Glass Blowing Class

The results of my glass blowing class last weekend. It was a blast and I was amazed at the results for first time glass blower, Suzanne!

The teacher was very kind and told me I should pursue more glassblowing.  She was impressed with my creations.  Two vases, three cups, a paperweight and a float. 

Hope you enjoy...

Hugs

Never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes

Well, the time has come for me to make a change.  I will be moving to the Los Angeles area after mom's birthday September 11th.  Three years in October I moved from NYC to Seattle to live with her and provide the attention and support I believed she needed.  I learned to work with glass, helped her get her house in order and find that she is fully capable of living on her own in her house.  She drives, has her friends and activities, so I'm embarking on the adventure at hand.

I will be so happy to enjoy the sunshine that California has to offer.  The Washington dreary blues has fully established itself in me and I need to get out. 

I'll be taking my bead equipment with me and if six months here and six months there brings the relief I need then all will be well.

So I will be taking some time off from my beadmaking while getting established with my sister-in-law Jeanette.  We have lived together before she and my brother, Jerry, were married and find that since his passing in 2000, we are going to give it a whirl again.  We have a lot of fun together and are the same age, have so many life experiences in common and can offer each other a new brand/level of support.

This is a big move and of course I have a lot of emotional turmoil going on since the decision to move has come about.  All I know is when you gotta go - you gotta go.

My mother is small in stature but mighty in control issues.  I don't suppose I have the full support of the entire family because it is easier for them if I stay with grandma and "do my duty" as a good daughter should.  Right?  All I know is that I need a longer break than I have been taking away from the situation at hand.

As the old indian proverb states, "never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes". 

Later then,

Love and hugs
Suzanne

Wonderful Weekend!

Two wonderful things happened this weekend. Mom and I drove to La Conner, WA to have Scott Bowens at Bearfoot Art Glass where I buy my bead tools, take a look at my bead spinner. After a year of use - 6-8 hours per day making beads it started making some noises and moves that weren't allowing me complete freedom to make beautiful beads. Scott fixed my bead spinner, thank you Scott, love you, and mom and I had a wonderful lunch at the La Conner Waterfront Cafe and Scott loved my beads enough to offer me the opportunity to sell in his new shop on main street in his fabulously artsy glass art shop in this fabulously artsy tourist town. Win - Win. I'm so excited. He is offering a showcase of my beads in his already internationally known shop both online and locally.

Then, on Saturday and Sunday I signed up at Pratt Fine Arts School in downtown Seattle for a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) class to learn what the possibilities are for incorporating this clay into my glass beads. Well, the possibilities are endless, although the pictures I'm showing are simple, to say the least, but gave me the tools needed to begin implementing the fine silver clay into my glass beads. I'm very excited about this material and believe it will give my beads, if only adding my own personal tag to each bead I make (which will make them collectible as well as beatiful) it is totally worth the class in a non-air conditioned room with torches going, etc... Enjoy the pics and use your imagination  ;o)   !!!!

xoxoxo
Suzanne

Birdies, birdies, birdies - birdie mania!!! This is just smugling of what has come out of my kiln during the last couple of days. But, good news, I've come up with a NEW bird. In the oven now!!! Will post tomorrow. Darling I promise you. I am doing the Art Walk Thursday Night in downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square. Hope to sell lots of beads! In conjunction with jewelry designers in the region. Could be great...could be just another show...send your energy my way. I love you soooooo much.

hugs. Suzanne

Birdie Mania Cont...

Sunday birdie just for you.

hugs
Suzanne

Bird Mania

Redwing Kooky Bird

I've gone to the birds again this week. All I want to make is birds, birds, birds! So far I have six or seven fabulous little bird beads sitting on my counter tonight. I've been admiring them in the sunshine we've been blessed with this week in Washington. This is one of my favorites. He's a little sweetie. Hope you like him as much as I do.

Enjoy!!
hugs

Nothing like a summer rose. We clipped this rose bush down a couple of months ago and didn't know if we would see any roses throughout the summer. Yet, walla, a summer rose. A symbol of love, hope, peace and beauty. Enjoy!

xoxo - Suzanne

What a hoot! A side by side comparison of a work in progress. I began making beads in 2009. I loved making birds on my beads. At my nephew's BBQ last summer - August - I proudly displayed my first bird bead. Attendees were impressed that I was able to put a bird on a bead and politely ahh'd and oogled what I had accomplished. This year my bird beads have taken on a new appearance and I will, once again, be so proud to display my present bird beads. Hopefully, they will smile and oogle at the whimsy and progress I've made in a year. Ah, the plight of a glass bead maker in the Pacific Northwest.

Enjoy - I love making bird beads.

xoxo Suzanne

Clowns, Clowns, Clowns

Hot, hot, hot! It has been very hot in Washington for the last couple of days that working in the studio has just been too exhausting. Even though I have a box fan at the base of my feet to cool me off.

I've been making faces at the torch just to see what what I can come up with on a daily basis. I just read what I wrote and need to explain the faces I'm making are on beads..haha...not on my face. Here mixed with some fun beads are the faces so far. I love them - they make me smile.

I hope you enjoy them as well. They are available on Etsy by this evening!

hugs and more hugs
Suzanne

Miracle Rods of Glass

This is a picture of my glass rods. Reminds me of Moses picking up the serpant and it turned into a rod which he used to strike a stone and water sprung forth from where he touched. (Bible language haha) I think he also used it to split the Red Sea (but I'd have to brush up on my bible to know for certain). Whenever I pick up a rod of glass and it touches the flame, it turns into a little piece of art. Now, that's a miracle in the book of - Suzanne
hugs

Daytime/Night Time
You know, flowers don't go away just because the sun goes down and they can't be seen at night.  They just keep on keepin on til morning when we wake up and wonder at their beauty once again. This focal bead is of the daytime and the night time flowers (just so you know they are just as beautiful at night as they are during the day).

The set is 10 beads in all, eight white and black spacer beads, a perfect larger bead accenting the focal, and the focal bead which is about 1.5 inches. The two larger beads are encased in clear glass for a three dimensional effect. The daytime flower on the focal bead is on transparent lavender against a white core. The nightime flower has a tiny bubble encased at the center of the petals.
All beads are made on a 3/32 mandrel.

Enjoy!

xox
s

Busy Day!!! Spent all day in the Studio and used up all my manrels...;-))))) - as you can see.
Beads are all tucked away for the night in the kiln - baking away.
Happy Day! Can't wait until tomorrow morning to see how the beads faired. Posting pics then...
tune in, same time, same channel.

Hugs and kisses - Suzanne the art glass gal

I'm not your toy?

Lady Bug, Lady Bug, fly away home! This is my favorite from yesterday. Transparent Dk Blue and little red lady bugs wired up on my own handmade glass headpins. For sale soon on Etsy! Enjoy...hugs

Purse Hooks are here! Check out my shop on Etsy! Address under my profile on Facebook or click on the photos in the right hand border of my blog! Such fun and so fun to give as gifts. Stock up - Christmas is coming ;-)))))))))))))

xoxo
Suzanne

With Love for MOM

New Purse Key Finder for MOM!!! Mom is forever losing her keys - IN HER PURSE!!! Unlike many of us - right? I made this especially for her. Of course, only a heart would do. Because, well, because she is, Mom.
xoxo
Suzanne

Wyoming BFF's

My girlfriend Ginger just visited from my home town, Sheridan, Wyoming. We had a grand time together including her husband Randy, a stunningly amazing water color artist. Ginger ordered two sets of beads for BFF's D'Ann and Cathy back in Sheridan and the one in the middle for herself.  I think she would have bought beads for everyone in town if she could have - we had so much fun touching and holding them in the sunlight next to the window..."ooooo ahhhh.  I like this one" Ginger said, "I like that one." Randy chimed in.   Too bad I'm so expensive....haha

I had a blast wiring them up with my own handmade glass headpins and am shipping them off to Ginger tomorrow for delivery to D'Ann and Cathy. I hope you enjoy wearing them my dear, sweet, forever friends. Not only will you think of Ginger's thoughtfulness and love for you when you wear them, but also the joy it gives me knowing they belong to you. 

Hugs to all three of you and - oh - you too Randy!!!  Thanks for the wonderful visit from my very deep roots in Sheridan.

xoxo

Ouch

First day back in the studio after a month on vacation.  First thing, I picked up a hot piece of glass and burned my fingers...I had to laugh.  My glass was obviously protesting for my being away for such a long time.  I had to admit, I was a little afraid to get back in the saddle melting my glass into beautiful beads.  "What will happen - I may have forgotten even how to hold the mandrel"...

It wasn't long and I was making beads even better than before.  Recreation is the spring board for re-creation.  Will post my creations when I take them from the kiln in about 8 hours.  I had so much fun once I got started.  Now I can't wait to get back in there in the morning.  Did I mention "I love melting glass?"

hugs
Suzanne

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.