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!