Class ... Color Mixing and Murrine for Newbies

I promised I'd talk a little about my other class that I'm teaching for Blue Moon this week.  It's a one day class for people with zero or little torch experience.  Color mixing, twisties, murrine, stringer and all kinds of things that fit into those categories.

Blue Moon has a lot of mosaic and fusing students, so this one can give them more fun and exciting ways to stretch what they are already doing.  Isn't that what we look for...how can we broaden our artistic vocabulary?

It is also fun for beginning and early intermediate beadmakers.  It's a laid back, feel comfortable with soft glass, its elasticity, heat control (one of my favorite topics!) and learning how the traditional color mixing we did as kids in painting, doesn't always work in glass.  I find in my work, often I need a specific color that isn't offered in our rods, so sometimes mixing is the best way to achieve it.  (What I would give for the perfect Golden Retriever opaque glass!) But you know, necessity sometimes teaches us great lessons, and I'm having a lot of fun, passing it on to others.

Pets Class at Blue Moon in Austin

I'm excited to be heading back to Blue Moon Glassworks in Austin Texas to teach two classes.  One of my favorite classes, is the Pets Class, where we make a variety of pets- dogs, cats, a bird, hamster and most fun of all, is when each student brings reference photos and designs and creates their own personal pet, or the animal of their choice.  I taught it last summer at the Gathering and it is as much fun for me to see the delight in the student, as it is for the student to take home a glass miniature of their furry (or feathered) friend.

I'll tell you a little about the other class on Thursday. (tomorrow's blog is already reserved- see you then)

A Little Husky

I am still following musher DeeDee Janrowe in the Iditarod Race.  She is carrying two of my Husky Dog beads for Beads of Courage.  Currently, DeeDee is in 10th place and I am so excited for her.  And thankful that she is so kind to carry beads for this awesome not for profit.  Beads of Courage makes a difference in this world, and I am lucky to be a very small part in all of what they do.

Important Lunch Day

It's my friend Jane's birthday...you know, one of those important ones. So my buddies chose a special place for her celebration lunch. We're at the elegant St. Regis that sparkles and shines everywhere you look. And believe me, I am scoping it out. Not my typical funky artsy place where we usually eat. It's a little bit like being inside of a Swarovski bracelet.

So here is a discreet quick photo that I took. Now off to explore a little more. See you Monday, if not before.

Getting Ready For Blue Moon In Austin

I am excited to be teaching in Austin next week at Blue Moon Glassworks. My two day Pets Class is so much fun. It is the same one I taught at the ISGB Gathering last year. We will work on a range of dogs and cats, of course, but will also touch on a small rodent (we actually had a pet rat when my kids were little, but no fear, this one is the much cuter hamster) and of course we will do a bird too. But my favorite part is when each student will use their photos and will design and make their own personal pet! I love how excited students are when they make their special family member...like an inner glow comes forth. Totally awesome.

Tomorrow I will tell you about my other class.
If you are interested in classes Blue Moon, you can reach Jim and Rose Berry by emailing.
Jim@austinbluemoon.com. Or check out the website at www.austinbluemoon.com

ps  I had to include a photo every blog, so this is yesterday's test kitty with a bird on her head .  Haven't made this style before, so have plenty to tweak.  But wanted to show you my first try.  It will be fun to see where it goes.  Can you tell I wanted to try one with color?

Blowing Bubbles

I wanted to show you this enchanting piece of art by Alice Vegrova.  I found her on Facebook and love the whimsical and beautifully rendered art.  Doesn't it make you smile?

Tophatter Auctions Tonight and Tomorrow!

I am back from vacation and raring to go!  Tonight at 7pm EST (4 PST), I will have some of my beads in the Standby category on Tophatter.  The web address is below.  Here is how it works.  The wonderful Jenelle Aubade sets up the auctions for her (and her dh's ) wonderful beads and sets, then she invited me to put some of my beads into the standby category.  That means, if you want to bring it into the auction mix, then you click it.  It also means that you will bid the minimum bid. (This is the place for great prices, as Tophatter is still working to establish itself.)

I will be adding more beads and these lovely glass bell flowers (which are on 22 gauge steel wire) I love using these wire wrapped into earrings, wired onto pins and all kinds of other ways.  And checkout Jenelle & Dan's fun beads. They are so pretty and great for jewelry.  Hope to see you there.  (oh, and if you haven't been to one, you can chat and ask questions during the fast paced auctions and you can set alarms to come back for the pieces you want too!  Pretty cool!

Tonight- Monday  http://tophatter.com/auctions/16451/standby
Tomorrow night - Tuesday http://tophatter.com/auctions/16452/standby