Dragonfly

Another of the fun pieces I’ve been making!This time is has a green background and dark blue bugle beads. Some of the bugle beads are twisted which makes them look like they have color stripes. The background green color is called Wasabi. I just love that color! Actually green/orange/purple is one of my favorite color combos. Probably because they form a triangle on the color wheel. First I tried this one out with a large dark green cab in the center of the bottom of the frame, but it just didn’t look right. I like the orange and yellow cabs much better.

Oh, and I had a chance to make another one today. First sculptural piece. It turned out well, so pictures later.

center close-up

frame corner

January 14, 2012 · jo · No Comments
Tags: bugle bead, color wheel, dragonflies, dragonfly, polymer clay · Posted in: Uncategorized

Getting Ready for the Semester

Lizard

Lots of things going on today! I’m getting ready for the first day of teaching tomorrow. Syllabi to print out, web sites to get ready, department meetings to go to. I also dropped off a couple of pieces to the Clemson Art Center for the first ever Member’s Show. One of them is the piece I showed you yesterday.

This is the second piece in my new series. The first picture has the best color. It has 4 of my glass cabs at the corners, and the center is a fused glass/copper piece I did years ago. It wasn’t something I wanted to make into jewelry (which is all I was making then) but I held onto it in case I had an idea later. Now here it is!

All I can say is that I need to find a new source for bugle beads in different lengths and colors. I’m going through them fast! I also need to make time to go to the torch and make the fish for the sea picture I’m working on. Too fun!

The lizard hangs from a copper chain

Corner close-up

January 10, 2012 · jo · No Comments
Tags: bugle bead, copper, fusing, glass, lizard, polymer clay · Posted in: Uncategorized

New Work!

First new piece of 2012

I can tell that 2012 is going to be a good year for art for me. This is my first piece of the year in a new style I’m exploring. It starts with a plain wood frame. That gets covered in polymer clay. Then I add the glass pieces I’ve made. After that comes the beads. Once the frame has been baked I design the center. Yep, that’s right! The frame comes first, then what goes in the middle. I’m tremendously happy with how these pieces are coming out, and you can look forward to more pictures in the following days!

Now all I need are some new power tools so I can cut my own frames, and lots and lots of bugle beads. It is a good thing I’ve been collecting pieces-parts for years, or I wouldn’t have anything to put in the center of the frames.

clock parts!

close up of glass cab

January 9, 2012 · jo · No Comments
Tags: bugle bead, cab, clock part, frame, lampwork, polymer clay · Posted in: Uncategorized

March Classes!

Treat yourself to a vacation and glass learning in Las Vegas in March! I’ll be teaching classes at the Glass Craft Expo again this year. Should be loads of fun! There are still plenty of spaces left in the classes!

Soft glass murrini

Making Murrini, from the simple to the complex

We will be using soft glass to make murrini. Students will make signature cane, eye cane and learn how to assemble multiple canes into a single picture murrini.

The instructor will also bring opic molds and other murrini tools for students to try. Students bring: Appropriate eyewear, tungsten tweezers, 2 mandrells (at least 1/8: in diameter), murrini nippers and a marver (at least 2″ x 3″, larger is better).

This is a 2 day class. On the first day we will do simple cane and components, and on the second day we will assemble our components into larger pieces. It runs on Wed/Thurs March 28 and 29, from 9am-5pm. Beginners welcome!

Boro eye cane

Boro Eye Cane

We will make boro eye cane, both with round pupils and slit. It won’t just sit there though! We will explore different techniques for the application of the eyes, shaping the clear overlay, and the eyebrow ridge.

Students bring: Appropriate eyewear, tungsten tweezers, murrini nippers, marver and either a tungsten pick or a Handy Andy.

This is a one day class on Friday March 30th from 9am-5pm.

Soft Glass Buttons

Soft Glass Buttons

Students will first learn to make ribbon cane and latticino. We will then use them to make buttons, no mandrels required! We will explore metal shanks and glass shanks as well as shaping and forming the buttons, always with the jewelry designer in mind.

Students bring: Appropriate torch glasses, tungsten tweezers, marver, round nose pliers, wire cutters, long round ended hemostats and 2 feet of 16 gauge brass or copper wire. If you have a marble mold it will be helpful. You will also either need a tungsten pick or a Handy Andy.

This class is on Saturday March 31 from 8am – 5pm.

January 8, 2012 · jo · No Comments
Tags: boro, button, eye cane, glass craft, glasscraft, murrini march, soft glass · Posted in: Uncategorized

More Gathering Prep

Winter Flower Bracelet

I finally have all the kits put together for the Gathering. I tried not to make too many in case they weren’t a big hit, but I didn’t want to send anyone away empty handed either. The one in the picture is my Winter Flowers kit. It comes with everything you need to make it, including full color directions. I’m just glad they are all packed!

July 25, 2011 · jo · No Comments
Tags: bracelet, kit, peyote · Posted in: jewelry

More snowglobe bases

Dad has really gone to town with the snowglobe bases! These are so cool.

Cool base!

He is going to make some in walnut too. I’ll have pictures of those when I get back from the Gathering, since my parents are meeting me there for a visit. I leave on Wednesday. Too soon and too far off at the same time!

Sweet!

Gonna have to start making more globes.

July 24, 2011 · jo · No Comments
Tags: base, snowglobe, woodturn · Posted in: Woodturning

Getting ready for the Gathering

Criss Cross Jazz

I’m headed to the ISGB Gathering next week, and I’m still getting ready. Nothing like working till the last minute. I’m introducing kits this year. They are my own patterns, and made with my buttons and cabs. I have several color variations of each. I’m hoping people like them! Most of the stock I’ll be selling is buttons I’ve made, but I’ll also have a sale basket full of beads!