Handmade Christmas gifts hit or miss

 I'm taking a few minutes this morning for myself before the day gets busy. The nice thing is that my clients are in California so my work and communication with them technically starts at 11am central, and goes late into the evening. I don't mind since I can enjoy a cup of coffee before I start my day.

This year I asked my family what they wanted for Christmas and  a few of them wanted something handmade by me.  Since none of them read my blog I can share.  My daughtrs BF is the sweetest guy and he is plant lover with a green thumb and loves nature!  When he asked me to make something for him, I thought about the colors he loves, the butterfiles that always seem to land on him and all of the green plants he takes care of in his home.   I pulled out my glass, cooper foil,  soldering tools, and patina. The black patina I'm not sure I should have used, but in the end I did. 

It's been rainy grey days lately, and I hope when the sunshine though this, the colors will be vibrant.

I also  made fused glass tiles for the boxes I had ordered.  I created glass dots for the flowers and used a cake decorating tip and bag to draw out the lines, leaves and initals with a mix of aloe vera and powdered glass.  I think I'd like to take a cake decorating class as it would convey with this mixture.  Once you push the glass out through the tip is stays exactly as its created and dries.  So with a tac fuse of 1350 degrees in the kiln, the shape is still there.

I'm done creating in the studio for now, and just need to clean up so my daughter can take over and start creating while she's here.  I stocked the studio with bueatiful colors of glass and can't wait to see what she creates!

  

Thanksgiving and getting creative!

 It has been such a great last couple of weeks! Where do I start!

My friend Debra, who is from Canada, was traveling parts of the world for the last couple of months, and her last stop before going back home was my house. We met at a glass workshop back in 2009 and hit it off right away, becoming very close friends. She flew in on Thanksgiving with her beau, whom he was very nice, and my hubby got along with him very well.  They had some important things in common, football and fishing!

We all had a wonderful time with with them and family over at Thanksgiving dinner!  It was good food with insteresting and fun conversations.  I did miss my daughter since she is still out of the country- but I am glad that she will be home for Christmas.

The first thing Debra and I had to do while the guys were out fishing on the lake, was to get Santa pictures together!

Since my friend is a glass artist I had planned on making some art in my studio with her but first I had to get the mosiac off the floor.  So while she was busy on her I pad, I FINALLY installed it around the side window of my art studio.  I wasn't sure about the "Deep Ocean "grout, but I think it makes the white pop. After the holidays I'll work on the mosaics for the front two windows.

Since the floor in the studio was clear, I was able to set up a table for us to both work.  I purchased these lovely 6"x6" boxes that are lined with black velvet and have a lip on the lid to hold a tile in place.

As she created a couple of glass art tiles for herself, I was busy creating mine for Christmas gifts. We had a great time together!

I gifted myself one (completely unlike the others I made) to keep my tiny cat patterns and fused glass cat elements in it. 

Sunday we all went downtown late in the afternoon to catch the live music and window shop at the Market Square.  San Antonio had the Christmas River Parade and the lighting the night before we decided to go. It was great timing for us since it wasn't over crowded.  Parking was easy, there was no wait to get a table for dinner.  I don't remember the last time I went downtown to walk the riverwalk and see all the Christmas lights.  It was such a nice festive feeling walking around and looking at everything. I do appreciate the mild South Texas weather in December.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.