New Work

The birdbath bowl worked well for a large slump.

Sometimes I have issues slumping large projects. I used a conservative kiln schedule and it seemed to have worked well.

I am still into reactive glass.

This is a new color for me. It's Salmon Pink. 

I don't see the pink, it is a very pretty brown/tan.

It is finishing the slump into a dish right now in the kiln.

I also have been playing with more recycled glass and enamels.

I love the tie dyed look.

Keeping the kilns warm.

~ Julie

Staying warm

Wisconsin is cold and full of snow. Our last snow storm almost buried this garden art. 

I tend to create with flowers and colorful glass when the landscape outside gets bleak.

This is a bowl or bird bath in the kiln ready to fire.

I have been playing with Bullseye reactive glass. There are only two colors of glass, but when they are fused together they have a reaction that gives the darker outlines and a third color.

This is a small 8x8 plate. Lovely.

I have been working with lampworked flowers and creating them into hangable wall art. I thought a nice bee would be a great addition. This bee is my first attempt. It needs work, but I was proud of it.

A few of my lampworked flowers that will either become magnets or pins.

~ Julie

Cozy Beads

I am smitten with making flower beads and cabochons.

I have created a few each day for the last week.

I have some great ideas for using the flower beads in various creations.

Here is my first use -

My kombucha cozy is now bedazzled.

~ Julie

Crochet

When I was a child and teen I used to crochet. My grandmother taught me when I was very young. I always had my own technique, but it worked for me. Through my career I struggled with carpal tunnel symptoms, and crocheting aggravated these symptoms, so I put my needle down. I was looking for a good way to use my homemade beads and found drink/cup cozies. What a lovely way to use beads.

I love the idea of an item that is completly made by me. I crocheted the cozy, created the lampworked bead and put them together for a nice functional product. 💖

I then decided that my homemade kombucha that I brew on the counter was too cold this winter and needed it's own cozy.

This is my kombucha brewing on the counter. The large gray cozy that I made today just needs an ornament.

I have been making some new beads and flowers recently. I think I will find one to attach to this nice gray kombucha cozy.

Of course I needed an appropriately large bead to match the larger cozy. The new beads that I made this afternoon are annealing in the kiln. I should have a good choice to attach tomorrow.

Keeping the kiln warm.

~ Julie