Art Resource

I just discovered a website which offers royalty free artwork.  Are you familiar with Vintage Printable?

They have a lot of interesting artwork that you probably haven't been searching for, but enjoy seeing and can find some use for, if you use your imagination.  (case in point, this blog post)  I have always loved illuminated letters.

So pop by and check them out.  Lots of easily searchable categories and you're sure to find something that you can either use, or will make you smile.

See you tomorrow

Currently Fascinated With...

NUDIBRANCHS!

These are awesome!  Have you ever googled nudibranchs?  I love their colors, shapes and patterns.  Look for a new series coming out soon that mimics some that I've found.

Glass friends...see the opal yellow, periwinkle, white, ivory, ink blue...yeah, me too.  What would you use for the interior color- the one on the top layer in the middle..kind of a warm, golden brown that probably needs to be hand-mixed?  Suggestions?  That color seems to have pinkier tones in some places and grayer in others.

Okay, just thought I'd show you.  I think they could make some gorgeous oceanic organic shaped jewelry.  Better get my kiln up and running.  This will be a busy day.

Happy Friday to you!

And Away They Go Until Next Season

I'm sorting through my show inventory and putting away my Christmas beads until next year.  That's  a wonderful thing about this seasonal part...they don't go bad, and I smile when I see them the following year.

And it sure is nice to have a few glass beads and ornaments ready to sell while I'm working on the new designs.

So, enjoy your rest little beadlets.  See you in about 10 months.

ISGB's Renaissance Deadline Soon

The International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) has a call to member artists to design a "Renaissance" bead.  I have to admit, this one has me thinking.

What would "Renaissance" look like in a bead?  I guess one answer might be ornate and gorgeous- I can think of a variety of beadmakers who do that so well and each one looks like a little treasure that you want to hold in your hand and examine over and over.

Or would one design a bead that has to do with Murano glass during the Renaissance?  Or perhaps, thinking re-birth, would that relate to nature or flames perhaps.  There are so many ways to interpret it.

I have my own ideas.  I am not sure whether I will be submitting an entry, but depending on my decision, I'll either show or tell you about it in a few days.

Happy day after....wishing you a little rest and relaxation...see you tomorrow.

Chilly Greetings to Far Away

I miss my daughter Sparky who is working in the carpentry shop in Antarctica again this year.  Holidays aren't the same, but I am thankful she is doing what she loves and is happy & healthy.  I just miss her, as Moms tend to do, when their kids aren't home.

These are my kids on a gondola many years ago - probably at Steamboat Springs where we would go skiing regularly. (Thanks Page!)  I think her early lifestyle and love of outdoors brought her to this job which she really enjoys.

To everyone out there, who is missing someone, I understand. Okay, I'm done with my personal Mom moments.  Thanks for listening.  I know in my head that this is right for her, but at special times, my heart needs a few extra minutes to catch up.

Wishing you wonderful holidays, and back to glass and creativity in just a few days.

Bangle Bracelets from Class

I took a 4 hour metal bangle bracelet class at Spruill Art Center a little while back and wanted to show you what I made.  Lots of bracelets!  Loved my teachers, Kristin and Joann.  None of the starting wire was fancy.  But it was perfect to learn the techniques.  I enjoyed the hammering more than I thought I would and quite a few of these bracelets ended up being gifts for my friends.  Nothing like handmade, I always say!

Hope your holiday is shaping up.  I think I'm headed off to go read a paperback for awhile. It's been quite a while, since I've taken time to do so.    See you tomorrow!

Our Tree Is Decorated With My Blown Glass Ornaments

Well last night we finally got our tree up.  I had enough remaining ornaments from my holiday shows, to  decorate it, so it is all my handmade work.

We took a shortcut and used our faux tree.  Back in the day when the kids were little, we used to hike up in the mountains and chop one down.  Times have changed.  With the kids living other places and with my busy season being at Christmas, we opted to use this one.  My son Grant helped us put it up and he dubbed the faux snow as "feta cheese".  So this is now the feta cheese tree.  He is kind of right.  I sure hadn't looked at it like that.  I still like the tree and am happy to enjoy the fruits of my labor.