculptural item, remember that the enamels tend to amass in the crevasses and plan your choices accordingly.

Now, without further ado, here are my five blogs who have won my One Lovely Blog Award.

In keeping with the tradition of the One Lovely Blog Award, here are the Rules of Blog Award Acceptance:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And the blog awards go to

1. http://www.mistymade.blogspot.com/
2, http://personal.hub3.net/suzifitzbeads/
3. http://www.shebamakeda.com
4. http://www.glassaddictions.blogspot.com
5. http://www.SewDanish.blogspot.com

Hope you're having a great weekend. See you tomorrow.

Gourmet Looking Fast Food

"Yeah, it's still bad for you - but see how good it can look!"

I have found my new saving grace for when I'm at the torch too long and have procrastinated on making dinner.

Okay, so it's not my usual healthy fare, but I think this is one of the funniest sites I've seen in a long time.

It's http://www.fancyfastfood.com where the writers take fast food and deconstruct it and make it into fancy looking meals.

This one is The Colonel's Chicken Corn Chowder.

ingredients:

• 1 KFC Original Recipe two-piece Breast & Wing Meal, with biscuit and additional sides:
• 1 corn on the cob
• 1 order of potato wedges
• 1 order of cole slaw
• 1 large beverage of your choice
• 1 bottle of Aquafina water*
• organic chives (for garnish and a touch of irony)

You can find the recipe here. And don't forget to check out their archives. The Spicy Chicken Sushi from Popeye's Chicken cracks me up.

See you tomorrow.