A Successful Event

There are times when we take on a task we feel that we will be able to accomplish without flaw. Then life steps in and reminds you that there are no perfect moments, only the hope that we can acheive our goals.

I can tell you that I am a very lucky person. The Art Fair I hosted this weekend went far better than my expectations. Much of this was due to the sponsoring body coming together on the last several days and throwing themselves on the work that needed to be done. I felt almost superficial when the event was determined a success.

One of the highlights for me was the success of the artist who took up my challenge to produce a secular leaded and stained glass window that might have been commissioned for a great house in the 15th or 16th centuries. As a stained glass artist, I know exactly how difficult my challenge was and found that the artist who chose to take me up on it was able to exceed my expectations. She even exceeded her own and was able to produce a piece that everyone who saw it was able to pronounce a gorgeous work of art.

I am proud of the success of my event. The head of our group came up to me afterwards and thanked me for proving him wrong. He never believed that my concept would work, but he did believe that my previous track record made me the best possible person to make it work if it could.

Originally this was going to be a one-off event. However, everyone I have heard from both at the event and since has stated that when we do this next year that they will be there. I am actually considering doing it again. Call me crazy, because it will be hard to top this year's effort. Wish the crazy lady luck!

Where Upon I Go AAAAAACKK!

I haven't had a lot of time to do glass over the last week because I am running an artists' exhibition on Saturday and the details have sort of taken over my life. Right now, I have about 50 artists scheduled to show up and I'm still scrambling for prizes and dorky stuff like extra toilet paper and paper towels for the bathrooms and making sure my caterer has everything she needs because she's driving 4 months pregnant all the way from New Jersey to do it.

Usually I really enjoy running stuff like this. I'm a regional arts officer for the non-profit I belong to and these functions are my bread and butter. For some reason though, I really can't get into this one. Maybe it's because of the time of year. I always get depressed in the fall, which is odd because autumn is my very favorite season.

At any rate, this close to the event it can be compared to a rockslide. It's going to happen whether I'm ready for it or not. I only hope that my artist friends are happy with their experience. Wish me luck!

What's up in the Shop?

I made a new sushi plate this weekend in shades of blue. It's patterned after a green one that I did that was very popular, but I don't like it as well in the shades of blue that I chose. I think that I will focus on doing some round dishes for a while. The square ones are boring me.

I bought some xanthian gum to make liquid stringer last week. I need to boil it up and let it sit before I can use it, but I'm really looking forward to trying it out. There's definitely some cold combing and some freeze fusing in my very near future.

Ornaments seem to be really popular right now. I sold out all of the ones I posted already so I might think about doing more for the holiday. It depends on whether or not I have any fiber board left. though I suppose I could make a mold out of something else if I put my mind to it.

Anyway, those are just a few ideas I'm playing around with now. My creativity seems to be somewhat renewed with the colder weather. Heck, I'm even contemplating setting up the torch! It will be interesting to see how badly out of practice I have become.

Made of Win!

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I won the drawing for a tripod from Leah Glass? Well, here it is - proof positive that it was a fo-sure fo-real deal. There stands my brand new (and it really was NIB) tripod.

I've used it a couple of times now and it has really improved my pictures. I rarely have to retake shots because they are blurry. Seriously, if you were on the fence about using a tripod before, I'm here to tell you to go ahead and get one. This thing is awsome!

Now, before you get down on yourself for missing out on the prize, Leah does give-aways all the time. The current one is for a really cool boro pendant. All you have to do is visit her blog at http://leahglass.blogspot.com/ and make a comment. Go for it! You might be the next lucky winner.

Columbus Day Plans

Tomorrow is a Federal holiday and that means I get to work in my studio. Whoopee!! Number 1 boy will be in school and number 2 boy will be at the sitter's house. I have tons of plans. There are beads to anneal, a custom sushi plate to cut and fuse, a lamp to reassemble and a bunch of recycled beads to make into a project.

Plus I need to clean the shop and run some errands. Clearly, I have more projects than time.

Jogging my Creativity

For the last two weeks, I haven't had much gumption to get out into the shop. Life has been a whirlwind of boy scout meetings, homework and chores after work. By the end of the day, it feels like I've left all my creative instincts behind.

Sometimes the best thing to do in such situations is go with the flow. Forget about trying to force art. It's always a waste of time to go out into the studio when I'm not motivated to try something new or carry out an established plan.

Today, however, I had a great conversation online with a couple of other glassies. We were exchanging tips and tricks and now I have a whole slew of great new ideas to try.

Unfortunately, my husband is catering a wedding tomorrow and my friend Amy is helping him so I will be with my boys and her daughter all day. Instead of going out into the shop, I will be going to a picnic and probably a street fair if there is still time. With luck, I'll still have some energy tomorrow night to go out and get some things done.

On Fear

I got my flu shot today. Actually, I forgot it was flu shot day but fortuitously managed to wear a short sleeve top anyway. My friend who works here is terrified of needles, but hates the flu more so I went with her to distract her from the process. She has nearly passed out before.

This year, my friend did very very well. She got a little pale and shaky, but no nausea or dizziness. I have very proud of her, both for doing so well and for sucking up her fear and getting the shot.

Sometimes we just have to suck up our fear if we want to get what we want. Right now, I need to get out into the shop and create, but I am afraid that I won't come up with anything good. I really need to spend some quality one on one time with my concept book and just go for it. We'll see how it goes this weekend.

Camera Fail

I bought new batteries today and was trying out my new tripod when I discovered that the flash on my camera isn't working. I suspect it is burned out. Time to find out if I can fix it without replacing the camera.

It's always something.

I am in desperate need of camera batteries. I go through them like candy corn on Halloween. I've tried all sorts from rechargables all the way up to the uber-expensive specialty lithium batteries particularly recomended by the manufacturer and I still only get about 45 minutes of battery life. *Sigh* I have new product, but I can't get it listed until there are pictures.

These first few weeks of school have challanged my ability to work in the shop. I have a repair, two commissions and two windows to make, plus new items for the Etsy shop and shows. Perhaps I will just buy some NoDoze and not sleep until Christmas. LOL!

I have all sorts of new things I want to try, including metal enameling and silver bezel setting, but time is my enemy. All I want to do is go out to my shop, get it organized again and create until I fall asleep. Sometimes I resent having to go to work.

I'm a winner!!!

Faithful readers will recall that I referred to a fellow glassworker's journal a while back. Leah was giving away a tripod and all you had to do was post about it and comment in her blog. You can read the details here: http://leahglass.blogspot.com/2008/09/tool-o-day-tripod.html .

Last night, I got the message that she had the drawing and I won!!! She is sending me my very own tripod free of charge! And guess what? Leah is having other giveaways too. In fact, she's giving away some cool glass pieces right now so hop on over and check her out.

Better pictures, here I come. Thanks Leah!!