New Year

2019 has been snowy in Wisconsin.
I was able to get out and continue walking which is good. I prefer snow over ice.

I have been both lampworking and fusing this past week.

I made simple beads for a new bracelet. The colors don't show well in this pict, but they are a pinkish with green - lovely. I am using a purchased frit blend from Val Cox to provide the color.

 

I created a recycled plate/dish with recycled glass and enamels for color. I think I'll call this one the starry night. It is dark with the black on the one side.

I finally slumped this dish and it turned out better than expected. I had created the glass round for slumping in a summer class that I took last August. I like how the colors work together.

Another project that has been sitting on the back of my bench was this vase. I created it by dropping glass through a drop out mold at least 5 years ago, but never cut off the top to make the vase.

I fixed my glass saw this week.

I loved it and was excited until is broke as I was smoothing/sanding the top to finish it off yesterday. I will have to drop another vase/glass now that my glass saw is fixed.

Keeping the kiln warm.

~ Julie

Snowy Day with Flowers

Wisconsin is having a very snowy day today.

This morning I pulled a new sunflower suncatcher from the kiln. I love the bright colors.

 

I just need to get it cleaned up and wired for hanging.

~ Julie

Walk in the Woods - Color Inspiration

Today was a great day for a walk in the woods. A great way to keep the step count up. I have been wearing a Fitbit for about 6 months and really try to get at least 10,000 steps in a day. Today's weather was cloudy, but warmer than it has been recently with a temperature of 34 degrees F. The warmer temps started melting the small amount of snow that has accumulated in the last week.

My walk provided great color inspiration.

Wilted leaves and small ferns in the snow.

Berries against a stark background of bark.

Moss on a log beneath the snow.

Now to get my latest creation into the kiln.

~ Julie

Enjoying the snow

We were very fortunate to get a foot of snow last weekend. 

I dug out my snowshoes for our afternoon walks. I walk twice per day, but my morning walk is during a pre-dawn hour. I'm fearful of stumbling in the morning darkness, so mornings are restricted to walking on the plowed road. There isn't much traffic at that hour.

Reuben, my reliable walking buddy, and I are waiting for the 

winter solstice and 

anticipating the time when each day increases in light length.

Reuben wasn't too sure about going through the fields, 

but after I broke the trail he was a bit more enthusiastic.

Much time in the last week has been spent trying to stay warm.

One lap of this field helps in that endeavor.

~ Julz

Small dishes . . . continued

Yesterday it snowed a few inches.

Rubedog loved it.

I am not sure the fiddlehead ferns had the same sentiment.

I continue to make small dishes.

They are offering me a chance to try decorating recycled glass and experimenting with different molds.

You can't tell from the picts, but these dishes are only 4 inches across.

Petite.

~ Julz