Friday, March 20, 2009

The New Love in My Life

Sorry for the wait!

If you read me regularly you know that I went to visit my friend Christy this past weekend.

Christy has an AMAZING studio.

Its awesome. She's awesome (yadda, yadda, yadda)

;-)


Part of christy's studio is dedicated to glass. Lampworking. And it is there that I fell in love. I've loved lampwork beads before and I've paid heavily for that love (those beads can get expensive!), but this went further than that.

I didn't just fall in love with a bead at Christy's.

Nope.

I fell in love with lampworking.

Christy showed us how to make a bead, then she put us on the torch. One minute I'm watching and the next minute I was making my own bead! Just like that! FOR REAL! She just sat us there and let us do it.


Then she hopped back on there (after we each made a bead) and she showed us the stringers and dots and frit. Then she let us go at it again!!!! And she walked away....and although I was bitten and smitten right off, its then that I really fell head over heals, t-totally in love.


Punchdrunkstupidlove.


I can't stop thinking about it, when I close my eyes I see molten glass....its really rather disturbing. I think I'm in trouble. Especially because its expensive to set up a glass studio.



I mentioned pictures this morning, so here's the part you really want........

Here are my first few beads, get that - MY beads!!!!

I think I made about 7 in all. One I completely shattered trying to get if off the mandrel with a rivet gun. And.........



My absolute FAVORITE one I cracked in half the same way...







But in addition to my somewhat round bead up there, this little lentil came off just peachy. :)

And the ones below were spared certain death and were left on the mandrels.

They are now plant stakes.




They look stunning in my den. ;-)



I don't know if I should thank Christy for being such a generous hostess and fab-o teacher...or if I should be really really annoyed.

If I can give one piece of advice to you all - stay away from the glass rods. . . melting glass in a big flame is totally mezmerizing. And quite 'zen'.....I could have sat there for HOURS. Truly. All in all I think it was less than a half hour....but that was some super sweet 30 miuntes. And I'm already scouring glass forums and online suppliers. I have no idea where this love affair may go, if anywhere, but I'm enjoying the 'high' of new love while I struggle to concentrate on other respsonsibilities. Really. Its that bad.


I think I'm a goner.

~Janice

17 comments:

  1. Ok, does that mean I can start placing my order for the lampwork starfish bead I want you to make for me? :-P

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  2. uh oh Janice. You sound like a goner. This will be interesting!

    And that darn Christy. Who does she think she is?

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  3. Take it from one who knows...it is horribly addictive. Now that I have learned silversmithing, I am torn between my love for lampworking and my love for making jewelry...they are both addictive.

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  4. I've seen glass beads being made and think it's mesmerizing. I'm so envious that you had a chance to really try it. Your beads look really nice.

    Carolyn

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  5. It sounds absolutely intoxicating..... sigh

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  6. OHHhhh I'm jealous and impressed! I believe I would lose myself in lampworking if I gave it a try. I've actually stopped myself from doing it yet because I don't have nearly enough time just to play with wire! Looks like you are a natural Janice. Can't wait to see more:)

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  7. sounds like a great time.. you are fortunate to have a friend that you can learn from... it's always easier than trying to figure it out on your own.

    your beads are great, sounds like your gonna have a baaaad habit!!!

    sherice

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  8. Oh dear, another addiction. At least silversmithing and lampworking are better for you than drinking and smoking :)
    I can see that lentil bead in one of your bead rings, at least your new addiction will compliment your jewelry.

    Karen (tassietoolgirl)

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  9. Yes! Lampworking is how I got into making jewelry in the first place. My folks bought me a kit when I was 14 or so (great, give the kid some fire and hot poker sticks-that'll shut her up!) Anyway, It's a lot of fun! make sure you incorporate your beautiful silver work into your new love.

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  10. OMG that cracked in half bead would look FABULOUS in a ring bezel....back to silver smithing now!!! :)

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  11. I was the same way about a month ago. I took a lampworking class at a local art studio and I was dreaming of glass rods. I didn't even make anything as cool as you did, but I could certainly see how addicting it can be. I just have to put it out of my mind!!

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  12. Oh you are SOO lucky! I wish I had a friend to let me try lampworking.

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  13. Uh, oh! I actually took a lampworking class in Glen Echo about 4 years ago, and I absolutely loved it, had every intention of making that my "jewelry scene", but money, space, a child, and other issues stopped me. I actually have a 2nd-hand "hot-head" setup, and a starter kit of glass, but it is sitting in a box!

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  14. Wow, what lovely glass beads you have created! It's always been something I thought I love to try, but still haven't...all in good time. :)

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  15. Your experiments are the bomb, Lady! I think you may be a goner for sure....I solemnly swear to never pick up a glass torch....maybe LOL

    I'm supposed to let you know that I nominated you for a Lemonade award - because you do have a giving and gratitude-filled nature! See it a my blog - http://shaktipajdesigns.blogspot.com/

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  16. That is one lovely lentil..welcome to the addiction/obsession!!

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  17. so glad you found glass..
    isn't it fun...
    mona & the gaffer girls

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