Clayton Hill Studio

Posted on August 25, 2011 by claytonhill

Photography

Sometimes you get lucky … and capture a pretty cool shot. At least for me, that’s what it feels like – complete luck. Is this not a way-cool picture? It’s my completed FAMILY sun catcher against a threatening Michigan sky … You can see the item listed in my shop here.

I didn’t have to edit it or anything. Although, I am getting better at manipulating images (which is a needed skill for my dye-sub ….) Not bad, eh?

Meanwhile – studio news: I’ve spent some more time playing with the dye-sub than the glass – but I’m having fun, so that’s what’s important … I live in mega-big t-shirts through the week, so I had some fun using my cheater-method dye-sub, making more interesting shirts for me to wear; marble coaster tile sets (Yorkies and Coffee themed), a dragonfly coaster and an ornament of Sophia. I’m still learning, as sometimes the image presses clearly, other times not so much … trying to pick apart what I did differently, what I’m missing …

And I continue with the dichro cabs for my next batch of dichroic badge reels. My large dichro experiment – yeah, not so great. But here’s a picture. I think I’m done ‘playing’ with it, and I’ll just put clock parts on it and call it my studio clock …

Gearing up to do a large commissioned order for glass bowls. Will have the production kiln working over-drive again …

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Posted on August 23, 2011 by claytonhill

It’s Potty Time … AKA Weekend Wrap-Up

Managed to get through the weekend with limited pain from the patients of Easy Rider. Did have a few memorable moments … this one sums it up best, I think:

A 6 foot, “220 pound” (mmhmn, yeah – and I weigh 120 pounds!) GENTLEMAN – who just happened to be in ‘the vicinity’ of Easy Rider, and was “minding his out ‘binessss’” – when SUDDENLY he was maced by ‘security’ (read: POLICE) … While he MAY have dropped the ‘F-bomb’ a few (DOZEN) times, he “didn’t do anything wrong!” But you know what – “That mace BURNS!”

Yes. Yes, it does. Of course, putting your mace-soaked clothes back on doesn’t help (put the GOWN I gave you back ON … PLEASE!!). Mace is supposed to be uncomfortable. It’s meant to be a deterrent. The ER will not place you in a drug induced coma until it wears off … Go HOME, take a SHOWER, go to SLEEP (and SOBER up!) … The patient and I went ‘round and ‘round for a bit (=20 minutes), but then he accepted the fact that no narcotics would be administered tonight …

And then it was Potty Time (or maybe we should call it the ‘BePissing Hour’) … The magical hour in the middle of the night when geriatric patients wake up to go to the bathroom – and then it hits them. They suddenly decide they don’t feel good … To wrap up this fun-filled weekend, our department administered TWO (!!) life-saving ENEMA’s that night … You know it – GOOD TIMES!!

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Posted on August 20, 2011 by claytonhill

Here it comes …

The other summer weekend I’ve been dreading … Easy Rider and Melonfest – both on the same weekend. What are they? Reasons for people to gather en-mass, drink too much, fight each other and come to the ER. And, in the case of Easy Rider – picture all the ‘fun’ associated with Mardi Gras – for bikers. Nothing says ‘Good Times’ like taking care of a drunk, sweaty, foul-mouthed biker with a split lip and busted nose, while trying to sober up his mammary-enhanced biker-chick (read: sober transport home)!

Bring on the fun!!

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Posted on August 18, 2011 by claytonhill

More experiments …

Sometimes they work … sometimes not so much. But I’m compelled to keep trying – to the annoyance of my bank account and DH. Smile

New mold, new bottle bowl. I like it, but will continue to play with it to get more relief (so the design shows off more) …

A dichroic experiment … I haven’t fired it up yet … need to ‘chew on it’ for a bit, to make sure I’ve planned it out right. They’re left-over bits and failed cabs, but I don’t want to burn off the dichro either. If it turns out anything like what I have pictured in my head … SWEET! And, I’m planning to try a few dye-sub t-shirts … All while still plugging away at the mobiles.

Our oldest son had his wisdom teeth pulled today, poor guy. He’s sporting chipmunk cheeks that look painful! He’s my talker (almost non-stop, usually) … it’s so quiet here today …

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Posted on August 15, 2011 by claytonhill

A comparison … (AKA Weekend wrap up)

Recently saw PBR (Professional Bull Riding) for the first time … My Golly! Those guys can handle some pain! It’s insane, what they endure in the name of making a living … But, we could all learn a thing or two from them. These guys ride with broken bones/bruised parts while being bucked, stomped on and stabbed at with horns.

And then there’s the 20-something in the ER … Medicated with enough narcotics to put down the BULL(!), let alone a person – and still whining. Nothing broken, no disease process found … WTH! Moving on …

Lost one of our few, precious trees during Saturday’s torrential storm. Came home Sunday morning to find this … We were very lucky she fell away from the pergola/pool. John ‘buried’ her today … R.I.P. Tree! Sad smile

During my Monday morning walk-about in the yard, I discovered this! My trumpet vine is going to have it’s first ever bloom. There’s just this one cluster … But hey – you gotta start somewhere! Smile

Studio news: This week I’m focusing on wrapping up my wind chimes, so I can move on to other projects. I’ve sold out of my current batch of dichroic badge reels, and have started making more, along with some pendants. And, I plan to do a bit more with dye-sub. My experiment worked – I was able to sublimate on art glass. Now to make more complex, fused pieces to sublimate! And here’s a marble coaster – coffee themed.

Finally got around to listing some bottles … I like these, but feel the need to ‘dress it up’ a bit more. I’m struggling with just how, though …

I’ll leave with a photo of Sophia, soaking up some morning sun … Love that face!! Smile

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Posted on August 11, 2011 by claytonhill

Happy Anniversary

So today marks the day … 21 years ago, two really dumb kids tied the knot. Who knew … 2+ decades, 3 houses (and one run-down apartment), 4 kids, several hobbies, and too many dogs/puppies to list later … and I’m still the light of his life! Smile We started dating in high school – my sophomore year, his senior. THAT was 26+ yrs ago … Dang! Someone here is OLD! Anyway … Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Meanwhile – another experiment is in the works – combining dye-sub with fused glass … Here’s hoping it works!

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Posted on August 8, 2011 by claytonhill

Weekend wrap up … Bum!

Didn’t make it to work this weekend … so no whining to be done.

Hold on a second – I can always whine about something. I know, I can share a ‘reserve’ story … You know you’re a momma’s boy if: You’re in your 40’s and you come to the ER telling anyone who will listen that your fever “tapped out at 102.4 – or was it 102.5? And it hits every night, like clock-work at 5pm sharp!” OH NO … not the dreaded ‘Clock-Work-Fever’. Wow! It’s really good you came in when you did. We’ll have them prep the OR, STAT! Oh wait … turns out it isn’t a rare, tropical disease with only minutes to live … just a virus. Yep, you guessed it – the FLU!

I’ve done some (mostly one handed) work in the studio: Future night lights … both glass and sublimated (also on glass); Played with some sublimated mugs (still wet from the cool-down bath) and key chains; I’ve made progress with my mobile parts (not crazy about the butterflies and buttons, but now I know …), and I did some much needed deep cleaning – months of ground glass GOOK cleaned out of the grinder and saw. My goodness, if there was a use for that stuff – I’d have the market cornered! Oh – and I’m slowly tinkering with ornament ideas. Very slowly …

But – if you noticed … I’ve been playing with dye-sub. Those are Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) scenes … pretty, huh? I’m trying to build up samples/examples. If anyone has any ideas, or photos they’d like to see turned into something … now’s the time to speak up. I have marble coasters, porcelain ornaments, pet tags, pet collars, pet leashes, compact mirrors, ceramic mugs, travel mugs, water bottles, key chains, pendants, puzzles, metal tins, cutting boards, baby bibs, burp cloths, sunglass cases, tote bags, wine bags … oh – and beer cozies. (Ummm, I like to be prepared … and shopping is good therapy … so just hush up already …) Still don’t have the needed super-tall toaster oven for the dog bowls and cookie jars – darn it! Anyway … ideas anyone?

Later this week we’re taking my grandparents out for lunch; more SANE orientation for a new hire; and DH and I will celebrate 21 years of wedded bliss … Time to stop being a bum.

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Posted on August 3, 2011 by claytonhill

Studio and summer news …

Started playing with some new dichro pieces last night (ok – early this morning, as the insomnia has returned!) … managed to break a piece of glass very poorly, and am now sporting 3 band-aids on my left hand from where I was apparently trying to deglove myself a couple fingers at a time! Not my finest moment. Work slowed down after that – as I was trying to stop the bleeding. Being an ER nurse, I know – OF COURSE I don’t need stitches!!!

Anyway – it’s all good. Have my ‘WELCOME’ mobile hanging out in the front flower bed … it’s pretty. Now to get it listed …

I did some research yesterday, trying to figure out why my trumpet vine is growing VERY well, but not blooming. I guess it can take anywhere from 5-10 years for them to start flowering … huhh, who knew? It’s still pretty, climbing up our PVC pipe trellis, along with Ivy for 4 season color. And, my $2 rose bush is getting ready to bloom! Sweet! The pear tree has new growth too. I love summer!!

DH and I have talked/planned a bit more for the studio renovation/move. It’s starting to come together! Which thrills me, as I look around my over-crowded current space, knowing I need to clean and tidy, while wondering where to put it all … But the coffin is reloaded, ready for another run of letters/mobile parts.

PS – not talking about DARN SANE … or CHILDREN with genital warts. DH and my bank account are just going to have to deal with my therapy …

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Posted on August 1, 2011 by claytonhill

To every thing … (AKA weekend wrap up)

there is a season … Time to move on? Maybe. I don’t know. I really don’t like change, but …

Had a few interesting things come up (out?) this weekend: Delivered our first baby in our ER. Yep, in the middle of the night with a full, backed-up ED and ambulances steady bringing in patient after (sick) patient … Wasn’t a lot of fun. The good news – everything went well (with delivery, mom and baby) … The bad news – I was the one trying to meet the needs of the rest of the patients, their families, multiple ambulances – and help out with the delivery … Can you say stimulation overload!?!

Got to play in our local sister ER for a bit this weekend … I’ve never worked in a new, sparkly facility before. Kinda nice! And – they even have electronic stretchers … no more heaving 300 pounds of non-mobile (‘dead’) weight up and down by myself to raise and lower the head of the bed for patient comfort. It seems little – but it’s a big deal! Smile Turns out they have an open position … Hmmm …

Took care of a school age person brought in for medical clearance so that he could go BACK to jail (not his first time in JAIL!!! ) … What is going on with my community???

Have the DARN SANE meeting this week … time to decide what therapeutic shopping spree I’ll need …

Studio news … Got my ‘Welcome’ chime/sun-catcher put together … now to take some nice pictures and get it listed (later this week). Ran some more letters/mobile parts this weekend (when the studio is empty, so no one feels the HEAT!) … Seems our dichroic badge reels are doing well – time to think about making a few more … And, I have a hankering to play with some night light ideas and pendant ideas (tree of life) … Oh – and I want to play with some dye-sub tiles … Ornaments? Nahhh – maybe later.

But it’s Monday – and the pool and sunshine are calling me …

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Posted on July 26, 2011 by claytonhill

Up, down, up, down

Up at 9p yesterday, back to sleep at 5am. Airport runs and errands, then back to my ‘own schedule’ for a day or two (while being on-call, so who knows …?) Then up at 6am (did I say A.M. ?!?) on Friday for a vet surgical appointment (two of our Neo’s have cherry eyes – need to be removed), so that I can put in a really long day, so that I can sleep well Friday night to stay up all night on Saturday … Yuck! It’s a good thing I’m not big on circadian rhythms …

In between, I hope to buckle down with ornaments … they’ve been sitting in various stages of ‘done-ness’ for too long … time to get some finished. Also hope to get some of the new bottles listed in the shops; I want to finish my first ‘for-sale’ mobile (have another bead shipment coming …); and I’m gradually producing ‘parts’ required for another couple of wind chime/sun-catcher ideas …

Received my sublimatables in the mail … I will slowly tinker with getting ‘model’ items made to list (someday – in my currently non-existent shop). Since these new items are completely customizable – I’m having a hard time deciding what to print on them. Generic layouts or images/photos/names and sentiments that are personal to me/my family? … Creative block – yuck! But one I can overcome …