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)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, December 31, 2007
ADIEU 2007
ADIEU indeed....
Those who share my ramblings, warped humor (lol)adventures, life challenges and rants know 2007 was for me, an "annus horribilis " (as Queen Elizabeth once said of a year). I lost several people who I'll never stop missing. I nearly lost others. Too much time in hospitals & waiting rooms. Too many 'late nite bad news' phone calls. I've not carried around so much kleenex every day since I was 13 and stuffed my bra... (remember I did admit to my warped humor).
But I'm not writing an epilogue to sadness here - at years end.
Instead I think it's actually an acknowledgement of the fact that lives shared tho incredibly painful once the 'sharing' is lost - still leaves forever intact the memories made.
I'm counting myself lucky that the 'close calls' gave me time. Time to think. Think about making time for people I love. As I've pondered it over the past months I've come to think that 'close calls' are calling cards fate sometimes leave to remind we mere mortals to 'slow down' and make memories. Tick tock tick tock.... There's no such thing as ENOUGH TIME, but there IS such a thing as WASTED time, WASTED opportunities. Control fate? Never. Control choices? Always.
So in the past year, I've been reminded (both gently and with ball bat force) that time waits for no-one (a good lesson). I've learned to strive for a better balance of the studio business and its endless needs with 'life' - family, friendships, husband, goals, day-to-day responsibility. I'm perhaps even more insane for the learning, lol. Yet better. Oddly enough more calm.
The last year has been an exercise in drinking deeply of the small, unsung pleasures that life leaves at our doorstep. I've always been an ardent advocate of enjoying the small bits of life, so I was surprised to learn how much more I could gather from each day, with a bit more discerning effort.
I think looking back on this past year that it IS true that difficult times yeild the most growth. Certainly we learn and expand in good, happy safe times too. But the fire of crisis seems (for me at least) to harden/temper the depth and resolve of lessons learned. Sharpen the eye, hasten the urgency. Crisis is a real window into the inner workings ones heart as well (but that's, well, an entry for 2008) :-)
Thanks to you - you who've weathered this year with me - Those who've given help to my heart, homes to my art, laughter to my warped humor. The jouney's always better when shared. Each of your unexpected email, notes, parcels, phone messages made some of the hardest days of this past year easier than you will ever know. Thank you.....
Here's to 2008! More melting (glass), hopes for less crisis, (tho more well learned lessons) and of course, lest you think differently, continued warped humor!!
PS Rob says THANKYOU for all the emails of offers for cookies**, roflmo He's hoping you'll force me into baking next year (wanna take bets!? rofoma)**Confused? check the previous November posts)
Those who share my ramblings, warped humor (lol)adventures, life challenges and rants know 2007 was for me, an "annus horribilis " (as Queen Elizabeth once said of a year). I lost several people who I'll never stop missing. I nearly lost others. Too much time in hospitals & waiting rooms. Too many 'late nite bad news' phone calls. I've not carried around so much kleenex every day since I was 13 and stuffed my bra... (remember I did admit to my warped humor).
But I'm not writing an epilogue to sadness here - at years end.
Instead I think it's actually an acknowledgement of the fact that lives shared tho incredibly painful once the 'sharing' is lost - still leaves forever intact the memories made.
I'm counting myself lucky that the 'close calls' gave me time. Time to think. Think about making time for people I love. As I've pondered it over the past months I've come to think that 'close calls' are calling cards fate sometimes leave to remind we mere mortals to 'slow down' and make memories. Tick tock tick tock.... There's no such thing as ENOUGH TIME, but there IS such a thing as WASTED time, WASTED opportunities. Control fate? Never. Control choices? Always.
So in the past year, I've been reminded (both gently and with ball bat force) that time waits for no-one (a good lesson). I've learned to strive for a better balance of the studio business and its endless needs with 'life' - family, friendships, husband, goals, day-to-day responsibility. I'm perhaps even more insane for the learning, lol. Yet better. Oddly enough more calm.
The last year has been an exercise in drinking deeply of the small, unsung pleasures that life leaves at our doorstep. I've always been an ardent advocate of enjoying the small bits of life, so I was surprised to learn how much more I could gather from each day, with a bit more discerning effort.
I think looking back on this past year that it IS true that difficult times yeild the most growth. Certainly we learn and expand in good, happy safe times too. But the fire of crisis seems (for me at least) to harden/temper the depth and resolve of lessons learned. Sharpen the eye, hasten the urgency. Crisis is a real window into the inner workings ones heart as well (but that's, well, an entry for 2008) :-)
Thanks to you - you who've weathered this year with me - Those who've given help to my heart, homes to my art, laughter to my warped humor. The jouney's always better when shared. Each of your unexpected email, notes, parcels, phone messages made some of the hardest days of this past year easier than you will ever know. Thank you.....
Here's to 2008! More melting (glass), hopes for less crisis, (tho more well learned lessons) and of course, lest you think differently, continued warped humor!!
PS Rob says THANKYOU for all the emails of offers for cookies**, roflmo He's hoping you'll force me into baking next year (wanna take bets!? rofoma)**Confused? check the previous November posts)
Friday, December 14, 2007
PC SANTA POEM
How funny ~ and sadly true...
Thanks for sharing this Christina :-)
~
Politically Correct Santa
________________________
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves,"
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite
frightened.His fur-trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's war-like or non-pacific.
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.
So here is that gift, its price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."
(c) Harvey Ehrlich, 1992
Thanks for sharing this Christina :-)
~
Politically Correct Santa
________________________
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves,"
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite
frightened.His fur-trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's war-like or non-pacific.
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.
So here is that gift, its price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."
(c) Harvey Ehrlich, 1992
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
THANKS TO YOU
I did it...
Thanks to the encouraging words from a friend (well her words and a small threat, lol) I actually stole some time for myself as she (and so many of you) have wisely counseled. Time to do something/anything I felt drawn to do. No need, no planned outcome. Simply put, time to do whatever the HE** I felt like during those few hours. What bliss :-)
Of course I found myself called by my torches. Yet what a different thing indeed to piddle, paddle, twit~about with no intent, no plan, no needed outcome! Some of the time was spend engrossed in R & R ~ ideas that have been patiently awaiting time to be explored. No images of those adventures. Those are for another time, lol. A bit of the time was spent simply creating latticinos seen in the image above...
I also allowed myself the HUGE LUXURY of creating a total mess while I worked!
When I'm teaching my beadmaking classes I strive to be orderly (reasonably!) When I demo lampworking or beadmaking I'm extremely obsessive about being orderly, tidy and controlled. I've also found that when I'm working on orders, commissions or pieces for sale productivity is much better if I'm organized. So for all the reasons above it's a rare (treat) to be mess mess messy! I can't believe I'm showing you this, lol but here's the 'full picture' of this portion of my bench and one of my torches! Quite different from the cropped latticinos and tweezer image eh?
Happy to say, my mum's doing much better :-) Dad's doing well and back at his routine post op. And me, I'm feeling almost normal for the moment! (ok, quit laughing at my use of the word normal in relation to myself LOL)
Happier still I am ~ deeply thank full in fact ~ for the concern, care, support, encouragement and love so many of you have 'gifted' to me thru this past long difficult year.... Your gentle kindness, care, humor and encouragement have seen me thru (and then some).
Lucky I am indeed to have been given such gifts of kindness.
Tho it seems far too brief a phrase, know the simple words Thank you come from my heart....
Monday, November 19, 2007
A CAUTION
This was shared with me yesterday. Tho I don't know if it's an acutal event or 'urban legend' the point of being cautious in relation to text messages for info of a personal nature and/or to "arrange meetings" rang true. As I read this it struck me as a caution worth sharing with all of you.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be careful how you list names on your cell Phone!
This lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag which contained her mobile, Credit card, purse...etc. ... was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her Husband, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says "I've Just received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago."
When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen hand phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account.
Moral of the lesson: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Dad, Mom etc....... And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
Perhaps even more important:
When you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be careful how you list names on your cell Phone!
This lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag which contained her mobile, Credit card, purse...etc. ... was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her Husband, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says "I've Just received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago."
When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen hand phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account.
Moral of the lesson: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Dad, Mom etc....... And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
Perhaps even more important:
When you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Yeah, Right
Last nite I had to laugh, because as I was running around like a chicken with rabies, (now there's an image eh? lol!) my DH said "wouldn't it be nice to make some christmas cookies this year"?!
He's right, it would be...
But if you take a brief look at my studio calendar filled to overflowing with commitments for upcoming trunk shows, lampwork beadmaking classes, custom orders, commissions et al thru Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb you'd understand my reaction, which was as follows: (in no particular order)
*raised eyebrows
*hands on hips
*small seizure (me not him)
*peeing pants (me not him)...
I really love this man - because without missing a beat he looked at me, smiled and said "I'll take that as a no on the cookie idea" :-)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
NOVEMBER 1st
I'm not sure exactly what it is about the coming of November 1st that always brings my mind to the holidays. But every year, turning the calendar to November my thoughts instantly wander there.
Holidays are funny, quirky things, aren't they? A montage of memories, guilt, happiness, frustration, desires amid demands. A tumult of emotional confusion if ever I've seen one.
The last time I checked there were few people I listend to over the age of 10 who found any big holiday COMPLETELY free of conflict or happiness (in almost equal parts) and I began to wonder why it's all so convoluted. After all it sounds good on paper (as they say). Days off, good food, family, friends - Nomran Rockwell, here we come! So what's the problem?
It varies I suppose from person to person and family to family but oddly I think wanting whatever you don't have that is part of the mix:
People who have no one 'expecting them' are lonely
People who have too many places to go are pressured
People who have to be on the road hate the drive
People who are preparing dinner are annoyed with the people who ARE worried about the drive because fixing the dinner is stressful too
Kids feel uncomfortable dressing up to go visiting
Adults are uncomfortable dressing down to go visiting
If you eat too much you feel guilty
If you eat too litte lyou feel deprived/cheated
If you speak your mind you're in trouble (lol)
If you don't speak your mind you feel repressed
If you want to eat early, you'll end up eating late
If you want to sleep in, eat late,dinner will be at 1pm
If you want to fly, you'll somehow need to drive
If you want to drive, you'll end up flying
On the other side of the tumult is the intensity of the closeness, the flood of familial memories. The warmth and comfort of friends. There's the fact that sometimes the holidays (and life) ARE Norman Rockwell and the desire to 'freeze those moments' is so overwhelming it's a physical ache....
And don't underestimate the sheer volume of it all. In the span of four weeks there is so much food, so many people, so many memories (happy) so many memories (sad). Lingering regrets are gently mixed with determination to change.
Four intense weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas that find the past tugging at your sleeve, while the present hovers and the future windes gently ahead. A mental and emotional blend that leaves me (and perhpas others) oddly at ends.
It passes by Jan 1st. Twelve new months are ushered in and the hours/days/weeks/months fly by at an amazing rate of speed. New memories will be made, new challenges met. The pace is so frenzied I hardly stop to ponder the meaning of it all ~ that is until the next November 1st....
Holidays are funny, quirky things, aren't they? A montage of memories, guilt, happiness, frustration, desires amid demands. A tumult of emotional confusion if ever I've seen one.
The last time I checked there were few people I listend to over the age of 10 who found any big holiday COMPLETELY free of conflict or happiness (in almost equal parts) and I began to wonder why it's all so convoluted. After all it sounds good on paper (as they say). Days off, good food, family, friends - Nomran Rockwell, here we come! So what's the problem?
It varies I suppose from person to person and family to family but oddly I think wanting whatever you don't have that is part of the mix:
People who have no one 'expecting them' are lonely
People who have too many places to go are pressured
People who have to be on the road hate the drive
People who are preparing dinner are annoyed with the people who ARE worried about the drive because fixing the dinner is stressful too
Kids feel uncomfortable dressing up to go visiting
Adults are uncomfortable dressing down to go visiting
If you eat too much you feel guilty
If you eat too litte lyou feel deprived/cheated
If you speak your mind you're in trouble (lol)
If you don't speak your mind you feel repressed
If you want to eat early, you'll end up eating late
If you want to sleep in, eat late,dinner will be at 1pm
If you want to fly, you'll somehow need to drive
If you want to drive, you'll end up flying
On the other side of the tumult is the intensity of the closeness, the flood of familial memories. The warmth and comfort of friends. There's the fact that sometimes the holidays (and life) ARE Norman Rockwell and the desire to 'freeze those moments' is so overwhelming it's a physical ache....
And don't underestimate the sheer volume of it all. In the span of four weeks there is so much food, so many people, so many memories (happy) so many memories (sad). Lingering regrets are gently mixed with determination to change.
Four intense weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas that find the past tugging at your sleeve, while the present hovers and the future windes gently ahead. A mental and emotional blend that leaves me (and perhpas others) oddly at ends.
It passes by Jan 1st. Twelve new months are ushered in and the hours/days/weeks/months fly by at an amazing rate of speed. New memories will be made, new challenges met. The pace is so frenzied I hardly stop to ponder the meaning of it all ~ that is until the next November 1st....
Monday, October 15, 2007
IF IT'S NOT FATAL
I have a little ceramic wall hanging that states
However there are times when that truth is hard to focus on, LOL
Take this past week. We snuck away for a few days of R & R and upon arriving home discovered our second vehichle had a flat tire. Not fun to come home to, but no biggie. That is until we inflated the tire and found that the stablizer bar shock had lost all it's hydraulic fluid so it had to go in for repair.
Then the welltrol tank went belly up (if you have a well you know this means 'no water, no toilet flushing, no showers and big repair-headache-bill. And if you have public water you now know what a well-trol tank is/does!).
All that was exciting enough :-) but wait, there's more.....
In the same week my Dad had surgery, (doing very well!), the coffee maker decided to croak, as did the dryer. All things that are not fatal (and I'm very appreciative it's nothing more serious, really truly I am)...
But I swear if one more thing breaks I'm going to drop kick that inspirational ceramic sign out into the field, roflmao!
"If it's not fatal, it's not a problem".Which is, in the big karmic sort of way, very true.
However there are times when that truth is hard to focus on, LOL
Take this past week. We snuck away for a few days of R & R and upon arriving home discovered our second vehichle had a flat tire. Not fun to come home to, but no biggie. That is until we inflated the tire and found that the stablizer bar shock had lost all it's hydraulic fluid so it had to go in for repair.
Then the welltrol tank went belly up (if you have a well you know this means 'no water, no toilet flushing, no showers and big repair-headache-bill. And if you have public water you now know what a well-trol tank is/does!).
All that was exciting enough :-) but wait, there's more.....
In the same week my Dad had surgery, (doing very well!), the coffee maker decided to croak, as did the dryer. All things that are not fatal (and I'm very appreciative it's nothing more serious, really truly I am)...
But I swear if one more thing breaks I'm going to drop kick that inspirational ceramic sign out into the field, roflmao!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
"Beginning beadmaking class"
Several of my readers have asked that I note beadmaking class offerings/updates here.... So for those who've asked - here you are - and thanks for the suggestion/request! I know many of you are far from the southern tier of UPSTATE NY, but if you ever find yourself headed here (or think 'beadmaking road-trip' lol) I'd love to have the chance to melt glass with you and MIRL (meet in real life)!
BEGINNING BEADMAKING CLASSES
Beginning beadmaking classes are a total of 6 hours, generally split in two sessions so you're not 'overwhelmed' with information in one single session! In the decade(s) I've been teaching I find the split session gives a student the chance to both absorb the first day class material AND forumlate questions prior to the second three hour class. The two part sessions I offer also allow a student to rest one's arms lol, so the hands on 'torch time' is far more enjoyable and productive!.
During the classes we'll cover safety, tools, terms of course - but the majority of class is HANDS ON experience - I demo - then the student preforms each technique!
Step by step we'll progress, covering basic round beads all the way thru various bead shapes, embellishment techniques such as creating and using glass stringers, raking, trail wraping, dots, layered dots, adventurine, captured air and Milli's. And we'll cover more if we can :-)
In every class your pieces will be fully annealed (kiln ramped for the COE of the glass to relieve stress for stability of the piece) to take home at the next class date and the second day class beads I'll mail to you post annealing.
CLASS FEES AND INFO
MORETTI (soft) GLASS
120.00 US inclusive
The class price is for one-to-one private lessons!!! :-) I think most people (as I do myself, lol) learn much more comfortably working at their own pace & are far more at ease asking as many questions as they like (and/or revisiting any technique as often as they need to) in a one to one setting. AndI love to be able to customize the class to the pace of the student!
AVAILABLE DATES
As any of my students, past or present, will tell you I'm extremely dedicated to working with my students to arrange dates and times that will work best for them! Thus I don't routinely post 'class dates' - but rather say 'email me'! This allows for the student and I to 'cyber-meet' :-)chat and discuss both the class openings I have avail and tailor them as much as possible to the student preference!
Please feel free to email me at glasschick at yahoo dot com. (I'll soon insert a proper link - thanks for working with correcting the spam-foiling email above before sending the email out
As I have the chance, I'll add more class info for those who are interested :-)
BEGINNING BEADMAKING CLASSES
Beginning beadmaking classes are a total of 6 hours, generally split in two sessions so you're not 'overwhelmed' with information in one single session! In the decade(s) I've been teaching I find the split session gives a student the chance to both absorb the first day class material AND forumlate questions prior to the second three hour class. The two part sessions I offer also allow a student to rest one's arms lol, so the hands on 'torch time' is far more enjoyable and productive!.
*Tho if you require a one day class due to work or travel that can certainly be arranged* :-)
BEGINNING BEADMAKING ~ CLASS OUTLINE
During the classes we'll cover safety, tools, terms of course - but the majority of class is HANDS ON experience - I demo - then the student preforms each technique!
Step by step we'll progress, covering basic round beads all the way thru various bead shapes, embellishment techniques such as creating and using glass stringers, raking, trail wraping, dots, layered dots, adventurine, captured air and Milli's. And we'll cover more if we can :-)
In every class your pieces will be fully annealed (kiln ramped for the COE of the glass to relieve stress for stability of the piece) to take home at the next class date and the second day class beads I'll mail to you post annealing.
CLASS FEES AND INFO
MORETTI (soft) GLASS
120.00 US inclusive
The class price is for one-to-one private lessons!!! :-) I think most people (as I do myself, lol) learn much more comfortably working at their own pace & are far more at ease asking as many questions as they like (and/or revisiting any technique as often as they need to) in a one to one setting. AndI love to be able to customize the class to the pace of the student!
*(tho if you had someone you wanted to share a class with I'm happy to arrange a class for two..)*
AVAILABLE DATES
As any of my students, past or present, will tell you I'm extremely dedicated to working with my students to arrange dates and times that will work best for them! Thus I don't routinely post 'class dates' - but rather say 'email me'! This allows for the student and I to 'cyber-meet' :-)chat and discuss both the class openings I have avail and tailor them as much as possible to the student preference!
Please feel free to email me at glasschick at yahoo dot com. (I'll soon insert a proper link - thanks for working with correcting the spam-foiling email above before sending the email out
As I have the chance, I'll add more class info for those who are interested :-)
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
DIRTY WOW WOW
I KNOW what you're thinking, roflamo - but this is NOT that kind of post :-) Actually, it's something I stumbled across doing updates for my marketing classes and it stole my heart! So, of course, I had to share it with you.
It began as a wonderful concept:
But the best part of all is the online gallery of submissions (once you've clicked the link here, scroll down the opening page - and there are several pages of submissions). I'd be hard pressed to say if I found myself more drawn in by the images or by the stories ~ each so similar yet unique. Best of all was the chance to see a gathering of images and words showing & sharing 'the soft side' of humanity.
(And yes, I have my very own 'dirty wow wow' - she's a rabbit - care to see an image)? :-) PS she looks as bad as some of the other 'contestants', (but I'm happy to say she looks far BETTER than many of the 'blankets' lol...
It began as a wonderful concept:
What's a Dirty Wow Wow? It's the shabby stuffed toys and blankies you clung to and treasured from childhood, with nicknames like "Fuzzy Wuzzy," "Night Night," "Huggie," "Dup Dup," and yes, "Dirty Wow Wow."
Which led to the book....
Ten Speed Press celebrates these well-loved friends of childhood in the book Dirty Wow Wow, a touching, sweet, and funny collection of photos and stories.
But the best part of all is the online gallery of submissions (once you've clicked the link here, scroll down the opening page - and there are several pages of submissions). I'd be hard pressed to say if I found myself more drawn in by the images or by the stories ~ each so similar yet unique. Best of all was the chance to see a gathering of images and words showing & sharing 'the soft side' of humanity.
(And yes, I have my very own 'dirty wow wow' - she's a rabbit - care to see an image)? :-) PS she looks as bad as some of the other 'contestants', (but I'm happy to say she looks far BETTER than many of the 'blankets' lol...
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
DIAPER RASH
No matter how old I get, there are still days I feel as tho I have diaper rash, LOL. Nothing terribly wrong at all. More the 'run of the mill life' kinds of things. The sort of issues that, added togehter make one feel a tad cranky. Whiney. Pouty. You know what I mean, don't you?
Over the course of a girls life it's tagged as diaper rash, PMS, Post Partum, Menopause. But it's all a variant of diaper rash really. Some days are MEANT for a full pot of coffee, a good book, (or a box of beads) and a bit of solitary rejuvenation. Yet we all know those days, however needed, seldom happen.
Things need to be done. Simple and true. Time waits for no (wo)man. Even if she does have diaper rash! But isn't it a curious comfort to know we all (at least all of us writing/reading here :-) are bailing as fast as we can to keep our 'boats afloat'....
And who says we can't have a bit of a pout now and again while we bail?! :-)
Friday, August 10, 2007
MUM NOTES
Background # 1: Ever since her the first trip to the UK, my mother has loved the title 'MUM'. It began as a giggle when one day at tea in St. James Park we noted SHE is the Queen Mum of our family. It's a title that's stayed and truth be told it suits her....
Background #2: Mum sends me quotes online & marks/cuts newspaper and magazine clippings of note - it's a tradition between us that goes back just beyond forever, lol ~ and it's a tradition I cherish.
This is a recent MUM NOTE from the newspaper. Quite neat.
SOMEDAY
Pull out your calendar and do a little experiment. My calendar has Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then begins again with Sunday. What about yours? As hard as I look, I can never find a SOMEday. Yet we live our lives as if we really believe there IS as SOMEday out there, figuring we'll get around to certain things ... SOMEday. Turn your SOMEDAY into today...
Thanks Mum :-) Really good advice, as always.....
Background #2: Mum sends me quotes online & marks/cuts newspaper and magazine clippings of note - it's a tradition between us that goes back just beyond forever, lol ~ and it's a tradition I cherish.
This is a recent MUM NOTE from the newspaper. Quite neat.
SOMEDAY
Pull out your calendar and do a little experiment. My calendar has Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then begins again with Sunday. What about yours? As hard as I look, I can never find a SOMEday. Yet we live our lives as if we really believe there IS as SOMEday out there, figuring we'll get around to certain things ... SOMEday. Turn your SOMEDAY into today...
Thanks Mum :-) Really good advice, as always.....
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
DECORATIVE PILLOW ANGST
I have a real 'love hate' thing with decorative pillows.
They are so Better Homes & Gardens/House Beautiful when they're in place! But they drive me insane in real life.... Off the bed each nite. And unless you have a cute window seat to put them on, just WHERE (out of the way) do they go?!? So they are underfoot, literally, till morning. Then each morn, make the bed, fluff and place all the pretty pillows. A vague PITA.
Decorative chair pillows are the same way. The look SO NICE, gazing at the chairs. But just try sitting in the average chair ~ with the pillow in place ~ chances are it's not comfortable :-( So on the floor they go.
Granted in the scheme of things it's not an issue that achieves the status of a 'problem' lol. Yet it came to mind this morning as I was trying to decide just where to place .....
THE TWO BEAUTIFUL DECORATIVE PILLOWS I BOUGHT THIS WEEKEND
(sometimes, I am such a fool... roflmao)
They are so Better Homes & Gardens/House Beautiful when they're in place! But they drive me insane in real life.... Off the bed each nite. And unless you have a cute window seat to put them on, just WHERE (out of the way) do they go?!? So they are underfoot, literally, till morning. Then each morn, make the bed, fluff and place all the pretty pillows. A vague PITA.
Decorative chair pillows are the same way. The look SO NICE, gazing at the chairs. But just try sitting in the average chair ~ with the pillow in place ~ chances are it's not comfortable :-( So on the floor they go.
Granted in the scheme of things it's not an issue that achieves the status of a 'problem' lol. Yet it came to mind this morning as I was trying to decide just where to place .....
THE TWO BEAUTIFUL DECORATIVE PILLOWS I BOUGHT THIS WEEKEND
(sometimes, I am such a fool... roflmao)
Monday, July 09, 2007
FIND A HAPPY PLACE
If you've been reading you know I've mentioned some things have been on my mind, thoughtful things I suppose you could say. A variety - some work/glass/bead related. Others, more life-realted. This is one of the 'life related' meanderings.....
Years ago I watched the movie FINDING NEMO and one of my favorite lines in the movie came from the starfish who, whenever trouble appeared, dedicated herself to finding a happy place...
We all have those places, those states of mind. Moments where briefly, you know everything is ok... No particular reason nothing dynamic happens. You simply feel good. You've found a happy place. It's not easy to do and can't be done on command most times. If only there were some training, some karma, some way to travel there at will!
Recently, I was finishing my coffee, looking up thru the skylight in the kitchen and I noticed a ladybug running for all she was worth back and forth across the glass, upside down not the least bit undone by the fact she was making NO progress what-so-ever! I realized that I was unsure if I felt sorry for her or inspired by her. She was so busy going no-where ~ a trap that's easy to find ones way into for certain. But on the other hand, she seemed not to mind in the least ~ she was doing what she chose to do and was determined to do it as fast as her little L shaped legs would carry her....
She had found a happy place for herself.
Perhaps pushing 55 instigates such thoughtfullness or maybe it's hormone imbalance, lol. Some of it certainly is this phase of life and the attendant dynamic changes in life which occur on numerous levels. Whatever the catalyst may be I've recently spent many hours evaluating the distinctions between being locked in vs choosing. Pondering what the markers are that enbable us to evaluate our personal reality and life.
I think that all thru life we evaluate - the equivalent of the glass being half full of half empty. I'm continually striving to teach myself to see both sides of anything. My mother is a zen master at this and I not only admire but envy her the capacity she has to see the good in the most dire of fates.
I'm learning... (tho I seem to be a bit slow. LOL
Here's a good example. This time of year (Spring/Summer/Fall) is my very very busiest. It borders on insanity if not nervous breakdown! I normally work a 14-16 hour day (no kidding, really). The winter months are full and busy yet have a less chaotic essence. I am exceptionally fortunate I can actually function well on a few hours sleep for very long runs of time. Perhaps the luck of biology, or it may be more directly related to my wacko personality, admitted and acknowledged :-)
So I now and again in these months feel stressed out, pressed, cranky, ok, borderline psychotic... I feel a tad overwhelmed.
Enter ladybug walking across the skylight
Watching her today I realized that I have no reason to feel angst. I have no reason because just like ladybug, I choose (here's the key word I think - CHOOSE) the pace of this time of year and if I apply starfish's lesson of find a happy place I realize how content this life of mine is! I work 16-20 hours a day doing something that is as dear to me as my next breath!
I work 20 hours a day because of the loyalty and trust and return of my students and my bead customers. I am so very busy because my mind and my muse continue to generate new designs, new stories for my work, new art. I, thanks to each of you and your recommendations, see my business hold steady and grow in a dark economy. So in reality any stress I feel is really happily able to be viewed (happy place style) as a (somewhat tired, lol) celebration of the boundries of the life I've created!
Ladybug and my mother are smart women. I need to think like them more often.
Because the truth is, I've found a happy place too.... :-)
(Ref#204)
Years ago I watched the movie FINDING NEMO and one of my favorite lines in the movie came from the starfish who, whenever trouble appeared, dedicated herself to finding a happy place...
We all have those places, those states of mind. Moments where briefly, you know everything is ok... No particular reason nothing dynamic happens. You simply feel good. You've found a happy place. It's not easy to do and can't be done on command most times. If only there were some training, some karma, some way to travel there at will!
Recently, I was finishing my coffee, looking up thru the skylight in the kitchen and I noticed a ladybug running for all she was worth back and forth across the glass, upside down not the least bit undone by the fact she was making NO progress what-so-ever! I realized that I was unsure if I felt sorry for her or inspired by her. She was so busy going no-where ~ a trap that's easy to find ones way into for certain. But on the other hand, she seemed not to mind in the least ~ she was doing what she chose to do and was determined to do it as fast as her little L shaped legs would carry her....
She had found a happy place for herself.
Perhaps pushing 55 instigates such thoughtfullness or maybe it's hormone imbalance, lol. Some of it certainly is this phase of life and the attendant dynamic changes in life which occur on numerous levels. Whatever the catalyst may be I've recently spent many hours evaluating the distinctions between being locked in vs choosing. Pondering what the markers are that enbable us to evaluate our personal reality and life.
I think that all thru life we evaluate - the equivalent of the glass being half full of half empty. I'm continually striving to teach myself to see both sides of anything. My mother is a zen master at this and I not only admire but envy her the capacity she has to see the good in the most dire of fates.
I'm learning... (tho I seem to be a bit slow. LOL
Here's a good example. This time of year (Spring/Summer/Fall) is my very very busiest. It borders on insanity if not nervous breakdown! I normally work a 14-16 hour day (no kidding, really). The winter months are full and busy yet have a less chaotic essence. I am exceptionally fortunate I can actually function well on a few hours sleep for very long runs of time. Perhaps the luck of biology, or it may be more directly related to my wacko personality, admitted and acknowledged :-)
So I now and again in these months feel stressed out, pressed, cranky, ok, borderline psychotic... I feel a tad overwhelmed.
Enter ladybug walking across the skylight
Watching her today I realized that I have no reason to feel angst. I have no reason because just like ladybug, I choose (here's the key word I think - CHOOSE) the pace of this time of year and if I apply starfish's lesson of find a happy place I realize how content this life of mine is! I work 16-20 hours a day doing something that is as dear to me as my next breath!
I work 20 hours a day because of the loyalty and trust and return of my students and my bead customers. I am so very busy because my mind and my muse continue to generate new designs, new stories for my work, new art. I, thanks to each of you and your recommendations, see my business hold steady and grow in a dark economy. So in reality any stress I feel is really happily able to be viewed (happy place style) as a (somewhat tired, lol) celebration of the boundries of the life I've created!
Ladybug and my mother are smart women. I need to think like them more often.
Because the truth is, I've found a happy place too.... :-)
(Ref#204)
Monday, June 18, 2007
GRASS SPIDERS
As I was walking to the studio bldg this morning I noticed dozens of little tiny spider-webs reflecting dew in the early morning sun. As nature goes, spiderwebs aren't a highly remarkable sight.
What was remarkable to me was that they were all on the ground, not woven in 'high and safer' places but spotted all over the low grass, in harms way. I wondered what caused these little spiders to work so hard creating frail beauty to sustain themselves and then place in smack-dab in well trodden, easily harmed locations?
I pondered it as I worked and two conclusions came to mind:
Either they 'do the best they can with what life had offered them' - which is what I think we all do. Sometimes 'ideal' solutions just aren't in the cards, so we innovate and hope for the best....
Or the other conclusion I considered is that these weaving spider of the low grasses are artists, lol, creating beauty to sustain themselves and as mentioned before ,working hard and hoping for the best...... (And I bet these spiders are a bit insane as are all we artists! lol)
Seeing these 'ground webs' reminded me of one other thought... for what it's worth. We look forward to plan we look past to remember, we look up for the warmth of the sun on our face and to see the free birds fly. But we seldom look down, and below our feet is the most fascinating world - amid the grasses and grains of sand significant insights can be found....
What was remarkable to me was that they were all on the ground, not woven in 'high and safer' places but spotted all over the low grass, in harms way. I wondered what caused these little spiders to work so hard creating frail beauty to sustain themselves and then place in smack-dab in well trodden, easily harmed locations?
I pondered it as I worked and two conclusions came to mind:
Either they 'do the best they can with what life had offered them' - which is what I think we all do. Sometimes 'ideal' solutions just aren't in the cards, so we innovate and hope for the best....
Or the other conclusion I considered is that these weaving spider of the low grasses are artists, lol, creating beauty to sustain themselves and as mentioned before ,working hard and hoping for the best...... (And I bet these spiders are a bit insane as are all we artists! lol)
Seeing these 'ground webs' reminded me of one other thought... for what it's worth. We look forward to plan we look past to remember, we look up for the warmth of the sun on our face and to see the free birds fly. But we seldom look down, and below our feet is the most fascinating world - amid the grasses and grains of sand significant insights can be found....
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
COME HAVE A LOOK ~ POOR POOR BEAD
UPDATE: 'BEAD' has found a wonderful home!
As always thanks so much Heather & Sooz for your comments :-)
~~~
It's a strange thing that happens sometimes.....
I'll open the kiln to pull the work from the prior day and within the fire brick cave will be piece(s) that create giddy delight in my heart and soul! A piece/set/pieces that far exceed my anticipation when I gently place them in the nearly 1000 degress of heat for the long 'annealing nap' lol.
Here's an ideal example ~ I love the nearly jeweltone aspect of the colors! I love the sense of 'movement', the size! This piece sings to me.......
Here's another image with handmande aged brass beads and turq seaweed beads of mine that I used to complete the set ~
Are you wondering what the strange thing is? Or why the post title is poor poor bead?
Ah I'm wondering too - because this focal, this set that I adore hasn't garnered so much as a hint of interest at auction. Perplexes me to be sure, lol. And most certainly gives the bead a complex, lol
Perhaps it sings only to me? :-)
Perhaps too large? Too busy a design? Brass is bad?
Is the price, 11.95 for 3 lampwork, the brasses and the little turq acrylic beads) excessive? Are large focals difficult to design with? Hmmmmm.......
LOL these are the things that rattle around in my mind, as I wonder what it is I'm missing... Insights, suggestions, critiques, positive AND negative are very welcome -and appreciated!
And does this happen in your creaative world too? Do you ADORE a piece and find it seems to speak only to you? I'd love to hear! (confusion loves company! roflmao)
Poor poor bead - he's going to need rejection therapy, lol!
As always thanks so much Heather & Sooz for your comments :-)
~~~
It's a strange thing that happens sometimes.....
I'll open the kiln to pull the work from the prior day and within the fire brick cave will be piece(s) that create giddy delight in my heart and soul! A piece/set/pieces that far exceed my anticipation when I gently place them in the nearly 1000 degress of heat for the long 'annealing nap' lol.
Here's an ideal example ~ I love the nearly jeweltone aspect of the colors! I love the sense of 'movement', the size! This piece sings to me.......
Here's another image with handmande aged brass beads and turq seaweed beads of mine that I used to complete the set ~
Are you wondering what the strange thing is? Or why the post title is poor poor bead?
Ah I'm wondering too - because this focal, this set that I adore hasn't garnered so much as a hint of interest at auction. Perplexes me to be sure, lol. And most certainly gives the bead a complex, lol
Perhaps it sings only to me? :-)
Perhaps too large? Too busy a design? Brass is bad?
Is the price, 11.95 for 3 lampwork, the brasses and the little turq acrylic beads) excessive? Are large focals difficult to design with? Hmmmmm.......
LOL these are the things that rattle around in my mind, as I wonder what it is I'm missing... Insights, suggestions, critiques, positive AND negative are very welcome -and appreciated!
And does this happen in your creaative world too? Do you ADORE a piece and find it seems to speak only to you? I'd love to hear! (confusion loves company! roflmao)
Poor poor bead - he's going to need rejection therapy, lol!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
SIXTH GEAR
It's been raining and cool ~ the grass/trees/green things love it! This however means that the grass needs mowing about every 20 minutes, lol which brings me the title of this entry...
I admit, tho it seems vaguely thought of as abnormal by most people that I hate amusement parks. There I've said it in print :-) I've once ridden on a Ferris Wheel, once on a rollercoaster, and was twice lured onto bumpercars. Not my cuppa tea, this ride thing.
BUT put me on a riding lawn mower and watch as I slam that puppy into '5th gear' and take off! I promise you it's as adrenaline inducing as ANY park ride, roflmo!
To fully appreciate the situation you have to know that I have a thing for trees (planted untold numbers of them 30 years ago) and my DH has a penchant for rocks - you know the big landscaping kind. So our property is sort of the 'try and/or die!' prototype of a mower decathalon....
In 5th gear it's kind of fun to see if I can move the branches and/or duck to keep from being de-horsed from the mower and get close to the rocks without ripping off the grass shute on the side! (*mind you I 'lose points' in my self imposed goals if I at anytime a) downgrade to a lower gear or b) have to use reverse, grin...) There's also the frog pond to be avoided and a couple of spots where the geography is such that you find yourself mowing at a curiously gravity defying angle.
What amusement park could offer so much fun for free with no waiting in line?! roflamo...
I wonder if anyone makes a mower with a 6th gear...... :-)
I admit, tho it seems vaguely thought of as abnormal by most people that I hate amusement parks. There I've said it in print :-) I've once ridden on a Ferris Wheel, once on a rollercoaster, and was twice lured onto bumpercars. Not my cuppa tea, this ride thing.
BUT put me on a riding lawn mower and watch as I slam that puppy into '5th gear' and take off! I promise you it's as adrenaline inducing as ANY park ride, roflmo!
To fully appreciate the situation you have to know that I have a thing for trees (planted untold numbers of them 30 years ago) and my DH has a penchant for rocks - you know the big landscaping kind. So our property is sort of the 'try and/or die!' prototype of a mower decathalon....
In 5th gear it's kind of fun to see if I can move the branches and/or duck to keep from being de-horsed from the mower and get close to the rocks without ripping off the grass shute on the side! (*mind you I 'lose points' in my self imposed goals if I at anytime a) downgrade to a lower gear or b) have to use reverse, grin...) There's also the frog pond to be avoided and a couple of spots where the geography is such that you find yourself mowing at a curiously gravity defying angle.
What amusement park could offer so much fun for free with no waiting in line?! roflamo...
I wonder if anyone makes a mower with a 6th gear...... :-)
Friday, May 18, 2007
LAUGH FOR THE DAY
(It's a joke - but boy is it a funny read! If only we could 'de-stress' this way and still be functional/responsible adults....) :-)
Read on!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following the simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace.
~ Dr Phil proclaimed ~
"The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the
things you have started and have never finished."
~~~~~~~~~
So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of Kalhua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now. Please pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best laugh I've had in awhile :-) Thanks D!
Read on!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following the simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace.
~ Dr Phil proclaimed ~
"The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the
things you have started and have never finished."
~~~~~~~~~
So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of Kalhua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now. Please pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best laugh I've had in awhile :-) Thanks D!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
THE NICEST 'RAVE' EVER!
Sometimes something special is set upon your doorstep from the most unexpected source. It makes you smile, it makes you feel fuzzy, it's something you'll always remember.
A bit of background first :-)
In the many many decades (geeze I'm gettin' old!) I've been at the torch creating art glass object of one kind or another (beads, animals, pins, jewelry, cabinet knobs) I've loved every minute, every creation.
Not a day goes by that I'm not thrilled by and urged on to new levels within my art by wonderful compliments from my clients! I hope each of you know that when you share your excitment and happiness upon receiving your 'parcel' and write to tell me, it makes me happier than I have any right to be :-) Each and EVERY comment/compliment means the world to me!
Thank YOU ~ for the sharing of compliments, the images you send, the stories....
With this in mind, slip back with me a few months in time... One of my long long LONG LONNNGGG time bead-buyers emailed to say her young daughter loves the beads she's adopted from me, especially the sparkly ones! ;-) (ah the next generation of the bead-obsessed in the making, yea!)
Then a few days ago 'mom' sent me this email ...... this unexpected gift of a RAVE from her daughter about my work ~ perhaps LOL my favorite compliment EVER!
Today "N" demanded to see her beads... She said - I love the big bead best. All the shiny stuff looks like dolphin glitter pee.... LOL
As I said to her mom, roflmao - "do we forsee a DOLPHIN GLITTER PEE Series in my future"? :-)
Having my work published, having it shown in CORNING, being an artist in residence are all 'confirmations' of my art, my skill. But knowing something from my torch connected with the imagination of her young, open, naturally creative imagination - now THAT is unique and rare affermation of my work!
Not all that sparkles is gold - some is dolphin glitter pee ~ and some is the happiness that you find left on your doorstep from an unexpected source.....
(Thanks Mz. N!)
A bit of background first :-)
In the many many decades (geeze I'm gettin' old!) I've been at the torch creating art glass object of one kind or another (beads, animals, pins, jewelry, cabinet knobs) I've loved every minute, every creation.
Not a day goes by that I'm not thrilled by and urged on to new levels within my art by wonderful compliments from my clients! I hope each of you know that when you share your excitment and happiness upon receiving your 'parcel' and write to tell me, it makes me happier than I have any right to be :-) Each and EVERY comment/compliment means the world to me!
Thank YOU ~ for the sharing of compliments, the images you send, the stories....
With this in mind, slip back with me a few months in time... One of my long long LONG LONNNGGG time bead-buyers emailed to say her young daughter loves the beads she's adopted from me, especially the sparkly ones! ;-) (ah the next generation of the bead-obsessed in the making, yea!)
Then a few days ago 'mom' sent me this email ...... this unexpected gift of a RAVE from her daughter about my work ~ perhaps LOL my favorite compliment EVER!
Today "N" demanded to see her beads... She said - I love the big bead best. All the shiny stuff looks like dolphin glitter pee.... LOL
As I said to her mom, roflmao - "do we forsee a DOLPHIN GLITTER PEE Series in my future"? :-)
Having my work published, having it shown in CORNING, being an artist in residence are all 'confirmations' of my art, my skill. But knowing something from my torch connected with the imagination of her young, open, naturally creative imagination - now THAT is unique and rare affermation of my work!
Not all that sparkles is gold - some is dolphin glitter pee ~ and some is the happiness that you find left on your doorstep from an unexpected source.....
(Thanks Mz. N!)
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