Lentils Lentils Lentils - Love'n 'em

A week ago, if you told me I'd be making lentils til they came out my ears I'd have said "You're Nuts - I find making Lentils problematic".  Yet, now, I'm so excited about them I just love it.

I don't know what happened, but all of the sudden, I'm not having any trouble with them at all.  I'm lovin' the shape and able to correct what doesn't always meet with my perfectionism.  Not to say they are perfect.  But, in my world, filling the press is monumental when I don't end up ruining the bead in the process.  Here are some beauties that were hatched from the kiln yesterday.  Tell me what you think.

23918IQZF

 That's it for today... Have a good one.

Hugs
Suzanne

Three Bracelets - Suzanne Hansen Art Glass

Yesterday was a very busy day.  I was happy with many of the beads that came out of the kiln.  I made bracelets out of three of them and am so pleased with myself that I actually made jewelry!    You go girl...;o)

Tortoise Shell Bead with Black Band and super strong magnetic closure

Tortoise Shell Bead with Lt. Olive Green Band and super strong magnetic closure

The above bracelets will go in my Etsy Shop tonight but the one below is special.  

I'll be taking a class with Bronwen Heilman in May.  I made this bracelet for myself as a tribute to Bronwen.  I will not sell it because it is a copy of the bead she has on the cover of the book I bought of hers when I first started making beads.  I love her style and just fell in love with the originality of the beads on the cover necklace like this one.  So Bronwen, whenever I wear this bracelet I will be thinking of you!  Maybe some of your mojo will wear off on me.  I hope so.

See you in May at "The Mandrel" in Redondo Beach, CA!

Hugs Suzanne

Sweet Tart Cranberry - Ring Topper - Suzanne's Art Glass

My friend Jan has ordered a Summer Ring and my only direction is that she likes the size of her present ring topper (a pod as this one) and the body of the ring should be white for summer.  I sent her a picture of what I made yesterday "Sweet Tart Cranberry".

We'll see if this is within the boundaries of her "vision" of a summer ring.  ;o)  She is so wonderful she loves all my creations, like only a good friend would.  haha

If you turn it upside down, it looks like lips!!!

Enjoy

Suzanne

Ancient Scroll - Ring Topper

I'm certain there is a secret hidden in the scrolls of this ring topper.  hmmmm  very mysterious...

These scrolls are making me happy

Whisping and singing as they twirl and wind

I feel somehow connected, but wait - it's my creation !

I have no idea what the hidden message of this ring is - but it is sure to bring you joy.

God Bless
Suzanne

Created with Jan in my heart...

Hi All,

I've been working on a series of ring toppers for a dear friend of mine in Tulsa using the techniques I've learned from Sara Sally LaGrand.    Some of the pics are a little blurry - sorry - they were taken with my phone - eeeekkkk.  Thought you might like to see them.  They are called craters in that there is a small berry or round bead inside each little bowl of glass.  I'm having so much fun with this wearable art.  Hope you like them.

xoxo
Suzanne

1.   Deep Blue Sea Pod

 2.  Noah in the Boat Pod

 3.  Green Goddess Pod

 4.  Flower Power Pod

 5.  Little Purple Blue Pod

 6.  Scrollie Pod

7.  Purple Ipod  ;o)))))

Sara Sally LaGrand Workshop

This weekend Sara Sally LaGrand came to The Mandrel in Redondo Beach, CA and taught her personal how to make glass booches and wire woven designer jewelry.  Loving her style !   I've been waiting for this class for quite a while with great anticipation. I was not disappointed. Her class was fun, fulfilling, inspiring, self-esteem growing, confidence building and down right out of this world!

She first taught us how to go about making the little glass thingies coming out of the glass pods and fantasy filled leaves, etc. Even a mistake in this class is a win win. Everyone in the class proved themselves to be jewelry designers in the finest sense of the word.

The brooch is made with my handmade lampwork beads made on the first day of the workshop.

The second day of the workshop Sara Sally showed us all how to wire weave the support that goes on the back of the brooch leading to the placement of our favorite florals from the day of torch work the day before. She then taught us how to weave in wire a basket type support for bracelets, necklaces and anything else using this type of design to incorporate into our jewelry using our own handmade lamp work beads.

This "Evil Eye" bracelet is made with my own ipod (Sara's name for pods that look like eyes) glass eye on the basket weave design for my bracelet.

This class was just the pick-me-up I needed to get back on the torch with much needed inspirational boost. I bought a bunch of new glass to work with in my favorite colors and new glass that I have never worked with before. Time for me to branch out!!! Literally!

If the opportunity comes your way to take Sara Sally's class - do it! As a favor to yourself. You deserve it!  She touched my funny bone and my love for whimsical - unique other worldly art to wear.

Enjoy

Hugs

Suzanne

Oatcakes - Yum - Not dry and/or crumbly

I've reworked a fabulous recipe for Oatcakes from my new cookbook by Heidi Swanson called "Super Natural Every Day".   These weigh about 10 lbs going in and coming out of the oven.  One is an entire meal.  haha   But they are fabulous.  Not Gluten Free but could be made to be easily.

3C rolled oats - I used 3C Ancient Grain Cereal from Costco - check to see if gluten free
2C Spelt flour or whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
2 t fine-grain sea salt
1/4 C flax seeds - I left this out the first time I made them. There was no dif in taste
3/4 C chopped walnuts, lightly toasted - I used toasted pecans
1/3 C extra virgin coconut oil *
1/3 C unsalted butter *
3/4 C maple syrup *
1/2 C organic cane sugar *
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

*melt these together in saucepan til sugar is dissolved

Almost forgot - I added 1 C dried cherries

Spoon dough into muffin cups sprayed with healthy cooking spray - I used olive oil
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes (I bake for 31 minutes because muffin cups were over full)

350 degree oven
Cool in muffin tin
eat

YUMMMMM
xoxo
Suzanne

Orange Blossom Special Lampwork Bead Bracelet by Suzanne

I really love this bracelet. It is so comfortable you forget you are wearing it. Just a really fun colorful piece of wearable art.

The lampwork bead, made by me, is complimented with a black European Nappa Leather Cord (super soft) and a Sterling Silver, platinum color, strong hold, magnetic clasp.

The total length of this Orange Blossom Special is 7.5 inches. The blossom is 1.5 inches wide x 1.25 inches from top to bottom.

Enjoy! It is available on Etsy tonight.

Hugs

Suzanne

Crystal Flower - Handmade Lampwork Bracelet

Loving this bracelet "Crystal Flower".  This is a new series of bracelets I am creating and am very proud of.  Each handmade lampwork bead has been created in one piece especially to fit the 4mm softer than soft European Nappa Leather cording.  The closure is a strong yet sleek Stainless Steel Magnetic Clasp, platinum in color.  Altogether this bracelet creates a very simple yet sophisticated statement perfect to dress up your favorite pair of jeans and t-shirt, khaki's, skirts and dresses.  It is not overpowering but makes a powerful statement.  I am a woman.  

I feel absolutely beautiful and especially feminine wearing this style bracelet. 

Many more to come 

Stay tuned

Love

Suzanne

Woot! New Cord from Germany

I'll be makin me some bracelets now! New cording arrived from Germany. 4mm Nappa Leather (super soft). Absolutely beautiful colors. I had to translate the website myself by memory from my High School German class. haha Danke Schoen

Spent today making larger holed beads to string on my new cording. Keep your eyes peeled for fun - fun - fun.

Love you all

Suzanne

My Favorite Necklace

I made this necklace while I was still living in Washington about a year into my hobby. It was inspired by the very first lampwork necklace I'd ever seen and the reason I so desperately wanted to learn to make glass beads. It was before I knew there were graphite bead forms to make graduated size beads. So all these beads were made manually by me. Today I was looking at it and although I will never sell it and even very rarely wear it, I wanted to share it with you with love. I am very proud of it.

hugs

Suzanne

You Are Beautiful and So Very Unique

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Steve Jobs

Venus Blossom - Lampwork Ring Topper

This one has me in a trance. I keep looking at it - can't take my eyes off it.   A beautiful conversation piece, edgy, zen like. This is for the ring top only. I love it!  This ring is one-of-a-kind and will never be exactly replicated.

The bubble in the middle is exquisite/magical.   It will take you on an imaginary trip to somewhere in the universe. Who knows - you may recognize where it is from and tell me.   Please do!

I have a rather petite hand and wear a size 5 ring on my ring finger. So you may be able to gauge by that how it will look on your hand.  It measures approximately 1.5" from top to bottom and across at the widest point.

The thread on the bolt which attaches to the ring base is 2.5mm.

Get ready for attention from every direction while you are wearing this whimsical ring for evening/daytime.

xoxoxo
Suzanne

More tomorrow - lots of love and hugs from me to you !

Anticipation - Lampwork Ring Topper

Hello my friends...;o)

I am so anticipating the Sara Sally LaGrand Workshop at "The Mandrel" in Redondo Beach, CA (where I essentially take all my classes - Donna Conklin (owner) invites the MOST fabulously talented instructors from all around the world to teach at her shop). I've been working on disks, pods, etc. like I mentioned because this is what Sara Sally will teach. This is so my weird sense of beauty and it is such a creative and fun way to catch up with your mind before it realizes you've been on its trail. In other words, try to catch yourself by surprise being creative!!!

Yesterday, I made colorful disk after disk that I thought would look fancy as what I'm calling...Conversation Piece Changeable System Dinner Rings for the Courageous of Heart - Eye-catching, Spirited, Beautiful.  My first thinking out of the box design for the New Year!


The above is an example and the others need to be put together still. I'll show you more pics later (if they look ok..). What do you think???

xoxoxo

Suzanne

mmmmm - Brown Rice Crust Broccoli Quiche

I've been watching this brown in the oven. I know. I love to watch things in the oven. It's like my own little time lapse into the universe of oven creations. New Year Brunch ! Yea

Happy New Year to you all.

xoxo

Suzanne