Man....I Feel Like a Woman...

with this new firing!!!  Doesn't take much! Thank-you Shania :O)  I don't usually make this many multiples, but I really like this new glaze combo I've discovered in one of my experiments.....The "teenie" beads (5-6 mm) are not my favorite thing to make......They are always dropping and rolling across the floor...Ughhh!!  I've gotta chase 'em down.. only make them if someone requests or, in this case, if I want them!!

5 out of the 6 strings I will be sending to Juls from Julsbeads.  I first wanted necklaces for my sons since she makes some really cool "manly" necklaces and then I thought...."Can't just give them to them....I have a daughter too!"  and....my sons have wives....so, you have probably figured out where this is going..  The littlest ones are for the girls (well...women ;o) and the larger gray and earthy ones are for my sons.  I hope that the small aren't too small and the big aren't too big...I think an artist as talented as she will make it work...after all...She said she would :O)  GO JULS!!  The greens are a custom order for a new customer.  I think she will be surprised since I told her up to 2 weeks and it's only been 2 days...(happened to have more smalls than I needed).  Oh, and one more thing....these links...the "spring colors" is a custom order, but as with most custom orders, I try to make a few other similiar items while I'm in that zone.....New idea for a link!!

The winner of my bead give away will be announced later on today....Stay tuned :O)  Look at that....they MULTIPLIED in the kiln.....How'd that happen?

This Week Pre-Listing Look.....

I'm trying to use the colors from this year's Pantone Color Chart, but also keep them in my own earthy style.  I've also tried out some bezel designs.  I think I may keep one of them to try my skill at using my granddaughter's pictures and a little ice resin on top.  I'll let you know how they turn out.  Please feel free to convo me on Etsy if you see anything that you would like to reserve.

The Results Are In...

Although, the picture really doesn't do these any justice, what I mostly experience are many little lovely's, in many different shapes and sizes. I like to make small sets of a variety of shapes and colors. The beads that are the most time consuming are when I use mulitple glazes. Trying to figure out what might look good together and not clash can sometimes be a challenge. I love challenges so I'm also loving making these little works of art.

The Good, The Bead and The Ugly

Well....what can I say. While starting out 2010 I'm going to refrain from creating anymore beads as shown in the pics. You might ask, "What the @#$%! happened?" The sad truth is: My bead wire sculpture was created during my first experience with stoneware. Prior to that I only worked with low fire clays. I was using my cute, little personal kiln to make beads for my jewelry. Well....inexperienced and dependant on a defective pyrometer, the temperature never did reach 2250 degrees.....so I thought! I finally gave up at midnight, shut the kiln off, woke up to see my new beads and cried! There you have it.....I would say that I definitely learned the hard way. I was determined to overcome this and not give up! I have :O)

My mistakes since then have been minor. I occasionally apply too much glaze around the bead hole which results in the little bead flowers that you see. Bill was given the lovely little vase by Jack Troy during a workshop in Syracuse. The only way to remove these beads is with a hammer which I haven't been able to do just yet. It always seems like to much work to just take a hammer to!

My Life Outside of Teaching and Bead Making

Here's a picture of our beautiful granddaughter Lacey. Last weekend she spotted the 2 mounted fish in the laundry room. This fit right in with her current obsession with Nemo. She was estatic!! Her eyes got wide and she exclaimed with shear excitement, "Nonnie, it's NEMO!" She is absolutely precious.

I thought I'd also throw in my latest version of ceramic coin beads. I like the way these came out so I think I'll make some more :O)

Our First Bead Wood Fire

These are awesome in person. I have been tempted to keep them myself and make my own necklace since I'm sure they will get tons of compliments. I just can't decide how I would string them to make them stand out the most. I'll keep them listed for a while, but if they don't sell soon, the temptation may get to be too much. I keep them next to me since I love looking at them while I'm on the computer. The process is very time consuming, the product worth it. We'll try some more in the next firing that will be a few months away. Check out my husband's blog to learn more about wood fire (splitfirepottery.blogspot.com). He's the one who actually does the work ;o) I did the sanding and glazing....and posting, of course!

Porcelain Pearls

From that little side order of black ceramic beads, I made a ceramic pearl necklace with a bracelet to match. I can't give away who this gift is for just in case she views my blog. I've added an extension chain so that she can wear it at various lengths.

They're Glazed....

Here's a few pics of what it looks like once my beads are glazed and then put in the kiln. In this firing, I've added a couple of name signs that my nieces glazed when they were here this weekend. It's Thanksgiving and I'm passing the time away before we go out to eat. Tomorrow I should hopefully, be able to post how exciting it is to open the kiln. I LOVE it!!!