Saturday, March 29
I've been playing with the silver coring machine a little bit. Most of the beads have turned out quite well. It's a little tricky to get just the right sized piece of silver tubing, and get it centered just right too. I'm getting the hang of it though. Hopefully I'll have some for sale in the near future.
I just listed a lampwork class for the first weekend in May. If you're interested in learning this fascinating art, check it out.
My hubby promised to put up some shelves in the studio today. I should be out there helping him, so I'll sign off until later.
Tuesday, March 18
Yipee! My coring machine has arrived, and the silver is here. Now I'm just waiting for the large mandrels. It is driving me crazy that I have the stuff and can't make the beads yet! Ughh...
I was so happy last week because of the warmth... and today, we have a fresh blanket of snow. They say March is the 2nd snowiest month after January... so I guess it had to be. The good news is, it is supposed to warm to 40 degrees today. If I didn't have to clear the walk to my studio, I woudn't bother shoveling at all.
I'm looking forward to getting back to the torch. My shoulder is better now, though it does get painful later in the day. I suppose these things take time to heal. Hopefully it will be able to take a few hours at the torch without giving me fits. We'll see.
Yesterday I happened to look out the window in the direction of the lake... and there was a HUGE bald eagle circling the backwater area. It isn't unusual to see them near the lake, but this happened to be very close to our house. He ended up perching in our neighbor's tree. It was a beautiful sight.
Later in the day a whole flock of black crows landed in the front yard, walking around in the brown grass and caw-cawing at each other. Several of them walked over to some snow and appeared to dig in it with their body and head. I couldn't tell if they were trying to clear snow to catch something underneath, or if they were trying to bathe themselves in it. It was a strange sight for sure.
My husband saw four coyotes crossing the yard recently. He took some pictures, but they didn't turn out very well. I wish I had been here to see them.
Tuesday, March 11
My oh my, how a few degrees in temperature can change things! Spring is tempting us with enough warmth to melt the snow. Unlike the cold winter sun, we finally have sunshine that we can feel warming our frozen bones.
I've been away from the torch and away from the website for quite a while now. That's what bursitis and rotator cuff problems can do to a person. Oh well, it just gave me time to do some research on the latest trends.
Have I been living under a rock? I wonder, because this whole Pandora, Biagi, Troll bead craze escaped my notice. While doing my research, I came across these interesting systems and was intrigued by the notion of creating some of my own. So, after researching and ordering the supplies, I am axiously waiting for them to arrive. I suppose I'll have to buy one of those silver bracelets to put them on as well! The idea of being able to change them up for any outfit is wonderful. I hope to offer silver-core beads to fit those systems in the near future... but only after I make some for myself!! :)
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