Jumping Through Hoops
I’ve just begun my foray into hammering and torching metal, but I have to say — it’s a blast.  However, I’m quickly learning that the metal will do what the metal will do, and I haven’t mastered the art of always letting it know who’s the boss. photo by RioGrande.com Recently, one of my customers asked me to make her a pair of hoop earrings.  She wanted a continuous circle, with the ear wire integrated into the hoop .  No p

Creativity and the Art of Napping
I find that when I am making beads and things aren’t going to plan, I get frustrated and super-focused on that “if you first don’t succeed, try, try again” adage. Well, I can tell you that I have a lot of “Oh Sh*t Flat Fish” from that type of attitude.  Sometimes trying harder doesn’t make it better.  Sometimes you just need to walk away and take a nap. I have two sleepy places in my house.  First, of course, is my bed.  It has fluffy pillows and smooth, soft cool sheets and it is my favorite place to dream.  It comes complete with a hot wate

Combining Glass Melting Techniques
I’ve been away at Glass Camp at Austin Texas’ Blue Moon Glassworks with Jim and Rose Berry.  What a blast!  I was invited to come visit and learn how to fuse, and make stained glass pieces.  While I was there,  I also taught a lampworking class. But I wanted to show you one of the things I learned how to do.  I made a slumped plate with Jim’s help.  He taught me how to cut glass.  (I knew how to melt it, but not cut it properly) so a small square plate was decided upon for my first project.

Halloweeny is Done
[Halloweeny was really done before Halloween!  As you can see...things have been a little slow around here and I'll be getting caught up shortly.  Thanks for continuing to follow along!  --Lori G.] —— I finally finished the Halloween necklace I have been posting about lately. I went with multiple strands off hand-braided and beaded cotton cord, opted not to include the coiled wire beads, and I knotted the lampworked beads randomly into two cords. Here is the result: I’m n

A Happier State of Mind
“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” ~ George Santayana I am more like hopefully in love with all the seasons. In early October I was surprised to see snow that did not stop all day long. Welcome to Wisconsin, where winter comes early. Luckily, it didn’t stay. Okay, not that much anyway. This year I have been