Jeanette, me and Gabe at 26 Beach restraunt in Venice Beach, CA. Having a great time.

Mt. Rainier on the way to California.

The  most beautiful purple blossomed trees line the streets of Alta Loma, CA.  I had to take a picture to share, however, in person they are just so much more.  Having a great time - ordered more glass to have ready for me when I get home.  Some really beautiful colors. 

Love you

        

Headed for Palm Springs

Rock Garden Restraunt

Palm Springs, CA

On our way to Palm Springs today.  Hotter than Hades.  I'm lovin it.  Already selling beaded keyholders and beaded bookmarks to friends of family.  Spreading my love for "glass" everywhere I go.

hugs
Suzanne

Tai Chi's new lampwork bead

Tai Chi got a lampwork bead for his collar. He loves it and is wearing it with great pride. His "mom" is a lampworker, as you ALL know by now. ;-)

One More Day

One more day and I'm off to California.  I got some new glass today and it is YUMMY!  No bubbles at all in the clear.  I spent the evening experimenting with it and now...I think I may go crazy for three weeks not able to make beads!  Well, I should come home bursting with ideas that can't wait to be melted in with a rod of glass.

Everyone needs a break from whatever their passion from time to time.  Recreation is the spring board for re-creation.  So, I'm going to make myself take a break for re-creation's sake.

Gonna make some lemonade from the lemon tree in Gabe's backyard - Venice, CA.

xoxo
Suzanne

California or Bust!!!

Leaving Seattle for Los Angeles on Saturday.  I so enjoy my trips to California.  SUNSHINE - I just soak it up.  My body is so depleted of Sunshine, it has turned a sordid milky white color.  I've never been white.  Only in Washington.  Not to say Washington isn't beautiful.  It is beautiful.  There just isn't much sunshine.  The natives love it.  They love to tell people that the sun never shines and it rains all the time.  Not only is that true - but folklore has it, it keeps people away.  Crazy as it may seem, it works.  Except, of course, in my case.

So every few months, I export myself to sunny California to visit my son and now sons (my oldest, Adam, moved to California about a month ago) and my sister-in-law Jeanette.  Then after a week, off to Las Vegas for three days and celebration of my birthday on the 22nd, then back to LA and celebration of my youngest son Gabe's birthday on the 25th.

On the 27th, mom will be joining us for a week.  Oh boy...

Well, I'll be posting pictures of the ocean, the beach, tan bodies, half naked bodies and happy people.  Most likely, they will all be related to me ;-)

Later then, yes, it's raining again.  All hail, Seattle.  No wonder I get such joy sitting behind a torch for 8 hours a day.  It reminds me of - THE SUN and that, keeps me smiling.  The beads I create are frosting on the cake, the cherry on top my icecream sundae...ahhhhh

Enjoy!!!

Sunshine in Washington

There are not many days you want to take a picture of Sunshine in Washington.  But, today was one of them.  The sun was shining in between the shadows.  I wanted you to see!!!

Pipe Dream

I'm calling this one "Pipe Dream".  Not sure why, but it seemed to fit! 

Finally, I've gotten ahold of some dichroic that actually sparkles when placed on a bead.  I hope it shows up in these pics.  This one Is back on the artsy side which is where I'm happiest.  Layering is the answer to my dilema as to depth in the beads.  Now, how to layer and what colors work best in layering, stringer, etc. is the next question. 

Whenever I hit a wall, the next big breakthrough happens.  So, I'm waiting, for the next big breakthrough ;-)

hugs and enjoy - Suzanne

Twisted Pink Lady

 

I spent an entire day in the studio yesterday making beads stepping out of my comfort zone.  After my trip to the kiln this morning I had a reality check.  Stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't always bring the desired result!  Geez, trying to find your own voice, leads to some screatchy tunes from time to time.

So I reached for a bead I made on Saturday and took this picture. I like it. I guess I'm more of a graphic / geometric bead maker than the picture in glass on a bead.  But, then, there is always another day to try, try again.

Enjoy!

Suzanne

Life

"Life will knock you down, but you may choose to get back up" - Jackie Chan

Helping Out Corina

I've had the opportunity to help out a friend and fellow bead maker over the last couple of weeks.  Corina Tettinger, has a new line of tools for glass bead artists.  The response has been incredible.  I offered to help her shipping orders and have learned so much that will help me in my own bead business.  I had never received an order via PayPal or shipped an order using their shipping labels.  I had never packed a bead for shipping or spoken with customers whose order, for one reason or another, wasn't received.

I have customer service experience through the many years I worked in Information Technology.  So, okay, I can talk to customers and troubleshoot issues and problem solve.  I've worked part time at Chico's in years gone by, so have a bit of experience in retail.  The internet offers a world of opportunity but my experience using this tool was nil.

Since I began helping Corina, I sold my first set of beads on Etsy and was able to fulfill the order in PayPal, pack and ship the beads to my customer without so much as a "bead" of sweat on my brow.  All this to say, help a friend, help yourself.   Keep your motives straight and the Universe will open up to you.

Reconnecting with old friends brings healing.  Thank you FaceBook.  Thank you for bringing old friends , like Tracy and Daniel Amstutz (the Fine Arts Minister and my boss when I was in the ministry in Tulsa) back into my life.  Daniel was willing to pray for my new business to succeed bringing about new opporunities for me.  It has worked and this is a reminder that God is in charge and generous with his kids.

Today - I am grateful, (even though my cable TV went out last night.)  Smile.

Springtime on a Cloudy Day

OMG!  A miracle has happened...I sold my first set of beads on Etsy!  All my thanks goes to Corina Tettinger who mentioned - yes, mentioned me, in her newsletter driving hits to my Etsy sight I am certain I owe her my eternal gratitude.  Thank you Corina.   Sold to Catherine Stevens.  Thank you Catherine.  You have made my dreams come true.  The internet is my salvation - well, what would you say?

Here is the set that sold - a NEW beadmakers dream come true.  Someone likes my beads!  Daniel, keep praying - it's working.

Swirls and Fun

Last weekend I attended a two day bead retreat with my bead club.  I was so inspired by talking with other bead makers as passionate about beads as I am.  We had a great time.  Enjoy...xoxo Suzanne

Had a great retreat this weekend. This is Kerri Fuhr who taught the first day at Frantz Art Glass for the Fire and Rain Bead Club. She is a wonderful teacher and had a great relationship with the students. Very open and willing to share.

Primitive Bird House

Well, I thought my idea of putting a Bird House on a bead was going to be a whole lot easier than it was! Ha Ha to me. My stringers were a bit too large for the roof (in my opinion) and the pole is too fat. When it came out of the kiln, however, I was pleasantly surprised that it reminded me of some of the tole painting I used to do years ago. The bead took on more of a primitive decorative art form (we used to call it). So even when mistakes - become something other than the artist had envisioned - in the world of art, it's still ART.
And, I kinda like it...smile
xoxo Suzanne

Art Deco

I've been in a bit of a bead slump lately.  Need more knowledge so I can create on a new level.  Seems like I'm doing the same thing over and over again.  This weekend I'm attending a bead retreat with the local bead club - Fire and Rain.  It is in Shelton, WA at Frantz Art Glass where I purchase most of my glass.  I will be surrounded with beadmakers who have been in and around glass for many years.  I'm looking forward to being inspired and to learn new applications that will stretch my range of artistic ability.

Back in Art Deco mode.  I love the simplicity of Art Deco.  Hope you enjoy these!  xox Suzanne

It's a beautiful day in Seattle. I've been out pulling weeds. Made a bead with my new press from Corina Tettinger's new Large Squeeze tool. Be sure to go to her website and check her new tools. I'll post the new bead tomorrow. Love you all - Suzanne

Yellow Angel Salad Set

Ah, and a yellow salad set has appeared. This set includes three of my handmade lampwork beads with black and white twisties and taxi cab yellow opaque colors as handles on the fork and spoon for your favorite salad bowl. If black and yellow are your colors - these are adorable and will add a smile to any brunch/dinner parties.


Sent to you with love. Suzanne

Red Angel Salad Set

This salad set has six of my lampwork beads as handles.  The angel is decorated on both sides with my own handmade murrini, clear encased twistie and fine stringer work.  The red in the pictures appears a little more orange than it actually is.  It is truly a deep blue red. 

I love kitchen gadgets, bowls, etc. and now - "Salad Sets" have become my new favorites.  I'll be putting this set on Etsy for sale.  I think I'll be making quite a few more of these beadable objects.  So much fun!

All my love - Have a great day...Suzanne

This sign hangs in my studio as a reminder that life is fleeting, a day without laughter is a day wasted. My sister-in-love, Jeanette, gave this sign to me for Christmas. Thank you Jeanette for the reminder that Life is What you make it. Because of this sign, I laugh every day. Much love extended for reminding me.  As I enter the Studio to make another bead, I remember to laugh at the mistakes and remind myself that tomorrow is another day to create something others will be inspired by and hopefully, a chuckle.