Lego Stilettos...For That Playful Party Look

So I saw where artist Finn Stone (check out his fun fiberglass furniture and public sculpture)  had constructed these Lego Stilettos and is showing them in a gallery in  England.  And it got me wondering.  If you wear high heels, would you wear these?

And wouldn't ones with some of our glass beads look sooooo much better?  Have you made any shoes that incorporates glass beads that you made?  (Yes, I know they're glass...but look what it did for Cinderella)

I want to hear about them...or plans for what you'd like to do.  How about joining me in a movement for world class glass domination (wouldn't that be cool?)  in the fashion shoe and accessory industry.

Come To Austin With Me for Class!

I'll be teaching "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" at Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks June 25 & 26th  and I'd love for you to join me.  (just scroll down the link- lots of classes listed on that page)

We'll complete a full garden necklace before you leave which features a variety of imaginative sculptural flowers, a lampwork and wire clasp and of course a little creature with wings- (maybe bird, butterfly or bee) to hover over your flowers.  You'll have it done to wear home.  AND we'll also make a tree branch bail that teaches you the technique to apply to other sculptural items to make into bails.

Of course we'll have fun and it sure will be nice to have something totally completed to take home with you too.  And as many of you know, Jim and Rose Berry treat their students so well, you can't help but smile while you're there.  (And Austin is such a cool city!)

Attempted Textures

I've been interested in tree bark recently.  Not the smooth stuff, but trees that have other things growing on them, or bark that has a lot of texture.  I found this one on a great texture resource website, www.mayang.com/textures/.  It's not just bark, but a boatload of other items too.

I use them in my beads, when I'm trying to change up how it feels. I think glass doesn't have to be just smooth or symmetrically bumpy.  You know what I mean. Just wanted to add another resource to your list.  So tell me, what textures would you want to interpret?  Are there any you are drawn to in particular?

Help? Devardi Glass's Frog Green

If any of you out there have some spare Frog Green by Devardi Glass, I'm interested in buying it.  I have been out for awhile, and really miss it for making leaves and of course, frogs.  I know it spits and does some misbehaving glass-like things, but I like it anyhow.

If you have some that you'd like to let go, please contact me this way.  Thanks!!

Asheville Torching

By the time this posts, I will have been in Asheville, NC for the long weekend at Fire On The Mountain with about 30 other lampworkers.  Organized by Marjorie Langston and Terry Hale, this twice a year gathering of beadmakers, is such a delight.  It's held in an old Fire House which is Touch of Glass and owned by Gary Newlin.

Not having photos yet to post, I used the little gorilla that I taught up at this retreat quite a few years ago.
And below is a class photo from the students who watched my demos.

You see, there are a variety of demos for the participants to watch and then attempt.  This year besides lampwork, we will be learning some metal jewelry techniques as well.  These will be done by Angie Ramey, Melanie Hazen and Carol Crye.

Hopefully in a few days, I can show you what I learned and give you a bit more of a recap.  But until then, I'm just going to bask in the wonderful sharing that is going on, and cross my fingers that I don't get lost on the way driving home, like I usually do.

See you tomorrow!

Guilty Dog?

Watch this funny youtube about figuring out which dog in the family ate all the kitty treats.  It's got the dramatic music, the scintillating dialogue, (okay, both of those are overstatements), but it does feature Denver, the guilty dog.  I don't know who taught him to look guilty, but he might just win an Oscar for it.

I know this has nothing to do with glass or creativity, but it's entertaining.  TGIF!

Which Is Your Personal Taste?

I love having a nice outdoor fire on a cool evening,   Here are two very different fire containers from Etsy.  This top one is a FireBowl which is handcrafted and 100% recycled.  You can find it HERE.

And this second one, is also handcrafted, this time by Modfire on Etsy.  It is made to order and comes in a variety of colors.  You can find it HERE.

So tell me, which one is more your preference?  And why?  They are two very different, cool styles that do essentially the same thing.  I relate it to many of our other art/craft styles.  In my glass bead making world, I see a contrast between modern streamlined to a more earthy/organic style.  Both beautiful in their own way.

So..., tell me what you think?