Now You See Me, Or Maybe You Won't!

I have decided to change my blog for the next couple of weeks, while I am on the West Coast.

Instead of regularly scheduled daily blogs, I will shoot a quick photo of something going on, and post it with a short blurb.  Please do not expect it early in the morning as usual.  And perhaps you won't see one every day. (I always take Saturdays off anyhow.)  So let's give this a try and I think if you still like creativity and what's going on the glass world, this could be a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, my Pets Class begins.  Hopefully I can show you something going on that's fun.  And wish me luck.  Tonight my Gathering Presentation is filmed.  Send me good wishes because this dog bead is pretty big and and has some rather interesting appendages that can get chilly quickly.  No explosions, please!

And Happy Birthday to my super duper Mom.  I think you're the very best!  Lots of Love!

Catch you tomorrow from the classroom, (or bar, who knows?)

Bellevue Beads at the Park 5K/ Fun Run at the Gathering

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  I just heard that there will be a 5/K sponsored by Beads of Courage on the Sunday morning of the Gathering.  I wanted to give you the full lowdown.  It looks like a lot of fun and will be a nice fundraiser for them.  Such a worthy group!  However, there is a conflict for me, due to the speakers starting at 9 am.  I am going to opt for what they call the "Sleep In and get the T-shirt category".  That way, I won't miss any speakers, but can still participate.  It's a win/win situation...even if I don't get the extra hours of sleep!  Read below for the details.  Hope you can attend.
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• Sunday in the Park with Beads of Courage, July 29th, 8:30 a.m.  Bellevue, WA during the Gathering.
  

  Register online at http://www.active.com/running/bellevue-wa/beads-at-the-park-5k-and-kids-fun-run-team-beads-of-courage-run-walk-series-2012 We invite you to TEAM Beads of Courage 5k and Kids Fun Run to benefit Beads of Courage Inc., a Tucson-based charity that provides innovative, arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with cancer and other serious illness. Beads of Courage helps children RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE. Additional Information This run starts and finishes in Robinswood Community Park. All 5k registered participants will receive an official Beads of Courage Team Beads Packet. Each packet contains two beads, one bead you keep as a symbol of your support of a child in our Program, and the other bead we request that you carry during your race and return, packaged with a note of encouragement. This bead will be given to a child in the Beads of Courage Program to provide a powerful source of encouragement. Unique awards to First Man/Woman and the top three finishers in 5k divisions. All Kids Fun Run participants receive a special Bead Award. Beads collected and funds raised support BOC Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Bib Pickup: Road Runner Sports 12200 Northup Way Bellevue, WA 98005 Sat., July 28, 2012 10 am-1 pm Day of Race at event: 8:00 a.m

• Don't forget, click HERE for more info!

ISGB Members...Need Your Dog Photos Please!

I am working on my presentation for the ISGB Gathering this year.  I'm demonstrating how to make a sculptural dog.  So perhaps you can be part of this too.  I would love to have members of the ISGB send me your photo of your dog (and you in the photo too, if you'd like.)

I need your name, your dog's name and breed and as large a photo as possible because you'll be on the big screen!  Can you send it by Saturday please?  I will try to get as many photos into the presentation as possible. I hope you will be there for this fun.

Here is my email:  StudioMarcy@gmail.com.  Thanks for joining in on this project.  Your furry friend could become famous, who knows??

Back From the Gathering

I couldn't resist getting my photo taken with this borosilicate glass artisan who also happens to be on the US Beard Team which competes internationally.  (He's the 4th place winner.)  I met him at the Gathering's Bead Bazaar in Louisville, KY last Saturday.

Of course I needed to know his secrets... when asked what products does he use on his beard, he replied, "Paul Mitchell".

What I didn't tell him...is that of course, he will be the inspiration for a new bead.  I can't resist.  And as those wheels were already turning, I gave him one of my gnome beads that had a pretty cool beard already.

Class at the Gathering

Today is my last day of Robert Dancik's class here at the Gathering.  I'm sad it's almost over.  We're doing a variety of things in a "cold connections" concept.  From riveting, to using Robert's "Faux Bone" material, as pictured above in one of the cuffs he uses as an example.  (Mine is nowhere as cool, but I did understand the technique and really enjoyed it.

So today we'll be looking at paper mache and concrete for holding or connecting other materials.  I'm looking forward to that too.  

I highly recommend class with Robert.  He's a delightful teacher who really works hard to give you everything he can.  And oh so patient...I know that from experience as I put my saw blade in backwards first time....it's all new to me, and what a great place to learn so many new techniques and skills.

See you tomorrow!

TGIF!

Happy Friday to you. I wanted to end this first week back, with a photo of a group of glass buddies who dined together in Rochester the first night I was there. I loved the early evening light, the fun outdoor art and the big smiles of anticipation of Dinosaur BBQ's delicious dinner.

Because I don't know if they mind about printing their full names, left to right- Beth, Jim, Mary, Maureen, Kristy, Robin, Fred, Martha & Stephanie. Awesome group!

Back from the Gathering In Rochester

I'm just back from the Gathering in Rochester, NY and can't seem to organize my thoughts enough for a good blog post about it. So while I'm doing that, I wanted to provide you with a totally awesome link to the Corning Museum of Glass's website, so you can spend lots of time poking around. I'll write more about my day long visit and tour there when I'm a little more caught up. But here's a hint, look at everything and better yet, visit! It was one of my highlights of the trip. Special thanks to the delightful (and talented) Marshall Hyde who organized it.

Beaded Object for the Gathering

Our Southern Flames beadmaking group has decided to do a group entry place setting in this year's Gathering Beaded Object contest. Our theme is "The South" and I have a large tablespoon to decorate.

After much contemplation, I chose a mama possum with a baby riding on her back. You see, coke and ice tea was taken. Grits and boiled peanuts just don't translate well into beads either.

And possums, well, they live right around here and are cute in a very ugly way.

One time, there were squirrels that were eating our brand new roof. It was making our family crazy, so I put out live traps to try to catch them. (don't worry, animals just get relocated, not hurt when this is done.)

So the first morning, I was excited to go see if I caught one and lo and behold, there was a possum in my trap. Yikes! That little chubby one got relocated down by the river where it would have lots of food.

So I set out the trap again the next day- stocked with delicious food I must say, and checked it the next morning...wow- here's another possum in it. (definitely not the first one again), so this one too was relocated to where its buddy had gone.

After that, I decided not to put out any more traps. I was a little concerned about what else I might find and honestly, the squirrels must not have been into the peanut butter and crackers that I was serving.

So to me, possums definitely remind me of the South. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. If you are attending the Gathering, please consider voting for my Mama (her name is Magnolia) and her baby- Blossom. Thank you, thank you very much.

Early Morning Musings- I'm In Bead Trends magazine

Early mornings are one of my favorite times. I'll lay in bed and think about what I'm doing that day and if there are issues to contemplate, that's a good time for it too. Then I hop out of bed and come down to my computer to write my daily blog.

I thought I'd show you my one page of fame for the month. I'm in Bead Trends Magazine - Dec. 2008 issue. Have you seen it? I thought perhaps not. It's a lovely magazine. The photos and how to's are very attractive and it's thick without too many advertisers. Next time you're in your local bead shop or book store, peek around and see if you see it. It's published by the group that does some of the paper and scrapbooking magazines too.

The magazine chose a lampwork glass flower ring that I make, sell and trade. The bright red Russian glass petals with the Italian glass turquoise blue center add a little international bling for your finger. Some of you may have similar ones from the Gathering. This has been my "trade" item for the last two years. (Don't worry, I'll come up with something new for this year in Miami.

And now you know my source for photos too. I have a photobooth on my Mac computer. It makes early morning photos quick and easy. (even if I didn't flip around the magazine photo) and you see me in my early morning attire- sweatshirt, unbrushed hair and no make up. But we're glass lovers and beadmakers, so I know you'll laugh with me at these early morning photos.

Hope your day is wonderful.