Down-time …

Got through the open house … It was a great gathering and I can’t thank my brother & sister-in-law enough, amazing food and indescribably helpful!  Gerard’s Catering – they’re awesome!

Unfortunately, DH and I stink at capturing photos … But here’s a great one of my 92 y/o Grandpa T with the twins … Awww!

gpatwins

Now that it’s over, I’m exhausted.  I’ve decided DH and I are definitely getting too old for whole house entertaining.  (The addition of preparing the yard/landscape, garage, tents and decorating … Gah!  Again, huge thanks to my in-laws!)  So, taking a day or two to crash.  ‘Course I work tonight (ER), so not much of a break.

I’m in between projects in the studio right now (code for kind-of in a slump).  Having finished up the load of night lights, I’m not sure which direction I want to head … ornaments, bowls, other jewelry projects, enamels, melts, something new … too many ideas and nothing ‘grabbing’ me … [OK, whine over – photo of night lights now:]

night-light-batch

Next up … 12 hours of nursing fun.  Then I hope to have some pool-time.  That’s the problem – I’m going through pool withdrawals!

pool withdrawal

Countdown, checklists, gardening …

So, the countdown for the twins’ open-house is in full swing.  Menu has been determined, multiple negotiations for set-up and décor have occurred, deep-cleaning is about to begin … Oh, how I love being Martha Stewart!  [Umm, NOT! –  but I’m proud of my kids, love my house and 100 closest family/friends that enjoy that kind of thing … so, it’s all good!]

go-cucumbersMeanwhile, our garden is producing!  Yay … it makes zucchini-2016this city-girl feel so good to ‘make’ vegetables.  We’re not going to discuss how I probably spent more in seeds and man-hours than my ‘harvest’ is worth … But, it’s 100% organic baby – so I’m sure that’s good for you … right?!?  Winking smile And, since much of that zucchini is destined to become (sugar-heavy) bread … I need to tell myself that!

We even managed to blanch/freeze 6 quarts of beans … Watch out Martha/Pioneer Woman/Caroline Ingalls … I’m catching up with you!

garden-beans

Oh yeah … the Studio:  I’m still on a night light ‘kick’ … Here’s our latest designs.

nite-lite-designs

While I whine, subtly (?) and publicly … I also know I am one blessed, happy gal.  Our first-born turned 24 yesterday.  The kids recently got together, all grown-up style (sans parents – what’s up with that???) – to meet for dinner.  Awww!  Healthy generational foot-prints – they make me happy!  And, I’ve managed 3 sunshine pool days so far this week.  Life is good!

Night lights and penDots …

Sums up my studio week.  Throw in some pool time, pooch time, a couple of meals and a whole lot of sleep … yep, that’s what I did!  (Alright, I also picked about 4 pounds of beans from the garden, along with zucchini and cucumbers.  Those beans have me totally rethinking the raised-bed-garden idea!)

Finished off a few of my latest night lights … So pretty when they’re plugged in (back lit)!

finished-nite-lites

nite-lites-in-progressAnd, I worked on a few (dozen) more … I have it down to a well-tuned process, and have a few more ideas in the works.  Just waiting for a couple of items to arrive … Doh!  So far, I’ve made them all with my most comfortable glass enamel.  I need to bust out some of the others and really play with color (Colorline, Reusche, Ferro Sunshine), or at least do some trials, gain some confidence with those brands …

nite-lite-shades more-night-light-designs

I’m also getting pretty reliable sizing results with my penDot cabs. 12-30 mm – I’ve got the glass ‘math’ down! (Disclaimer:  for my kiln/process.)  Time to get some items into the shops!

penDot-wingslarge-penDot-bracelet

But first … another ER nursing weekend tour.  Not talking about intoxicated patients at all … we had enough of that silliness last time!  Time to get some (more) sleep!

Road trip, new family and a few projects

Started the week bringing a new family member home.  Meet our boy, Greco, AKA Rrricco Suave.  He’s a big goofy puppy, and DH loves his dorky ears (or lack thereof …)!  His coat is so velvety soft!

our-boy-Greco

Now that we’re settling into a routine, I’m making stuff in the studio.  A new batch of hot cabs are cooking, while night light blanks dry on the kiln top.  Eventually we’ll be etching some designs into the painted glass surface …

hot-cabs-future-penDots

night-light-blanksplotter-pieces

We’ve also entered a countdown for the twins’ open house.  Only 86 more things on the list, but … no pressure.  Winking smile  As long as I can get the occasional dip in the pool, I’m not stressing! ❤ Michigan sunshine!!!

I’m also taking short bursts of photos for listings in our Etsy shop:

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Next up – 24 hours of summer-time ER nursing fun!

Listings, Sun Catchers and a Coffin-load

Slowly, but surely … I’m moving things along.  New penDot listings in our etsy shop

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Very slowly working my way up to a slump load/bowls in the coffin-kiln.  Just a few more projects to go …

filling-the-kilnroses-plate

Played with some frit-bits, trying a different sun catcher – dragonfly style …

frit-jewelsdragonfly-suncatchers

And, we made some ocean-themed night lights.  I love them!  They’ll be making there way up to the boutique this weekend , along with these …

new-nitelites

sea-turtle-night-lightnew-suncatchers

Hibernating in July

So, the house is back in order, thank goodness!  Which should mean I’ve accomplished tons in the studio.  Sadly, it’s not true.  I spent the first three days this week convincing myself I did NOT have ER-acquired meningitis.  Turns out, if one burns the candle at both ends for too long, [my] body goes into walking-dead-sleep mode.  {Headache, icky-feeling with an amazing ability to sleep hibernation-style/for insane periods of time.} 

In between all of that slumber, I managed to work out a few sun-catchers and pull together new penDot jewelry with display … I love the sea-turtle.  I have a bunch of ideas for ocean/sea-themed designs now …

suncatchersnecklaces-display

Time to get busy!

There be some Red-Neckedness up in here …

sanding-floorsYep, it’s that time of year … DH is doing some housing-upkeep projects!  Gotta love him for it, but Jeesh!  He’s power-washing decks WHILE refinishing the kitchen/den floors.  This means I have a grill and patio set in my driveway and kitchen furniture in my garage … Red-neck BBQ, anyone?

redneck-drivewaykitchen-den-garage

Since we can’t have any dogs in that main area of the house right now, the Yorks are spending some quality time with me in the studio … There’s Ragnar and Nora!

Raggy&Nora

All of this means I’m not producing so much.  But did get this batch of custom badge reels/pendants pulled together and my sand dollar bowls moved along …

NP-badge-reels sand-dollar-take-2

Next up – a functioning kitchen WITH furniture – I hope!  (Baby steps!)  Have a great weekend, ya’ll! Winking smile

Sunshine and Summer-Lovin’

Thank goodness for sunshine, pool-time and Summer!  I am officially over this past (nursing) weekend!  I’ve also played a bit in the studio:  Freeze-N-Fuse … It’s been 3+ years since I last fiddled with the technique.  Much better results this time around!  So, ya know … more ideas!

f-n-f

custom-badge-reelI’m also playing with my plotter, working up sun catchers and a custom (dichro) badge reel order.  Oh – and, I’ll be adding the FNF grapes … Cute!  Plus, I’m told Renaissance Festival is coming up … so, I’m working on a few fleur-de-lis penDot necklaces.

wine-suncatcher fleur-penDot-pendants

My latest sand dollars didn’t quite do what I want … The small one (left) needs more/different colors and the larger one (right) didn’t have enough ‘gap-age’  [totally a word!] … But, I have a dremel-press, so I can fix that – the hard way!  DOH!

june-sand-dollarmessed-up-sand-dollar

Had a visitor in the studio this week.  My brother-in-laws 6 month old Bully came to visit.  Look at that mug … Adorable!

bulldog-love

Having a clean studio ROCKS!!!

I have three kilns running and more projects planned.  What a productive week …

I worked on some jewelry, wrapping up a custom cab order.  Here’s a double dichro dragonfly pendant moving along (in the kiln now for a fire-polish) and a couple of penDot rings!

double-dichro-dragonfly-pen penDot-rings

I have the coffin running with future spoon rests, sun-catchers, night lights, a tea-light holder or two … and FINALLY got my bird platter and coffee/wine coaster cooking!

coffin load 6-16-16

bird-platter coffee-wine-coaster

kiln-6-16-16I also  have Jenny running with a couple of future sand-dollar bowls and other sun-catchers.  Yay!!!

 

Plus, I managed a little load of Christmas in June – getting a head start on restocking ornaments.  I love how the red iridescent Santa hats play in the light:

Irid-santa-hats Ziggy-Santas snowman-ornament-load

And, finally – as the insomnia has returned … I was able to catch a glimpse of this trespasser meandering through the front yard early this morning (~630AM):

deer-in-the-front-yard

Next up, a few freeze-N-fuse projects , a couple of crackle ideas, a bit of screen-printing … Oh, yeah – and some POOL-TIME!!! Smile

Clean Studio …

So, here’s the promised link …

Originally, I had this set to music.   Yes – Adele, as she talks to me and motivates me … but, FB blocked the video, as I was infringing on copyright laws … So, here it is with royalty-free instrumental music (thanks bensound!) … [Click on Gus for the studio tour video]

Gus

Now that the studio is clean, I can get back to making stuff … SWEET!!!