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Posted on January 11, 2012 by claytonhill

Finally …

Finally have the kiln running on a regular basis … oh how I love this!  In between quick projects, I am working on more complex pieces.  And – I have a Valentine’s Day idea or two I’d better get working on…

Meanwhile – I am still researching all things embossing … Need to get DH to hook me up with some ‘man-tools’ – a metal bender thingy and some sheet metal (flashing, I think he called it), but he is suffering from an out-of-place back at the moment … So, in between nursing him back to health, I’m researching … And taking pictures:

I don’t know if I’ve salvaged the rose night light or not – but it’s a little better:

Fused glass flower night light

Here’s the finished Psychedelic Night Light – hope to get it listed in the shop(s) soon:

Psychedelic Night Light

And that ‘coral bowl’ blank I made several months ago is getting it’s turn in the kiln as I type.  Here’s hoping she turns out nicely …

coral-bowl

But now, it’s time to take pictures of the pups, who are two weeks old now and have finally opened their eyes … Will post photos of the fat little bundles soon!

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Posted on January 8, 2012 by claytonhill

I’m supposed to be sleeping …

But the moon is getting full – and that seems to be stressing me … not that last night was bad – but I didn’t know the lunar status last night.  Now I do … With the larger-than-desired condition of the moon – and the fact that I can’t sleep … we’ll do a ‘lunar post’:

I’ve been somewhat productive in the warm glass studio … Here are some before and after shots:

You’ve heard of the Blood Red Rose, right? … Well, I thought I had something just as beautiful going with this night light … (before fusing)

blood-red-rose

Nope … I’ve renamed it the ‘Blood Clot Rose’.  I don’t know if I can salvage it – I will try (before adding it to the large pile of scrap glass) …

blood-clot-rose

I have had some successes … I love these:  (Before firing and after)

psychedelic-night-light-pre     psychedelic-night-lights

This one was also beautiful before … DH was most impressed.  It’s okay in it’s current stage.  I know what I’d do differently now.  But time to put it back in the kiln for another round or two and see how it evolves … here’s what we’ve got now:

tree-of-life-before-fusing tree-of-life-fused-stage-1 tree-of-life-light

I have an experiment in the works that I’ll share in a later post … it has to do with this rough piece:  Isn’t it gorgeous?!? … I think I can successfully make some new fused glass ‘objects d’art’ with this process I’ve got going.  It truly is combining years of our hobbies into one! 

cool-experiment

With that in mind – and the status of the moon-phase … I’m being crazy.  Not ‘ER crazy’ … but ‘you really should stop spending money’ crazy.  It’s just that I need a few more supplies to carry this idea out to fruition (or failure … ???).  So, instead of sleeping – I’ve been internet shopping.  Ssshhhh … Don’t tell DH … Smile 

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Posted on January 5, 2012 by claytonhill

Slightly creative with a curious mind = BRAT!

Yep – that’s me … While packages are still arriving with my new-found embossing hobby, I spent a few hours last night researching yet another interest … Still in the research phase (which means I’m eyeing some books), I haven’t spent any money yet – but it’s just a matter of time, I’m sure.

For now though, enough of my embossing supplies have arrived for me to do a little playing:   I like this ornament – but want to do more with it than just a ribbon for hanging … ???  I’m working it out … (But, I love how the photo turned out … another lucky shot!)  And – a mirror/picture frame idea … DH is pushing for a mirror – we’ll see.  I’m also working out the best way to ‘frame’ it (create a frame with it).  It’ll stew for a few days before I decide an approach … In the meantime, there is no safe metal in my house.  If I can get my hands on it, actually cut it (I have found a few I can’t) … I’m trying to emboss it!  Pop cans, metal flashing, a few kitchen utensils.  DH gets nervous when I start ‘rooting around’ in his man-cave … Smile

embossed-metal-ornament         embossed-frame

deep-in-thought-designingSpeaking of DH – I caught a quick pic of him stewing over his next stained glass window design … That’s his ‘deep in thought’ face … or maybe it was a gas pain … ?   Disappointed smile  Anyway – I have about 10 glass projects I’m anxious to see him make, so I wish he would move along …

I hope to get at least one of the kilns fired up this week … maybe tomorrow I can dedicate some time to my neglected glass.  My head is full of  night light/sun catcher ideas right now.  I need to replenish my stock of spoon rests and bottles, and start planning for a new round of badge reels.  Oh – can’t forget about the dye-sub projects I want to get going, too … SOMETIMES I wish there were more hours in a day!racing clock

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Posted on January 3, 2012 by claytonhill

Welcome 2012 …

WWU:  New Year’s weekend was surprisingly less eventful than Christmas weekend.  There were still ridiculous visits peppered in with the occasional sick folk … but my little stand-alone ER was NOT busy with legal blood draws or intoxicated drama all weekend … (LOVE THAT!!)  Life at my new job is so much less stressful, that I didn’t even find myself making the yearly resolution to be ‘kinder/gentler me’ … I think  that’s a good thing … Disappointed smile

Studio news:  Not as much warm glass productivity going on right now.  With the studio move and puppies – I’m seeing the draw back to the geographical change … can’t be in two places at once, darn it!!  But – I have all sorts of ideas flowing.  I do think I’ll ‘make a resolution’ to keep an idea journal going – something to flip back to when the creativity hits a wall.

DH has been productive though … here’s his latest window.  Now that I’ve got him on a roll, I hope to have stained glass windows throughout the house (like we had planned for when the house was rough-framed years ago) … Patience paying off – it is a good thing!

stained-glass-window       stained-glass-window-instal

And the final decorative touch for my studio bathroom has arrived.  DH loves to tease me about no wall being untouched – that I have a fear of naked walls … I suppose it’s true, as this ‘spot’ in the bathroom was begging for special bling.  I discovered this on Etsy, and special-ordered it.  Being that many pieces I make are repurposed, as well as much of the furniture in the studio – I think this is perfect.  It’s a wreath made out of recycled book pages …

studioBRwreath recycled-book-wreath paper-roses

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Posted on December 31, 2011 by claytonhill

Just a tad more excitement …

before closing out the 2011 year … On Thursday, while coming home from promised clothes shopping – my daughter and I discovered a ‘present’ at the end of our driveway.  Some stellar member of our community decided to dump 40+ old tires.  Not in one of the ditches or low areas, swamps or back ‘forty’ … Nope, right in my driveway.

tire-dumping

This marks the second time someone has used our driveway for dumping ‘trash’ (the first was the left-over-bits/costume jewelry from a home theft – which, I’m told, the perps were eventually caught).  These episodes aren’t counting the multiple empty beer cans or other trash (‘wrappers’ of all sorts) tire swingwe find … Oh, the joys of living remotely with a long driveway!  So, DH and I are revisiting the idea of purchasing an outdoor (remote) security camera.  We’ll see.  I hate how much they cost … but, I do not revel in the thought of my fat-butt properly disposing of those tires either … So – we are also thinking of creative ways to repurpose those tires … maybe a garden border, or … DH could learn how to make those ‘horse’ tire swings … Smile

While waiting for our favorite boys-in-black (county deputies) to arrive (for reporting purposes – and to whine a bit) … DH finished his stained glass panel.  It’s been about 9 years since we’ve played with stained glass, so the skills were a little rusty – but I like it!  And he’s already rough designing his next panel …

bon-appetit-stained-glass-w      stained-glass-panel-designi

And – some of my embossing equipment is starting to arrive.  While I won’t bore you with close-up photos of each piece … here’s an overview of my work area, with Zeus checking stuff out … and a quick pic of my frit storage/bedford-esque table:

table-zeus     frit-storage

Now it’s time to mentally prepare for the New Year weekend at work … what will it bring???  Happy New Year everyone … have fun and BE SAFE!!!

bb new year

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Posted on December 29, 2011 by claytonhill

Squawkers galore …

Sienna started having her pups about 3 hours after my last post.  I quickly recognized that we were in for the ‘all day’ plan .. so Tuesday was spent reassuring mom; catching babies, tying umbilical cords; enticing Mom with vanilla ice cream, hot dogs and canned food; trips in and out of the house – as we were never quite sure what that pressure/urge meant … only one pup delivered in the snow, thank you very muchDSC00621 – and he’s doing fine.

Now, some 40 hours later, Mom is eating and drinking and transitioning to motherhood beautifully.  And the pups are converting well to life on the outside … latching on, scooting about and being available for mom’s kamikaze cleaning sprees/repositioning spins.

Meanwhile – we’re all sitting close, ‘babysitting’ – which gives me lots of net-surfing time (and the kids are mastering their new video games).  I was bad … (can’t even pretend it was just a little-bit bad) I now have all SORTS of embossing/die-cutting equipment on it’s way to me.  Won’t be long now … Oh, Amazon.com – how I love you!

embossed metal

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Posted on December 27, 2011 by claytonhill

Zentangle … WTH???

Wow … I’ve just come across the nuttiest marketing ploy … In my eagerness to find supplies for embossing glass and metal, I’ve been searching all things related to stamping/scrap-booking.  I stumbled on a word (“ZENTANGLE”), which is associated with all sorts of DVD’s, books, computer programs, pen supplies, etc.  So, I flipped to YouTube for further clarification … Turns out Zentangle is the new word for DOODLING … ‘They’ have turned doodling into “ART” – making it sound so much more complex than imaginable. 

One video I am sad to say I wasted time watching, went so far as to explain that zentangling is designed to “relax you/lower your blood pressure, so if you find yourself getting stressed, step away from your piece immediately!” … For goodness sake, REALLY?!?  Our society has really come to this point?  We need direction, videos, tutorials and books on doodling – something we had the ability to do without instruction since the age of 5 … ??? [Shakes head in stupefied wonder]

While I absolutely agree that people have varying degrees of drawing talent, and I have always been in awe of those with innate artistic abilities … it (obviously) bothers me that there is a market for instruction on drawing random lines, circles, squares and dots …

I’m going to step away from the computer now and go DOODLE!

zentangle

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Posted on December 27, 2011 by claytonhill

‘Twas Two Days After Christmas …

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring – except for me …

WWU – It was unexpectedly busy in my stand-alone ER over Christmas weekend.  I really thought more folks would be staying home … NOPE.  We had a bit of everything: behavioral medicine complaints, intoxicants, lacerations, food poisoning, the never-ending FLU … along with some sick folk requiring hospital admission.  I hit the 24 hour mark (without sleep) mid-Christmas morning – trying to enjoy watching the family open their gifts, when my eyelids started closing on their own. (But we had a great Christmas, and I am reminded how lucky I am to have such wonderful family and friends in my life!)

Now – two days later and well rested … I have a hankering to try out a new media: embossing metal.  So, I’ve been scouring the ‘net, learning all about the necessary equipment, techniqueembossed-mats and limitations.  It’s got my head spinning and ideas bubbling over … Mixed media ideas could be lots of fun, too – trying to encompass metal, glass and dye-sub, OH MY …

This is the image that started it all … it’s a piece of embossed mat for framing pictures … I found it on Etsy and had to figure out how it was made.  From there, the search moved to die cut machines, UTEE, all sorts of scrap-booking products, alcohol inks (NOT what I originally thought Winking smile) … WOW!  Loads of fun stuff. 

Meanwhile – my studio is being warmed by my kiln … with bottles slumping.  Due to Christmas commitments/chaos, both DH and I failed to realize how low the propane level was getting … Oops.  I’m hopeful the refueling truck will be here today!  It’s all good though, as we are awaiting the arrival of our latest litter of pups.  Mom has entered the ‘beached whale’ stage of pregnancy and wants us close-by for love, reassurance and treats!

DH has the ‘Bedford-esque’ table put together.  The protective clear finish is still drying, so I’m not allowed to put anything on it yet – but here are some photos …  I love it!  And finally, my glass frit jars will find happy homes in all of those cubbies!  Smile

my-bedford-table    my-bt2

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Posted on December 23, 2011 by claytonhill

Bring it!! ….

So … I am officially ready for this holiday season … with almost 2 hours to spare, no less!  Yep – everything is made/bought/wrapped/swept/cleaned/spit-shined … WHEW!  I have a little food prep to deal with tomorrow – but I went with a simple menu, so … Welcome, Christmas 2011 – I am ready for you!

I will admit – I did cheat just a bit.  After getting NO WHERE asking my teenage kids what gifts they wanted – what their little hearts most desired, MULTIPLE times, with no realistic answers (the new corvette and shopping spree in Paris were quickly dismissed … the maid/servant idea did warrant a second thought, though …??? Smile).  Anyway … I went shopping for stocking stuffers and small gifts.  The bulk of their gift will be cold, hard cash with a few shopping trips planned over the Christmas break.  Spend it, save it – or blow it in the school ‘gift shop’ (with candy and Ho-Ho’s galore) … it’s up to them.

So – deadline met … it’s time for a little Christmas ‘spirit’ … Merry Christmas ALL!!

bbchristmas

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Posted on December 20, 2011 by claytonhill

Whirlwinds in December …

WWU – Sunday was busy for my new little ER … and I had three (no really, count them –T.H.R.E.E.) patients transferred for hospital admission!  Sure made the weekend go by quickly … as will this one coming up, I’m sure: Lots of holiday gatherings by day and work at night … Come on insomnia – don’t fail me now!  Smile

But – before we get to Christmas weekend, I have to get ready for it … Wow, I’ve left a lot for last-minute this year.  It’s all good, I’ve never missed a dead-line yet … but, I’m feeling the stress of this final whirlwind push …

I have taken a little time to play in the studio and on the computer – I made some mugs for my grandparentsphone-cover (dye-sub), got a few more items checked off the studio renovation punch list, and ordered a new cover for my cell phone.  This last one’s kinda neat:  As a stereotypical ER nurse, I live on caffeine … for me, it’s Diet Coke.  A while back a co-worker tuned me into the MyCokeRewards website, where you can earn points for various merchandise.  After saving my special codes for a few months, I’ve just ordered a customized cover from skinit.com … for FREE.  Here’s a quick pic taken from my monitor.

DH is building the last of my work tables … it’s modeled after the ‘Bedford’ table from Pottery Barn, but has a maple butcher block surface that DH is making from lumber he milled from a downed-tree … pretty cool!!  And – it doesn’t have the $1000 price tag –   Very Cool!!  Smile

2011-12-20_21-18-58_573    2011-12-19_11-26-44_64

And lastly – a quick pic of Lil Miss … whom my daughter is now calling ‘Rosie’ … (???).  She is transitioning to solids well and loves playing with the gang (here she is with CJ, Winston and YodaKei):

Lil-Miss-and-friends

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