~*~*Butterflies*~*~

Hello Again!

I don't know of one person who doesn't love them!

A few weeks ago I was asked to recreate a bead I had made a year or so ago. The original bead was a butterfly on a white background and the owner decided she wanted a Monarch type butterfly on a black background. So while I thought out how I was going to accomplish her request, I played a bit with the Monarch colors and came up with a small set of rounds I named MonarchY. I didn’t have any frit in the Monarch
colors so I had to crush the glass and make my own and it was while making the frit
that I actually came up with the correct hues of the oranges and yellows.
I did know the yellow needed to have a goldish tint to it as per my customer’s request but she wanted me to go easy on the oranges and end up with mostly the golden yellows and black for the wings

Here is a pic of the original pnk and white butterfly bead and then the 2 butterfly beads I made for her request and the MonarchY set.
(click to enlarge)








I was very pleased how the butterfly wings turned out. I had to make and then pull the stringers to make the wings. I draw stripes of black, orange and white on the yellow glass rod and then melt and twist. I’ll try and get a pick to show what I am referring to but I have to make them every time I make the butterflies and a batch of stringers usually makes about 3-4 butterflly wings.
I am not sure how many butterflies I’ll make, she said she wanted every one I make so I guess I had better get to work!

I know the kiddoes and out of school now so I hope everyone has a safe and fun filled
summer!

I'll also add an update on my son who had applied with the Air Force.
Due to pulmonary concerns (by the AF) he had to undergo additional tests and was waiting on their reply which has had him waiting for months and still no word..
He decided to move forward with his life and he got a job at the local bank here and starts work on Monday!
We are all very positive about this and have come to understand that maybe the AF is not where he is supposed to be. We all know his path is guided by a higher power and He has different plans for our Josh so we are all pleased and excited for Josh to start his new journey in a new direction. :)

Try to stay Cool and as always, Keep Looking Up!!

xxx

I got the blues, Canyon Blues that is!

Hello!

Summer is here! I hope today finds you happy and cool!
Its heating up around here, it was 99 today! WheW!

I haven’t been able to torch very much these last few weeks but I did find time to sit down and play with some new glass. When I saw Bluestone I knew I had to have some. Finding a nice deep denim is hard to do and this glass fit the bill, I love it!
This is a different glass than I am used to working with called Bullseye and although it is a bit stiffer to melt its worth it and it will also will let me expand my color pallette a bit. There are some wonderful colors in this glass line and Bluestone is my favorite and unfortunately an odd lot which means when what was made is gone, its gone. Why do I alaways love the odd lots? I don't know but as soon it arrived, I sat down at the torch with some Raku frit and this is the set I made.
I called it "Canyon Blues"
(click to enlarge)





The Raku frit turned a rich, rusty red and was not what I was anticipating but I fell in love just the same. That is one thing about Raku, I never quite know what I will get and I have never had these rusty red colors come out like this before.

Frit is small glass pieces and comes in a variety of color mixes. After I melt the base color I dip the bead in the frit and then melt again and use a tool to rake (move)the glass. Here is a pic of some of the frit I have:
(click to enlarge)





And here is a pic of some of my frit test beads AKA “fritters”. My friend Ann calls them that and it stuck with me as well. lol
(click to enlarge)





I hope that gives you an idea of how my beads are made.
As you can see the possibilities are endless!

Until next time, remember to Keep Looking Up!!!

xxx

~ Growing Isn't Easy ~

Hello,

I hope today finds you well.

I have been going through challenges and am once again reminded life is full of them, and they are a necessary part of growth. The difference is sometimes we don’t get to choose whether we want to grow or not, life chooses for us and we seem to be thrust in directions we aren’t ready for.

Growth isn’t always easy because it brings questions and uncertainty. The unknown, no sure path of which to follow, the uncertainty of it all in our humanness . I tend to be a creature of habit so change can be really hard for me. I always try and look for the good in all that changes, it’s the only way for me to make sense out of some of the challenges and struggles I have in my life and those I see in other’s lives as well. I have never really realized how much the struggles of others can affect me, but I liken it to throwing a rock in the pond and watching the water ripple all the way to the bank. The closer I am to those who are struggling, the bigger the ripple.

While thinking about “life” I remembered what Doc said about it in Tombstone. He said: “There is no normal life, there is just life and you live it”. How right that statement is and to me its not really about any specific change, or the “WHY” if it, but rather the important thing is ‘how’ you get through it and who you are *after* you get through it. My faith and hope are the most important weapons I have to sheild me against the uncertainess of change. I know change brings growth and growth shapes and molds our character but its not always easy nor something I look forward to.

I am happy to say I finally got this necklace finished. I had it in mind for weeks and every time I would sit down to make it I would hit a creative wall. The worst was I wanted to send it quick because its for someone very special and now that it is done I hope it brings a smile her way. She is loved.
(click to enlarge)






So I am relieved to have it done and it gives me great pleasure to send a smile to someone that I can’t hug.

Remember, the best thing you can do when you want to sigh and look down is:

Keep Looking Up!

xxx

~ *Resurrection Of The Vine*~

Hello!

Spring is here and it is a Very Special weekend!
A weekend that brings hope and love to the forefront.

In the last couple of weeks I was drawn to greens and purples, it seems I still had Tuscany Italy on my mind. The green hillsides and the vast areas of the landscape owned by the wineries brought visions in my mind's eye of sprinkles of the purple grapes growing here and there among the deep green leaves. Such a beautiful sight.

What I came up with below is rich in the different hues of both colors and to me just belongs in a Tuscan winery.

This one is for sale. I have grown fond of it and there are many memories wrapped up in this piece for sure but I have to admit that every piece I sell is loved by the new owner and knowing they love it as much as I do is very comforting and makes it easier to let go. One aspect of the "artist" title I can say I identify with. ;)
(click to enlarge)






As the seasons change this weekend is a sign of rebirth and resurrection. Signs of hope and wonder in nature as the old is replaced with the new. As the trees start putting on their leaves the flowers will be blooming bringing color back to the landscape that was color barren for the hibernation season. The warmth of the Son brings love, life and color back to us to enjoy. How blessed we are!

I hope this weekend is special for you, it will be for me in so many ways.

Have a great Easter weekend!

~ Keep Looking Up ~

xxx

~ Fruit From The Vine ~

Good Evening!

I got busy working on the Italy piece this morning my mind wandered to thinking about the country itself. Although I’ve never been there I would love to go and see the scenery. I was reminded of the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” and how much I related to that story in my own life. I have much to be thankful for and as in the movie, if one thing were changed the outcome would have been different and everything happens for a reason. I have such peace with that and am enjoying life’s journey. I would not change one thing in my life, its an amazing journey and I again realize how blessed I truly have been.

I am always wondering if I am being selfish in stealing time to do something I love so much and this requested piece brought affirmation that yes, thus far it is ordained. Surprisingly (or not), everything fell into place in such a short amount of time and I was really pleased to have it turn out like it did.

I truly hope it brings its new owner April joy, and wish her safety in her travels to new places. I am so blessed to have been a small part of her journey and her life touched mine in such a special way.
We learn and grow from each other…sometimes touching those we don’t even know.
So here, as promised, is the finished “Italy” piece.
(click to enlarge)






So that is all from the torch today, although I do have a peach and blue set I am working on for someone special. I hope to get back to it tomorrow and finish the set I have in mind. I think it will be another simple but sweet piece like Italy.
We will see!

Thanks for stopping by and

~ Keep Looking UP ~
xxx

Branching Out!

Hello Again!

Well the cold weather is still around but I was inspired last week to melt some
bright summer glass. Lemon yellow and lime green appealed to me so I had a good time making this little flower bead and a few spacers. My torch time was limited but I made good use of the time that I had.
The necklace came out really pretty, simple but sweet.
(you can click to enlarge the pictures)






I also just got done with another necklace and earring set for a friend who likes blue and lime green.
I was really pleased with the heart that made an unexpected appearance. :)






And last but NOT least I got an email from a friend today. Her missionary group needed a gift for another young lady who was about to embark on a missionary journey to Italy. My friend requested that the colors be red, green and white, the colors of the Italian flag and she needed it.....tomorrow! EEK! LOL
I immediately thought of my Citrus neckalce above and decided to go with that simple style and see what I could come up with.
Below is a picture of what I accomplished. The necklace is planned out, the beads are in the kiln baking and tomorrow morning I will put it all together.
I was blessed to be able to sit down and make a flower bead...perfectly at the first try. Pressure usually hampers me a bit but not today!






I'll be sure to post pics of the finished piece after its on its way to its new owner. I am honored to have been thought of to provide such a special gift that will travel a world away and be a part of spreading the word.

Yes, I am blessed and I wish many blessings for you too!
Until next time....

~ Keep Looking UP ~
xxx

Changes Bring Growth!

Hello!

Its the HEART month! <3

I love February! I always think of Pink and Red this month but more importantly, its one of the "LOVE" months to me because it brings our love for one another to the fore front and it is also the very beginning of spring signaling new growth is on its way for the year.

Growth is so very important for us all and as we grow in our knowledge and spirit we help others grow as well. Exploring, learning and even taking risks can be such a wonderous thing and are important for growth so I encourage everyone this month to tell someone close to you how much they mean to you and if you don't normally express yourself so openly I can assure you the look on their face will make your heart grow so full it might feel like its going to break! A GOOD break!

Here are a couple of pieces inspired by this month's colors:

Yummy Calliente (Hot) Pink I adore this color of glass!






And Pink Dahlia...I am in love with how this one turned out!






Remember, taking the time to appreciate those who have blessed our lives is also growth so tell them you LOVE them, after all this IS a LOVE month!!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone, and keep looking UP!!! <3