New stuff

Made with murrini from www.loriandkim.etsy.com this one is "glamour girl" murrini. Yum.

This is a key bead with murrini over psyche glass. This uses murrini from the garden glow pack.

Another key with murrini (spotting a trend?) this time with Ocean Treasures murrini.

And, finally, a puppy with no murrini at all. :) Look at that face. *smooshy*

New Adventure!

My friend Kim and I have decided to make murrini! We got together for two solid days of torching and created two different blends of murrini that turned out AWESOME! We're very happy to announce the grand opening of our Etsy store: http://www.loriandkim.etsy.com/

Having a better week

Feeling a bit better today and determined to make it a GREAT week! I finished up some projects that had been hanging around for a while and finally finished a bead pen for my friend Jackie. I think it turned out so cool! I love the colors...

I also finished up a bracelet for a special order for a fantastic gal. I sure hope she likes it!

And, finally, following the "getting stuff done" theme - here is a big set of beads that I finished yesterday...

What's up with the economy?

Watch out, here comes a Debbie Downer moment...

I feel like I am making some of the cutest beads I've ever made and yet there are no buyers. It's making me sad and insecure! I wonder if I should go back to selling my beads on eBay or if I should just save up all my beads and do a bead show instead. It's so hard to figure out what to do and I feel like I'm just stuck in this indecisive hole right now.

I am hoping my next blog entry will be made on a more upbeat note.

Getting back into 'normal' mode

Mom is back home in MN, Mark has started his new job and I find myself with more time to get beads made again. I miss them but I'd better make use of the time, right? I started out slow, doing some little sets I've been meaning to do for a while. The little red and gold set has been simmering in my brain since I spied a long-forgotten book of gold leaf in one of the drawers in my garagio (garage studio).

The flowers I just had to do because I got a bundle of delicious Reichenbach gold violet cane and had to try it out. It is even more delicious on the flowers than it was in rod form. YAY! Very pink, very beautiful.

I'm trying out a large triangle press and just felt compelled to make a slice of watermelon with it since summer is surely on the way, despite all the rain and gray skies we've been having this week.

The bracelet was done for my friend Jackie. I just love it and my have to make one for myself now, too. So sparkly!

Well, now I have to get back to the garagio to do more creating before the A/C guy shows up. And he better show up or I am going to have a complete conniption. He was a no-show last week and never even bothered to call. Grrrrr...

Inspiration is everywhere!

Check these out:

Happiness, found in the little things

I have had an outstanding week, really. Desiree and I have jumpstarted her job search again and are going at it with renewed vigor. Mark has started to get some bites on his newly reformulated resume. I have been drawn to the torch in a way I haven't felt for quite a while. All in all, good things are in the air.

One of the reasons I have felt a renewed zest for torching probably has to do with the overwhelmingly positive response to my new bunnies (YAY!) and for that I am truly grateful. I love them but that's never a good guide as to whether or not others will. The response has really bolstered my drive to create. YAY!

The other really great thing about this week is the weather. It is truly spring here. The temps are mild. Sunny but breezy and cool. Just perfect sit-on-the-patio-sipping-your-morning-coffee weather. Days like this make me wish I had a window in front of my torch.