Was ist denn heute los?

WOW--it has been a long while since my last post. Haha! How many blogs start out that way! Yet it is true.I hit quite a heavy wall since my Mom passed away but art flows in bursts of creativity here and there, thankfully. So why no posts on glass for a long time? One, yes, I am not making much art these days--it's been busy with building a studio out in Orange County. Yes,I am moving!(more on that later!) Two, I haven't posted the beads I HAVE made because I want to build an inventory up for when I open my Etsy shop. I want to have the items ready for purchase when I post pics so there is no waiting! I decided that I am just going to make whatever appears in my head at the moment and not worry so much about being a focused artist. I tried and it ain't happening! I'm just going to have fun! So what is in store? Here is a small sneak peek at what I have been working on. Nothing ground shattering but know that the beads I'm making are from sheer joy! Thank you so much and hi!!!

Help make :LA River Brewing Company a reality

I have tasted LA River Brewing Company beer and it is delicious...but Jessica, Constance, Ryan and Tanner need your help to expand their home brewing operation into a full scale brewery ....ready to fill the needs and stomachs of LA's thirsty population.... Be part of the fun and help make this dream a reality. Click on the link to their kickstarter page and sponsor their efforts. Every dollar is very much appreciated! Thank you so much!!!

new oil paintings

our family crest

Nagibeads test

EGG

sketch of the day

Girls Drawin Girls Nature PRoject

It's been a while since posting and I have joined a girls pin up drawing group called Girls Drawin' Girls. The first thing I joined is the Nature Project...I chose Osmanthus because I love the fragrance of this plant...it is intoxicating!! I can't decide which version I like....! I do know that I didn't have the time I wanted to dedicate to making it more interesting. The dress and background flowers I wanted to have be a fade over(Escher-esque) where you can't tell whether it is on the dress or the background...I have a version with her eyes open but I ended up liking the closed eye version better...just more shy and sweet like the flower...anyhoo....here it is..oh--and the bee pupae...they're white like the flower and full of the promise of life and usefulness, like the flowers of Osmanthus which is used to scent teas....I think of Osmanthus as something magical like royal jelly.....so wonderful is that fragrance...when I die, please plant an Osmanthus over my grave. I wish to be entranced by its spell for all eternity....

Mecha-Nation Comic

Hi-
I just wanted to give you a heads up for a great new comic series called Mecha-Nation. It was created by a good friend of mine, Vic Cook(of The Specatcular Spiderman fame). He teamed up with Greg Weisman, Greg Guler and Antonio Campo and the result is very cool! Congratulations Vic--may you have much success!
Have a look-see!
Mecha-Nation

and read the first review here:
Review

My New Etsy Store!

I am taking the plunge and going for it--starting to sell my work online. I listed a couple of pendants and a few beads to test the waters.
nagibeads on Etsy
let me know what you think--what kind of work would you like to see here?
thank you!

Jewelry for Joe

Joe Imler(Glow Joe of Glow Glass fame) has had surgery to repair a hernia operation that went wrong. unfortunately, he doesn't have insurance and needs money to pay the Doctor bills. I am donating a few pieces to be sold....you can help by purchasing work from his website:
http://www.lapissolaris.com/
or Marjorie's site:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MixesJewelry
or send money to:
http://pledgie.com/campaigns/8106
or send artwork to:
Gemstone and Bead
Attn: Jessica Boggs
1937 Military Trail Suite 1
West Palm Beach, FL. 33409

with a note to say you are donating to Joe's surgery fund
thank you ever so much!!

More Alien Fruit!

This time I decided to etch them and see what they looked like....well I gotta say I like them even better than the regular versions....
I am going to keep going with this series and try to do different shapes....in the meantime, I am also finding the zen of doing spacers. Something I never had the patience of doing before. I think it is the vibrant colors of Bullseye that relax me and get me excited about making sets.

Necklaces I am donating to Craft Hope

UPDATE:
YAY!! All the necklaces sold! Thank you so much Elke, Josephine and Maggie! You made a difference! Thank you so much for donating to Craft Hope and Doctors without Borders and for purchasing my artwork!
Love to you all!!!




I am not sure if they posted in the Craft Hope Etsy store yet, but I donated 3 necklaces. From my Alien Fruit exploration....

Craft Hope for Haiti

We are all aware of the tragedy in Haiti and the incredible need people have for help. It is amazing to know that so many people are stepping up to the challenge. As artists and crafters, we have the unique ability to use our art for good and join in the effort. I saw a link to this website, Craft Hope for Haiti and I encourage you to consider helping by either donating your artwork or purchasing a handmade item. After fees and shipping costs are subtracted, all monies will go to Doctors Without Borders. I just bought a felt brooch and am going to donate some floral beads and whatever else I can think of that people might buy......to know that your artwork is helping someone is truly priceless. Within our hearts and our hands we have more power than we think.

Butterfly Bead challenge!

I just read this note from Robert Simmons, director of Beads of Courage Bead Donations:



I want to wish everyone in the glass community a Happy New Year from all of us at Beads of Courage. I got the latest figures from our CEO and Founder, Jean Baruch, and thought I would let you know where we stand today.

We are in 60 children’s hospitals throughout the United States, New Zealand and Japan. We support over 10,000 children coping with a serious illness. This estimate includes all children we serve who are coping with treatment for cancer, a life threatening cardiac or blood condition, or children coping with traumatic burn injuries. We now provide the Beads of Courage Program for children with cancer, blood conditions, cardiac conditions and burn injuries. All beads donated by artists are given to children for treatment milestones.

Unfortunately, many children we support die each year. The butterfly beads continue to be in high demand from all our member hospitals. There is nothing that can come close to the beauty of a handmade butterfly bead that brings much needed comfort to parents who are coping with the loss of their child.

In 2010 we already have 10 new hospitals ready to start the Beads of Courage Program.

We do depend on financial contributions too to help pay for the manufactured program beads we must purchase to keep up with demand (and for program integrity/consistency). We appreciate all donations.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in 2009 and all of the years since we began this journey. Each bead is a treasure and we appreciate every one that comes to us. We depend upon bead donations which truly bring the ART to our “arts-in-medicine” mission. Thank you for your glass, your talent and that most precious gift, your time. I look forward to working with you in 2010.

Robert Simmons
Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage, Inc.


...so, you know what that means...time to get this ball rolling!
if you have any ideas or thoughts on donating or making Butterfly beads for Beads of Courage, please comment and let me know!
I am thinking of a contest for most butterfly beads created.....something big!
I need your help!
Thanks so much Glass Family!!

Winners of the Beads of Courage drawing!

GTT Cricket—Leslie Cox
Aether—Rachel McCormick
Special odds—Sassy Glass... See More
Coral assortment---Lea Zinke
frits-tn2, psyche—Renee Mathies
frits triton, gaia--Humblenewbie--Theresa
book-Sue in Maine
silver collection-Linda Ostrom
reduction frit pack--angie09
$100 gift cert-Leslie Dana Baer
$50 gift cert-Casey Schell

Thank you so very much for your very generous contributions! You make the difference in a child's day! On behalf of Beads of Courage, I say...You all are the best! Our glass community rocks out loud!
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you so much everyone for giving your time, efforts, creativity and love! You are so appreciated!!
Much Love!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

As 2009 comes to a close, I'd like to wish you and yours all the best for the coming year! May the new decade bring you much joy, happiness and glassy goodness!! Thank you so much for all your support in the past several years....I never knew this hobby would take off the way that it has, and it is all due to you! I appreciate you all so much and wish you well on your own glass journeys!
With love, nagi

2 more weeks til the drawing!!!

If you donate art, beads or money to Beads of Courage between November and December of this year, let me know and I will enter you in a drawing for some cool prizes!!
Just 2 weeks left! BoC will even take manufactured beads as well, so get those sparklies in the mail!!

Bullseye flower hearts

Continuing the experimentation with sculpture on beads, I am focusing on flower hearts. The flowers are 3 -D elements over the hearts...they are fun to make!

Bullseye and experimentation

I am trying a few new things this month....big holed beads, sculptural beads and some tests for juzu beads. Here are some of my results. The glass is Bullseye. The dichroic beads are both Bullseye and COE 104.