A Friend Stops By For A Treat

"Any unwanted cookies, cake or cat food??????"

(If so, I'd be GLAD to help...) :-)

WEDGEWOOD ANGEL

With six days and counting 'till christmas I should be attending to the list that begs to have items crossed off as done.... But instead I find myself sifting thru boxes. Bit from here, there and everywhere. This perfect wedgewood angel ornament emerged from one of the boxes today. I've never used her for fear she'd be broken - yet it seems oddly foolish NOT to use her, not to let her see the light of day doesn't it?

I think for now I'll just set her (and her exactly matching sister) aside till I have a moment to measure care and caution against fearful foolishness!

New work (Peek or Buy)!

I'd mentioned I was working on some pieces for a trunk show of my work. This is one headed for the trunk show - unless of course one of you just can't live without it, lol. In that case first to email me glasschick at yahoo dot com will be it's new bead/jewelry mom :-) Just cut/paste/fix the yahoo email above to contact me.

Or

Claim it via comments here on this post. Whatever way the requests arrives lol, it goes to whoever claims it first!

I've placed it on a really neat dual adjustable necklace (included). The bead ties on the bottom as seen & the necklace has no clasp to fuss with - it has two slide knots @ the back which you pull together to lengthen to slip over your head. Best of all is it then adjusts (by sliding the knots at the back apart) to any length you like for wearing!

Another faboo aspect of this cord is the fact you can change beads (or add beads) to the bottom strings whenever you like ~ Fun! Just untie the knot and change to another bead. The bottom ties are aprox 2 inches long.

*** REMEMBER to re-expand it again before you remove the necklace (and pleassse DON'T ask me how that little gem of advice came to my attention, roflmao, spaz that I am :-)

If it calls to you, journal readers only price of 12.95 (NYS residents tax too :-( it's a must). US shipping ~ JUST A BUCK! ~ UK, CAN, $4.00 US FUNDS for regular first class shipping

Now, back to work for me !

Thankfulness Sunday

I know that thanksgiving day is technically the day to mentally and emotionally weigh all the things one is thankful for - but let me confess that the only weight related event that occurs for me on 'turkey day' is adding to my own personal poundage, lol! Too much of everything solid and liquid and cream covered is the priority. Then there's the laughing, talking and kidding to happy excess. The really truly serious pondering is held at bay on Thursday. Friday is for returning to a vague reality, Saturday for catching up. So each year I find Sunday is the day I really think about the year and the gifts it contained.

This Thanksgiving Sunday I find at the top of my list is simply the quiet slow return of enjoying the tiny happiness

Those who share my world personally (or here) know that recent years have been heavily woven with tragedy and worry, loss and sadness. Not that there haven't been wonderful and happy events as well - there have. But those happy aspects were forced to sit quietly at the feet of of larger life events - things uncontrollable and difficult - waiting for better times.

As is always the way with life and her path, she's changed course again and there is a calm. However long it may last, an ease. And it's stayed just long enough that I realized yesterday I honestly wanted to string some lights. I was enamoured with the thought of retrieving the tree from the attic. I was able to actually connect with these small pleasures again, for the first time in years.


As is the case with so many things in life what doesn't seem like such a big deal IS when you've lost it (or lost your pathway to it). It's just now that I've discovered the reconnect is viable again. Wonderful for the holidays and an even happier realization for the year to come - or however long these moments of calm choose to stay...

I also know as I think about it that the depth with which I'm enjoying these small bits of happiness are all the better for having temporarily lost my way to them......

There is it seems a thread of happiness woven into every journey, waiting for the right time to be seen and found.

HOPPY Thanksgiving!

A quick wish for a hoppy thanksgiving with the assistance of one of my lampwork frog beads, lol. As you see, he's happily settled into a bracelet - much as I'm happily settled amid my beads and bits, creating for an upcoming trunk show of my work....

Have a wonderful holiday everyone - and remember, one of the things that I'm very thankfully happy to have in my world is each of you!

6:30 AM - ish

Up at 4:15 each day, coffee infusing by 4:20 (first into the pot then into me asap! lol) what you see in the picture is the 'later morning' coffee with breakfast.... The never out of my reach cell phone upon a few bits of LAST Sundays paper. (A timely reader I'm not that's for certain)! The uber-yummy pumpkin bread is thanks to my mother who spoils me far beyond what I deserve (thanks Mum!)

You'll notice my mug (holds 5 tea/coffee cups of coffee).

WOMEN RULE it decrees. Indeed.

So there you have another fascinating little insight into MY world, roflmao.....

Using Fire To Create Ice!

Not much new around here :-) just using fire to create ice, lol (Icesicle Ornaments)

I'm glad the the elections are over, and I have to say I'm feeling hopeful ~

What are you working on? something in particular? holiday related? Do tell! (Share in the comments) I'd love to hear what YOU'RE doing (links to images welcome)

TTFN!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

Cold enough to snow actually. Drat! But I have the magic of images to remind me why I love living here (most of the year, lol) Tho I photograph horribly, this one taken during an 'inspiration walk' by my husband in late August isn't tooooo bad. MY favorite part of the image is all the GREEN surrounding me in our fields.....

Inspiration walks

really get my muse humming - so much vibrancy, detail, drama and color can be found amid the riot of nature at her summer season apex! Tho unseen in the image, there's a riot of field flowers, some yellow, others purple, even red amid the field grasses.

On this day, the heat bugs were buzzing in the background, a summer breeze blowing.

My muse wasn't muttering - she was singing clearly....

I'd love to hear (in comments) what inspires and stirs your muse to a frenzy!

WHAT MATTERS

If nothing you do matters,
then all that matters is what you do....

I heard this statement recently and I confess that at first blush it struck me as nonsense at worst, confusing at best.

The person speaking went on to explain that at those moments when you realize your actions will not change the 'big picture outcome' of a situation it's time to turn your attention, effort, heart and soul towards what small things you ARE able to do. Take actions that WILL make a difference. Those things within your control may or may not be related to the larger issue at hand - but you always have choices.

Quite profound.

It is incredibly easy (and disheartening) to look at a situation and realize that try as you may you are NOT going to control the outcome. Reasons vary, but you realize it lies beyond your grasp to rein in (or rein out) the horses and wagon you see about to go over the cliff.

The light bulb for me within the statement I mention was the tool of refocusing. Finding (if you can) some smaller inroad you may be able to attain within the bigger picture. And if that can't be found move on.

Do what you can in some other unrelated arena. Make some other small progress. Give some kindness. Change the world (or the day, or the moment) in some other small way. Do whatever you can within your reach.

To be powerless in 'given situation' doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing you can do - it may mean you just need to do something else.....

I don't know why I'd never really thought of it that way!

Sometimes life leaves me feeling a bit powerless - but as long as there are choices, other paths I can choose 'what I do matters'. Just, perhaps, in a smaller reaching circle....

THE ASPEN TREE CAFE

There are certain aspects of being 50-something that I confess I'm not keen on...

For instance needing glasses to read ANYTHING. Poo and bother. Because that leads to needing the magnifier glasses which I never have with me when I want to read something (drawing my attention to my lack of planning). Not knowing where any of these pairs of glasses are leads to an awareness of my lack of memory, as I can't recall WHERE I was the last time I used my glasses. Hunt & search for glasses. Poo and bother!

There are other aspects of this point in my life that, alternately, I love.

Take the ASPEN-POPLAR CAFE pictured above.

There was a time I wouldn't have in any way broken my routine or slowed my schedule to accept an invitation from my husband to sit and chat with him (with a wine for him and a beer for me) on a sunny Summer day. No, no. Too busy was I. Too busy was the business. Too soon would my next student arrive. No, no thank you....

Now I wonder how many moments I've lost to 'I have to's' that are long gone, forgotten and were (I know now) not of the import I assigned to them. You often read essays, articles, books reminding we mortals to savor time with our children, our parents, our friends, our hobbies. Far less often do we think of saving (or making) time for our spouses. Perhaps because our husband or wife is so integral to our days that the concept of making time for them escapes lucid thought.

Even less inclined are we mere mortals to take time to spend alone with OURSELVES....

In the rush and worry, responsibility and race of each day it seems optional if not silly to carve out time for husband/wife or ones self. But the 50-something me has come to understand that time spent with him and time spent by myself are not only important but wonderfully renewing.

It may not be so for everyone (not all husbands are created equally, lol) and not all people believe they need any time alone with themselves (tho I'd debate that with vigor).

Still, the next time you're invited to steal away for a shared moment of time (or the thought occurs to steal a moment for yourself) at your version of the Aspen-Poplar Cafe go for it!

FROM MY (studio) WINDOW

I thought you'd like to see a few 'around the studio' images :-) ?

So with that path in mind here's one of my favorite views. This is the window in the 'beading-between classes-non-flamework-classroom' portion of my studio building...

When I built the studio I wanted the teaching/reading/research/chatting side of my studio to have an inspiring yet calming view. Did I succeed? :-)

It's a lovely view all year (yes, lol even the snow in winter). But summer holds the most beautiful sights of all for me...

Comments welcome re: my 'around the studio images' idea!

SUNSHINE IN A SEED

I planted four types of sunflowers (which I love) this year. Some are multiple blooms, some are varied in color, and of course my original favorite of all my flowers, the MAMMOTH sunflowers!

This 'little sunny' was the first to open so he is the first to be shared.

No matter what the weather, these guys provide sunshine from a seed every time I see them from my window(s)!

What's YOUR favorite flower?! (I know, a difficult question) :-)

A QUESTION OF THUNDER OR LIGHTNING

*Seeking 'ok to share' images of lightning, the ones found here: http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/pictures/picture_lightning.html were amazing (this is my fav) If you have a moment visit there site filled with astounding photo images....
~~~~~~~~~~

Friday evening, so late as to dance on the edge of Saturday, nature let loose a lightning and thunder storm the likes of which I haven't seen/heard in years. Impressive to say the least. Humbling. Thought provoking.

As I lay awake, watching and listening, my mind wandered. I love these storms ~ such dynamics of nature in play (with none of the 'winter worries' of loss of power at freezing temps). Nature, in one of her pure, uncontrolled yet beautiful forms.

When I was younger (in my twenties) I loved the lightning most. CRACK! (the ground trembles) INTENSE DARKNESS DEFYING LIGHT! AWE IN A SINGLE STRIKE! It may only last a few seconds - but what an amazing few seconds a lightning strikes put forth. I loved them.

As I snuggled under the covers, listening to the sheets of rain enfolding the house and fields I realized that now, twenty some odd years later, I'm much more drawn to the thunder. How curious..... The thunder isn't as dramatic. It doesn't light up the night, nor does it shock. It rolls, it lingers. It has a depth and resonance that eludes the micro-moment drama of lightning.

Making the coffee and toasting bagles in the morning light following the storm it occured to me the question of thunder or lightning is something of a signpost for the different ways I see (and choose) numerous things in life now, decades past my twenties.

I'm much more patient - pacing myself for outcomes with 'resonance'. I'm far more drawn to depth than drama. While I've never fretted much about peer opinion, I now wear that feeling like a comfortable sweater around my shoulders (rather than holding it as a banner flying in the wind). I find a curious contentment in listening for the 'windows to rattle' (both literally and figuratively). Even tho they rattle in darkness and I can't SEE them rattle, there's a power that weaves thru something you feel rather than see. Much like the magic of something you can't touch but you know.... Spring will come. As certain as it is 'bad happens' so will good. Nothing you can touch - yet you know these truths and learn more of them as years go by.

Isn't that the fascination, the potential of each ordinary day ~ you never know when some small thing will show you you've how you've changed (hopefully for the better! lol) Like, the simple Question Of Thunder Or lightning.

PIGWEED & CELL PHONE

I thought you'd enjoy two little bits of IRL* FERRIS LOL
*(IRL = in real life)

First is PIGWEED :-) With every year that passes I find I love my flowers and (very simple) gardening more. It's so very different from the pace of the studio, the 'sitting' of computer work - and thanks to garden goddesses that have encouraged me (Sandra! & Carolyn!) the borders of the gardens grow.

Still, weeding is a vexation - akin to pulling/cleaning beads, lol. So worth the effort once complete yet better once done than in the doing. Hence PIGWEED - he just makes me laugh and is oh-so-useful as you see, holding my tools, kneeling pad (no wise cracks, lol). Here's a picture of him guarding my most recent attack upon the weedlings!

Next a DH story...

Over the weekend I was wearing a pair of capri pants - love them but HATE that they have no pockets as I always carry my cell phone in my pants pocket! What to do.......? Hmmmm. After a minute or two confirming I had no shirt pocket either I tried tucking my phone under the center of my bra in front (which is like a rubberband, lol). Shortly following that placement, DH and I were working outside together and wouldn't you know it - my phone rang, lol. DH looked at me oddly for just a moment then smiled and said 'hey babe, your chest is ringing - want me to get that for you?! roflmao.

What it takes to get a guy to offer to answer the phone! :-)

Ok, enough of my IRL stories!
PS to everyone I owe emails to, don't give up on me - I'm making progress, reallllly!

SNEAKIE PEEKIE :-)

FROM MY NEW SERIES ~ DREAMSCAPES
(Why yes, more turquoise! roflmao)
If you're on my mailing list you
know where this will (shortly) be found :-)

*Would you like to JOIN THE MAILING LIST? Then just click the JOIN THE JOURNAL MAILING LIST link just to the right*

BUSY (aka Buzzzzzzy)

Been ages hasn't it? Egads.

It's wonderfully easy to lose track of time in summer! Early morning strolls to the studio, endless light, color EVERYwhere, singing birds, buzzing bees, fireflies and frogs. Amazingly happy, this time of year....

Painted on this canvas of ease and inspriation is the hectic busy (buzzzzy lol) flow of activity of the studio in the summer season! Students, demos, and my personal torch sessions that can (and 'oft do) run from 5 am till dusk at 9pm. Bliss I say - pure bliss!

Lawns to mow, tomatoes to tend, laundry to be hung on the wind blown lines.
Simple inspiring days.

There are several new pieces and techniques I've been dabbling with - you'll see them here first of course :-) But for now, I must buzzzzz back to work!

NEW From the studio

THE COLORS in the studio have been anticipating the colors of Spring!

These three are from the CONTEMPORARY SERIES
I'm not sure about the center bead - but the other two (on each end) are destined for auction.

They do look very bouncy/springy don't they? lol

HAPPINESS

The sun is gaining strength, the birdsongs have returned....
The days lengthen and every aspect of life eases with the arrival of Spring.

Contentment is once again found in the return of this happy season!

A LEGEND (IN MY OWN MIND ONLY) LOL

Yeah yeah, I know you know: I'm working on the new website....

Website, website, website.

Yadda yadda yadda. Website. Yadda yadda yadda....

But today as I was working, going over my notes of commonly found pages on websites these days I found a note I'd made: TESTIMONIALS ~ followed by a note that
said 'RECOGNITIONS'. In short course I found myself laughing (at me of course).

For certain the only thing I'm currently & routinely 'RECOGNIZED' for is being insane. Funny maybe. Ecclectic - probably.

If I were to create such a page to add to the website it would be a very empty page. Which led me to thinking about WHY people create, what they need/desire from it. I've never submitted my work to the competitive arena as it's been perfectly fulfilling for me to have it desired by my buyers (thank you!)

I've only been published (magazine) once - in a feature about women in glass. Is that RECOGNITON'? lol Needless to say (tho I'm saying it anyway) I don't think that will be a page on the new website. So there it is - I'm RECOGNITION-LESS.

On the other hand, I've never been 'recognized' in any of the wanted posters at the post office either, so I guess recognition-less-ness isn't all bad is it?! :-)

SECONDARY THOUGHT.....

Now if you have any TESTIMONIALS about me as a beadmaker, beadmaking teacher, jewelry designer, writer, or human being, lol SEND THEM TO ME puulleeeeaaaseee!?!!
That IS a page I'm going to add (which hopefully won't be empty! :-) Now for the wise arses that I love among you - read on.... *I will read and cherish them all - (but I will reserve the option to edit any true (but embarassing, lol) comments/class stories ....

March? What happened to February?

My dear friend Heather just wrote ~ and mentioned my last post here was a month old. What DID happen to February?!! lol Beats me. The studio has been exceedling busy this winter. Normally the pace slows to a pleasant flow after the holidays leaving me with a flurry of inventory & paperwork (ick!) and blocks of time for R&D at the torches (which I look foward to all year). A far more hectic business winter this year (good!) but time has evaporated these past weeks. The ongoing transition of the studio website has consumed more than its fair share of time too (and my sanity) - but it's coming along well I think. Target date is April first - we'll see if I can be ready to publish it by then...

Here's a make up post for Feb :-)

THE HIGHLIGHT OF FEBRUARY was not just being 'spoiled' on Val's Day but the cheerful beauty of these flowers! They seem to say SPRING WILL COME don't they? :-)

Happy Feb!

Yes yes a step closer to SPRING!
Spin, twirl, hop, happppyyyy danceeeeee :-)

Here's a great joke to start the day (thanks V!)

An eighty-year-old lady was being interviewed by the local news station because she had just gotten married - for the fourth time.

The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to me marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation. "He's a funeral director," she answered.

"Interesting." The newsman thought.

He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she'd first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, later on a preacher when in her 60's, and now in her 80's, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked her why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

NY WINTER POEM

I received this beautiful winter poem.
I thought it was very well written

' WINTER '
By Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre


Shit It's Cold!
The End

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(thanks V! lol)

Lions And Tigers And Bears...Oh My

The first week of the year has been BUSY! The studio was becalmed for a day or two as I took a short hiatus to spend time with my husband (before he put my picture on a milk carton :-) Now with the start of next week, there are orders, classes, and adventure(s) ahead! Quite perfect a week (aside from the mind-numbing inventory/paperwork that cannot be ignored) But as problems go, that's a non-prob...

I did have a bit of a thump when day before yesterday I received a call that my website host had been 'acquired' (yes, we immediately know this is not good news)and a new provider would taking over. Not initially a worry. Tho I've been pleased and comfortable with 'bigstep' this last 13 or so years and wouldn't have chosen to move it's just the way of business now ~ mergers, morphing, change.

It wasn't until I learned in the course of the conversation that none (or should I more aptly say NONE! NONE! NONE! N-O-N-E!!!) of my existing site can be transferred did I feel a vague hint of hysteria. Apparently the "new host" software/systems are not compatible with the existing systems/formats so NOTHING can be easily or automatically moved.

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS! OH MY!

I will need to completely create/rebuild my site, my cyber home, my internet-baby if you will.... Surprisingly sad was my reaction to losing 'her'. Of course there's the work, the time involved. And NO DOUBT it's worth every momentof effort as such an incredible ammount of my business comes to me day in and day out from the studio website. It's also true the site can be improved upon (and perhaps downsized a bit). But she, site and I as she is, have traveled a long way together. Odd isn't it how connected one can become to something that is not only inanimate, but with no physical substance at all.

So there is my newest project set at my feet, lol - If perchance you have any suggestions, input, thoughts as to things you'd like to see continued in the next iteration of my studio website (or things you'd like me to lose forever, lol)let me know! Is there something I've never done/had on the site you'd like to see? All your thoughts (+ & -) are equally welcome and appreciated. After all, it's YOU who use the studio site and in that have the most valuable of insights. I'd be ever-so-appreciative for any insights/preferences shared! (via comment here or email)

I see by the clock I must dash - but I'm looking forward to hearing from you on this!