First Beachwalk of 2011

I just returned from my first beach walk of 2011. The ice finally was gone on Sunday and we could hear waves on the shore for the first time since November! It was great to get back onto the sand. Very cold though...I ate my lunch on the porch today, but needed my parka on the beach, because of the icy air coming off the barely thawed water. The beach itself was so interesting to explore again. Oddly the water is low this spring, so the beach is very wide right now. This could change at any time, one fierce storm and everything can be different. Lots of wood on the beach, from tiny driftwood bits to huge logs...logs so huge I wouldn't be able to get my arms around them. These are pushed up not by the waves, but by the massive ice formations that form over the winter. Same with the big chunks of sandstone I saw, driven up by the ice. I love the driftwood logs. I wish I could bring them home with me but they are too heavy, which is just as well, because we would have a yard full of logs. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Over the summer they will mostly end up as beach bonfire wood. I found some nice pieces of glass. I've decided to put all the glass I find this spring into a box and bring it to Bead and Button to share. If you want some let me know so you can be in on the picking!

Springtime in Canada

It has been bare and grey and brown, but snowless...and this is what I woke up to this morning.

Poor little Peewee!

Yes, I know it's beautiful, it is, and full of life giving moisture and whatever, but really. Nature? You can stop now.

Some New Work

These cold and snowy winter days make me happy to be able to cocoon myself in the workshop, making treasures and playing with new ideas.


Little Shrine pendant. Fine and sterling silver, cast glass, resin, antique doll, lampwork glass flowers, handmade chain, fluorite, apatite.
Corazon Sagrado pendant. Cast glass, fine and sterling silver. I can't decide if this wants patina on it or not!
Little Shrine pendant. Fine and sterling silver, antique doll, antique button, handmade chain, faceted pearls, faceted pink spinels.Pod Bead Pendant. Fine silver, antique button, lampwork glass bead, handmade chain, faceted pearls, pink andalusite.

Pod Bead Pendant. Fine silver, lampwork glass pod beads, sapphires.

Pod Bead Necklace. Fine silver, handmade chain, handmade lampwork beads, pearls.

Shrine Pendant in Progress

Cast glass, resin, fine silver, lampwork glass flowers, antique doll.

Cast Glass Pieces

Some cast glass bits. Thanks to Cris for bringing me some Bullseye billet!
Shrines:
These will hold some figures.
And some shapes, to mount on metal, which will shine through the glass.

Ugly Doll Beads

I made these just for fun...who doesn't love the fuzzy Ugly Dolls? They can't be sold due to the fact that they are not my designs, but they were a really fun little challenge in sculptural work after so many pods.

Podlets

Tiny, tiny pod beads for necklaces and earrings.

Bead and Button 2011

Registration for classes begin today. With over 700 classes, you can just imagine the buzz among eager students all over the world.
My friend Amy Waldman-Smith is offering several wonderful classes this year...check them out. I think the Four Seasons of Tree Beads sounds delightful.

And Anne Mitchell has a full list of great choices too. I don't know how she finds time to breathe during the show but I know she'll squeeze in a few dinners with friends and we'll laugh our butts off.

There are dozens of classes I'd love to take but I was thrilled to find out I got into the glass Master Class this year so between that and actually selling at the show, I think I'll have a wonderfully busy week. I can't wait.

Pink Drink

My sister gave me a tin of "Pink Hot Chocolate" in my Christmas stocking. Such a pretty color on a grey winter day!

The Perfect Chair

We've done some renovations in my office and I've been searching for the perfect reading chair. Which, to me, meant comfortable, cozy, a nice soft color and OLD if possible. I searched for several months before spotting this one at an auction. It's a Victorian slipper chair, re-upholstered in 1990 according to a label on it's underside. The brocade is mellow and inoffensive, especially by 1980's standards (consider the 80's, and be glad this chair doesn't have shoulder pads!) It also has a very tiny subtly sparkly gold thread in the weave which I find amusing.
It cost a whopping $10!!
However I am seldom allowed to sit in it.
Do you like my footstool? I already had it stashed away. It has tiny cast iron legs and if I sit on it I feel like Buddy the Elf.

My legless cement flamingo lawn ornament, Lola.
And my final exhibit for today, my really pretty ugly lamp with pink foxgloves. $4.00 at our local thrift. I love treasure hunting!

Excited...

Just found out I'll be selling at the Bead and Button show this year!! Very exciting.