Merry Christmas!!

Just wanted to post my wishes for a Merry Christmas to all!!!
I hope you are having a wonderful restful day full of love and light.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Tiki-Ti

DH is a big fan of tiki culture so we try to make it a goal to visit as many tiki places as we can.
Here is Tiki-Ti--a wonderful hole in the wall tiki bar in Hollywood. The original bartender used to work at Trader Vic's.
There were many people dressed in Hawaiian shirts and also one person dressed in a 50's houndstooth suit....or was it plaid?--it was hard to see inside the bar. It was a super tiny place but very nice and tasty drinks....I think the DH liked the Tonga Hut better(far fewer people and more low rent)...but it was very nice and a good break from "the usual".

Dreams....

A post on Lampwork etc. Forum prompted me to think about dreams. Last night I had a very vivid dream about being some kind of gangster guy. I had met up with my brother at his house to just hang out, but was ambushed in the garage by a rival gang. I went for a gun that was in the cabinet but it was shooting blanks. The rivals had gone through the house and emptied all the guns and filled them with blanks. The rival gangleader had a pneumatic gun which shot out upholstery tacks and he shot me in my face, eye and back. He wanted us not only to die, but to suffer.
I ran into the house and was breaking into a wall where I had secretly stashed a magazine for the guns my brother used(.40 Glock). I tested the bullets to make sure they were real and tried to text for help also(no coverage). The gangleader was banging on the door and I shot through it . There was a real life bang and I woke up and stayed in bed until about a half hour later when the neighbor's cat started crying.
But I guess that wasn't weird weird....I did have a dream once that I was a tabloid reporter who was investigating why Brad Pitt had so much interest in South America and the rainforests. I went on a long search and finally found his compound deep in the Amazon. He had discovered dinosaurs and had recruited scores of scientists to develop a telepathy device so he could communicate with them. His plan was to use them to take over the world. He discovered my investigation and gave chase riding on the back of a T-Rex. It was pretty surreal.
These vivid dreams usually happen when I eat something before going to bed. I find them curious!

Christmas in LA

Hubby surprised me with a nightime jaunt through Downtown LA last night. Usually it is a ghost town but we found some cool Christmasy sights we wanted to share. Pershing Square and City Hall....

An Old Photo.....

I was cleaning up the studio and came across some old photos--this was one of them. This is Mamoru and Kinako, the bestest Akitas one could ever hope to know. Kinako is about 2 and Yam is about 1 in this photo.(we call Mamoru YamDogs sometimes--it comes from babytalking 'MyaMyoru" to "Mayam" to Yam). I love that big smile of his. Kinako blinked in this photo. I wonder if it was a harbinger of things to come(her blindness)....I miss her terribly and still have her ashes next to my bed, along with her collar. She was pure love.....
I loves them both so much!!!

Today's Creations

I am still having fun with the Bullseye. I finally broke down and purchased the Studio Rodz pak and it should be arriving soon. I can't wait! It also allows the purchaser a 50% discount off the regular price of Bullseye so it is a huge savings.
Here are a couple more experiments and more flowers....

More Flowers!

I am in love with making Bullseye glass flowers! They are so much fun to make!
I am trying different combos. The flowers at the bottom of the last photo were made with a color called Superman. To be frank, I didn't like this color until I put it under yellow. Then it had a retro feel that I like alot.
I think now I am at the skill level where I can finally make the Lily of the Valley beads that were a request from a friend many years ago. I hope I can do them justice. My thought was to do several white flower beads, some leaf beads and a focal with a small floral picture of the plant....on a base of violet blue....I hope I can do it :-D

Flowers and Hearts!!

I was working on so much green with the Pitcher plants that I decided to go do something with color afterwards, just to clean things out. I never use my Bullseye but decided to try once again(each time I try, I end up being frustrated because it has very different qualities from the glass I am used to). This time I thought I would try flowers. At first, the flowers were very simple 5 petal dot flowers on a central spacer. Then, as I started to do more, I tried different shapes and sizes...I was having fun!
And when I pulled them out of the kiln, I fell in love--this was fun and the colors were pretty! Finally I am able to understand Bullseye and use it in a way that showcases their characteristics, not fight with it.
I am still in my Bullseye craze--there is so much to learn and experiment with. I love it and I never thought I would hear myself say that. Another COE--oh boy.....
oh...and just to show that I still love boro, the big daffodil is boro... ;-D

More pitcher plants

The small bleebs are made from uranium glass and placed inside the neon tubing....
to simulate a digesting meal....I was originally going to put a creature inside, but couldn't make one small enough that was identifiable...
need more time and more skillz before approaching it again....the uneven undulations magnidfy the neon in places and gives a cool effect--different than if it was smooth....an unforseen but happy accident!

Pitcher Plants and neon!

Yahooo!!! I am finished! I missed my show, unfortunately, but at least I finished my project! Here it is, sans some Sphagnum moss...also a smaller side piece to go with it....
I had a lot of fun and learned alot from the class. Next time I will not choose something so big and green. The neon was so long that to cover it, the boro needed to be longer. I think next time I will try assemblage rather than blowing one giant tube. I am new to hollowwork and it was really hard! The green checked and I was so over the color green afterwards. LOL!!
I enjoyed making the creature. I wanted the trail to be longer to give a sensation of flight, but when it went to get bombarded, it came back with a much shorter trail....but there is always next time! :-D

Pitcher Plants in my kiln

There were many things going on these past few months and life has been incredibly busy(and thus, the neglected blog)!  Hubby and I are taking a neon class and that has been really fun and exciting, but alot of work. My concept was a pitcher plant with a creature about ready to make a visit, but it has taken me longer than I imagined. 

First things first, I have very little tubeworking experience. Note to self. Start smaller next time. LOL! Next, I have no prior experience with neon.....hehe....it's been a seat of your pants experience, but I am so glad that both David and Kazumi, the instructors have been very patient and so helpful.

It's all good and today the first pitcher plants that I kinda sorta like are in the kiln. Some of the tubing is neon lead and one of the sheaths is made of boro. Some of the color devitted, but it looks great--nice texture. 

In the next couple of days I will post some pics. I hope to make more and get better. I have been making a ton of stuff for the circular bin of late just learning how hollow glass moves and reacts. It is a different fish than solid rod, hat is for sure! Very cool!

Anyhoo, more coming soon!

Help save the Endangered Species Act

If it wasn't enough converting 99% of sugar to GMO as well as making it harder for Organic farming to thrive in this country, Bush has decided to end his stay as President by disabling the Endangered Species Act...
Please help out by sending a letter to help stop this from happening:
http://online.nwf.org/protectesa

Tim's Tiki

It's getting close! Tim is going to be showing his work at Tiki Oasis 8!
It will be open to the public on Sunday August 17th from 10am to 4pm. We are excited as this is our first venture into showing....
Tim is working all day and night getting everything together.
Here is a picture of his sign....he will be selling metal Tiki's, sconces and tshirts with his Tiki designs!
Please cross your fingers for us!

Old Town Alameda

Alameda had a great small town feel to it. The Alameda Theater had some great neon. It is in a bit of disrepair, but restoration is being undertaken....

Tiki Time!

First, at Alameda in the Bay area, there is a wonderful little tiki bar called Forbidden Island.
great retro atmosphere that is casual and nice.

Bead Bazaar!

DH and I drove up to Oakland for the Bead Bazaar at the Gathering. I am still recovering but when I do I will post more....for now, some pics.....

Photographing Boro

Boro is one of the most beautiful glasses to play with. The sparkle is like no other. It is, however, difficult to get good pictures of. What is the true color?
When in sunlight, the colors play and brighten. The pinks seem especially clean. When indoors, the light no longer sparkles through the glass and the art pieces appear somewhat dark.
Getting a good picture that is representative of the true colors is always the goal of an artist. I think I am going to go with slightly shaded photos. They appear slightly bluer but value wise is closer to what the marble would look like indoors....
Below are the comparisons between shooting in full sun and in shade.
Neither photo has been color corrected. The images are straight off my camera and cropped for size....

Earthquakes and Glass....

We just had an earthquake today right before lunch. Thank goodness it was relatively small but it does make one wonder--what to do when the big one hits.....

Thinking about my studio, I realize I have a lot of loose glass and areas when glass can fall and block my exit. DH has created a cabinet for me but I still have my rod buckets between me and the doorway, and that has to change. 

Also, labelling loose glass so that if it does fall and get mixed up, the COE's can remain separate.

I haven't been home yet to check up. Cross your fingers for me :-)

Double Helix's Terranova II Rocks!

I finally got some time to make a bead of Terranova II. I was making some boro beads and though the setting was for boro, I really wanted to make a bead from this glass. I haven't been able to torch, so I figured it may not turn out, but at least I made a bead.
I made a solid bead and struck it--only part of it turned purple--the rest was athat tannish greenish look of unstruck silver glass. I dotted some clear on the purple parts in case it all turned brown, so at least some of the purple was preserved. The kiln cycle was still at 3 hours at 1058F but I had to leave, so that was it. I've never tried such a long soak time at boro temp for soft glass.
When I pulled out the bead this morning WOW! I couldn't believe my eyes--the whole bead struck purple!
I love this glass and can't wait to have a bit more time to play and see what else I can do with it!
:-D

New Colors from Momka!

Momka has done it again! She has created some new colors and has put her spin on some classic colors!
First is Yellow Pearl: Beautiful creamy yellow that turns a nice white when worked hot. I think this will make a wonderful transluscent to opaque white substitute. More testing ahead, but if you've been waiting for Momka to make a yellow, this one is it!
Momka is also working on an extra light yellow. I have yet to test it, due to not being able to torch for a bit, but it looks amazing. This for me, is a dream come true--smooth consistency is a Momka trademark, so I am really looking forward to working with this color!!
Pink!! You heard it--Pink!!! I just got some rods, but I haven't had a chance to work it. Maybe this week sometime! The pics that Lodahl Glass has posted are out of this world! More results soon!
Secret Green(that's all I'm gonna say so far!)
Hopefully in the next few days I will post some new work....Thanks again Momka, for always creating the colors we love!!

Japanese Lampworkers

This is an old link of Japanese Lampwork. I am trying to find Atsushi Ono's website still.

I had it on my old computer and need to go back and find it. 

Anyhoo, take a peek--I am always inspired by the amazing detail and beauty and I hope you are too!

Momkas Aurora Trails and Orchard Plum

New colors from Momkas glass!
I had a chance to test these colors out and here are the results.
Aurora Trails: Another fine addition to the multicolor line. Easy to use as is or pulled into twisties.
Aurora Trails requires striking for the full color range which spans the gamut from transparent amber, purple, deep cobalt blues and greens to opaque green, blue, purple and yellow. Stable in deep encasements and stunning as petals in floral marbles. Use twisties of Aurora Trails over clear or white cores in beads for easy multicolored striped beads.

Orchard Plum: encased opaque silver rods that yield vibrant colors. Transparent deep amber purples with halos of purple and blue are possible. Perfect for sculpture. Twist rods heavily and/or compress rod before or during use for the most variegation. The clear coat protects color from overheating quickly. Let cool before striking for best results. Wonderful in beads either used directly or in twisties. Use thin in deep encasements--if worked cool, some faint pastel purple is possible.

Once again, Momka really has worked her magic! Bravo!

Go See Kung Fu Panda!!!

What an awesome movie! Normally I don't like to mix work and play, but I have to make an exception with KFP! WOW! is all I can say. And please go see this film--you will love it!
Congratulations to everyone who worked on this cool movie! You deserve high praise! Funny, extremely charming and full of Kung Fu goodness --this movie really hit it out of the ball park! Good on ya! I was glad to see Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Rodolphe Guenoden get special nods. Rodolphe did some kickass fight sequences that never made it into Sinbad and it's great to see that they used them here. Jen, of course, is amazing as always! I wish one day her storyboards can have a wider audience--they really need to be made into a book!! Alfred, Rob, Jed(amazing Jed!) , Spyros and all the story crew--a special tip o' the hat to you, from one story artist to another. I was in awe and man, I am so very happy for you all!! Congratulations on a job very well done! I hope the movie continues to do well through out the year and beyond!

Double Helix Odd Lots!

Jed has done it again with some new experimentals!
Of the ones I was lucky enough to grab,there are a few that I really like alot and some that need a little bit more experimentation to find their secret.
Here are the ones I was able to get, and a brief description of what they do. I'm going to keep updating them as I experiment :-D

Reduction:

M-166--pink luster: this glass foams a bit but has a beautiful gold sheen

SL-194-triton/elecktra mix: very much like regular Triton but goes a bit mroe opaque in reduction for me....also has red streaks when heavily reduced

Striking:

T-106:
TN-203: nice striking glass--purple, blues,red, corals, green
KH-133: Khaos experimental. It strikes very dark on my first test bead--but is interesting. It needs more experiments but is very interesting

L-143: light Luna--this color needs heavy heat and multiple strikes. The see through stage is gorgeous. light purples, etc. When it goes in the kiln, it strikes further adn opacifies. Multiple kilnstrikes yield further strikes. More experimentation is needed to figure out optimal color.

TN-200:Amazing! my favorite of the bunch. Strikes to a vibrant purple with bright blue and green opaques. Super nice.

T-96C: Nice strike! Terra that doesn't revert to brown in my kiln. Nice brushtroky color with rich purples, greens, yellows and blues.
T-96B: Nice striking glass--a little lighter.
T-96A-almost identical to T-28 amber luster. It doesn't seem to luster exactly the same, and the strike needs a tad bit more care than T-28, but it is a great substitute!

VK-192-deep cinnamon coral-with silver speckles. There is alot of silver in this glass but the trick is how to coax it out. The red is overpowering and care is needed to preserve the purple. Low kiln temp(940F) helps, as does a very quick work time. Encased, the reds go a light clay red.
RH-204: Really nice colors! Opaque pastelly blue purple, blue grey, rusty orange and green. Really different and reactive. Love it!
RH-198-haven't tried it yet
RH-169:one of my favorite hematinone reds. Will strike to purples, blues and greens.
RH-193: will strike to some extent but needs seeding.
RH-209: haven't tried it yet
VK-211: when worked regular, it goes coral red as do most of the hematinone reds. Seed it by placing it close to other silver glass.