Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on October 30, 2013 by claytonhill

Before it begins …

Let me just take a moment to say ~ regardless of how shameless it is … I love how varied my Etsy shop listings are looking right now. And – public awareness moment: We have only 55 days until Christmas … Just sayin’!!!

But – here’s where I’ll start to get nutty: I have 2 wks before the next art show; another one the week after that; and then – an additional 2 wks before the final show; this all leads up to the last 2-ish weeks before ACTUAL Christmas … all while attending work competencies, working (both ‘REAL’ jobs), caring for the family (the two- and four-legged), possibly having puppies, and you know … ALL THE REST – like eating, bathing, doctor appointments, celebrating aging (- or NOT), etc. Plus, I totally want to get a batch of wine ‘brewing’! … DANGITALL!!! Why do I do this???

OKAY … Moment of panic over …

Here’s what I’m all excited about this week. So much so, that I have more jewelry pieces, findings, components pieces AND ideas in the works! (So – while there MAY be a medication that fixes this particular [glass] compulsion … I don’t want it!)

Speaking of meds – [note the SLY segue-way into WWU … ??? -) I’m not talking about this weekend. The highs were just too sarcastically inappropriate for all but the most jaded of health care professionals to appreciate, and the lows still break my heart! So, while it was a good weekend – with great care … I ran my a$$ off, too! All of this means – in the scoring column – I’m glad it’s over.

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Posted on October 23, 2013 by claytonhill

Decals, dichroic extract, screen printing …

Oh my! Busy week in the studio, as I work on and wrap up some projects and special requests. Angels, dichroic badge reels, pendants, and a special ornament (… here come the pictures):

I still have more dichro cabs to run, and a few other projects I’m working on … such a good week!

And – I’m 10 days away from 2 months … just sayin’ Winking smile WWU: full moon (= crazy patients) and all – it was a good weekend with good coworkers.

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Posted on October 18, 2013 by claytonhill

Slow–but not idle …

Moving ideas and projects along slowly in the studio this week. I really liked the looks of some of my pendants using different bails/settings, so I had to investigate (so ‘code’ for internet shopping) … And – now feel well stocked, and ready to make more jewelry.

I’m also making more ornaments – because, it would appear I don’t feel I have enough. Actually, I’m making angel ornaments that can be personalized, ‘cuz it makes me happy. Will show a photo when done.

I’ve had a few special request items that I’ve had to work through from a design idea to implementation standpoint, but now I think I’m ready for some actual glass cutting.

I’ve also had my first two INTERNATIONAL glass sales. Wow, I feel so … sophisticated, worldly, grown up??? I don’t know, but I like it. Thanks ladies! And lastly, I’m working my way through an on again, off again tooth ache. I know. I KNOW! Go to the dentist. But, in the last few years, I have really cultivated my odontophobia to a fairly impressive level. And, since I don’t believe in anxiety attacks (for me, personally) – I avoid the dentist. I am home treating my tooth, as any good ER nurse would … Problem solved. Besides – this may be an effective weight loss technique, just sayin’ …

I’ll leave with a cute pic of ‘Babyy Girrrlllll!’ (no, really – that’s how I yell out her name and she comes RUNNING)! She’s 6 weeks old and the cutest little stinker with her tiny little legs! She’s finally moving from Mom to canned food, and totally loves me (maybe because I feed her, but – whatever …).

PS – I remain smoke-free, but won’t mention it until I hit the ‘2 MONTH’ mark … I’m done talking in weeks.

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Posted on October 9, 2013 by claytonhill

Puppies, pendants and dandelions …

Oh my! Put in a full day at DTW yesterday (13 hours) … thank you central scheduling! But, we now have extended family in WA, VA, MO, NC and TX (as well as OH, IN, WI NY and MI). All the pups did great! We have one last pup here to play with (Stella), before her new parents pick her up. Here are a couple of quick pics:

I’m slowly putting together pendants and photos for listings. Here’s what I have so far, with a few cool shots:

And – I’ll be working on a few more jewelry, bowl and platter designs. Dandelions, butterflies, hot air balloons, foot prints, snowmen and puppy dogs to come … In the meantime, here are a couple of pics of my latest bottle slump. I like the ‘tri-bowl’ (even though the ‘Coca-Cola burned off) – so I’m going to the store to by some [neat] beer [bottles] … more suffering for art!

WWU: Busy. Croup season is here, along with ortho camp (thank you school football). Managed some hard IV starts, legal blood draws (requiring four police officers, no less), difficult parents with their difficult children, etc. Rumor has it JCAHO is making their way through our ER’s this week. Sure hope they’re gone come this weekend! On that note, I’m off to the ER (and grocery store) – some of the girls want to see my jewelry and badge reels.

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Posted on October 5, 2013 by claytonhill

More good stuff … coming

I’ve been playing a bit in the studio, and doing a wee bit of shopping. Someone has copper enameling equipment coming. [Shhhh – don’t tell DH!] And, a few new molds and glass from my favorite glass shop. Maybe I have some stands from NC on the way. Oh – and possibly a couple bails from OR (… and FL, and China). We won’t even talk about any decals I may have stumbled on … Ss’all good! DH keeps stealing chocolate from my studio, so – it’s justified.

I also bought a new (used) cabinet for the studio (T.Y. Craigslist). He [DH] says I overpaid, and it does smell a bit old and musty – but, it’s the perfect size for the space and it provides covered storage for more of my ‘stuff’.

I’ve been making listings for the (Etsy) shops. And, I’ve officially been smoke-less for a month (working on 5 weeks now). I wonder if I’ll always ‘count it out’ (I’m reminding myself of the scene in the Adam Sandler movie, Grown Ups – umm, ‘48 months’) … Anyway – listings for the (Artfire) shops:

The twins are on the mend and eating normally. I head back to work tomorrow. And, our pups will be moving on to their new homes over the weekend and early next week … so visits, DTW trips and sad good-byes. (Look at that handsome little porker! Too cute!!!)

And, then we jump into prepping for a few more art shows. Maybe. I think … (Muir Middle School, Arts & Greens Holiday Market, and Warm & Cozy. Possibly. We’ll see.) I have projects and ornaments and ideas whipping around my head like crazy. Good thing I have some new supplies and more coming … Winking smile

*BTW – not only does my record remain clean (no one injured) during the last ‘almost’ five weeks of my tobacco-free-ness … but – I’ve spent every penny I would have saved on glass/studio supplies … Yeah, that’s better! (???) Smile

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Posted on September 30, 2013 by claytonhill

Interesting, frustrating, painful … you decide

So, I’ve had 3 kilns running for the last few days. My experiments were … interesting and frustrating, but have potential … maybe. I also have a few other ideas to try.

And, I have some sweet dichro (jewelry) pieces almost ready for listing:

My ‘Christmas run’ is promising. And, I’m cooking the slump run (for bowls and platters) now, so my fingers are still crossed. My dichro slab has a lot of pink and one giant red spot! Pink is not my favorite color, but … it can all be tweaked, so – ???

The twins have had a hard time recovering from their wisdom teeth extractions. I think they’re on the mend, but … they’re still hurting. (Which is painful to see.)

And, somewhere along the line it was decided that I would be acting charge nurse last night (WTH?!?) – in the midst of an S.R.O. ER – with a STEMI patient – and, every abdominal complaint you can think of – ALL night long! Interesting, frustrating or painful … um, I’ll let you decide.

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Posted on September 26, 2013 by claytonhill

An experiment and 3 kilns running!

Dog-gone, but it’s hot in the studio tonight. I’m not complaining, really. All three kilns hitting 1300-1700 degrees will do that. In the meantime, while shedding excess water weight, I’m working on some cabs with decals, while my kiln programs are running. (Can’t wait to open them tomorrow and see how everything faired!)

I have the coffin loaded with step one of some new functional Christmas items (bowls, platters, coasters) and another irid Tree of Life. (My last irid sheet, Oh NO! … It’s time for another trip to my favorite glass supplier!)

And, the production kiln is loaded with next stage cabs, while the baby kiln is loaded with a frit/boil experiment. Fingers crossed for a successful outcome!

I don’t know if you remember my dichro-scrap melt from 8/11, but it recently sold. So, needing a new one (the darn thing grew on me) – I’ve loaded failed cabs, dichro scrap, etc. to run when the production kiln is available.

The twins get their wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow. While my daughter is being very vocal about her nervousness, my son is remaining awfully quiet … ??? But, they both asked me if I could start their IV’s … Awww!

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Posted on September 24, 2013 by claytonhill

Slowing down …

Yeah, sure … Umm, kinda

WWU: The full moon did not disappoint this weekend. It was flippin’ craziness everywhere (And, I don’t mean [non-PC] behavioral medicine craziness. I mean full-moon nuttiness all the way around!): Arguments with law enforcement; bizarre complaints; insane volume in our ‘lil country club ER; combined with crazy computer issues. But … we survived, and everyone that requested it (i.e. didn’t walk out of the ER) got good care.

Moving on … The art shows are over – for now, anyway. I had a good time at the (judged) LFAA show. And – I received ‘honorable mention’ for a couple of my pieces! (This really means a lot to me – in an environment dominated by PAINTING artists and judged by an oil-paint-expert. But, more importantly – I had fun, and my ‘stuff’ was well received.) I also bought a couple of things … art note-cards. I love the colors and fun of this little watercolor turtle; and the “SARCASTIC ME” was totally drawn to this card … The inside message has gotta be something along the line of “Thinking of you …”

So, now I’m back in my studio – which has been cleaned!!! I’m moving some cabs forward:

Fortunately, after prepping for the shows, I’m all set with ornaments for this holiday season. But, I am working on a few Christmas-themed platters and plates. Here’s a rough version of a Santa platter I’m working on.

My Tree of Life pieces were well received at both art shows. So, I think I’ll look into specialty packing boxes for them (shipping) and make a few more. And, I’ll spend some time photographing my new pieces for the shops ,,, always my favorite activity (NOT)!!

I met with ‘the girls’ (childhood friends) last week. All is ‘good’ (if not down-right awesome) in our worlds. Having said that … (AKA meanwhile, in my world -) both twins are getting their wisdom teeth pulled later this week. Prayers for us all, as DH and I watch over our ‘patients’ …

In the meantime, I’m moving towards the next hurdle of living a smoke-free life (= a whole month). While I may be eating ANYTHING that isn’t nailed down, no one has died – or even been seriously injured. So, still successful … RIGHT?!?

Our canine crew (including pups) are doing great. The babies will be/are 6 wks old, and so much fun to play with now (is she NOT just TOO CUTE???) … But, we’re upsetting our Moms at the moment, because we are removing them from their babies (so that Moms can start getting back to pre-pregnant weights [as pups are eating solid foods] and babies can start their immunization schedule). It HAS to happen, and it’s a short-lived hormonal nuttiness stage on behalf of the Moms ,,,

My ‘lil medical condition remains stable – giving me time to figure out what the next step should be. So, sss’all good! Yep, slowing down … Can’t you tell?

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Posted on September 15, 2013 by claytonhill

This weekend …

Fun time at Highland HeyDays … and we did okay, too. DH ‘manned the booth’ for me today, as I spent 24+ hours awake on Saturday. The music was good (some great, some – interesting), although a bit loud. Weather was beautiful on Saturday, and DH was grateful for the tent during today’s rain. While I don’t think I’d do this particular show again, it was a great learning experience, and a good time. Plus, I think we received a few invitations for other shows … Here’s our tent all set up:

Now, back to work tonight to wrap up my weekend and roll into 2 weeks (14 days) smoke-free. Come Monday, I plan to find my studio again (CLEAN) and start working on the next round of projects. Winking smile

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Posted on September 5, 2013 by claytonhill

I did say crazy – Right?!?

Oh, yeah – you betcha! But, I almost have the coffin kiln loaded with ornaments and ready to run. Look at what I made tonight …

It’s ‘Ornament Central’ up in here … Why? I dunno …but I like it! The days are ticking down to the art show, and I still have so much more I want to fire! My manicure is shot, my fingers are sliced up, my back is aching … I love it! Smile

But, it’s all good … I know I won’t get everything done. In the meantime, the twins are back to school. The pups are growing – by the minute! (Photos to come …) And, after too many years to count … I’ve quit smoking. Yep – in the midst of it all. Cuz – you know, if you can’t handle stress – get out of the kitchen/whelping box studio!

I’ll leave with a couple of photos of some of the finished projects. So much to do ….