New Torch Testing Yesterday

Yesterday, I got to try out a new Japanese lampwork glass torch at a friend's house. It's the picture above. Now flameworkers will understand me here if I say, there is no focus on the flame. It's the all over bushy, around 3" wide and shoots straight up, which makes it look like it's better for roasting marshmallows, than melting glass. And for non glass making people, that means that when I want to heat just one little nook or cranny- like just the bunny's ear, so her arm doesn't get too warm and melt, I can't do that with this torch. It's definitely more of a challenge. But I like challenges!

The Kinari glass is somewhere around 128 COE too. Satake brand works similarly. The higher the number of the COE (CoEfficiency of Expansion), the softer the glass when molten. So this one just mushes really nicely, but poses more difficulty for sculptural beads. It sure is beautiful though.

After I get my beads back, I'll be happy to share photos with you. In fact, I'll be checking out this torch sometime and perhaps even buying one and some of the glass to go with it. The glass has beautiful colors and looks a little different from the Italian, so it might be fun every once in a while to play with it.

You Meet The Nicest People On Etsy

You meet the nicest people on Etsy. My longtime customer and friend, Debbie Gilroy (of DG Designs) is now selling on Etsy. She has been a customer of mine for quite a while and over time, we've become friends.

Well, I sure was excited when Debbie and her husband came through Georgia on their annual vacation and they came by my house for a visit. We finally got to meet!

Debbie and husband are both delightful people. It felt like we had known each other forever, and what fun it was to see each other after all the emails we've traded over time.

Here is a link to a necklace that Debbie made with some of my lampwork, so you can see her pretty work. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14319214

Thanks Debbie for taking the time to go out of your way to stop by for a visit. It meant a lot to me and I treasure our friendship.

Summer Is Over

I know Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Local swimming pools close, kids are back in school and for beadmakers, if they aren't already making them, the start of Halloween beadmaking time.

Although I've had requests already for them, I'm still holding on to summer just a bit. I love it. The sounds of the cicadas, the lightning bugs, and the best part- children's voices carrying through the neighborhood.

So hats off to summer...and onward. New seasons, more change and by the way, who says we have to give up seashells and mermaids when autumn begins, anyhow?

"You're Just Like Your Beads" Art Reflects Life

Yesterday, I had a new customer stop by the house to pick up his custom made dolphin bead pendant. As we were walking towards my studio, he said, "You're just like your beads." Although I've heard similar comments before, they hadn't been stated quite as concretely. I knew what he meant, but he kept talking without me saying anything. He said when he looked at my etsy site, (www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com), he knew that there was a happy person making those beads, because all the beads looked happy. I smiled and told him he was right. And it's funny how life is reflected in one's art.

Most of my days are happy ones and you can tell when the kiln is opened the next morning. There are contemplative days when more neutral colors are used and there are a few sad days, when I either just can't make beads, or they come out drab and lifeless. (Most of those end up in the garbage).

That is how I react to life. I can't speak for other bead artists or anyone else. Perhaps instead of wearing my heart on my sleeve, I show my heart through my glass.

Wishing you a blissful day,
Marcy

Fire and Brimstone Rocks On!

So what exactly are "whoremongers"? I'm trying to figure this out. Is it similar to fishmongers who sell fish?

As promised, I decided to show you the quirky side of my weekend trip. One of the highlights was this billboard, which absolutely amazed me. I mean, what are they trying to say?

So I started thinking about divorce and television put into that same category, as well as where is this lake of fire, and can I melt glass with it?

If anyone has any insight to this billboard, or perhaps a joke that can go with it, I'd love to hear it.

Now for the even lighter side.

While driving, one of the things that cracked me up was that there was a building. One side was a Medical Emergency Care Center, like what we call "Doc in a Box", and the other side of the building was a gun and ammo shop. Life's little jokes all rolled into one place.

And - can you believe this? I saw people herding cattle while driving golf carts. That was so cute. I hope they got them rounded up before their batteries went dead.

And - we saw floating condos at the lake. Complete with tiny kitchenettes and bathrooms. First thought was, "where does the waste go- I'm not swimming near there", and then someone explained that it was contained and disposed of properly. Whatever that euphemism means. Honestly, they looked like fun. Tiny little barrack looking buildings lined up along little docks with a place to park your boat. You can rent ski-dos or whatever they're called and drive them right up to your back porch. I'm kind of thinking that could be a rip.

Soon, I'll write about one little town that we passed through, which made me think that time can actually stand still. Maybe my next post. (then i promise to get back to glass and melting it.)

take care,
Marcy

Is It Hot Here, or Is It Just Me?

It's been pretty toasty in Atlanta, Georgia, so my husband and I took a quick weekend trip to the lake for slightly cooler weather. We stayed at a 100 year old Bed & Breakfast that had two floors of good old Southern wrap-around porches, ceiling fans, flowers and of course sweet tea.

I thought you might feel a little refreshed seeing a small view of where we ate breakfast on the first floor porch. Along with a delicious breakfast, a view of the lake and some interesting fellow bed & breakfasters, it was a nice, relaxing stay.

Please come back soon for the quirky side of our trip. For those of you who know me well, that's always the most interesting part of it for me. And luckily, I found some of it.

Later gator,
Marcy

The 15 Minutes of Fame Have Returned

I'm back up in Vicki's treasury, which makes me even more famous now. Not everyone gets 30 minutes of fame. I sure appreciate the extra notice from it.

And this morning I'm getting filmed for a presentation for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) which is meeting in Oakland, CA. It's a little exciting and a little scary all rolled into one new experience. I'll let you know how it goes. This coming Sunday, I present it to the organization.

If you're in the Oakland, CA area this Saturday, please come by and see me at the Bead Bazaar at the Marriott City Center. I've been making new beads for it, so there will be plenty of selection. It will be an 8 foot table full of fun. (and lots of other beadmakers who are amazing)

I'll catch you later,
Marcy