Snowflake Bead Inspiration

Winter is a funny time for beadmaking. Sometimes I want to convey the cold, without making the sculptural visual of it. Like snowmen, children wearing scarves or even the fun little bright mittens.

I saw this plate, (wouldn't you know, my memory failed me), I think on Pottery Barn or CB2's website and just loved it. The simple and complicated snowflakes make me feel like winter and yet are a gorgeous pattern just by themselves. It's almost more like a symbol. The cool gray background helps give it a frosty feel.

Have you found something recently that affects you similarly? How about sharing it with the rest of us. Or tell us what you think exemplifies winter in a different way? I'd love to know. Feel free to include websites- yours or others to show us too.

See you tomorrow. http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

An Early Turkey Dinner

I baked my turkey dinner early.  Because my local glass group, Southern Flames had a Thanksgiving glass challenge.

You can see more views of it in my shop, like the stuffing that is overflowing from the cavity.  And of course it has some garnish- lettuce and cranberries to make it look more festive.

I built "the bird" first, and then decided to add the platter.  That was "interesting".  Not sure that I'd do it that way again, but it was fun.  I had the bird made on the mandrel, and then took an ivory rod and made a very large maria, and heated it up as well as the turkey connection and gently mashed them together.  (don't confuse that with the potatoes)

I then burned off the rest of the ivory rod and flattened the bottom, so the platter would sit flat.

And then garnished the plate to add a little color and interest.  Voila!  Now I don't need to cook one.