January 28, 2014
Happy new year, friends! I have a feeling this year will be epic.
Normally I use this section to tell you what I've been up to. But in the spirit of what I've been up to (hella hard work and self reflection), let's just get right to it since everything on my mind right now comes down to this:
Where's the beef? ~ Tucson Preview! ~ Upcoming Classes
I'm super glad to take the time to document and honor my current work. I've been in the shop solidly for two months, working so hard to make the very best I can. Here's a little sample of what's been happening at my workbench and what I can't wait to show you in Tucson at the To Bead True Blue show, in the Doubletree Feb 2-7:
The ability to melt glass has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. I
have a passion for it. Years ago I dedicated myself to learning the craft of
glass, even though I didn't really know what that meant. Beads found me as I was
making that decision, another amazing gift. The ability to fine tune skills on a
small canvas that's easily transported, valued since the beginning of
civilization and has a vast current following? What a miracle!!
A few weeks ago I began my 10th full time year in lampwork. Ten years is a
turning point and a good time for self evaluation. I've started to think
about what that means, how I spent these years and have felt some regrets about
missed opportunities for growth. At the end of the year I will turn around to
look at where I've been, what I've made and the skills in my hands. I want the
view to be so much bigger than what I see today! It is suddenly apparent
that I am again ready to laser focus on learning my craft. In my recent
self-assesments I can see wonderful confidence in the skills that I do have...
and a stark, terrifying awareness of all that I don't know. I am so awake. I am
so ready. I'm rededicated to expanding in my craft and growing as a teacher. I
am hungry, so very hungry for more!! Even though I again do not know what
it means, I say as bravely as I can, BRING ON THE
FEAST!
Here's to the future... Thank you for being there and here with me!! I
can't wait to see where we go next!
Join me! Grow with me! It's a joy to share what I know, learn from you and make new friends. I'm super stoked to have sold out events this spring, so here's a quick list of what's still availalble:
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Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas, NV! Registration is open and it's definitely time to get your stoke on for beautiful Las Vegas. All of these classes have space available, so hurry up and sign up for what is quickly becoming my favorite annual event:
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March 26, Joy of Enamel. We'll spend the day getting comfortable with using enamel while exploring its different properties. Sometimes it's stiff... Sometimes it's mushy... Sometimes its organic... Sometimes its bright like neon... Come find your favorite side of enamel with me!
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March 27 (repeated on March 28), Joy of Stringer. This is our chance to work together to understand the heat and manual control of fine straight line stringer work. We'll make errors and find solutions together while putting you on track to stringer with confidence.
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March 29, Joy of Form. What's a great bead design if it doesn't have a well formed bead to rest on?? This revistation of the basics will give beadmakers of any skill level a new perspective on base bead building, heat control and total confidence in structural bead building.
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UK Flame Off! Only the biggest flameworking event on the European continent, and I'm uber stoked to join! I've seen pictures and heard stories for years and this time it's my turn to participate. Let me know if I can look forward to seeing you there... and maybe there's even space at my Flame Off class through Tuffnell Glass?
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The Mandrel, Redondo Beach, CA! Join us May 16 for Heating and Shaping, May 17-18 for enamels and May 19 for stringer! It'll be a heck of a workshop, treat yourself to all four days!
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Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, WI! Joy of Form on June 5th. Joy of Stringer on June 6. Joy of enamel on June 7th. Join me in my home state - This event is alway amazingly fun, we can count on it!
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Come to my home and enjoy my workshop with me! It would be nice to have you over and when it's just us, we can focus on anything you'd like. Check here for more info and to enquire about dates that will work for both of us!
Thank you!
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Holy
cow! I can't believe how awesome the bead world is. I know you know
you're awesome. But do you know how important you are to me? You're
a vital miracle!
Sometimes I take a break from the shop, stare at the forest and wonder in amazement at the life I live. It's so cool!!! I live in a wonderful place, I get to work really hard on stuff I love working really hard on. It's gritty, dirty, stressful, painful, unending work that I love because it earns me a certain kind of creative and personal freedom I never knew I could really, truely have. Regardless if the bills get paid, I live an unbelievably rich life. But bills do get paid and it's not because I can deposit beads into my checking account. It's because of your enthusastic support that I can keep doing what I do. And it's because of your amazingly enthusastic support that I can keep getting better at what I do. And, seriously, how can I ever adequately express my gratitude?? I'm lost. But when I head to the shop with mad determination to figure out a design, or problem solve a challenge, or make as many spacers as I can, I'm doing it for me. But I'm doing it because of you. When I grow as a craftsman, that's because of you. Thank you for every opportunity.
To purchase beads:
To learn:
To Stay involved:
Mailing lists, Blog, Facebook, Twitter,
Send me pictures of your work with my beads
(Eight shows later... no coupons presented or reminded of. You guys don't like free smiles, or what??)