August 29, 2008 by beadreaming.

Well, I’ve been quiet because I’ve been busy making beads!  I have signed up for a trunk show in Sacramento in October so I need to build up my inventory which was nearly depleted.  I probably made 30 beads so far but haven’t had a chance to clean them.  I  thought it would be easier if I piled them up and clean them all at once but I don’t think that strategy is working for me….I spent  all evening removing the beads from the mandrels and …but I still need to clean the bead holes…yikes! Anyhow, I managed to clean just a few…enough to make this bracelet:

And this pig and mouse.

I will take more pictures as I clean the beads…perhaps I’ll be able to do that over this long weekend.

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August 18, 2008 by beadreaming.

We woke up early this morning and headed to San Francisco to the Chihuly exhibit at the De Young Museum.   The girls and I spent close to an hour in the exhibit admiring the beautiful and colorful glass work.  I took a few pictures to share with you but they don’t do justice. If you have the opportunity to see it in person, I would highly recommend it.  It’s really something not to be missed.

This was my personal favorite!  As my 2 and a half year old daughter candidly named it  a boat with balls and flowers! I love the color, shape and texture…breathtaking!

 This is my daughters favorite!  We stared at the ceiling for a long time playing I spy…a starfish, a cherub, a goblet, a squid…all hidden under this gorgeous glass ceiling.

And finally, another installation at the Legion of Honor…so inspiring!  Makes me want to learn glass blowing too.

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August 17, 2008 by beadreaming.

I finally took the kiln and oxy concentrator out of the boxes, dusted my table, set up the torch and just then I realized I was out of propane.  What a bummer!   It’s late in the evening now so I can’t get a refill now, so all the beads I had planned to make will have to wait until tomorrow.  (sigh)

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August 16, 2008 by beadreaming.

As I was unpacking the boxes I still have in the garage, I found this cat bead I made a few months ago before I moved.  This kitty is made of ivory color Italian glass and embellished with silver ivory stringer and handmade cane.  I’ve been playing with different textures and colors to apply to my kittens and I’m very pleased by this one!

I believe I will be able to set up my equipment tomorrow!  Yay!  I get to make beads this weekend.  My motivation is a bead show in October that I’ve comitted to participate so I need to build my inventory.

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August 13, 2008 by beadreaming.

As part of the Gathering, I had the chance to visit a local Gallery that was displaying the work from glass artists who were challenged to think outside the box.  The idea for this challenge was born from Dustin Tabor and Stephanie Sersich’s collaborative work that was presented in the 2007 Gathering.  Needless to say, all the entries were very creative!  Below are a few pictures of my personal favorites!  They’re a thousand times better in person!

 Gail Crossman Moore

Jen Geldard

StudioMarcy

Sharon Peters

Kim Fields

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August 11, 2008 by beadreaming.

As I walked into a room full of people that seemed to be know each other, I had a  flashback… I was back in high school and I was a new student and completely out of place.  I do know a few people from the local chapter but since we arrived separately, I didn’t know where they were.  Slowly, I walked towards a table and introduced myself…This was a little awkward for me as I’m not your outgoing type of person but luckily it helped that we have something in common, that is the love of GLASS!  Unlike high school, the people I met were very nice and friendly so I gradually eased into my comfort zone.

Being new to the Gathering,  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Prior to registering, I asked around and heard there were demos but they were to far to see clear…there was supposed to be a lot of chit chatting and meeting people to exchange ideas about glass but the thought of talking to strangers was a little intimidating especially when English is not my first language.

Now that the Gathering is over, or at least the conference part is finished, I’m trying to recollect my thoughts and share them with future first timers.  If you’re new to the Gathering, there is a first timer orientation where you can meet other newbies that you can hang out with during the conference and perhaps make new friends.  Unfortunately I missed that meeting due to work so I got to be on my own but this was fine to me since I really didn’t want to miss any of the demos.

So, what happens at the Gathering? Well, there are demos every hour on how to make different types of bead.  These demos that have been pre-recorded and displayed on a large screen so the presenter is explaining what he/she is doing in the video.  The quality is pretty good so you can see the demo very well.  There is also open torch which is an opportunity to try tools and different torches as well as seeing live demos of pretty much anyone who dares.  I was lucky to see Trey Cornette making a twistie bead, Brad Pearson making a marble, Vittorio Constantini making one of his tiny insects and Akihiro making a marble.  Absolutely amazing!!!

Vittorio Constantini making a tiny insect bead

Trey Cornette at open torch making a twistie bead

Brad Pearson making a marble.

Marble made by Akihiro

There is also the social aspect…plenty of opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, see their beads, share techniques and exchange beads.    I met people from Lampwork etc forum so it was really nice to put a face to a name!

When it comes to shopping, you don’t need to go very far.  There is the bead bazaar which is an amazing glass only show where you have the unique opportunity to see and buy work from renowned glass artists like Wayne Robbins, Larry Scott, Sharon Peters, Stephanie Sersich, Dustin Tabor, Kim Affleck, Kristen Frantzen Orr, Vittorio Constantini and so many more.  I saw many beautiful beads that I wish I could take home with me…

There is also  the technical vendor section where you can find the latest and greatest in glass and tools.  The vendors come handy because as you learn a technique from the lectures, you can just walk next door and shop for the glass or tools you need.  Although having the vendors so close has some disadvantages too as you can end up spending a fortune

What else?  There is a silent auction and fundraiser sales for the ISGB, bead contests and the banquet…I think I’m missing something else… Oh, yes, there are classes which are in addition to the conference.  A great opportunity to take learn from top notch instructors.

Overall,  I had a great time!  Will I do it again?  I hope so!  The 2009 Gathering will be in Miami and hope to be able to attend and perhaps this time I’ll get to meet more glassy people.

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August 9, 2008 by beadreaming.

This morning I woke up early and headed towards Oakland for the annual Gathering.  What is the Gathering?  It’s a glass conference organized by the ISGB.  This is my first Gathering and given that I’m forty miles south of Oakland, I could miss the opportunity to attend and see what’s the fuzz all about.

I will provide the details next time….I just got home and need to sleep to get energy for the bead bazaar tomorrow…for now,enjoy a couple of pictures of the entries to Get Funky, a contest for all ISGB members.

This is Sharon Peters entry for the contest.

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August 4, 2008 by beadreaming.

Since I can’t make beads I had to find an outlet for my creative mind…so I made a couple of things…first is a knotted necklace that combines, Czech glass, Greek ceramic beads and resin flowers.  I found these flowers in a bead show last year and was very pleased with the results.  They’re inexpensive, lightweight and easy to work with.  You can probably find them online…Just do a search for “not your common beads” by Provo craft and you will find lots of them!

The second piece is a bracelet made of copper wire and amazonite faceted stones.  I pulled up my step by step jewelry magazines and tutorials I had found and combined different objects in this bracelet (Danish love knot, double helix, Egyptian spiral and a swan clasp).  I’m proud to say I made everything in this bracelet…all the wirework, the jumprings, the clasp…everything…well except for the stones…that’s why the next one should have lampwork beads and I can call it 100% handmade!

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August 1, 2008 by beadreaming.

I thought I should have unpacked and be settled by now but it seems I underestimated the amount of work it takes to move into a house and unpack all the stuff.  I am painting the house, installing the closet organizers, unpacking one box at a time and choosing the new bathroom cabinets and kitchen counter top.  I’m not doing it all by myself, my DH and I are sharing the work…or I should say, he’s doing most of the work but I’m helping

In addition to the housework, my daughters have the pleasure of being the flower girls on their cousin’s wedding so after visiting many bridal stores trying to find the perfect little dress that both could wear, I decided to make them myself.  Yeah, that’s another hobby I picked up a long time ago…my aunt was a seamstress and taught me a few things when I was a teen that has served me well.  I managed to finish the dresses last week…now I’m off to make the flower girl baskets and the ring bearer pillow.

I can hear the torch calling but I can’t make beads right now…that will have to wait a little longer.

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