April 14, 2008
Color me happy! My tax returns are in the mail! Yoo Hoo! This is one of my all time biggest pains each year and I always feel such relief to get it done. There ought to be a holiday on April 16th each year! The Bead Expo Show in Portland was a very nice venture and I was happy to hear that they will be back in Portland next September. I think they have the ability to seriously compete with Bead & Button in the years ahead. That will be such a wonderful thing to have on the West Coast and in Portland. Yay!
March 25, 2008
I finally have all my beads packed and ready for the Bead Expo Show this weekend in Portland. I spend so much time in the studio before a show like this that I need to take a few days off and just get out of the house. It appears that Spring has arrived and the flowers are coming up all over the neighborhood. Warren and I went for a walk yesterday and, as always, I am grateful for living here......particularly when our Ohio relatives are getting hit by yet another snow storm. I am so looking forward to the summer when the GAS Conference comes to Portland. I hope many of you will be able to attend the conference. It is a fantastic event! You shouldn't miss it if you love glass art and would like to watch the best glass artists in the world.
March 13, 2008
Life has been hectic and wonderful for me the past few months. My husband insisted that I take time off and we found time for a week in Maui which was all that you can imagine it to be. After a month of travel and recreation, I am back in the studio making lots and lots of beads for the upcoming shows. I have been blessed in this life and get to choose how to spend my days so I am happily back to work....creating new bead styles for the shows and trying out some new glass rods from Olympic Color Rods that I saw at our recent ORBS meeting. I am loving the effects of the silvered rods as well as the Double Helix glass that I am finally getting to play with on the torch. Such fun! Can't wait to share these new beads!
January 30, 2008
I've been working on lots of new bead designs this month. I taught some classes and have been enjoying a few weeks off to play in the studio. I added a new show for 2008 and decided not to do the Art & Elegance Show this year. Bead Expo (my new show) will be in Portland this Spring and I decided to give it a try. I was thrilled to see my table will be next to Lani Ching and Jim Jones. We are going to have a great time! They are such special people and I love spending time with them at the shows. Their work is an inspiration for all beadmakers. I am finally back on eBay and will try and stay on 2-3 weeks of each month. Sorry for the long absence! I have been so busy these last few months!
December 14, 2007
I realize that many of you have been worried about me. Thanks for your emails. I'm back in Portland and doing fine. Warren and I have been doing a great deal of traveling and I have been without a computer for several weeks. Needless to say, I have not been back on Ebay yet and I promise to fix that by January 1st. This time of the year is always crazy and 2007 has been exceptionally hectic. Recently, we purchased a second home and I am trying to set up another studio with a friend in Eureka, CA. Traveling back and forth has been difficult and time-consuming. It's nice to be home again for a few weeks!
October 30, 2007
Sorry for the long absence! I have been trying to get so much done and there have not been enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to get done. I'm sure you can all relate to that sentiment. The ORBS hosted a seminar at Bullseye Glass on Sunday with Gwynne Ruckenbrod, the Executive Director of ISGB. Fire and Rain, Washington's ISGB chapter from Seattle joined us and it was a fabulous learning experience! It was inspirational in more ways than I can relate to you. I'm glad that I took a break from the studio to attend the seminar.
This week in the PBS Bazaar and next week is BABE! See you there! Then I can take a rest and get back on EBay! Thanks for your patience!
September 27, 2007
I have been trying to keep a delicate balance with my eBay auctions-studio time-and personal time and find that I need to give up something for a few weeks. Looks like I will be taking a few weeks off from eBay. Not enough hours in the day to get everything done!
September 24, 2007
Yesterday was our ORBS picnic meeting at Laurelhurst Park. It was a nice way to end the summer. It's so hard to believe it is over already but the temperatures are chilly and the leaves are changing so I know it's not my imagination. I am back in the studio making beads for the shows in November. The holidays are just around the corner!
My beads were featured in a design photo in Belle Armoire this month (jewelry by Erin Klein) and I wish they had mentioned my name but c'est la vie!
August 23, 2007
I am finally recovering from 2 weeks of a bronchitis/pneumonia that started while I was attending the Frantz Bash. I guess I can't fight off the 'bugs' like I could when I was younger! The weather here would have been perfect to work in the studio but I was in bed for a week trying to get well. Damn! I bought some fantastic new colors from Double Helix and I am dying to use two new imprint tools from Jim Moore! I hope to get back to work soon.
August 7, 2007
Oh the lazy days of summer.... I've been traveling for the last few weeks and have finally returned home and an trying to get some work done. It's so hard to get out of "vacation mode"! We went to Hawaii for a week and in a few days we are leaving to spend some time in Puget Sound, WA. Actually, we went to Oahu to walk in the Hawaii 2007 NAMI Walk to honor one of our friends, David, who died several years ago from cancer. He spent the last few years of his life trying to help the mentally ill in Oahu. The 2007 Walk was in his honor.
Well....now to get back to the studio and eBay!
July 19, 2007
I haven't had this much free time in years! I'm really taking advantage of my down-time from the studio and just enjoying the daily life at home. Warren and I took our family to the coast for a week and then took a road trip to Northern California to visit my relatives in Eureka. I planned on getting back into the studio last week but a major heat wave took Portland by surprise and I just couldn't bear to get in front of a torch when it was that hot.
It's funny how an extra 10-15 degrees temperature outside can throw off your timing at the torch and just make it miserable to work. When I was a glassblower in Ohio, I could barely work in the summer due to the combined heat factors. Our glass shop had a glass wall and the sun would beat down on us while we were working at the furnace. I used to drink a gallon of water when I worked more than 3 hours in the shop. Sometimes, I would nearly pass out at the glory hole. It got rather dangerous when the summer heat was really high. It gave me visions of what Hades must be like! I suppose that's why I have an aversion to working in a hot studio even now.
June 18, 2007
Bead & Button was bigger and better than ever this year! I was able to see lots of friends and fellow beadmakers. Milwaukee weather was great and my energy level was fairly good for a change. Even so, I am glad it's over for another year. I plan on playing with some new colors and designs this summer so it will be fun to try out some new ideas.
Erin Klein, a lovely person and a wonderful jewelry designer, presented me with a necklace that she made with my beads from last year's B&B Show. She and I are both thrilled that it will be featured in the Fall issue of Belle Armoire Magazine. I got to wear the necklace all week and it is just plain gorgeous!! I received soooooo many compliments!
Kate McKinnon invited Warren and I to stay at her new mansion in Tucson next winter while we take in the the Tucson shows and take a road trip to the Grand Canyon. I can't wait!! I don't know if you are familiar with Kate's work but she makes the most beautiful jewelry and is truly a beautiful and generous person. It will be so nice to spend some time with her again!
June 4, 2007
I apologize to those of you who have been emailing me about the beads for sale on the site. I know I need to add more and will do so as soon as I can! I have packed ALL my beads for the Bead & Button Show this week and will try and get more up on the site after the show ends. Crazy times each year when the B&B Show looms in the days ahead. Love the show - hate the travel - deplore the time change - wish I had more energy!! Such is life! At least I took the time to get some beads up on eBay this week. Sorry about the last few weeks!
Well.....on to Milwaukee....
June 1, 2007
I know it has been awhile since I posted but this has been a crazy few weeks at my house. I am spending 6-8 hours a day at the torch trying to make enough beads for Milwaukee next week. Also, my brother Doug from Ohio flew into Portland to visit for a week. We had a great time but I didn't have time for much else. In fact, I haven't put any auctions up on eBay for almost a month now. It has been so beautiful here that it has been hard to just keep focused on all the work that needs to be done before Bead & Button. At least things are never dull! I think I am going to relax for a month after I return from B&B and just enjoy the summer.
May 14, 2007
I have been enjoying the beautiful weather here in Portland and trying to make a garden on my deck with lots of blooming flowers and vines. I have a tiny yard but it makes it easier for me to accomplish small projects that make the yard really unique and comfortable. I'm learning a lot about landscaping and horticulture. Mmmmm...maybe this is what people do when they get older and have that "empty nest' thing going on?
Robin Poff spent last weekend at my house while the A&E Show was going on and we had a great time. Jim Jones and Lani Ching (two of the best and nicest beadmakers you will ever meet) came over for a late dinner on Saturday and Warren made us all a great meal. It was nice to relax and enjoy the company of these wonderful people.
Beads from the kiln this week:
April 30, 2007
This month has just flown by! I've been exercising every day, walking everywhere as part of my new training program (in addition to weight training, etc.) and I felt pretty good! My trainer wants me to drink 92 oz. of water every day and eat 5 small meals a day in addition to all this exercise. Wow! That's a lot of water! How do people do it?
Robin Poff is arriving Thursday to stay at my house while we do the bead show at the Convention Center this weekend. The hours are going to be torturous! I am trying to get all my beads priced and packed for the first show of the season. It should be fun. Lots of old friends to see and a weekend of wonderful artwork. Other shows will be there at the same time and I love to visit the Oregon Glass Guild show, The Ceramics Guild show and the Metal Arts Guild show. If you live in Portland or nearby - don't miss these fantastic artists and their work!
April 14, 2007
Procrastination.....yep, that's me. We're working on the taxes this weekend. I hate this! The weather is so beautiful outside and the all the blossums on my Dogwood tree are in bloom. I think I'll skip the studio work this weekend. Maybe a walk to the Gelato store and the Cuban bistro down the block. Life is good.
April 8, 2007
I finally decided to get off my sedentary butt and get on an exercise program. The recent birthday pushed me out of my state of "denial" and forced me to make some decisions. I'm tired of being tired all the time. I went out and signed up with a personal trainer and am starting a new exercise/nutrition program. Drastic but maybe it will work! I need to get in shape this year! We'll see how this all works out over the next few months...
A new bead series that I am really loving..........more soon.
March 31, 2006
I had a wonderful day today. It was my birthday (never mind how old I am now) and Warren was flying around the country again this week......bummer. So, my three friends, Jolene, Jan and Kathy took me out today for a afternoon of bead shopping and a fabulous dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Kathy and I had the Jalapeno & Pear Kamikases (which I absolutely love) and we ordered half the appetizer menu which was so good! Hmmmmm. Thanks girls! You are just too good to me. Thanks. I feel so old and so young all at the same time! Life is just too good to me these days. So many years and so many memories........So many blessings.
March 17, 2007
Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's going to be a busy weekend for me. Huge Irish parties going on downtown this weekend with lots of Celtic music. Warren and I were in traffic this morning last week and at the corner was a guy dressed in full kilt costume standing next to a serious Goth youth with Spiky hair. Co-existence and sooooooooo Portland! I love this city.
Tomorrow is a big ORBS party and meeting with our new ORBS President, Karen Moyer. She has so many cool things planned for our group that I am awestruck. I wish the meeting was next weekend though because I'm going to miss the giant War Protest in downtown Portland. It will be HUGE! Warren is going without me. I will miss the experience I had in the Peace Rally in 2003 when we had 30,000 people downtown for a peaceful protest. It was just so wonderful and energizing. I hope it stays non-violent this weekend as well.
March 5, 2007
The flowers are in bloom all over the neighborhood. Sweet! The signs of spring always make me more creative and energetic. Heck, a little sunshine even prevailed yesterday. I am working on some new designs and colors this week. Just got my ISGB Gathering booklet. Looks like a great conference. I am so tired of flying around the country that I doubt if I will go again this year. I've heard wonderful things about Minneapolis though.
March1, 2007
Boy! I felt like an idiot this morning! Last night I went to bed early with a terrible head cold. I tired to rest and sleep but I kept hearing a strange noise during the night. It sounded a little like mice.... and of course, that thought kept me wide awake all night. My husband got back in town this morning and I asked him to check out the weird noises because I was still hearing them and it was driving me crazy. Well, he looked all over the bedroom and then decided to go look in the attic to see if something was awry. Still....nothing.
Later this morning, I decided to move a small UPS package that was delivered yesterday and somehow ended up in my bedroom. I looked inside and found a small box of "jumping beads" that the company inserted as a promotional gimmick. Yep.....they were the noises that kept me up all night. I didn't know those things actually made noise! Too funny. My husband laughed so hard. He was pretty impressed though since he been asking me to get my hearing checked for hearing loss. HA!
February 23, 2007
Life is getting back to normal lately. I am finally back on eBay and making inventory again. Not only that, I have had some time to play and experiment with some new color combinations. I'll probably save the new designs for my shows this Spring and Bead & Button which is getting closer and closer. The weather here has been really wet and chilly but most of my friends in the Midwest have really had a cold and miserable winter so I consider the rainy days in Portland to be a blessing. You can see the spring flowers starting to peek up in the garden. A little more sunlight each day and I will be thrilled.
A free form 2 inch heart for me to wear .......I just had to make one!
February 13, 2007
I am happy to report that Karen Moyer has agreed to run for ORBS president! I am so excited for our membership because I know that Karen will bring renewed energy and leadership to our chapter. She's a creative dynamo and I know it will be an exciting 2 years with Karen at the helm!
For more information on our ISGB Chapter, ORBS : ORBS Web Site
January 18, 2007
Sadly enough, I submitted my resignation form the ORBS presidency (ISGB chapter in Portland) to the membership on January 15th. Having served as the chapter president for the last 5 years, I am hoping that someone else will step forward and bring a new sense of energy and purpose to this wonderful group of beadmakers. Thanks to all of you for allowing me to serve as your President over the years. I wish only the best for the chapter in the years ahead! Transition and change can be a good thing!
Raku twists on Large Lentil Bead...
January 9, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Warren and I just got back in town. We spent the last week on O'ahu watching the ocean swells and surfers on Makaha Beach. We have a friend who lets us use her beach house when we visit Hawaii and it was a spectacular week of rest and relaxation. Warren travels there on business and I get to tag along each time and chill out. It was simply wonderful.
I now have new floors, a working refrigerator, electricity, a kitchen sink with running water and kitchen cabinets that are almost finished! As soon as I get my new stove hooked up then I will be able to actually use my kitchen again! We still have some finish work to do but the remodeling nightmare is almost over. ((sigh)) 14 weeks and counting........
To all my eBay customers who have sent me lovely, "concerned" emails....I am just fine and will try to get my auctions back online within the next week. My furniture is coming back into the house and soon I will be able to use my studio and connect my computer again. I am really looking forward to getting back to work!!
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