New Beads

Well, here they are. I guess I like blue! The top bead is my first ever attempt at using a lapidary grinder. I cannot wait to do more so I am currently doing some research on different grinders. This is a whole new adventure for me. :) Even Stacy got excited enough about this bead to blog it too!
I started this bead with a swirl mix of periwinkle, light cobalt and streaky sapphire and then did a spiral stripe with a light transparent blue. I cased the whole bead, rolled it in clear frit, etched it and then flat lapped it on 3 sides. I have since learned that we did not do the final step of polishing it for a true glossy finish, but that just gives me more incentive to get my hands on a grinder, right?

The bottom bead has a silver lining (obviously!). That one was lined, by DH, using the retro bead liner. It is an amazing tool that aids in lining beads with silver. Its a true time saver. I have never done anything like this before. Mike got to line this one, but I am also extremely excited to try more of these. I think the silver really enhances this bead. Beads can be lined manually (the slow way) so I have already bought some silver tubing and am working on getting some dapping pegs in order to try this the hard way. I just want to try doing this the 'old fashioned' way first.

I escaped!

At the last minute, I decided to go hang out with a group of lampworkers in St. Louis this past weekend. It was a rather large gathering of 35+ beaders (with some hubbies) from as far away as Milwaukee, Chicago, Kansas City, Springfield, and West Plains. (What you never heard of West Plains? ...its where I am btw.)

There were glass demos, silver tube bead lining demos, PMC talk, chainmaille lessons, lapidary grinding sessions, viking knit classes, bead exchanges and more. I am working on showing off a couple of my projects, but I am not quite happy with some of the pictures. And with it being soooo cold outside, I wimp out and my desire to take one more shot diminishes rather quickly. Maybe later today I will have it ready. In the mean time, here is a link to some pictures that were taken there.

More later........

Custom Order

This bead is just amazing to me. If you look at my previous post you can see just where the idea came from. This bead, I believe is destined to be used in a kumihimo necklace. I have never made one myself, but am told that big hole beads like this are hard to come by. This one is 1.5 inches long and has 3/4 inch hole. It is quite the monster (for me at least), but it is really light. It also isn't from me. This fantastic creation was born from my oldest, Jay. I did assist him a couple of times to help keep things in control, but otherwise this is all him! I haven't yet contacted the customer so I don't know if it is sold yet, but I can't wait to see it in a finished piece. Here is another closeup picture for your enjoyment.

A House Of Beadmakers

Yesterday I had the privilege of listing some beady items from the teen beadmakers in the house. The top photo of sprees is from Tia. Here is a link to them on eBay: TIA'S BEADS. You can also see some of her gem beads in earrings that I made over in my Etsy shop.

The 2nd photo is of a focal slider bead made my Jacob. He seems to enjoy working with the larger mandrels. He has 2 focals and some smaller tube beads on eBAy: JAY'S BEADS. I also listed a couple of finished silk necklace with his beads over on Etsy.

Last night there were some ferocious storms that blew through. All the major activity was far to the west of us, but I did end up staying up late to see where it was going to end up. We did get some rain finally around 4:30. (I had long fallen asleep by then though.) I did manage use my late night efficiently and snuck in an extra torch session late last night too. I finally tried some beads that have been floating around my head for awhile. I am really leaning more towards dropping so many 'made to order' items in my ebay store and just list individual items already made up. Right now, I can't wait to check out the kiln and see the new beads! Look for a showing here tomorrow, I hope.

Meet my bathroom.....

We always knew we wanted a bigger bathroom, but adding on was just too difficult. As you can see this bathroom is quite petite. I stood in the (new) shower to get this picture.
So, you if you can't go out, go up.....right? How about a cathedral ceiling to make the bathroom feel a bit bigger? :)

No, actually its just a typical remodel in progress. See that white plastic square...its my new 'fart fan'. Yippee! I can't wait to use the new shower.

Thomas Family Adventure

And an adventure it was. It lasted 14 days as we traveled through 10 states and covered 2778 miles. We saw 3 grandparents, 1 great aunt and 1 great uncle, 4 aunts, 2 uncles, 7 cousins, and one brand new big brother all in 3 different states. It was fantastic and I am soooo not ready to get back into the swing of things here at home.
In Florida we stuck our toes in sugar sand, swam in the Atlantic at Daytona Beach, fished in a inland cove, and ate piles of crab legs with Mike's new found family. The kids and I finally got to meet Mike's mom and brother. It was a fabulously relaxing visit.
In Virginia the kids, ranging from 3 to 15 years old, ran the roost. They played, they fought, the made up and then they played some more. We enjoyed platefuls of German deli meats and good German bread. Mmmm, I can still smell sourdough with schinken!
On our way home, we were met with a Most Wonderful Surprise. (Yes, these deserve caps!) We stopped in Asheville, our old stomping ground, to meet up with Mike's sister. After all the typical hugs and stuff, Mike realized there was a strange male face in the room. He asked this kid who he was and he just replied "It's me." Mike guessed a few different names, but finally his queitly sister said......."That's your oldest."
Now, just a hair over 2 months ago, Mike met his mom for the first time in 39 years. They were separated when he was 5. Now standing in front of him was his son that he had not seen in 19 years!!!! It's not like he hasn't tried, but its been long and rough. road This isn't quite the place to go through long involved stories, but now things were different. They were both right there in the same room and its still so hard to fully grasp. For so long he has been without these important people in his life, but within such a short period of time he is able to grow close to both his mom and his son . It is absolutely amazing.
So, if you are still with me, I will reward you with a couple of groovy reunion pictures.

Anna, Zach, Tia, Mike, Jacob, Chris, and Elijah

Zach and Mike