Setting the Record Straight

Work by Dale Chihuly, glass artist

A few days ago I took you on a walking tour of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg.  Some of my information about the Chihuly Collection was incorrect.  The truth of the matter is that the Morean Arts Center will present The Chihuly Collection at the Morean's new 10,000 square foot space at 400 Beach Drive.  How great is that?!!!  As other art centers are struggling, the Morean is expanding ... I mean really expanding!

The new Glass Studio & Hot Shop, approximately 4000 sq. ft at the main location on Central Avenue at 7th,  will house furnaces, kilns, studio and retail space. There will also be an area that can seat 60 people where glass artists can be observed creating their artworks. I was able to watch Venetian glass artists at work in Murano and the making of their vessels seemed a form of Performance Art.  The Glass Studio and Hot Shop is scheduled to open in early June.

In addition, the Morean has moved its clay studios from the main location on Central Avenue to the Historic Train Station at 420 22nd Street, which is two blocks from the location of my new studio (details will be forthcoming).  I've been in their clay studios, which is bright with light streaming through arched windows.  Constantly changing exhibits, curated by Valerie Scott Knaust, greet you at their entrance and give glimpses into the workings of the clay studios.

And, finally, the Bank of America Children's Learning Center, a 1500 sq. ft. space at the main location, will provide hands-on learning that is in keeping with Dale Chihuly's interest in youth art programs.

So, there you have it ... better than even I imagined ....

Colors Evoke Sensations

My beads made it to this "icy" Treasury that makes me want to dive right in!  But I can feel the goosebumps already!  I am tickled to be included in a Treasury with these wonderful artworks!

Sources of Inspiration

I find myself being drawn to fibers and textiles as sources of inspiration.  I don't know why I should be surprised ... fabric was my first love.  I did a little crude weaving in my early 20's from a handheld cardboard loom I made myself.  See, I told you it was crude!

As an interior design student early on in my life as a "professional student," my teacher would look at my work and say, "That looks like a textile design."  Of course, I was too insecure at that time to ever take things to the next step.  But I find it funny somehow that later on, after I gained some self-confidence, that I never took that route ... considering all of the mediums I've explored.  I think textiles and fiber creations are wonderful inspirations for paintings, jewelry, you name it.  And, it needn't be handmade works of art, like the ones that follow.  Textile designers are highly sophisticated colorists!

There's a great magazine called "Surface Design."  It's put out by, guess what, the Surface Design Association.  Here are some images from their website that spoke to me.  I thought some of you might like these bright, fun colors ... which are perfect for enamels, too!

Spirulina Whorl by Cheryl Deibel

Cultivate Roses in Full Sun by Cheryl Deibel

Archaen Remains by Candace Edgerley

On Saturday, Vicki Bennett, a fiber artist and instructor at the Morean Arts Center, was a student in my enameling workshop.  I have a feeling she'll be having me as a student in her class in the not too distant future.  It was fun seeing her thought bubbles come to the surface with ideas of things to do with the enameling.  

In the workshop, we enamel things I call "Flower Bells," for lack of better words.  They are the 20 mm Moroccan Lantern beads broken in half at the seam.  You can get really fancy with enameling them because you can create all kinds of special effects ... drips and flows ... at the lower edge without mucking up the removal process from the mandrel.  Vicki was saying that she could see these Flower Bells cupping each end of a felted bead.  Doesn't that sound glorious! I can't wait to see what she does with them!  I hope she'll let me share her creations here. 

The Allure of St. Petersburg

Breezy and warm weather coaxed us from our home for a walk in downtown St. Pete.  Laura had an ulterior motive ... she wanted to go to the cupcake store.  Can you imagine, a whole store dedicated to cupcakes!  Poor girl ... her mom never baked for her. The effect of that is Laura says she wants to own a bakery "when she grows up."  Jim laughed, "You want to earn an MBA so you can own a bakery?!"  Laura said, "And mom can have her jewelry there, too!"  Ahhh, the unfettered dreams of youth.  

Here's the scene of the crime.  

Serious decisions ... hmmm!  Laura selects  ...

  The Cuppy

This whimsical cupcake donning a cherry sour ball top looks so much like our dear mascot “Cuppy”, we named it after him! The moistest strawberry cake topped with vanilla bean buttercream icing (and a sour cherry ball hat).

I was outside watching Annie. But, I wasn't a saint.  Jim and I were waiting for the gelato cafe! 

Reminiscent of Confections ...

At this time of year we welcome the change in palette ... from the dark colors of winter to the light colors of spring.  These enamel beads also remind me of those melt-in-your-mouth non-pareils.  Who could forget them!

Also included in these listings are five pieces of sea glass that I collected from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay where the Maryland settlers landed in 1634.  It takes at least 30 years before glass acquires the frosted appearance and smooth edges characteristic of sea glass.  You can drill a hole through the bead glass with a diamond drill bit or wire wrap them.  I hope you enjoy these listings.

Lichen on etsy

Light Shade of Pale on etsy

Another Reveal!

More detail photos of torch-fired enamel pendants for the book.

Have a wonderful, restful Sunday!

Wicked Sense of Humor

I have a friend, Betty, who has a wicked sense of humor.  Look at what she brought me back from her trip to Mardi Gras.

I squealed when she gave it to me! So we go to the studio and work for a while and of course the major event is lunch.  So we're on our way to lunch, and she looks at me and says, "This is a sex machine."  I was stunned ...  She makes a sweeping gesture with her arm and says, "Look at all of this pollen!"  

Teasers

Most of you know that I'm writing a book for North Light on torch-fired enamel.  I'm showing you a peek into the contents of the book through these close-up images of some of the projects.  Sorry I can't show you everything ... but soon enough it will all be in the book!

The Bangles

Happy Easter Monday!  These new bangle bracelets evoke the feelings of Spring and its freshness.  Everything is new ... no spent blossoms yet, delicate blooms and leafing, a perfect time of year.  Each bracelet features torch-fired enamel beads, head pins, bead caps, and vintage articles, such as the railway token and the aurora borealis crystal and setting from a vintage pin.  They have a feminine feel with a decidedly rustic touch.  They can be found at my etsy shop.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus (detail)

The Winner's Circle

The Winner's Circle (detail)

Enameling on Brass

Here are just a few things I did this afternoon in response to, "I didn't know you could enamel on brass."

And, the little "Blue Bird of Happiness" wishes you a Happy Easter!

Spring Beads

New etsy listings for beautiful Spring beads.  Five (5) beads in a set for $15.00, 13 mm ridged beads.  Matching head pins available.

Lemon

Spearmint

Turquoise

Blueberry

Easter Bunny Pays Surprise Visit to PWF Workshop!

It's not everyday that you're teaching a workshop and you get paid a visit by the Easter Bunny ... and a cute one at that ... having a strong resemblance to Mr. Clean.

I swear I heard him ask, "Does this make my butt look big?"

Suited up and ready to go to the Relay for Life event at Annmarie Garden.   

Here are just some beads from the workshop.  My computer is at the Apple Store and I hear it's not in good shape.  Looks like a new hard drive.  So I go to use my husband's computer, and I'm getting error readings for the Preview program.  I'm sure the day's going to get better!