Here we are. September.

 The weather is turning cooler. The days are shortening at an alarming pace.

Damn.

I have worked on many different glass projects this summer.

This is a glass on glass mosaic that has been planted in my front garden.

I have finished another circle and started a new mosaic of a flower.

My goal is to replicate this picture of one of my flowers - 

My bees are doing well. I did a successful walk away split that created its own queen.

The new queen is in the middle of this picture. I was so excited. Since this happened in the middle of July the new hive has been doing really well.

I now have three hives.

I love seeing my bees pollinating flowers in my garden and in the fields on my walks. It was a great year for sunflowers in my garden and the bees loved them.

I walk daily with my Sam. 

He has been a great addition to our household and gets me outside at least twice everyday for good walks.

I routinely find feathers on our adventures.

As well as many other critters. On this day we found six baby snapping turtles that had just hatched.

SO COOL!

I am really going to miss the flowers of summer.

Other end of summer thoughts - 

Our garden did very well this summer and is now winding down. 

I continue to create beads and try to improve my lampworking skills. I've got over 100 beads ready to ship to Beads of Courage this month.

I learned how to make glass chain this summer.

I continue to enjoy keeping track of area wildlife via my trail camera. I check weekly and have found many interesting animals including deer, mink, skunk, squirrels, coyote, and this fox.

Keeping the kiln warm,

~ Julie

Early May 2020

The first week of May finds us Safe at Home.

I am trying to continue to make art each day. Many times this will consist of just a hand full of beads for Beads of Courage, but it gets my kiln warm and sometimes it spurs a new idea. I do love experimenting with animals and animal heads for the kids.

We have had some warm weather and are in the process of getting the garden prepped for seeds and starts. We will start planting as soon as it is warm enough, but we are expecting freezing temperatures over night for the next few days.

I love this time of the year with the tulips, daffodils, magnolia and dandelions blooming.

I have one bee hive that is very active. I lost my other hive in April, but I'm getting a new package of bees this week. The package will include a new queen and bees so I can continue to have at least two hives this summer.

Recently I sold a few pieces on Etsy.

I enjoy making these assembly pieces. There are a lot of flowers that make up one piece, but it is so enjoyable to put them together and have them become a larger assembled wall hanging.

It is difficult to ship these pieces. The flowers are somewhat fragile. 

I haven't heard yet, but I hope they made it to their destination and didn't break in shipping.

~Julie

April

The weather has been nice this week, so not much glass. I did finish a fused and stained glass garden piece last week. I used float glass and enamels to create the circles and then put them together with copper foil and solder. I think it turned out really nice.

 

I also played with murrini and created a small round of just murrini. I'm not sure if I will create a bowl with it or not. Right now it's hanging in my studio.

Other News -
Both bee hives are still alive this far, but one is very weak. I ordered another package of bees just in case I loose my weak hive. I still want at least two hives going into summer. We, my husband and I made new hives and I painted them last week in the warm sun.

We are still sheltering in place except for groceries. I got my sewing machine out and dusted off to make masks for myself and my husband so that we could be a bit safer in our travels outside the house.

We are fostering a dog from the local Humane Society. I may fail at this foster business. Sam, our foster dog, is very easy. He stays close to me on walks, doesn't get up on furniture, rarely barks and is somewhat calm.

He may have to stay with us.

Spring is here. The frogs are singing. Some flowers are blooming.

Stay healthy!

~ Julie

At Home

At home . . .

For and indefinite time we are home bound to avoid Covid-19 version of the Corona Virus. As a retired introvert, I am used to being alone and spend a lot of time at home. I really enjoy listening to podcasts and books while I work on glass projects. Soon it will be warm enough to get outside and tend to my gardens and bees. It does feel weird to have all activities cancelled for the next month.

Here is a project that I just finished -

The lampworked glass poppies, made from various shades of red, are on wires that are attached to the copper pipe. The pipe was then covered with florist tape to cover it and the attaching wires. It's around 9 inches long and each end has a loop to hang it either vertically or horizontally. 

This fresh poppy wall art would brighten any small area and is for sale on my Etsy site.

Keeping the kilns warm,

~ Julie

March -Flowers & Earrings

I have been working on some new earring ideas in the last week.

I enjoy coming up with new ideas. Here are some blue flowers that have been made into earrings.



Here are some that I'm excited about. They are clear with a red base and hollow to make sure they don't get too heavy for earrings. I have been wearing them since they came out of the kiln this morning and love them.

Today was a very sun filled day with blue skies. The sun was streaming in through the window and it offered a wonderful chance to take a few photos. I've been working on a new flower ring and it looked lovely with the sun shining through it even though it was a cold day in Wisconsin.

Keeping the kiln warm,

~ Julie

New Work - February 2020

I have a new earring design that I have been playing with. 

They are small and colorful, yet easy to wear. 

Right now they are my favorites. 

I have been working a lot behind the torch this month.

Here is a new flower compilation that I created.

It can hang on a wall and brighten a small space.

I can add leaves and bees to the composition.

I've also been working on a whimsical bird type animal. Playing with feathers and toes/talons.

I'm trying to determine how best I want to put this guy together. He is still a work in progress.

Keeping the kilns warm,

~ Julie 

Recycled Glass

I have been working with recycled glass. This glass had former life as a house window.  This glass is called float glass because of the process of making it. It melts at a different temperature from art glass and tends to be 'stiffer' than other glass that I work with.

If color isn't added, recycled glass has a greenish tint after fusing it.
I love to color this recycled glass with enamels.

Here are a few of my latest items out of the kiln -

This shallow bowl is lovely. Here is the Etsy listing for it.

This bowl is smaller and has an organic shape. I love how the colors are bright and engaging.

I also have been playing with recycled glass and suncatchers. Each petal needs to be colored and then fused.

I find it fascinating that the flower's orange center looks very different in different lights.
Both pictures above are the same glass flower. Etsy Listing.

Here is another - 

Keeping the kilns warm,

~ Julie

January Glass

I have three pieces for sale at a small art center, Riverfront Arts, in Steven's Point. It is a garden in art show. Last year I sold two out of the three pieces that I exhibited during this show. I'm excited to see how this year goes.

I've been working on some new glass pieces. Today was a round blank for a bowl using some lovely green colors. This is in the kiln now. I look forward to opening the kiln tomorrow morning.

 






I also have played with Leatherbow's crackle technique recently. I have had mixed results, but I learned a bunch and will keep trying this technique.

Here is a bowl that mostly turned out. The back is a bit ugly.

I have also been working behind the torch. This month's challenge from the beginning lampwork Facebook group is to make snowmen, trees, and penguins for a small diorama. Here are a few of my first beads.

I also have just completed the 40 bead challenge. This challenge is to make 40 dot beads with regular rods and no tools. It teaches heat control & creativity, and is great practice. Here are my beads -

Keeping the kilns warm,

~ Julie