Large Disks

I made some large holed, large disks. I want to make more. Feel free to throw out color combinations you'd like to see. And no worries, I'm not expecting you to buy them if I make them. It's just a little like how I feel about cooking dinner some nights. It's nice to have someone else decide what I should make every once in awhile so I don't have to think about it. :)


This bead uses the same colors as the bead in my Etsy avatars that I made several years ago. They are ASK-104 colors that are no longer made. I jealously protect these colors and would prefer to just look at them in my glass cabinet than use them up. But I pulled them out and made this. I left this side slightly ridged between colors of glass.

And put this side in the flame longer to melt away the ridges between colors so they would flow smoothly together. mmmmm, I love this green!

That's all for this week. I get back home tomorrow afternoon for a few short hugs and snuggles with my kids before we head out to a celebratory evening with Todd's tennis teams that made it to the ALTA city playoffs and his USTA 7.5 combo state champions. Sunday I can (maybe, hopefully) catch up on blogs and I'll rejoin you again the week of Thanksgiving. I'm thinkin a day-after-Thanksgiving-sale in both of my shops might be in order. Still mulling over the terms.

Have a great weekend!

More Big Rings

I'm having fun using my big mandrels again after a long hiatus from them. For months I have looked up at them on my counter, sticking out of a vase looking back at me. But then I re-dipped them this past week and started making big holed beads/rings again.

I like the square shape of the pink and green bead. And the purple on the turquoise is still a little bumpy because I think texture on beads is cool. :)

Birthday Presents

To myself:

I love the shampoos, handsoaps and lip lubes that Rhonda of In A Lather makes. My husband loves her Clean shampoo, too. He doesn't want to go back to anything we can find at Target.

And from my Mom & Grandma:
Phat Straps makes these FABULOUS camera straps. They detach easily from the camera to be swapped out because she uses great little buckles. This one came lined in soft, minky fabric so there are no rough edges cutting into your neck. LOVE it! (I ordered a similar one a few weeks ago, as well as a couple of lens huggies. Her sewing is top-notch and the lens bags are excellent quality with their silky corded drawstrings and fashionable fabric!)

They also gave me this wonderful laptop/camera bag that I had been dreaming about from Xcess Rize Designs. I love this fabric.
And look at all the pockets inside! So much room and very padded so my lenses, camera and laptop will all stay safe.

I love this new bag and was so thrilled my Mom and Grandma gave it to me. It is perfect for bringing my camera and my beloved macbook with me when I travel. And it came just in time to pack up and take on the cruise. Before you admonish me for not taking complete advantage of this opportunity to relax and unplug (ahem, CZ), I did not take my macbook to check email, blogs, facebook or even my checking account.

I brought it along solely to better learn how to use photo-editing software. Something I very much want to become better at manipulating (family photos, not beads....I want to learn how to make those cool rounded corners and add textures), but have not found any time to learn in the past month that I've had these programs. I'm sure the laptop will be turned on between a multitude of naps and most assuredly with a nearby beverage with an umbrella hanging over the top.

I Need a Name! Round 2

Ok folks, we're starting the second round of I Need a Name.

Please leave only one comment suggesting a name for these pretty babies. Make sure your comment is associated with your name....Anonymous comments will be disregarded in the winner selection process. I will use random.org to generate a random number to choose the winner.

Winner gets a dozen free beads!

Sand & Water

I need to make more of these beads. Yes, it is a need. I feel it and I know that I won't sleep right until I make more.

I just love the deep sapphire blue.

Great variations of earthy colors in the raku speckles over my blue beads. I bought these white turquoise ovals in Tucson in February 2008 during the big gem and bead shows that invade the city each year. That was the first time I ever went (and sadly, only time. so far). I was amazed at how the city was transformed by bead shows upon bead shows. They took over entire hotels, with bead vendors turning individual hotel rooms into temporary storefronts.

I went way overboard in buying supplies and spent twice my budget. But it was so worth it. I got such great deals. Much better than the deals of the traveling bead shows that come through Atlanta each quarter. So almost two years later, I'm still working my way through those supplies.

I had never seen white turquoise before going to Tucson. I love how it looks. I love the crackles. And I love it paired with my lampwork beads and the AB finish Swarovski crystals. This bracelet is patiently waiting in my shop for you.

Taking Stock on the Birthday

Today I turn the little three four. One of the few days of the year that I know my age because some family members take fun in pointing it out. Most of the rest of the year I would have to do the math before answering that 'how old are you?' question. Age isn't something that I typically devote much thought. Or perhaps it is just numbers in general that don't terribly interest me because I can never remember my salary when filling out a credit app. Numbers don't define a person very well. My age or how much I pull in doesn't tell you much about me.

So today, I am not celebrating the numbers. I'm celebrating the experiences. What makes me proud. The goodness in my life. And what I have to look forward to in the coming year(s).

I celebrate my honeys and the fact that we're happily married and still enjoy each others' company after a decade of being in each others' space. We have an awesome relationship and give support and encouragement to help the other achieve personal goals. Todd is my rock. Without him and his encouragement, I probably would have never bought all of the equipment to pursue lampworking and find out how much I can be consumed and consoled through creativity.

I celebrate my two goofy kids and the fact that they're part of me. I love seeing them grow into kinder and more caring beings. There are days where they challenge me, when I walk away to take more than 10 deep breaths to remind myself that I'm the adult. They have helped teach me more patience and how important it is to be a role model in showing my love in everything I do. Even in frustration or disappointment, kind words can be found and used. In love.

I celebrate my job at the phone company and the friendships that have formed through common bonds. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian or an artist. The Designated Whipping Girl gig doesn't really fit into either aspiration. But through it, I have found a rewarding career where I feel like I make a difference (for the positive) in building stronger customer relationships. And that feels good. The desire to be a veterinarian dissipated 9.21.91 (ha! one of the few dates I remember. I have to think about my kids birthdays/years) when my Mom and I took our golden retriever in to the vet's office to be put down. I realized I could never do that for other people, no matter how much it would be for the good of everyone. Instead, I have three cats and a hound. For a time, we had ferrets. And that, is enough.

I am not where I thought I would be in life. I never thought I would be a mother. I wasn't ever truly certain I would find such a wonderful life partner. I didn't think I would hold a job in corporate America or be as successful at it as I have in attaining my position. I never imagined I would play with fire. That I would own a two-story home or drive a minivan. That I would worry as much as I do about my children. That I would stop reading/watching the news. That I would cry at the drop of the hat, whether it is watching a friend get married or thanking someone for serving our country. That I would send my designs to other continents or have people in India, Khazakistan, Australia, Poland, Germany, Korea, Finland, Algeria and so many other foreign countries reading my blog. (It's ok to leave a comment and say hi when you stop in. I would love to know your names!)

I wouldn't change any of it. I love where I am in life. There were experiences that I hated at the time, but now I wouldn't change those either. They made me who I am. They brought me to where I am. And that is what I am celebrating today.

I am at peace. And I am having fun. I wish the same for you.