the season of Fall

I'm really enjoying the "cooler" weather if one can call it that.  At least it's not in the triple digits anymore, so I'm happy! The last few weeks have been pretty interesting for me as I try to learn how to paint with acrylics, and learn how to appreciate art.

I'm not that great at painting and I really don't see myself as a painter, but it is fun!  The art appreciation class has opened my eyes to the way I actually look at art, and since I always thought of myself as a glass "Artist", this really comes in handy. Even though I have taken workshops, over the years I've tried to become  my own "original" type of artist. With this class, I came to realize I have no real clue about art, which put me at a great disadvantage.  My pursue in these classes is more beneficial than I ever thought they could be.  I look forward to Fall turning into Winter as my mind absorbs all that I'm learning.

On another note, I haven't put away my glass, my kiln is getting hot right now as the new palette for a fellow student is currently fully fusing in there. This time it's a Longhorn (per her request of course:)   A few years back I purchased a Bullseye stricker glass that has a hue of a dark yellow, which is supposed to tun into a deep orange....I hope it turns out that way.

I am also working on my stained glass window that I had hoped to finish by the end of last July, but hoping doesn't work by itself.... No deadlines for myself, just working on it one weekend and one piece at a time.

Happy Fall everyone!

functional glass art to create art!!!

The cooler air is here and even though the high's were in the 90's, it was such a relief to wake up to cooler temperatures and low humidity!

It was pleasure to work in the garage this weekend with the fan going and watching all the interesting little bugs that were out and about.  I really didn't think about taking pictures until this large beautiful Tiger Swallowtail butterfly landed on my hibiscus flowers and was feeding long enough for me to run in and get the camera.

Now while all the action was outside with the butterflies and interesting bugs, I was cutting Bullseye Tetka glass into 11" diameter circles for a couple my fellow students.

During our first painting class (with acrylics), the instructor told us the easiest material to use as a palette to mix colors is glass.  He had created a palette from a picture frame glass, that included a sheet of white paper between the glass and a card-broad backing, taped along the edges with electrical tape. I followed his instructions and I created this palette. It was very functional and easy to use, but not easy to clean. By the time I completed my first painting, the cardboard was wet and soggy and so was the white paper.  I would have to find more card board and re tape everything....  not working for me.

So I went home and thought about how I can make this painting class easier for me.  Well, that's when I came up with creating my own palette by fusing two 11" diameter circles of Bullseye Tetka glass and adding a little "flower art" to it. Easy to use, easy clean and not bad to look at either:).  So this weekend, upon the request from a couple of my fellow students, who were having the same issues, I created 2 more palettes (with their favorite colors!).  I hope they enjoy using them as much as I do.

Time of change

I don't have any cute pictures to post or new art projects to talk about.  Today I've decided to make a few changes in my world.  I have closed my (stagnate) website, closed my "business" with the state and deleted my listings from my Etsy shop. I didn't create, push or pursue enough of anything to create a real business. Today, I felt that I needed to make these changes for myself so I can continue to grow in my own world and make myself happy.

Currently, my oldest son, who will be graduating college in December, plans to move out of state to "find" himself, as many of us do at his age:)  My daughter, is entering her freshman year of college and just moved into her new dorm room this weekend.  My youngest son is 16 and is entering his junior year of high school come Monday.  For now, his plans include going to an out of state college (that will all depend on scholarships & if he gets any:)

My youngest doesn't keep me as busy as my daughter did, so I too will be starting classes this coming week. My classes are not about learning and pursuing a "new" career, but to expand my mind intellectually, and my creative side as well.  I'm not sure just where all of this will lead me, but I do know it will lead me somewhere.    

 Time is always in motion and nothing ever stays the same.   It is my time of change.........

  

Up-cycled T's

It's always nice to find something to do with the old clothes that your children no longer want but will use if you get creative with them.

Every year before school gets ready to start, I ask my kids to go through their clothes and bag the clothes they have grown out of to make room for new school clothes.  We usually donate the old clothes, but this year since my daughter is getting ready to leave for college I knew that she was going to "bag" some clothes that she felt she was too "old" to wear.  Before sending everything off to the donation bin I went through the clothes and picked out her favorite t-shirts she wore in high school and made some small "comfort" pillows. 

When she saw what I was making, she just fell in love with them! I ran out stuffing as she was choosing more t-shirts she wanted me to make into pillows!  She's even having me make some for her friends too!

The worn cotton t-shirts and the fluffy stuffing are so soft that it makes them not only comfortable but huggable as well!  We're planning on adding pom-pom's to all the pillows!

  

Seahorse & Kitty cat bowls

It's amazing that the summer months are flying by so fast.  There so much left to do and so little time to do it in.
When I started my dichro pendants this year, (seahorses & starfishes) I thought I wanted to keep them simple and go the traditional route of putting plain bails on them or wire wrap them.  Neither of those ideas worked out for me, so I am back to placing little charms on the back of my pendants. I guess that's just me.

So today I'm shipping out my first seahorse with a little dolphin charm attached to it and a couple of the cat bowls to some feline family members on the east coast.

Diamond in the rough shines bright today!!!

Back in May I mentioned that I bought a $5.00 solid wood coffee table from a garage sale. It was neglected, scratched up, chewed in some places and it looked like it was ready for the trash!! Well I could see past all the damage and took it home. Over the past few weekends I spent time sanding, fixing and finally stained it.


Now it's MY new beautiful solid wood coffee table! 


I am thinking of adding some glass art to the sides of the table.  When I come up with a design that I think will compliment it, I will be adding it! 

He's enjoying them!

My follow up of the up-cycled TopoChico bottles turned to drinking glasses seems to be a success!

Here are the pictures that were sent to me.

I think I'll be up-cycling a little more!