I Love the Bloggess

I wish I had a witty post, or a post with some awesome pictures of the necklaces I made tonight...  Oh that's right, my work table has 4 half-finished necklaces and a large dose of frustration.

Luckily, The Bloggess post today made me laugh until I nearly peed myself (The part about doll heads, not the part about being in the hospital.  I'm not that soulless. Really.)

http://thebloggess.com/2012/01/the-post-where-i-make-it-up-to-you-and-then-make-things-worse-and-then-apologize-again/

In My Head

After many months of a creative drought, I finally have some cohesive designs in my head.  Sadly, very little time to execute, but at least I have ideas.  I can face my work bench without wanting to cry.  I can make the time, but I can't force the ideas.

And now, something that makes me laugh every damn time.

Check It Out, and Checking Out

My friend Tracy has entered the blogosphere! She is a great lampworker and jewelry designer. Check her out.

Life has been getting the best of me lately. Ok, *I* have been getting the best of me lately. I must create. I NEED to light the fire and make some beads. It is so frustrating how sometimes little things can throw me off the track, how I can lose track of my muse, my creative side, my mojo.

Curse you, Weird Al Yankovic!

Last night I was watching the cookbook episode on Food(ography) . I love cookbooks; I own over 60. The ironic thing? I usually cook the same 5 -10 recipes over and over. I love to read the cookbooks, not actually do anything with them.

While watching the episode, I came up with a great blog post. I'm sure it was about creativity, inspiration, cookbooks, beads, and how it all ties into my life. You'd think after 40 years of dipshititis, I would know better and at least write notes. But nnooooo. Not me.

This morning the only thing in my brain was an ear worm. A Weird Al Yankovic ear worm. White and Nerdy, to be precise.

*sigh*

Two Etsy Listings

I've actually torched a lot in the past two weeks. I am just very lacksadaisical about taking pictures and (ugh) editing said pictures. I buckled down tonight, and took a lot of pictures and listed two in my Etsy store.

This bead features my new favorite glass, CIM Tamarind. It is a cross between a moss green and brown. YUMMY.

This bead features my all-time favorite glass, Psyche. I love the deep blues of it, and when Psyche is used with ivory, the curdled ivory is awesome.

Digging in, when I should be kickin' it...

It's been typical Michigan weather lately; blustery, cool, and rainy. I enjoy this weather, but it makes me want to just curl up on the couch with dogs, my husband, and a good book. Unfortunately, it is difficult to melt glass and then sell my beads and jewelry just sitting on the couch. So, time to find some motivation and kick it into high gear!

Neglected Blog

I've been very busy getting ready for the Tipp City Mum fest September 26th. By getting ready, I mean waiting til the last minute to do, well, everything. Some sick part of me feels a greater sense of accomplishment when panic is thrown into the equation.

Creative Every Day

In my never-ending attempt to do something Creative Every Day and escape the my usual ruts, I thought I would make one post a week to summarize what I've done. Last week, I was largely creative, although it lacked variety. I made beads 4 days out of 7, and I adapted a casserole dish into a (slightly) lighter baked dish.

I'm a wild woman, so I'm sure you need a moment to catch up...

Creative Every Day

Earlier this year, I discovered the site Creative Every Day. My life is filled with good intentions, but as the saying goes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I haven't been nearly creative every day. Instead of trying to be creative *every* day, I'm going to aim for a couple of times a week. I haven't had to make any beads this week, but I did try a new recipe tonight. It's just coleslaw, but hey, it's a start.

Chalcedony

Nummy! Here are my first experiments with Chalcedony from the wonderful women at Gaffer Girls USA. I buy my frit from JameyLynn at Howaco, which reminds me that I need to get an order together so I can swing by her place after my hair appt Wednesday...

I have another idea for a base under the Chalcedony, but I was an idiot and forgot to put sunblock on yesterday; I am too sunburnt to torch today.

Space, the final frontier

Spent some time on the torch yesterday, and played with silver foil, rubino, and some blue transparents. I was a little heavy-handed with the rubino on the lower one, but I love the outer space feel to these.

Not ready to give it (or you) up

Last weekend, I spend three wonderful days up near Big Rapids with some wonderful and crazy women. We made beads, exchanged techniques, ate, drank, and were merry. Shortly after I arrived home, I made the comment tomy husband that I need to sersiously figure out where I am going with my beads, or just quit.

Quit? What the Hell was I thinking? After a couple of days of contemplation, I realized that I can't stop making beads. Not only would I miss playing with molten glass which often saves my sanity, the loss of my friends would create a huge hole in my life.

We'll see what the rest of the year brings; hopefully I can stick to my resoultions to develop and grow my endeavors.

Burn, baby, burn!

I made beads tonight! It felt good to sit at the torch and just crank a few out. I made some pandoras last week, but this felt different. I felt creative. :)

Escape Fantasies, Then and Now

Throughout my life, I've often have escape fantasies. Sometimes gerneral (anywhere but here), sometimes very specific (Spain). The practical, logical part of my brain knows that problems will follow no matter where I go, but it was always fun to think of where else I could be.

My escape fantasy now simply involves building a new house so I can build my glass studio exactly how I want it. :)

Art Fire Store

My Art Fire store can be found at:

http://one-earedpigbeads.artfire.com

Art Fire

I've listed my first item on Art Fire!

Updating Etsy

For the first time since October, I have updated my Etsy Shop. Next, Art Fire...

10 Reasons to Buy Quality Lampwork Beads

Ten Reasons to Buy Quality Lampwork Beads:
© copyright 2008, Helen Simon, www.helensharvest.com
1- It is original and unique art. No one else will own or wear it.
2- You can meet the artist in a cyber way thereby understanding your purchase. You can inquire about the inspiration. Most artists are delighted to talk about their work.
3- It will outlast quilts and even painted canvases, with proper care, perhaps for millennia. Ancient Roman beads are commonly available, even on Ebay.
4- Because of its longevity, it will enhance your portfolio, and provide inheritance for your heirs. What a lovely, thoughtful gift of art to your appreciative loved ones!
5- You can wear your art, expressing your daily mood, your ensemble often secondary to your Lampwork.
6- You can request custom work for a special occasion. Most artists are honored to help with special orders.
7- It is small, so easy to store with other precious treasures.
8- Your purchase will have inexpensive shipping because it is light.
9-Your unique Beads may inspire your original designs worthy of being published, winning contests and prizes.
10- It is FUN to buy, own, give, be inspired by, and wear.

West Michigan Bead Expo

West Michigan Bead Expo

Where: DeVos Place Convention Center
303 Monroe Ave,
Grand Rapids, MI
When: Saturday, October 11, 2008
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission $3.00

West Michigan Bead Expo is an exciting opportunity for bead and glass lovers to meet and purchase the work of over 50 artists. Available for purchase will be handcrafted lampwork, ceramic, fused and polymer clay beads as well as sterling silver, semi-precious stones, and Czech glass beads. Many artists will also have finished jewelry pieces for sale.

Spooky...

Those of you who know me well, know I tend to be a bit macabre. I enjoy the darker side of things; spooky, gory, messy, and bloody are usually important components in my choice of movies and books. One of my favorite movies is Hellraiser. Another one of my favorite movies, however, is The Little Princess. (In a throw down between Pinhead & Shirley Temple? Shirley Temple, hands down. Nobody that cute can't be anything but Pure Evil.)

So when I set out to make some scary Halloween beads, do I reach for grey and black and blood red? Nope. I create a fiesta-colored monster that makes you want to cuddle with it, not run screaming from the room...