Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Busy...busy....

I know....I have not been around...I am sorry for those of you who check my page up for updates. I have been a busy bee...

Football for both boys is on full speed with practices every night and games every weekend, pluse we had to get things situated for school to start tomorrow. My eldest is a freshman this year and that has of course put me in a lot of mixed emotions..mostly because he is starting high school in my hometown high school. My second son is ready for school..he will be an eigth grader this year and is ready to see his friends again and be in school.

Besides the busy stuff of the household I am also busy with my jewelry. I have a couple special orders that I need to help Bo finish up and I need to start working on my inventory for the upcoming fall and holidays.

I am really contemplating taking a metalsmithing class at the University here...but I have to make sure that I am not piling up too much things on myself. Going to a class like that would actually be escape from my busy life...smile.

Here are some beads that Bo pumped out about a couple weeks ago. I need to still turn it into jewelry and started with the earring pairs. I love the amber and green color together. It is colorful and yet organic in look.
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Here are the finished earrings that will compliment the future bracelet.
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These two beads are the result of an expirimentation of swirls. I will probably be turning these into pendants.
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This is another organic looking set of beads with a darker hue or browns and greens. I am hoping to also turn this into a bracelet.
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Bo has been working a lot and so when he is home it is hard when we are busy with the boys to get him firing up the torch. Hopefully though once we get the boys schedule all worked out again with school and sports we can dedicate more time into our work with the glass. I know he has a lot of ideas and cannot wait to put them to use.

So before I say good bye since we have an actual football game tonight instead of just practice I will leave you with pictures of these fun rings. I call them Sparklies. Are they not fun looking? They are also fun to wear. These two are sitting at The Stash downtown.
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If you cannot visit The Stash here locally please visit the blog.
Here is the link.
http://threadsinmystash.wordpress.com/

If you are a local here please stop by the store. Everything is handmade by our local artists and the owners are a pleasure to meet. I am very honored to have been asked to be one of many artists featured in the store. They will be having First Friday events and Bazaars soon so do not forget to check on updates on their blog.

Okay well off I go for now........have a football game to not only watch and cheer on my boys but also take pictures of.

Have a great night ya'll!

Monday, August 11, 2008

A Peaceful Walk at Creamer's Field

My wonderful walk at Creamer's Field one beautiful early evening. This once working dairy farm is now a nature reserve for the migratory ducks and geese and cranes. The Sandhill Cranes are in....and although I do not want winter to come to fast...I love Creamer's Field in all seasons. The fall being my favorite.

Enjoy the pictures............

I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets. It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day. It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful. Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy.

~Hamlin Garland, McClure's, February 1899~
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As the sound of rain drops echoes in my room.....my bed is calling my name.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Glass Jewelry....

The main reason I started this was to keep everyone up on the progression of our glass endeavors.

My husband is a lampwork artist and I am the fused glass artist. We make pieces and transform them into wearable art. It started off as a hobby we both shared and would make them for myself or to give as gifts.


Last year I was finally talked into selling them and realized I actually could sell them after a Holly Days Bazaar Show. In February we were a featured artists at a First Friday event for a local clothing store here in Fairbanks called Willow Creek Clothing. Both were a success.


Now my jewelry sits in a new shop downtown Fairbanks called The Stash. Most of my inventory will go there. I love how everything in the shop are handmade items and are from our local artists and the owners are just such awesome gals.


In the midst of football season going on and my husband's crazy work schedule I am trying to find time to just experiment. I want to dive more into metal and incorporate that with my glass. I am also contemplating(wishing it will come through) taking a metalsmithing class offered at our University this fall.


This so called hobby has grown for us. I am just so tickled to know my jewelry is liked by many but to be able to sell it to at least make up for more materials has really made it a real passion for us.


Here is a sample of how far along we have come.

2006 Jewelry

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2007 Fused and Lampwork
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2008 Pieces
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Hope you enjoyed the eye candy.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Here I go again...


I finally decided to try out a blog where my friends and family can come and visit my page. I have been online journaling now for 4 years but it is usually private and only open for a few people to read. So here I go again with a new site to be able to share my days and my passion for art.

We are currently in Fairbanks, Alaska with my husband stationed at Ft. Wainwright Bassett Army Hospital as a registered nurse. We have been here for almost 2 years now. The weather is still something to get used to mostly in the winter but people are shocked to hear that from me considering this is my hometown. I have been gone for 6 years and it takes a bit of getting used to again.

I have 2 boys ages 14 and 13 who are inteligent and athletic and like to keep their Mom busy. So for now I decided to be a stay at home Mom. In our past location I worked in the school system as an Elementary School Math and Science Teacher. When we arrived here we decided that now is when the boys need their Mom the most.....yup those Junior High and High School years. This has also given me the opportunity to dive into my arts and finally have time for myself when they are at school.

I am a fused glass artist. My husband is a lampwork glass artist. With both skills we design and create glass jewelry. It started off as a hobby we shared and now it has grown to be able to sell it and share it with others. I was given the opportunity to show off my jewelry at bazaars and Gallery First Fridays. My newest venture is handing over some of my jewelry to be sold at a store downtown called The Stash. It is a place where local artists can show off their works. Everything in the store is handmade.

Besides glass I paint and create collaged work. I also dabble in photography and hope to sharpen my skills as the years go by. Action shots has been the most challenging but rewarding type of pictures because I shoot all my boys sports.

This is just a little snippet of who I am.

Currently I feel like I am in a creative journey because I finally have the courage and the desire and the time to pursue different directions in art.

I hope if you are taking the time to read this that you enjoy a step into my life.

It may be hectic at times.........hope you are ready for that ride. SMILE!

Have a great night................