Moving to the next level
Kathy N-V
changing markedly. I'm using a lot more wire and abstract designs,
and my color pallette is changing. I look at things from just a few
months ago, and cannot imagine making those same items now.
I feel like I'm on the edge of a major style change, although I have
no idea where that change will lead me. It's exciting and terrifying
at the same time. I see a lot more metalwork (though not casting,
more like making bezels and so forth) coming, and hammering textures
onto silver sheets, etc.
If I get a little healthier, I would like a small kiln to do enamel
work, some PMC and glass slumping. Although I'd love to get started
on all these things as of yesterday, I know that rushing into buying
materials and equipment isn't going to get me the stamina I need. So
I'll work on stamina first, then take some courses at the Boston
Center for Adult Education, and only then will I worry about my small
kiln.
BTW, I cannot mention this to Bob, because he would sensibly ask
where all this stuff is going to go. Little does he know that if we
aren't moving anytime soon, it's going to go in what is now our front
porch. It's a three season porch, and right now, it's loaded to the
gills with crap. I'll sell all the crap on Ebay and have a yard
sale, then use the proceeds to have a builder come out and modify my
porch (which is 8' x 32') to be a workshop.
The porch has an abundance of natural light, but is on the East side
of the house, so it stays relatively cool even in summer. (And would
be no problem staying cool with the new wiring I'd have to add for
the kiln) It's right over the water supply and waste lines to the
house, so if I'm feeling especially wealthy, I could put in a half
bath - having water handy would be a real plus while I'm working. An
8' x 8' bath is pretty good sized, and would still leave me with a
large studio.
I see more sculptural items clamoring to be made as well. Some aren't
pretty at all, but are anxious to be "born." Many have nothing to do
with my journey in life, but represent the journeys of other people
who were kept silent. I described one piece to Manda, representing
the way that women silence themselves to gain love, and she freaked.
She really _doesn't_ want me to make the piece, but understands when
I tell her that it's inside, and I have little choice about it.
Even now, when I'm mass producing (sort of: my mass production still
means pieces that are never duplicated) gifts for Christmas, I'm
making things that are so very different than my previous style.
I've made a slew of earrings, which is new to me, and some of them
are downright sexy. Things are a lot less symmetrical than they've
been in the past, and I'm using color combinations that I wouldn't
have considered before.
I want to take photos, but right now just making the jewelry is
draining me. As soon as the child gets better from her bout of the
Martian Death Flu, I'll talk to her about photographing some of the
new stuff.
So, what direction are your muses pushing you into?
Kathy N-V
Diana Curtis
anything that comes to mind.
And playing with bead soup. Love that stuff.
Your muse is having a lot of fun. I cant wait to see what comes of this. Its
exhilerating just hearing about it!
Diana
--
Weird people need beads, too
"Kathy N-V" <kathyn...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BDE7B453...@news.comcast.giganews.com...
Karen_AZ
frits, shards and other exotic goodies. It's gonna be a LONG 10 days without
my torch, much as I love my family!
BUT...Kathy sweetydahling...PLEASE think long and hard about the enamels
whim you mentioned. Enamels aren't something to mess with even with the
healthiest of lungs, without some very good, safe equipment. Ground glass
scares me silly, so just pleasepleaseplease be careful.
The rest of the stuff sounds way cool and if anyone can turn corners and WOW
folks, it's YOU!!!!!
KarenK (part-time mommy/worrier)
Tinkster
This is the time of year when I'm planning for the NEXT year. That
requires that I take a good, hard look at the LAST year. Sometimes
that's good, and sometimes it makes me crazy.
My whole "business card dilemma" is a good example of the crazymaking
stuff: My work is SO different now from what it was this time last
year. That's a good thing, in my mind, but sometimes it just feels
like I'm on a speeding train that I can't slow down. It's hard to let
go and just let it happen.
I always have these ideas for labor intensive, complicated works that
"say something", yet I rarely do anything with those ideas. I tell
myself that they would "take too much time" or that "no one would like
them" or any of a million other excuses.
My muse has whispered to me that those aren't the true issues. It's
more likely that the things I have to say in these works are very
personal things, and that I have a fear of putting it out there in the
world.
So, I asked myself: "Do I create glass art for others or for myself?
Do I truly have something to say, or is it just pretty foofoo stuff?"
I'm always saying that I'd do glass even if no one wanted it and even
if I couldn't show anyone. Maybe that's what I'll do with the pieces
in my head.
I took the first step yesterday and ordered some shadow boxes.
I may or may not share the work with anyone, but my muse won't stop
poking me until I at least try to do these things...
Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm
heat...@labyrinth.net.au
Can't wait to see picture of your new work. Your new direction sounds
so interesting.
--
Heather
Lilyflower
My passionate desire (if that's a muse?) is to learn to make lampwork
beads.
Almost as passionate is the desire to extend the color palettes,
shapes, patterns in my jewelry. I think that there is an evolution in
my work. I see changes already.
I dream of having enough skill to be able to confidently buy high
quality gemstones and your lampwork beads that make me gasp, and
command a price for my jewelry that will make it possible.
I hope you will continue to include me in this group. It has been
invaluable and I'm grateful.
Lilyflower
Marisa Cappetta
at BABE. Just having a broader colour palette is inspiration enough for the
time being.
I'm looking forward to moving house where I can have a studio and gettng
back into some serious metal work. My hammers are calling to me.
--
Marisa (AU/NZ)
www.galleryvittoria.com
"She who dies with the biggest stash, wins."
Peggy
start. I tried to look for a good book that goes into depth on just those
subjects, but couldn't find one. And of course there are no classes
here...heck, no one here even knows what that is! Which is why I love
RCB...
"Kathy N-V" <kathyn...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BDE7B453...@news.comcast.giganews.com...
Charlie
work in my teensy one bedroom flat, as the boyfriend has to share it too. I
need premises. Quickly. I'm having to make a hard decision now, this
summer do I move him where my dad has space? Or do I continue to live with
my love for another year and slow down the business for a while? I think I
know which it's going to be. It's going to be the second one!
Charlie.
"Kathy N-V" <kathyn...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.BDE7B453...@news.comcast.giganews.com...
Sjpolyclay
I hear ya!! and thats happening for me too. My color pallette is opening up, my
designs are changing. I'm not sure what'll come of it.....but I promise to take
pics and show as I go along.
Your studio ideas are wonderful Kathy---go for it.
Sarajane
Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
thought I'd be able to do (WC swap necklace and the wand for example). I'm
also making more funky/chunky items - and not just for me to wear. It's
weird, the stuff I wear is markedly different than the items I make to sell
(which are usually more dainty, sparkly, feminine). I've had many people
tell me that they want to see me sell items like those I make to wear..so
they are getting their wish.
My friend and I are aiming to have a booth at a local Spring festival in
April.
Barbara
Christina Peterson
Metalsmithing. It's a reference book, and not particularly fun to read, but
it gives you the correct names, definitions, melting points, and processes.
Gives good information on what you need for tools.
Tina
"Peggy" <nospa...@beadland.net> wrote in message
news:cpuia...@enews4.newsguy.com...
Peggy
looking for a book that goes into more depth on chasing and repousee. I
have not found that book yet...
"Christina Peterson" <tinap...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:41c33913$1...@news.acsalaska.net...
Dr. Sooz
coasting along, then jumping. But moving forward. (As long as I am
able to WORK, that is)
Kalera Stratton
Lily, where do you live? What part of th country?
--
-Kalera
http://www.beadwife.com
http://www.snipurl.com/kebay
Kalera Stratton
Kathy, I would love to see you move into kilnformed glass, which is
low-impact, and PMC. I could really see you doing neat stuff with those.
My muse is demanding a bench grinder. I know, consciously, that I should
get a kiln for the teaching studio first, but I really *want* a grinder,
and bad.
Beadseeker
Kiln forming is so much fun!! When you open the kiln after firing, it's just
like Christmas every time.
If you do buy a kiln, I would recommend one with a viewing window so you can
see the progress of the glass melting.
Kalera, I have a small grinder, don't know how I did without it now.I was
able to buy mine on the isgb sales forum at a very reasonable price.
Patti
Kalera Stratton
Yes, I have my eye on an 8" one but it's a bit pricey; about $600 with
the three discs I want. Hopefully I'll get lucky and spot a used one for
sale!
Kalera Stratton
> vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kalera Stratton
> <kal...@strattonhome.org> :
>
> ]My muse is demanding a bench grinder.
>
> what kind?
> i mean, to accomplish what????
>
>
This kind:
http://www.hisglassworks.com/pages/8grind.html
for lapping beads. :)
Kalera Stratton
> i do know a lot of our gem club uses that kind for creating cabs.
> i haven't gotten that far yet!
>
>
Faceting. :D
Kalera Stratton
>
> AH! on BEADS!?!?!?!? cool! i wanna see those!!!!
>
>
Soon as I can get a grinder... I am trying to decide whether to do that
or get a kiln for the teaching studio, because of course I can always
drag my own kiln out there for classes, but do I want to? Hmmmm....
Kalera Stratton
>
> **grin**
> well, i have access to several . . . . .
>
>
Are any of them for sale cheap? ;)
Tinkster
>vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kalera Stratton
><kal...@strattonhome.org> :
>
>]Are any of them for sale cheap? ;)
>
>unfortunately, probably not. but i'll ask, if you want?
>i was considering volunteering to do the work . . .
>
>but that probably wouldn't work.
Besides, doing the work is half the fun :-)
Tink
Check here for available work:
http://blackswampglassworks.com/latest.htm
Kalera Stratton
>
> unfortunately, probably not. but i'll ask, if you want?
> i was considering volunteering to do the work . . .
>
> but that probably wouldn't work.
>
>
That's sweet, but no, I need to do it myself... and no need to ask; the
odds that one would be for sale are so slim anyway! I'm just going to go
ahead and buy one. :)
Kalera Stratton
> On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 20:57:36 -0800, vj <v...@vickijean.com> wrote:
>
>
>>vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kalera Stratton
>><kal...@strattonhome.org> :
>>
>>]Are any of them for sale cheap? ;)
>>
>>unfortunately, probably not. but i'll ask, if you want?
>>i was considering volunteering to do the work . . .
>>
>>but that probably wouldn't work.
>
>
> Besides, doing the work is half the fun :-)
Exactly!
Kalera Stratton
> vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Tinkster
> <game...@buckeye-express.com> :
>
> ]Besides, doing the work is half the fun :-)
>
> yeah - **grin** - i knew that.
> in addition to which, my 'vision' and her's probably wouldn't be the
> same. although, we do seem to think alike a LOT. but it's also
> something i've wondered about . . . a lot! [faceting lampwork].
>
>
I've been dreaming about it... literally.
Dr. Sooz
~ Sooz
Lilyflower
Cambridge, MA. I took a few beading course at LBS. A request to watch
one of the teacher lampwork was turned down.
Please let me know why you asked!!
Lilyf...@theworld.com (new e-mail just for jewelry!!)
Kalera Stratton
Oh darn, I figured that if you were in the northwest we could meet up!
You know one thing you might be able to do is get on Wetcanvas and
explain your interest, and ask if there are any lampworkers in your area
who would be interested in helping you? There are a lot of neat people
on WC.
Kalera Stratton
> How much does a grinder cost, anyway? And where do you get one?
>
> ~ Sooz
>
They cost anywhere from $399 (found one on eBay) to the one I'm
currently considering at a whopping $789, but nobody on the planet,
apparently, carries it so I may end up with the less-powerful one.
OTOH, I called a local rock shop asking about it, and the guy was
super-helpful... first he asked if I'd tried the local stained-gladss
shop (they've never heard of it... despite the fact that it's made by
the leading name in glass grinders) and then he suggested that I call
the company, explain that I can't get it locally, and see if I can buy
it direct at the wholesale price.
What the hell, right?
Kalera Stratton
> vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from Kalera Stratton
> <kal...@strattonhome.org> :
>
> ]What the hell, right?
>
> exactly!
>
> mine are more like this one:
> http://www.kingsleynorth.com/images/1-0645.jpg
>
> rock saw and three grinders.
> then there's this one:
> http://www.tsijeweltools.com/prodimg/G1-206big.jpg
>
>
Yes, and those are far more effecient for doing most types of faceting.
Beadseeker
>> Sorry I didn't answer sooner, got lost in the holiday rush! I live in
>> Cambridge, MA. I took a few beading course at LBS. A request to watch
>> one of the teacher lampwork was turned down.
Beadmakers in the Boston area. Go on www.isgb.org, you can register and ask
your questions on the forum and someone will answer you. You may be able to
attend one of their meetings as a guest. Their "links" page has unbelieveably
talented members' websites.
Patti