Boston's Bead Affaire, this Saturday!

Bright & Bold hollow beads

The Bead Affaire, billed as New England's best and longest running bead show is absolutely one of Boston's highlights for bead shows, and being the 36th, the longest running! Run by Beadesigner International, the New England Bead Society, it brings together bead makers, designers and sellers of every make and model bead and finding you can imagine. Lampworked glass, polymer, fused glass, metal clay, commercially made seed beads, findings of all kinds, African Trade beads....it is Bead Lover's Heaven!

New! Tribal Necklaces

It's the best place to find our newest work before the holidays.....hope you stop by for a visit and enjoy strolling through a selection of finished jewelry, gifts, beads and jewelry-making supplies that will leave you breathless!

Bright Hollow beads, tubes, leaves and disks

Earring disk pairs

For more information about the show you can call (978)772-1767 or go to www.beadesigner.org

for a discount admission coupon.

Hope to see you there on Saturday!

Where to start??

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post, and where did the time go? This summer was extraordinarily beautiful here with very few hot muggy soupy days; the sunsets and evenings were as perfect for fireworks and boat rides as one could ask for.

Schooner Adventure, newly restored

 

Ten Pound Island Lighthouse, Gloucester Harbor

Time spent in the garden was glorious, if not enough....but I made the most of the time I did have there. Daylilies had a banner year....as did lavender, echinacea, valerian, liatris, and most everything else!

 

And oh, my....the tomatoes and basil! So beautiful, and tasty....and prolific!

 

That said, the light has changed; the days are shorter and the sun slants down at a different angle, and my plants and gardens are slowing down, settling in for their off-season dormancy. (I can't bring myself to use the "w" word yet....) At the studio, my work is evolving and I'm excited to show visitors and friends some of the new designs and ideas.....Open studio weekend is coming up Columbus Day weekend and it's always fun to welcome guests in to see what's happening.

My studio patio garden in the late afternoon sunlight

Waiting to be finished.....

Hope you can stop by and take a peek, or come see me in Watertown at the annual Beadesigner International Bead Affaire on October 18th. (follow the link for details and admission discount coupon.)

New Tribal Necklaces & earrings

There's even more happening later in the Fall....stay tuned for more details as they develop! Thanks for stopping by.....

Seeking Inspiration...Always and Everywhere!

Sometimes it's everywhere, sometimes nowhere to be found....at least that's how "It" seems to me. While I'm away from the studio I try to snap pictures of everything that delights me, hoping that when I revisit those shots my imagination will spark again and work ideas will flow. Here are a few of the shots I've taken this week, from my sister's in North Carolina:

Some of these color combinations are making me crazy with anticipation....I can hardly wait to get back to the torch and start creating!

These two pictures are of the same allium head, just 4 days apart....I love them both ways!

                                                                                                           






And finally....just look at this little face! My sister's neighbor's new puppy....so very delightful! "Frank Sinatra" is his name no less, just check out those eyes! He may or may not inspire new work - but he sure does make me smile and that's a great start!

I hope you keep checking in to see what new pieces I come up with - and please let me know in the comments what inspires you! 

Until next time....

Spring....really?

 From this......(I brought in the forsythia to force it a couple of weeks ago, and it's beautiful and in full bloom now!)......

 ...To this. In less than 24 hours. And what you can't see in the picture to the right is the ice that's covering everything in the shade...and the wind chill in the teens. It feels like January. (but... don't you just love the color of the trees against that aqua sky?)

To compensate: I'm working like crazy, making earring beads, anemones, hoop beads and flowers and just distracting myself from the weather outside. With all the shows coming up it feels good to focus - and the colors make me so happy. (A couple of these are now spoken for, so if there's something you'd like me to save for you or have a question about any of them, just send me a quick email and let me know.)

Hope you all have a peaceful, happy weekend with friends and family. Enjoy....

Earring pairs and Anemones

It's cominggggggg..........

Lots of new disks for earrings!!

 The Glass Bead Extravaganza is back, and coming up very soon!!

April 26th, 10-4 at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St., Wellesley Hills, MA

Join us for the only all handmade Glass Beads, Marbles and Jewelry Show in New England, with live demos by Wes Fleming, Beth Mellor and Mike Close. There will also be vendors with tools and supplies for jewelry making and glass work...all in one place!

You will find a vendors list and a printable coupon for $1 off admission at the new New England Chapter/ISGB website.....we hope to see you on April 26th!

Sponsored by the New England Chapter of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

You can find much more info about this show, the chapter and our upcoming meetings and demos on their Facebook page.

Please share this with your glass art and bead loving friends, and I hope to see you there!!

A Hint at Things to Come....

Right out of the kiln this morning...

 Chances are (especially if you follow me on Facebook or get my eblasts) you know I have a bunch of shows and events coming up...and if not, I have some great news to share!

April 26th marks the return of the Glass Bead Extravaganza, sponsored by the New England Chapter of the ISGB. It's the only show of its kind in New England - showing, selling and live demo-ing handmade glass beads - and is one of my favorite shows to do all year! I have lots of new designs and colors worked up - and they'll be available at the show.

I'm also revisiting some designs I've worked on in the past, using dichroics, metals, and different silver glasses....all in preparation for teaching an upcoming class -"Creating Magic Under Glass"- at Snow Farm, out in western MA in May. After that I'll be speaking at the BDI monthly meeting at the end of May; I'd love to see you there!


Here is a new Anemone, inspired by my friend Deb's "Artist du Jour" series on Facebook; she suggested the work of Wolf Kahn from his "Color & Consequence" exhibit with bright spring colors might be a fun direction to go in. I was definitely inspired! This one measures just about 2" across, has a matte top layer and glows with bright, lively colors.

"C&C#1" Anemone is the first in the series based on inspiring artworks. It is available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. The price is $135. Please email me if you are interested.

Thanks for checking in!

Obsessed with Spring? Well, maybe, just a little...

I think it's true....I am thinking all things Spring!  Two weeks ago I went out to Smith College, to their Annual Spring Bulb Show in their conservatory greenhouses. The fragrance and color was spectacular and inspiring... I took so many pictures my battery died! This is one of my favorite combinations....the apricot/peach of the hyacinths and tulips next to the greens and purples of the little Fritillaria (checkered lily) makes me so happy! I am definitely adding these to my list of bulbs to plant in the garden next fall.

Each morning I scope out my garden, willing the snowdrops and crocus to show themselves ...and finally, yesterday (the first day of Spring, no less!!) I found tiny buds poking up through the remnants of a frozen ice banking. So tiny but so determined.....in another two weeks they will be in full glory!

This is my newest Spring Anemone, fresh out of the kiln this morning! The soft shades of peachy-pink and spring green hold the promise of sunshine and warmth, and there's a glowing iridescence around the edges that the photo just couldn't capture. Enjoy, and please let me know if you'd like to see more. This anemone pendant is a shade over 2" across.





Spring Anemone is a one-of-a-kind piece available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. The price is $135. Please email me if you are interested.

Thanks for popping in to take a peek....