Wire Wrapped Tree of Life

I got a lovely email yesterday from a lady who needed a cherry tree.  She has just retired from a long career and wanted to treat herself! I was so flattered.  I made this precious tree, with K.D. Lange singing in the background of my studio.  Life is good.

Fossil Vitra - A Fused Glass Technique

I have a fascination with Gingko leaves.  No idea why, maybe it's their color, or their interesting shape...not sure, but I love them.

I was out on a nature walk along Lansing's Rivertrail, and I came upon my favorite Gingko tree.  It's like running into an old friend. So, I admired her beauty for a while, and gently removed a few of her leaves from inconspicuous places.

SO excited, I came down to my glass studio, and went to work.  I coated this leaf with various colors of powdered glass (frit) and fused this leaf right into some black glass.  This is a test piece.  Now, I'm off to have some REAL fun with this technique and the rest of my gingko leaves!  stay tuned. <3

C1D1

In "17 Day Diet" lingo, that means that I am Cycle 1, Day 1. 

And...I rocked it.  :)  I did very well, if I don't say so myself.  No cheats, I ate all my food, cooked from scratch annnnnnnnnnnnn............

........swam 10 laps in the High School pool.  I've never been known for doing anything half-assed, and this is no exception.

 In other news, I made these two beauties today.

This purple swirly one is amazing in person, sometimes pictures just do not do justice to glass...

...but the blue one?   The pic does it justice.  It's THAT pretty.

Sweet dreams, chickymonkeys.

The 17 Day Diet

I'm jumping on board.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a window at church and it was...well...shocking!

I'm a big fat fatty, and, while, yes, I have been recovering from the back surgery from hell, it's no longer an excuse! 

So, tomorrow begins my new diet and exercise regimen...here goes!

Wish me luck.  I'll document my progress!

can you look at another? please?

cannot.stop.making.vases!

KICK ASS!

One of my very best friends who is a sister to me sent me this video.  She knows me so well!  I'm going to park it here on my blog so that I'll always have it, and it won't get lost, and because I NEED this. Check this out. 

Vases, Vases, Vases!

Imagine my delight when I opened my kiln this morning to find this precious baby waiting for me!

I couldn't wait to share this, so i just sat it on my dining room table and snapped a quick photo!

Then, I ran back down to my studio and began the process of another one!  Haha! I'm on a kick, I suppose.

It's been so nice to be feeling well enough again to regain my creativity.  Back surgery is NOT for wussies! :)

Blessings always.