They do say that your dreams have meanings enfolded within.
Last night I dreamed that our kitchen had fallen into the crawlspace below - guess that MEANS no more cooking for me!!:-)
At the same time our dark and dingy back shed had turned into a sunny, warm bricked in area that I remember saying was going to make a PERFECT spot for torching!
Poor hubby on the other hand was dreaming of grocery shopping, and being lost and unable to get back home - now THAT is a depressing dream!
My best friend was stealing beads from me in her sleep, she tells me they were very cool ones with eyes on them. Should I be worried about this turn of events?
Thursday 28 February 2008
Monday 25 February 2008
I'm Upgrading!
Yup, today I am going to order things!! It's exciting and nerve racking, and it's going to be a huge learning curve, I'm sure I'll be back at square one for a while getting used to all the extra heat and trying to figure out how in heck to program a kiln, but I'm dreaming of all things I'll be able to do that I can't do now -wooohooo!! Everything's coming from the folks at Artistry In Glass who I would recommend to anyone, great prices, wonderful service and normally orders ship very quickly. This one I'll have to wait a couple of weeks for because they'll need to get the kiln and oxycon in for me.
Here's what I'm ordering -
JenKen BK3 - I've heard good reports, it's a decent size and comes with the digital controller, it's got the bead door so I can anneal beads as I go or batch anneal if I prefer, it plugs into a 120 (regular) outlet. I did look into getting a kiln that would fire ceramics as well, but it would have meant having to move up to a 240 (stove/drier) plug which is just not feasible at the moment. This one is large enough so that I can experiment with some fusing and other projects if I want to. I know a couple of people with this kiln also so I can hopefully get some help setting up annealing schedules.
Nortel Mega Minor - Originally I was torn between the Nortel Minor and a Mini CC torch. The Mini CC sounded great but I was a little concerned because a lot of people were commenting that the knobs get hot, especially if it's being run on one oxycon. I got the feeling that to use this torch to its fullest capacity it would need tanked oxy or two oxycons. The Minor is a very popular alternative to the CC, many lampworkers use them, especially as their first oxy-propane torch. Then! Tadaaa! Nortel came out with a new torch! The Mega Minor - I read reviews and any info I could find on this torch, it is a step up from the Minor and from what I've read runs hot and really well on just one oxycon. Hot enough to do borocilicate glass! And it's RED! What more could you ask??
M15 Oxycon - There is a lot of discussion about what is best tanked oxygen or an oxygen concentrator or generator. I don't think there is much doubt that tanked oxygen is purer and can generate more heat. For me the thought of dealing with oxygen tanks and having to get them filled just did not work. I don't know why but I find the thought of a huge oxygen tank chained to the wall far more intimidating than a bbq tank of propane sitting outside my window. That said I had to figure out which Oxycon to go with. I chose this one because - it's what my supplier sells, so I can get it from within Ontario, but also this model has an oxygen booster available should I require one in the future if I upgraded to a really big torch ;o) ...no that's not on my radar at the moment, but looking at the charts for this model and the Mega Minor torch I should have more than enough heat to keep me happy for a long time! I know someone who's using this model and she's very happy with it.
Here's what I'm ordering -
JenKen BK3 - I've heard good reports, it's a decent size and comes with the digital controller, it's got the bead door so I can anneal beads as I go or batch anneal if I prefer, it plugs into a 120 (regular) outlet. I did look into getting a kiln that would fire ceramics as well, but it would have meant having to move up to a 240 (stove/drier) plug which is just not feasible at the moment. This one is large enough so that I can experiment with some fusing and other projects if I want to. I know a couple of people with this kiln also so I can hopefully get some help setting up annealing schedules.
Nortel Mega Minor - Originally I was torn between the Nortel Minor and a Mini CC torch. The Mini CC sounded great but I was a little concerned because a lot of people were commenting that the knobs get hot, especially if it's being run on one oxycon. I got the feeling that to use this torch to its fullest capacity it would need tanked oxy or two oxycons. The Minor is a very popular alternative to the CC, many lampworkers use them, especially as their first oxy-propane torch. Then! Tadaaa! Nortel came out with a new torch! The Mega Minor - I read reviews and any info I could find on this torch, it is a step up from the Minor and from what I've read runs hot and really well on just one oxycon. Hot enough to do borocilicate glass! And it's RED! What more could you ask??
M15 Oxycon - There is a lot of discussion about what is best tanked oxygen or an oxygen concentrator or generator. I don't think there is much doubt that tanked oxygen is purer and can generate more heat. For me the thought of dealing with oxygen tanks and having to get them filled just did not work. I don't know why but I find the thought of a huge oxygen tank chained to the wall far more intimidating than a bbq tank of propane sitting outside my window. That said I had to figure out which Oxycon to go with. I chose this one because - it's what my supplier sells, so I can get it from within Ontario, but also this model has an oxygen booster available should I require one in the future if I upgraded to a really big torch ;o) ...no that's not on my radar at the moment, but looking at the charts for this model and the Mega Minor torch I should have more than enough heat to keep me happy for a long time! I know someone who's using this model and she's very happy with it.
Thursday 21 February 2008
Etched
It's too cold to torch, I know, I'm sounding like a broken record, or perhaps I should say a scratched cd. I'm antsy so I pulled out my old jar of etching cream and thought I'd try etching a couple of beads.
I didn't take before and after shots, but this first one I did not like much before etching, now its pretty dreamy
.
The second one was just downright ugly, but with a bit of etching I can almost imagine it as an ancient bead dug up from somewhere. It's still not my favourite but I think I saved it from the junk pile!
I didn't take before and after shots, but this first one I did not like much before etching, now its pretty dreamy
.
The second one was just downright ugly, but with a bit of etching I can almost imagine it as an ancient bead dug up from somewhere. It's still not my favourite but I think I saved it from the junk pile!
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Moo Moo Raku
I liked Jen's cow bead so much I had to give them a try myself, they are fun to make!
Here are Daisy and Ermintrude, Eustace now has two lovely ladies to keep him company, I just wish they would learn some manners and get their tongues out of their noses!
Then I did what I told myself I wouldn't do, I tried Raku ...again... why? I have no idea, I couldn't tell you if I wanted to.
This bead is called Raku Tears, it should be called Louise's Tears and you will understand why when you see that THIS is all the colour I can coax from this glass that should be bursting with blues, violets and oranges.
Here are Daisy and Ermintrude, Eustace now has two lovely ladies to keep him company, I just wish they would learn some manners and get their tongues out of their noses!
Then I did what I told myself I wouldn't do, I tried Raku ...again... why? I have no idea, I couldn't tell you if I wanted to.
This bead is called Raku Tears, it should be called Louise's Tears and you will understand why when you see that THIS is all the colour I can coax from this glass that should be bursting with blues, violets and oranges.
Friday 15 February 2008
Go To The Door Laughing
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome, and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows
Who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice
Go to the door laughing
And invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes
For each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.
~Rumi
For Stewart, thank you Duirwaigh for bringing me this poem.
Every morning is a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome, and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows
Who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice
Go to the door laughing
And invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes
For each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.
~Rumi
For Stewart, thank you Duirwaigh for bringing me this poem.
Tuesday 12 February 2008
My latest and favouritist
I love this little bead! I'm extremely happy because the pattern is even all the way round, the encasing is about as good as I have managed so far - it goes pretty much to the holes AND this little baby is so perfectly round! Usually I seem to end up with thicker encasing on one side of the bead than the other, but this bead was born pretty close to perfect :oD
It's one of my unboroboro beads. I had trouble photographing it, but this pic is pretty close to how it looks.
Look at how nice and round it is!!!
It's one of my unboroboro beads. I had trouble photographing it, but this pic is pretty close to how it looks.
Look at how nice and round it is!!!
February Ottawa Lampworkers Gathering
Our group of Ottawa area lampworkers is growing, on Sunday we met at Evelyn's house. Seven of us were there, Evelyn, Jen Muise, Jennifer Jakobs, Virginia, Charlie, Carole and myself. It is such fun to see everyone's creations, as we are all doing different things. We exchanged some beads this time and here is the stash I came away with. I've numbered them so that I can say who did what.
Numbers 1&2 are Evelyn's beads, she uses lots of frits in different sizes and colours and builds layers upon her beads - aren't they something! 3 is one of Jen's, I really like this bead, it makes me think of a very fancy cake when I stand it on end, 4 is one of Charlie's 'rejects' - I would be so happy to make something that looked like that, 5 is Useless Eustace the bull by Jennifer Jakobs, she's taken one of Sharon Peter's classes and is making beads that ooze with colour and fun, and 6 is from Carole - this one makes me think Jackson Pollock, it really is a miniature work of art. I think I did pretty good! I'm excited because I'm starting to get a little collection of other people's beads and they're very inspiring to look at and hold.
Numbers 1&2 are Evelyn's beads, she uses lots of frits in different sizes and colours and builds layers upon her beads - aren't they something! 3 is one of Jen's, I really like this bead, it makes me think of a very fancy cake when I stand it on end, 4 is one of Charlie's 'rejects' - I would be so happy to make something that looked like that, 5 is Useless Eustace the bull by Jennifer Jakobs, she's taken one of Sharon Peter's classes and is making beads that ooze with colour and fun, and 6 is from Carole - this one makes me think Jackson Pollock, it really is a miniature work of art. I think I did pretty good! I'm excited because I'm starting to get a little collection of other people's beads and they're very inspiring to look at and hold.
Saturday 9 February 2008
The Dark Side is Calling....
The dark side? Yes, borosilicate or boro glass. I keep seeing the most wonderful beads and vessels made from this glass. I am totally in love with the colours that swirl and create universes of such depth and beauty in these creations.
Here is just one for example -
This stunning vessel is made by Samma - see all the colours at play in the different angles of light - I am dreaming about this stuff at night! Samma is creating amazing vessels, if you like this one you should visit her blog by clicking here I am going to add it to my links.
Since I am using a hothead torch at the minute, boro is off-limits. I don't have enough heat to melt the glass. In order to work borocilicate glass you need a torch that uses both gas and oxygen. I am so obsessed at the minute I've gone back to experimenting with my unboroboro beads, they are looking quite pretty, but they are not the real thing...
Valentina, if you are looking at this I AM SORRY!! I KNOW I am supposed to be making you some silvery drop beads, please forgive me! I'm in a very dark place at the minute, I am trying hard not to let the Dark Side win! (yeah right!)
Here is just one for example -
This stunning vessel is made by Samma - see all the colours at play in the different angles of light - I am dreaming about this stuff at night! Samma is creating amazing vessels, if you like this one you should visit her blog by clicking here I am going to add it to my links.
Since I am using a hothead torch at the minute, boro is off-limits. I don't have enough heat to melt the glass. In order to work borocilicate glass you need a torch that uses both gas and oxygen. I am so obsessed at the minute I've gone back to experimenting with my unboroboro beads, they are looking quite pretty, but they are not the real thing...
Valentina, if you are looking at this I AM SORRY!! I KNOW I am supposed to be making you some silvery drop beads, please forgive me! I'm in a very dark place at the minute, I am trying hard not to let the Dark Side win! (yeah right!)
Thursday 7 February 2008
Wet Canvas Calendar 2008
Here's the Wet Canvas beadmaker's calendar for this year. I have some of my faces in the bottom right. It is a beautiful thing, so many different styles and colours - many of which have been created by my friends in the 'newbie' thread there. I have to say I don't see much that looks like 'newbie' work, except for one sweet blue bead that is someone's firstborn.
You can click on it! Go ON!! You know you want to!!! :o)
Monday 4 February 2008
Upcoming meeting of Ottawa Lampworkers
This Sunday we are having the second meeting of our local lampwork group. Evelyn - ShebaMakeda has kindly invited us all to her home. I'm looking forward to it! If you are an Ottawa area lampworker and are interested in joining our group let me know! We're a pretty relaxed bunch, just getting things off the ground with no great plans other than to be able to share and learn from each other.
Waiting
I feel like I'm waiting. Waiting for March, waiting for milder weather, waiting until I can really get back and at it. Waiting for my kiln, waiting for my big girl torch, waiting, waiting, waiting to use borocilicate glass. I'm pretty patient, but sometimes I get tired of waiting.
No beads to show at the minute, it's been too cold, I've had a couple of sessions at the torch but am not sure about the fruits of my labours, I'll post them later.
No beads to show at the minute, it's been too cold, I've had a couple of sessions at the torch but am not sure about the fruits of my labours, I'll post them later.
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