Kiln Firing Day!!

I had to wait for the sunrise to start the kiln to day and I am still firing it now that the sun is down. Back and forth to the kiln shed, that was my day. I love it though! I should be able to share some pictures of the results by Sunday.

I always hope to improve with every firing as I am always trying new things and hopefully perfecting my skills, defining my voice, and looking to the future.
Hope is good! Hopefully this kiln load is good too!

Mousy Brown Me

I must be due. I was tagged twice in 24hrs. for the MeMe game! I have really enjoyed learning more about so many people. After all this sharing I may have to hide out for a while!
Here it goes:
1 I live with my two small daughters and husband.
2 We have 3 laying hens and a carnival goldfish named Goldie.
3 We are all waiting until I am old enough to get a dog.
4 I am as shy as can be.
5 I love brown and wear a hat with a brim.
6 I am constantly working on some new crazy project. See #8
7 I cannot eat in the dark.
8 I bought myself a handyman class for my birthday this year. (We’ll see how that goes)
9 I volunteer at two places every week.
10 I want to learn everything.

The past few days

Oh boy, I have been busy! Left to right-

I have made some new "shelves" for my kiln so that I can try to make some shank buttons and because my kiln shelves are getting covered with glass.

I have some new glass colors recycled from my great friend Carleen Morrow, Isis Glass... I could use some more colors, reds,yellows,oranges and would love to know some tricks on breaking glass. I prefer to recycle cast-offs from stained glass artists~~~ Free jewelry or components for your glass trade!!!

Next in line are some fun hand built jewelry connectors, Fresh Pods, and last but not least I threw some platters/shallow dishes. I have a fun idea for them! I can't wait!

A New Design

I love this new Bracelet! Here is my description.

This bracelet features one of my Wheel Thrown Glass Fused Cabochons. I made the Focal on a potter's wheel, making concentric circles in the wet clay. Into those ridges I have fused different colors of stained glass: Deep blue outer, Silver/Milky ring, Bright teal center.I have secured the cabochon to a Silver plated hinged bracelet

Up before the sun

Early to bed and Early to rise.... I am trying!!! This morning is for making Cabochons. I am hoping this afternoon to make some hand built connectors to supplement my potter's wheel thrown connectors from Monday.

I get By With a Little Help from my friends

Problem solved! No more hopelessly crooked tri-pendants!!! With a little help from my friends at Ceramic Arts Forum, I was given a plate divider template. What a wonderful thing. I spent a lot of time behind the wheel yesterday, and soon I hope to have a fresh supply of Pendants/Connectors/Cabochons... Contact me if you want to know when the kiln is open!

Swapsies!!

My destash jewelry supplies swap has arrived! I got some fun new stuff from etsy's Simply Raevyn www.simplyraevyn.etsy.com This is my first destash swap and I don't think it will be my last.

My Mom's Back splash is Finished!

My Mom fed us a delicious dinner last night!

This is her new back splash which includes leaf impressed tiles which her and I made.

We made the tiles 2 years ago! That is how long she has been waiting to have this installed! It was all worth it though, the back splash is perfect; I choose the right glazes for the counter top color and base tiles(thank goodness), and my brother-in-law expertly installed the tile work.

Call Me Sweetheart! This very feminine piece is perfect for the season!
This features one of my Wheel Thrown Glass Fused Cabochons.
I made the Focal on a potter's wheel, making concentric circles in the wet clay.
The Piece itself has been fused with Stained Glass during the Kiln-firing process. I combine many kinds of glass (clear, opaque, milky, and different colors) The Glasses become liquid and bleed into each other in the kiln swirling ands blending at the edges. Finally as I cool the kiln the glass fractures and crackles but with a smooth glass top. The crackling refracts light and glistens in the sun.
It can be worn as a pin on your hat, scarf, jacket, purse, ect. ect. but also and most commonly worn as a necklace. The bail suits most chains, cord, omegas, string, ribbon. So this piece can be worn in so many ways and with your favorite neckline. The photo is to show how the pendant will hang on a semi rigid cord, on a chain it hangs lower but with the same invisible setting look.
This piece comes with your choice of around 10 different necklaces to wear it on. I typically offer a magnetic clasp metal cord or a black or clear rubber cord with my pin pendants, but they come in many lengths and types so please contact me about them

Buttons!

I have decided to try making some shank buttons. I will have to make a special shelf for my kiln in order to fire glass into them... I will post more on that as it comes to me. I would love to have a nice purse featuring one of these as it's closure. I would also love to have a new crocheted sweater or collar made for these buttons!

Tell me, Do shank buttons usually come in a set number?
By exploring my wardrobe it seems that the button loop goes horizontally. Is this correct?
I would love some feedback!

I've caught a Destash!

It started when I was cleaning up for a party I was having last weekend. I found a box of pendants I made, um, about a hundred years ago. So what did I do Destash them in my etsy shop. Now I've caught the bug and I should have this pile of goodies listed by the end of the weekend. Time to get these goodies out of the box and into the hands of someone who will use them. Along the way I get space for new stuff! Check it out. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=21787&section_id=5850430

I'm forcing Spring! Growth Necklace Earthy Pod and Wood beads

It's always this time of year when I invite spring into the house. I have lentils sprouting for dinner and flower bulbs sprouting for my spirit.

Even though it's the coldest time of year, I find these bundled up and shut in times to be full of personal growth and discovery. What else is there to do? This is quite a natural look. I love these wooden beads! They are sure to become even more rich with age.

Wheel Thrown Knobs

My powder room is nearly complete!

I love the knobs I have made for my wall of cabinets.

My colors are

1) a wonderful red to match my Japanese Maple tree (very visible through the windows in this room)

2) Cowboy Boot Brown for bottom trim and

3) Sahara Sun walls to keep me cheerful!

I choose the most firey colored knobs for this room, reds, oranges, yellows.

I have some new towels on order from http://www.originallyyours.etsy.com/ They are a great rust color and the best thing is they tie onto the towel holder to keep the clan from throwing them on the floor and using the curtain instead!

Sonya's Birthday!

My little baby is 4 years old today! Here she is helping helping helping away at painting the powder room last week. Painting in her PJ's what could be better!

Swapsies!

Today I am packing up my beads for the Beads of Clay and Ceramic Arts Forum winter swap. I have to say that I am A little disappointed on how they turned out! Previous pieces in this design have been well, a lot glitzier! Had I more time I would re-fire them.

I love these swaps! Sometimes a deadline is the only thing to get me out of a funk. Now since I'm not satisfied I'll make more until I think they are perfect. Just the kick in the pants I need!

My new Blog! Up before the sun

This is my first post to this ultra new blog! I am hoping this new adventure will help me connect to my work, reflect, and network. I will write about my life as an Artist and learning to live with less impact on the natural world. Today I am up before the sun to go unload my kiln and see what new goodies emerge! Here is a sample!