My New Adventure!

I've started a new adventure! I am learning to make lampwork beads! First let me say its not as easy as it looks and I now have a great deal of respect for anyone putting out halfway decent beads! Those who are making perfect beads, well to you I say... I am not worthy!!! If I ever get past this awkward stage I am presently in, I will think I an a bead goddess. That isn't to say I would be making anything that is even saleable, just not as bad as my first few attempts!



I am taking classes here in the Portland area from Trina Rindy of Reflections in Glass. She is infinitely patient! I am learning a lot, even though I feel like I am moving slowly, I think I am getting a really solid foundation. I would rather come away with just a few basics, well learned, than a lot of expanded information that only overwhelms you and leaves you feeling unsuccessful. Trina and her husband Jim, make and sell fused glass objects on their web site, as well as at the wonderful Portland Saturday Market. Trina makes lampwork beads and jewelry pieces which are also featured in both places.


I was surprised at how calm I felt behind the torch, which as you can see from the pictures, Trina has one very nice torch! It's a very calming zen like experience watching the glass and rotating the mandrel.



When I left after the first day I was pretty sure I had made some of the most hideous beads ever and was pleasantly surprised when I returned for my second class that they weren't as bad as I thought they were going to look. They are by no means classic works of art, but I made them and they aren't the worst looking things ever.


This is certainly a challenging art form to learn. It is going to take a whole lot of work to get good at this. I know I will be spending a lot of hours behind the torch learning how to make the glass do what I want it to do. I've already learned NOT to touch hot glass! It may not look hot still, but it is! I will no doubt post updates on my progress from time to time here on my blog, and maybe someday my Etsy shop will have pieces made with my own hand torched beads!

New Additions To My Etsy Shop!

I finally have my new photos edited and I am putting up my new additions in my Etsy shop. This is just a sampling of the items I have, with many more to come. I have also taken new photos of some older items giving them a freshening up. It's amazing how much a better picture can change the look of things. Bob has said several times before, that he hadn't seen that listing, when it had been there for months, a new photo just gave it new life!


I just love this bracelet with the little chicken and egg! It is beyond cute! I don't think you can take your self seriously at all wearing a chicken, but hey, I think we all need to have a little more fun in life! Things have gotten way to serious and too much of a downer, so I say... wear a chicken!



One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fruit,cherries being one of my most favorite! If you haven't been by my shop lately, stop by, there are lots of new things to see, with new items being added almost daily. I am trying to keep things fresh and interesting, with a mix of whimsy and fun colorful stuff that is a little less whimsical for the people less likely to wear a chicken bracelet. I've been adding more earrings as well, I am trying to work on that earring block I've had!
Hope to see you soon!