Featured artist Laura Farrell

I have had the pleasure of working with very talented jewelry artists using my beads in their work. It is always fun to see how they design around my beads to create lovely pieces of jewelry. Over the next few posts I want to feature these talented artists.

First is an etsy artist that uses my large hole beads in a very unique way. Laura Farrell of

eXQUISITEcANINE makes the most amazing dog leads featuring beautiful braided leads embellished with large hole beads. Check her work out at:

http://www.kanga-leads.com and

www.eXQUISITEcANINE.etsy.com

Here are examples of her work using my beads:

A New Chapter

It has been busy around here! I have been working on commission pieces and arts and crafts shows along with having the boys home for the summer. I am pretty excited as I begin a new chapter in my career. I have been asked to teach lampworking classes. My first teaching experience will be for a girls camp in July. It will be a challenge due to time constraints but it will be fun. The second class will be at The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy, NY in the fall. www.artscenteronline.org. It is funny how things come full circle. I was a teacher before my life as a lampwork artist. Have always loved to teach! Now I will be able to combine my love for teaching with my love for the art of glass beadmaking. Very exciting!

How time does fly

Where does the time go? I can't believe that a week has passed since my last post. It is a bit crazy around here with another school year winding down. My schedule is totally upended during finals week. I become taxi Mom for the week getting kids (mine and others) to and from their tests at various times. This year I have two in high school so it is a very interesting schedule to keep up with. The oldest, Trevor is a senior and will be graduating next weekend. He is car shopping and job hunting and looking forward to the freedom and responsibility that come with these changes. Bryce has finished his freshman year with honors and Logan has completed his second year of middle school. They are looking forward to an easy summer of swimming and hanging out. I have always loved the summers with the boys home! This year will be a bit bitter sweet as Trevor will be working and hanging out with his girlfriend (as young adults should). I am very proud of him and I am excited for him as he heads out into the world. I still have Bryce and Logan for the summer. I will cherish my time with them as I realize that it will not be too long before they too are heading out to make their way in the world. Where does the time go?

My Studio

Another busy weekend has passed. I had a bit of the spring cleaning bug. Did some general household decluttering after the long winter. The studio had a major overhaul partially due to its newest resident: Rebel. Ferret proofing is not an easy task! But here are the results of my reorganization and cleanup.


My torch work area:















Computer/ mailing/photography area












Craft Show stuff (Rebel loves this area, lots of tunnels to run through)









Beading nook and Rebel's living quarters

Rebel the Beads On Fire Mascot!

I haven't been very productive this week partially due to my new studio mascot who was a very unexpected surprise. A friend of mine found herself looking for a new home for a ferret who belonged to a friend of her daughter. The friend's Mom would not allow her to keep him so he needed a new home. Once he was in my arms snuggling in and licking my neck that was it I was in love. Just had to convince my husband....not generally an easy task when it comes to acquiring new pets. All parties agreed to a trial run. Well he is staying!!! He is litter trained so he is allowed to run around the studio while I am in there. I had to do some ferret proofing.... some of it is ongoing as he finds new things to get into. But what fun he is! He is like a perpetual kitten. Meet my new mascot Rebel.

Trying to keep up

Well It has been a week since the last post. I haven't quite fit this into my schedule yet but I will try to be better as time goes on. Another great weekend has passed. Saturday my husband, son and I went to the Adirondack Arts and Crafts show as tourists. It was wonderful to be able to take my time going through the show and to see all of the creative and talented artists and their work. We were able to speak to a few fellow Etsians. Of course I am drawn to the glass artists. There were three fusers we spoke to. Two worked primarily in the dichroic glass often associated with fused glass jewelry. Their work was gorgeous! You can see their work at their Etsy shops www.Novationglass.etsy.com and www.claudineboerner.etsy.com. Claudine was especially helpful telling us about how she creates her pieces and giving us tips on what local shows are good to apply to. I really enjoyed her expertise and ease. Her work was so clean and clear! Gorgeous work! The third glass artist had such a different take on fusing. She did not use dichroic glass in her work. Her signature beads have multicolored stripes running across them. She told us that she had an affinity for putting small pieces together to create a whole. Below is a photo of a bracelet that incorporates her signature beads.

These pieces are stunning with great color combinations! My favorite was the purple set she had on display. Stop in and see her work at www.essexglass.etsy.com. Beverly was also very open about her work and creative processes. I really enjoyed talking to her. It was an inspiring day smoozing with other artists. I urge you to visit their shops an see what they have to offer you will not be disappointed!

Generations

Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend and were able to relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends! I spent Saturday at a local amusement park with my three boys (Trevor, Bryce, and Logan), Trevor's girlfriend, and my parents. The weather couldn't have been better and we all had a great day riding rides and taking in all of the sights of the park. As Logan, Dad and I were disembarking from the flume ride, a park employee commented that it was unusual to see three generations riding the ride together. I realized how unusual that probably was and how even more unusual it was to see the three generations getting off of the major roller coasters in the park all with the same silly smile of pure joy and exhilaration. What a wonderfully memorable experience for all of us! More about the weekend later in the week. But for now it is off to the torch to get caught up on orders.