October 3, 2007

II originally thought I would be able to start lampworking again once Elise was born. But that just is not happening. Elise was born on the 13th of July this year. And here we are in early October, and I still was not able to get back into the Studio again. I am so busy, it's just no joke anymore.

Having two little kids under two is not letting me much time for anything that has remotely to do with "me-time". The only option would be to use the torch in the night, but that would mean that I have no opportunity to spend any time together with Didier, my husband.

So I guess for the moment I have to wait it out until Charlotte starts daycare. This was supposed to happen mid of October, but we haven't made any step into this direction yet.   

November 13, 2006

How will I keep my sanity without torching? I discovered last Thursday that I am pregnant! We are both over the moon, as we were planning already for a longer time for this addition to the family. So - yeah!!!
However, there's a downside. Being pregnant and lampworking does not go that well together. Reason is the fume cocktail of glass and torch, leads & other chemicals released while melting the glass. The possible effect on the unborn child are not proven in studies, but as a precaution the advice is to rather be on the safe side and not do any torching.

Therefore I am going back full circle and made the decision to focus my attention back on designing and creating artisan jewelry until the new baby is born. Please do check out my new creations on the "Jewelry" page. 

October 25, 2006

I am currently obsessed with the color combination coral and avocado. I made already 3 sets with this colors - either only the two colors, as in my set "Coralado Duet". Or in combination with other colors, like in my newest Ebay auction, Magma Shapes.

I tried the Striped Coral also with a combination of dark turquoise and ivory, and these colors look spectacular together. I made a focal set, but still have to do the photos and set up the Ebay template before I can start the auction.

October 12, 2006

The new Double-Helix glass "Gaia" arrived and I started doing some testing with it. It is quite similar to the Rocco glas "Picasso Silver Blue" in handling and how it is reacting with the flame. However, the colors are more going into the greens and cremes, with some turquoise and blues. Depending on how long I reduce the flame, it shows either an oily sheen with purples and even pinks, or deep shades of beige and green-blues. It is very easy to get the colors to pop and I think I will do a couple of sets with this glass ... once I am back into a blue-green mood.

October 5, 2006

My oxygen concentrator arrived. Wow, how great is that? No empty tanks anymore in the middle of a new bead set, no lifting of heavy oxygen bottles in and out of the car, no trips to Kirkland to exchange the empty oxygen bottle against a full one. Hehehe, it's great!

September 25, 2006

I finished some more beads on the weekend. Listed another set on Ebay. It's called "Turquoise Lava" because of the wonderful turquoise and blue colors and the transparent glass along the middle transforms the color to look like solidified lava. I used a base of black Moretti glass and again the handmade "Picasso Silver Blue" glass. I think I experimented now sufficient with this handpulled new glass and get tired of the color combinations. I am looking forward to start doing something with pinks, purples or oranges. Seems my attention span is not large enough to do over and over the same designs. After a few days I get bored and want to venture to new techniques and colors.

September 20, 2006

The set "Blue Bayou" is listed on Ebay. I used a base of intense blue with the new handmade "Picasso Silver Blue" glass. It's just a small set of 12 beads, and my first auction set with this handpulled special reactive glass.

September 15, 2006

I got my new torch and the kiln is also working again. It's great to work with the Nortel Minor after being on an Hothead all the time. It makes such a different.

I gave the now Rocio color "Picasso" a try, and I can only say WOW. That is a very nice glass indeed. Experimented with cobalt blue (great), intense blue (so so), black (cool reactions), copper green red (great reaction, but I am not hot on the color combo).

September 9, 2006

The digital controller of my Chili Pepper kiln is broken. I spoke yesterday with Orton, the company that produced it. They promised to send as soon as possible a replacement.

They were really helpful. However, I am still feeling a bit anxious and disappointed about it. It lasted only a few months. What if the next controller is f**** up just as fast?

I'm also sad because that means approx. a week without making any beads. I could batch anneal once the controller arrives. But I'm not happy with that idea. The beads could get already shocked when using the fiber blanket instead. Don't want to risk that. So it's no torch time for me until I get the controller.

It it there yet??? No??? Bummer! Is it there NOW???

September 8, 2006

Woot! My first auction is up on Ebay. Check it out here

The set is called "Autumn Swirls". And the greatest news: After 30 minutes I have already a first bid. I am sooooo proud. And anxious at the same time. What if the seller doesn't like my beads? What if they are disappointed?

Argh!
Just hope they like the beads ... just hope they like the beads ... just hope they like the beads

June 16, 2006

I am getting really excited. We are moving in our new house and that means that I can finally set up my new studio.

It will be first only a temporary studio in one of the garages. However, the Gardenhouse which will be home to the studio in the future is already there. It needs some remodeling though. And I don't think this will happen until summer next year.