Otter in the Tub No. 2

My bathtub is occupied at the moment... this seems to be an ongoing issue.

Snack time with Koala

Just a quick reminder to pack a healthy snack for work.  Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Helium and String

One day young hippo had a wish,

Not to swim like a silly fish.

He wanted to learn how to fly,

And soar into the wild, blue sky.
 

His lifelong goal would be granted soon.

For hippo found a bright red balloon.

With the help of some helium and a string,

Hippo accomplished his flying dream.

 

So little hippos, what lesson has been taught?

Yes, it is important to tie a good knot...

But with some help from helium and string,

Hippos can accomplish magical things.

-Heather M. Sellers

Nocturnal Struggle

Ever had a friend who stays up all night.  Just hanging around, catching bugs...  then in the morning they complain about the puffy bags and dark rings under their eyes.  The struggle is real.  #dontjudge #nocturnalstruggle

Revamp of Calico Kitty

Feeling stuck in a routine with the same old, same old?  Flip back into your design portfolio, choose a random design, and give it an update!  Change a few lines, add a few new colors and voilà!  Something fresh with a twist of "you".  Hope you have a wonderful weekend finding pleasure in your art.   

Taming the Dragon

Second attempt at the Cerura vinula design pictured above.

Confession:  Creating a new sculptural design is always a learning process.  Even after 11 years at the torch, I find some designs extremely challenging.  During the torching process, mistakes occur when I hit the proverbial wall.  

The heat...

the challenge... 

minutes ticking away...

pure exhaustion of the mind and hands...

the breaking point when one chooses to continue or surrender to the beckon of the quenching bowl. 

Three hours into the first torch session for the design, I forgot to add the layered dots on the caterpillar's side.  Truth be told, I am my worst critic.  After the initial attempt, I reassess the approach, reorder the steps, tighten the techniques, adjust the proportions, rethink the glass color choices, and reassure myself that I can do better next time. 

The first attempt pictured above. 

Henna No.2

Color testing CiM Pimento:  a bright, tomato red.

Soda Lime Times - October 2015

Explore the wild side of glass in the latest issue of Soda Lime Times.  Now available for instant download, the eMagazine features some wonderful designs by Kerri Fuhr, Marcy Lamberson, and Sharon Peters.  Always an honor to contribute to such a wonderful glass publication.  Enjoy!

Late Night Snack

While the cat is away, the mice will play.  Here we have the little guy caught in the act.  I'm guessing Swiss is his treat of choice.  What is your favorite type of cheese?

Mod Dots

Munch Munch

A naughty snail munching on leaves. 

Arrrgh! It's Bead Mutiny!

Shiver me timbers!  Th' scurvy pirate be ready fer an adventure on th' high seas!

Boys need beads too

I think we tend to associate beads with girlie-girl jewelry, however some of my favorite beads are designed for boys.  They can be strung on a backpack clip or lanyard.  This one is for my nephew, however the design would be great for Beads of Courage donations.  Real life superheroes do not always wear capes!

The Big News

Beads of Courage Design Challenge

presented by Jewelry Television
Creativity in Full Circle sponsored by 
Soft Flex Company 

Over the last few months, I have had the pleasure of working on an exciting, top secret project.  Remember these?

 Children in the Beads of Courage Program were asked to create drawings which represent a specific word. After the drawings were finished, the fabulous designs were paired with glass artists.  The artist created beads based on the original drawing.  Size, color, detail, and quality were of utmost importance to convey the design artist's idea.  Truly a project born of fire, glass, and love.  I am honored to be one of the artists chosen to bring a special bead to life, specifically the "Peace" design.

Talented jewelry designers were commissioned by Soft Flex Company to create one of a kind designs featuring the glass beads.  The special jewelry collaboration will be on exhibit at the 2014 Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee.  Sara Oehler, talented designer/writer and Soft Flex Sales/Marketing Manager, originally announce the partnership on the "Soft Flex Girl" blog back in April:

Soft Flex Blog 

All of the limited edition bead designs will be unveiled on June 5th in Milwaukee.  For those of you attending the Bead & Button Show, stop by the Beads of Courage and Soft Flex Company booths.  Beads of Courage will have a booth located in the lobby to view the finished designs, fall in love, and purchase one! The sale proceeds will benefit Beads of Courage.  Beads of Courage will have all the focal beads of the Bead Design Challenge for sale at their booth as well.  These are VERY limited edition, so don't wait!  A few will be available at www.beadsofcourage.org/beaddesignchallenge starting Friday.  Donation receipts will be available.

The Beads of Courage Mission Statement: We are growing every day, providing innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them.

Beads of Courage
Soft Flex Company

Bead and Button Show
Jewelry Television 

Special thanks to the Soft Flex Company, their products are beyond fabulous.  Visit them online, connect with them on Facebook, or check out their Bead & Button Show booths in person: 525, 527, 626, 628.  


Check back for updates from the Bead & Button Show.  Until then, happy beading!