A Quick Post

  A long week of running here and there.  Just a quick post before I'm out the door again.  Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!  All the best, Heather

The Cabochon Workshop

A special "thanks" to all of the wonderful women who joined me for the cabochon workshop this past weekend.  Pictured above are some lovely student cabs.  Fabulous work!!!  It was a blast to talk and create with such a talented group of ladies.  Thank you again!

Cinco de Mayo

Break out the sombrero!  Arizonans love to celebrate the 5th of May with their neighbors to the south.  A bright, festive color palette is featured in my newest lampwork creation.  Gotta love the little cactus.  I'm off to hang the piñata and find a broom handle.  Feliz el Cinco de Mayo mis amigos!

Full Set View

A little bit of what I have been up to the last few weeks...

In March, I was thrilled to be chosen as one of the artists in an upcoming Beads of Courage E-book.  I finished my portion of the tutorial project which included hours of demo work, detailed text and some great photography by Lauren Sellers (my talented daughter).  The book will contain between 15-20 fun tutorials and be available for purchase later this Summer.

Beads of Courage is an innovative, arts-in-medicine program for children coping with serious illnesses, their families, and the health care providers who care for them.  My service through Beads of Courage is deeply personal.  Joshua (my son) was born with a life-threatening heart defect know as Tetralogy of Fallot and underwent open-heart surgery at the age of 4 months.  In 2006, I lost my dear Mother to a brain cancer.  I'm proud to be a part of the great service provided to countless children and their families worldwide.  Here is a great video spotlighting the project:

 

CBS Sunday Morning: Beads of Courage

 



That's Bananas No. 3

A bit of monkey business emerged from the kiln this morning.  The upcoming week will be filled with finishing up photography for a tutorial deadline.  I'm off to set up the tripod and fire up the torch.  Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

Early Bird Discount

Registration starts tomorrow (Friday, April 19) for Summer Classes!  An Early Bird discount runs the first week of registration with the code word “Summer”.  It is a 10% discount on up to two classes.  Register online or by phone (480) 644-6500.

Mesa Arts Center on Tuesdays from 7pm to 10:30pm

June 4th - 25th Session:  CAS13GL009-02

July 2nd - 30th Session:  CAS13GL009-22

Springtime in the Desert

 

Spring is spawning from the dry sands of the desert.  The harsh and often unforgiving terrain is alive with color and life.  The temperature is a comfortable 83'F with a slight breeze.  Off to pick up some bait and head to the lake for some fishing.  Catfish be warned! 

dots and what not

A day filled with dots and what not.

  

The back story:  Sadly, I have never been keen on this multi-purpose shaper... if fact, the sight of it bothered me for years.   What is that old breakup line?  "It isn't you, it's me".   Thus, the tool has sat on my shelf, collecting a coat of shameful dust.  Contrary to what you might be thinking, it isn't a bad tool.  I never gave the shaper a fair chance.  Maybe I felt a bit overwhelmed with the larger bead size?  Thankfully, I gave it another try.  After 2 days of "playing", I discovered a new appreciation for the nifty tool. 

Laurie's Fish

Stopped by the Mesa Arts Center last Monday and watched Laurie Nessel create some wonderful gravity swirls.  This little guy caught my eye.  No doubt, one of Laurie's marvelous creations.  Isn't he adorable beyond words.  Enjoy! 

Mish Mash

A bit of dichro and silver glass mish mash from a few weeks back.  Yes, I'm that behind on photos.  Hopefully it won't become a habit.  Happy beading!

Heart Sliders

Mix and match heart sliders for bracelets, necklaces or a fun craft project.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend!

Wee Viking Dude

Just finished a silly little set.  The rounds (including the wee Viking) measure 13mm.  His perfectly quaffed mustache and fine horned helmet would draw the envy of any true Celtic seafarer.  How cute would this little guy be in Minnesota's color scheme of purple and gold?  I will have to add that to my "to do" list.

Butterfly Cabochons

Lovely pastel cabochons emerged from the kiln this morning.  Join me in May for a cabochon workshop at the Mesa Arts Center and learn to make your own lovely cabochons.   Hope you have a great day!

Easter Pastels 2013

Cabochon Workshop

Discover glass cabochons and create art in the process.  This intermediate level workshop will take you on a step by step journey into the world of flameworking glass cabochons.  You will learn how to use a bench torch and soft glass to create unique cabochons.  Imagination is the limit!

Mesa Arts Center on May 12th from 3pm to 6pm.

To register click here or register by phone:

Phone:  (480) 644-6500

Class Section:  CAW13GLW051-01

Materials list:
Glass, cabochon mandrels, bead release, matches, stainless steel tweezers, didymium safety glasses or ACE glasses, desired shaping tools. 

Optional Mandrel Kit available to Purchase:
Students may purchase a $14 cabochon kit which includes one 7/8" cabochon mandrel and two inserts.  (limit 2 kits per student)

Space is limited and optional kits are priced with a special group discount for students. Good luck!

Gone Camping

I will be back soon!

Marbles

I had the pleasure of attending a demo by Laurie Nessel on Monday.  She used a bench minor to create a fabulous marble from soft glass.  If you are in the Phoenix area, I highly recommend attending her informative flameworking class.

On another note, the pictures were taken with a new Nikon D3200 24.2 MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens with UV filter from 3 feet away, no flash, no tripod. I'm thrilled with the quality of the photo.  I look forward to discovering the limits of my Nikon in future lampwork tutorials.

Flameworking Classes

  

Great news!  I will be joining the Mesa Arts Center as a lampwork instructor.  Class sign ups for the 2013 Summer Semester will be available in April.  The Beginning to Advanced class will explore an array of techniques including:

designing 101

creating stringers

stringer and dot control

shaping/sculpting techniques

making the most of silver glass

creating encased floral focals

dichroic embellishment

the art of enamel

and silver foil

Currently, I have the pleasure of observing the extremely talented Laurie Nessel and getting to know her fabulous students.  Some of Laurie's beautiful work can be found in issues of The Flow Magazine.

All the best,
Heather

Ladybug Jamboree



How on this green earth does a ladybug set make me crave homemade strawberry pie?  Maybe it is the childhood memory of the lush green combined with the juicy red found in my mother's strawberry patch.  I could usually find a ladybug hiding under the vibrant foliage.  Off to cure my sweet tooth with a strawberry limeade.  Enjoy!

Slow Down

Every morning, I look toward the mountains: 

Quiet, peaceful, strong.

My thoughts often drift to their grand embrace.

Hard surface rising into the clear azure sky, a wash of soft hues.

Their majesty blanketed by clouds,

Stoney grace cloaked in serene mist.

Where glaciers once carved their steep upward face,

Life springs forth from the heavy, cutting rain.

Breathtaking vistas await the one who is willing to scale the hard path.

How often is that the story of one's life?

Feet bruised from the difficult trails.

When I look upon the mountains, my mind wanders to my dear friends.

Some struggling in their personal climbs.

Many pathways chosen, but some placed at their feet by the ones they love. 

How different their approaches to life's trials.

I hope you take a moment to slow down, breathe,

And find joy in the place where the mountain meets the sky.