Gaffer Trio

I really do not know why I don’t work with this glass more. I don’t have a very large stash of it but little by little I collect it as I can afford it. To say it works like butter is an understatement. It’s not soupy, has this thick molasses tendency but isn’t hard or stiff.

I pulled from my stash a little of this and that to play with. I love the results and under the light they reflect like a champ. Sorry, the photo does the little luster I have no justice. What I haven’t’ figured out yet is the proper placement and flame for the “luster glasses” There must be one I am using that gives off this incredible gold (I think it’s Gold Luster) – looks like gold leaf on the finished bead.

Yes, I know I need more than a stick of this or that to figure things out but spending money is not going to happen soon. It’s a reduction glass and if I’m reading the notes on LE correctly Kendra said a very quick reduction hit, saved for last, and in the kiln.

These beads are organic and full of a variety of colors so it’s a little hard to pick out what’s what beyond the Blue Chalcedony/ Purple Rose and the base use of white or black to work on.

Deb Batten has done some wonderful work in Gaffer – She’s our great Gaffer resource from New Zealand and writes a lot of great tutorials. You can check Deb’s blog and the Gaffer Girls Lampwork blog – or call the girls directly for more of all things gaffer. I’ve never met a more helpful group of people. I know I am so not done working with Gaffer.

more to come - - - - - -

Periodically Reborn

And whenever we switch to a new medium the process is renewed and we begin again!

Hip Hip Hurrah for constant growth.

Indelible? - Maybe

The ISGB is having a juried show this year with the theme “Indelible”. I’ve been brain bantering that about and conceiving a piece I might create and submit by the deadline. Deadlines are not an easy task for me. For me – more often than I would like to admit – once the piece has been created in my head or conceptualized on paper it’s done for me. I’ve even gone as far as assembling the various pieces together and laying them out…then phffffftttttt – it’s over. It goes into a plastic bag with the drawing and becomes a UFO (unfinished object). The thought and solution for that thought was the end. I need minions….lots of minions.

Am I going to get one….let’s see, DH is asleep in a recliner, one dog on the couch, in a dog bed, on the kitchen floor. My possible minions are not of this waking world at the moment. Minion count – ZERO. Pisses me off…….really…….how can they sleep when I am thinking so loudly is beyond me. Really! Maybe I need an intern – but where would I find one that is as anal as I am and who could follow directions written only in my subconscious. So not likely in this millennia!

By ‘Indelible” the ISGB means those things which have transpired in your life and etched a moment that is so totally recallable that it is, indelible.

I tried to think of a moment that collided with my brain with an impact I couldn’t shake it. The normal things came up children – marriage – divorce – family – life. What happened is I couldn’t’ separate a piece from the whole. Maybe if I were in my twenties again I could; but alas, I am not. What did pop out was the fact I am the sum of my pieces. If any one thing were subtracted from the equation that is me then it would alter the outcome of this moment. Profound? (LOL) No one is going to accuse me of that.

I’ve started to think of the theme as the pieces of my life. That concept led me to my jewelry boxes. It’s kind of a microcosm of all things Sharon. The crow in me has keepsakes that are shiny only to me. I pulled them out from all manner of places I’ve hidden them. Laid out they form an interesting beginning of a mixed media necklace. Some pieces are extremely self explanatory – others may not be – and there is much more to add. I have “hippie beads” which could tie the many pieces into a solid unit.


There also a requirement for handmade lampwork beads – it is the International Society of Glass Beadmakers after all. There in; for the moment, lies my rub. Uh, aside from the fact I have no minions. I’ve never had a particular “style” of bead. I have a style of art – the beads I make tend to fit into that “concept”. I have to figure out now what beads I could make that might represent those indelible moments of my life.

I have thoughts on the beads and completion of this piece – but whether they will end up in a UFO bag or brought to fruition is a whole ‘nother discussion. Wish me luck.

Ok, Enough Now Already

This is a photo essay of today and my feelings - Yea it's pretty! Whatever....

Mixed Media?

What is mixed media art?

Technically speaking, "mixed media" is any combination of two or more primary artistic mediums combined in a single piece of artwork. Try looking up what are considered the “primary artistic mediums” – that, in itself – was a bit of Internet folly. Maybe you can find it.

Hence, I guess, if you are using resin to make a pendant – or clay, or anything - and you add glass beads or any other of the “primary artistic mediums” (which amounts to just about anything) your jewelry would or could be considered to be of mixed media. It’s why I changed the description on this blog. It is the way I create, always has been, so I thought I ought to define my work that way.

Maybe we could break the “mixed media” label down further by quantifying it into larger titles (for example): “mixed media paper sculpture” but all those extra labels just strike me as redundant. Or, maybe as Etsy tags they ought to read - "mixed media paper sculptures with bit and dabs of acrylic, crayon, and ink." LOL It's one of those "things" we could do – but maybe shouldn't. I am a jeweler and I work with more than one primary medium so I’m paring the excess labeling as far down as possible

Why mixed media Sharon? (So, I said to myself….Self - - - -)

Nail Man

Louise Nevelson

My earliest recognition of visits to the Detroit Institute of Arts and Cranbrook where of pieces of art that contained what we now so commonly refer to as “found objects”. Oh, I loved it all – who wouldn’t be excited to stick their nose to nearly touching a Van Gogh (they didn’t cover them then). The Rivera Mural in the Grand Hall – he was such a character. But, it was Louise Nevelson that I remember most. All those neutrally painted pieces making shadows and coming together as a whole. Second to those were the rooms of African Art. I thought them primitive but such perfectly polished pieces of art. My very favorite of those African pieces at the DIA is “Nail Man” Sculpture. It brought about a massive love for all things talisman. Nail Man is also mixed media.

Nail Man is roughly 3 ½ feet tall. In the African Congo there are fetish statues known as Nkisi that are broken down into two categories. Those that are malevolent and those that are talismans’ against it. It’s an old story, right? All cultures and centuries and all kinds of images. I guess that’s why I love them so –the story – the battle of good vs. evil. Mostly maybe the protection of having the talisman – like having the Immunity necklace on Survivor.

And, as odd as it seems, I also relish the wooden alters of Madonna and child. Paint, gold leaf, wood. Another incredible mixed-media marvel.

Mixed media mavens – aren’t we all? What’s your primary media and why did you choose it?

Snow Day!

It's beautiful out there but the roads are slippery and I have kiln is heating up (YES!). Enjoy the cartoon...and warm hugs to anyone who has to venture out in the white stuff today. Plus, for all of you in the sun and warm weather I will admit to being so jealous that I look like Shrek!

Invitation to Party

Fifth Bead Soup Blog Party

WOW - Awesome

I get to participate in this wonderful round robin blog hop and creativity stretcher created by Lori Anderson. I’ve been wanting to do this for years but so many “life” experiences have prevented me from considering it. I didn’t want to ask to participate until I knew it would get the attention it deserved from me as a participant. This session was done by lottery because over 300 artists’ had asked to participate with manageable space for 200 (which is an incredibly insane amount to manage). I feel privileged to have my name drawn.

My partner for this adventure is Rebecca Sirevaag. When I get to know more about Rebecca I'll pass it on but here is her blog because I know you're just going to want to visit her soon.

I could explain all about this but Lori does it so much better you might as well hear the details from her. In the right column is the Blog Party symbol and all you have to do is click on it to get to Lori's site. Wish me luck!!!

Sunday Sillies...

I had asked Sylvie if she would do a “Hey Girl” Hunk for me. She is a doll and for a small bribe of coffee, which she will definitely need to keep up in Tucson I was presented with my hunky choice of Daniel Craig. Here he is:

Swoon Swoon!

So thrilled was I over my Daniel Craig "Hey Girl" that I sent the whole Beaded Laughter site to my oldest son (the attorney) and he sent me back a photo and said I should do something with it and send it back to the Sylvie. Did he so NOT get the total point of this? And if he did maybe he just doesn't think Daniel Craig is my type - - - here my roar of evil laughter at that!!!!!

Well, child of mine - I did make up a "Hey Girl". Not to shabby either and anyone who wants him for their blog can steal him too. Any guy who will go out in snow like that deserves as many hits as the "hunks". You go guy and everyone have a gloriously Silly Sunday.

And the Winners are...

Congratulations!

What I did was assign everyone a number based on the order in which you posted a reply to the original post. As luck would have it after putting some of my books away I realized I actually have TWO extra "500 Beaded Objects" books from Lark Publishing. Instead of running two contests we might as well have two winners. The books are packaged and ready to send out so please email me your address if I don't already have it: sdriscoll@charter.net

And the winners are: Number 7: Anne Ricketts and Number 12: Cheryl Kauhaapo

I had the number generators on here but when I returned to the post to find out who numbers 7 and 12 were it dumped the data. When it did that - I removed them - next time I will know to have the names printed out so I don't have to leave the page until it's posted. And there will be a new giveaway. In a week I will prepare the next book and get it posted and we will commence the second giveaway of my extra books. Best of luck on giveaway #2 and please post again.

Thank You! Sharon

World's Greatest Hand Cream for Dry Artist Skin

I was telling you about that hand cream I made. Mine looks pink compared to this picture because of the lotion I chose to use. The original recipe came from several sources I culled from Pinterest. It’s excellent for your feet and a little dab will do you on dry hands created from long fun days crafting, or walking around the house all winter with flip flops on.

With your hand mixer mix the following in a bowl:

8oz. Vaseline (the 7.5 jar will work just fine)
8 oz. of Vitamin E Cream
16 oz. of Baby Lotion (you can replace this with your favorite but keep it simple).

Repackage in any containers you’d like. There are plenty available on-line or at your local craft store (I got mine at Hobby Lobby). My DIL loves the bottle I gave her and others are on their way in the mail. Since I’ve been using clay lately it’s really helped to keep my hands moist – especially considering how much I wash dried clay off my fingers.