Unexpected

Some times the unexpected happens.

This past summer I purchased a beautiful yellow, orange and white piece of glass with a specific goal in mind. I wanted to create a strip cut bowl, a bowl made of strips of glass.

I cut the strips and assembled the bowl for it's first fusing paying careful attention to the pattern in the original piece of glass.

I had extra strips of glass and decided to use them to create a small square tile. 

During construction I was worried that the orange color might not present itself to show the pattern.

And.

This morning I pulled this from the kiln.

~ Julie

Saturday Wreaths and Glass

Today my husband and I were honored to be able to place wreaths for Wreaths Across America at the King Veterans Home. It turned out to be a beautiful day, not too cold with plenty of sunshine - perfect for walking the hill and placing wreaths next to grave stones.

 

I am smitten with sunflowers during this Wisconsin December.

Here is a new one in shades of blue and purple.

 

I love seeing the sun shine through it.

This sunflower will be in my Crystal Lake Glass Etsy shop either today or tomorrow.

~ 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

Two Warm Kilns

I have been both making beads and some recycled glass items.

Thus far this year I haven't made any Christmas items in glass. Until now. . .

I just couldn't not try to make a snowman. 

My beading skills are improving;-)

I also have been working with recycled (float) glass and enamels.

This is a small dish with bright enamel colors. I love that enamel will give the very subdued greenish hue of recycled glass very bright colors.

~ 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

Recycled Glass

Just out of the kiln.

Recycled glass.
Strips of glass fused together.
Slumped into a shallow tray mold.

 

I am now conflicted about whether it should be used as a tray or a piece of wall art.

Keeping the kiln warm.

~ Julie

Beads, Beads

I have been working on beads lately. My goal is to practice everyday to become more proficient at the basic bead creation. So, the issue becomes - what to do with the created beads. . .

I have decided on bracelets.

 

This has gotten me to also improve my jewelry making skills which were basically nonexistent prior to my bead/bracelet making this week.

Keeping the kiln warm.
~ Julie

Reduction Frit

I have worked behind a flame today and made some beads. Practicing with some new reduction frit.

If all goes well they will be a bracelet tomorrow.

Keeping the kiln warm.
~ Julie