Something different (for me, anyway)

I don't do a lot of etching in my lampwork. I love the look of other peoples etched beads, but my own are usually these intricate, multi-layered objects that don't lend themselves to that technique.

But I was playing around with the last of my Gaffer Chalcedony and I was drawn into making a bunch of different shapes and textures, using different base colors, frit, different striking times, etc. After a while, I realized that I was really liking these beads, enjoying the color reactions and all the different shapes. So what turned out as an experiment ended up as a set.

A big set.

I've actually broken it down into 3 different sets, but this is the first one. The overall look was very rustic and eclectic and I thought it would look cool to etch it. Let me know what you think. I have them listed on eBay right now.

~*Autumn Garden*~

What have YOU been up to lately? Seriously.....

Yes, I've seen Rock City. But what else have I done?

This weekend, I had a conversation with a person I hadn't seen in about 12 years. It was awkward at first, the way that kind of thing can be. We chatted about jobs and kids, houses, pets. The usual. But then he asked me,

"So, what have you guys been up to? What else have you been doing?"

And I was silent. I just stared at him, dumbstruck by my inability to come up with an answer.

What had we been doing? Raising kids, working, paying bills. Is that it? Is that all there is? I mean, I used to do things..... didn't I?

I think we're so busy with just day to day, working through it that - somewhere along the line - the living part of life has just faded to grey.

I have a list of things I want to do someday. Places I want to go, where I want to take the kids, things I want to see before I die. But, my daughter is almost 12 now and I realize that most of those things are left undone, still waiting for the right time.

When is the right time?

Why all the 'saving for retirement'? Braces? College? A new drain field?

When does life start getting lived and not just prepared for?

So, please share your thoughts. Maybe I'll get inspired.

P.S., if it's any consolation, after a few minutes, I asked him the same question and he had exactly the same reaction as I did. Silence.....

Fairy Balls....?

Umm.... yeah, probably not the best name, upon further reflection. But, when these beads first came out of the kiln, that's the name that popped instantly into my head, Fairy Balls. However, they shall from this point forward be called ~Fairy Lights~ . They're listed on eBay right now, if you'd like to come check them out.

Have you ever....

had a puppy that was more work than a baby?

Don't get me wrong, Tucker is a great little guy. He's so cute and he's super sweet. He follows me everywhere, gluing himself to my ankles. He's pretty smart and he did finally learn to swim like an actual Labrador Retriever (he used to swim free-style, hauling his front legs completely out of the water and then slapping them back down really hard - creating such a churning wake that he'd nearly drown himself).

It's just that he gets really, really lonely at night. When we're sleeping. Or, when we used to be sleeping. His heart wrenching cries fill the house until not a creature is sleeping, not even a mouse. (except for my husband who, much like when our children were babies, is miraculously unable to either hear or respond to these cries) But after nearly a month, those cries are not nearly as heart wrenching as they used to be.

So puppy is in the garage. I swear, I just couldn't take it anymore. I'm so sleep deprived, I'm afraid we're going to have a case of Shaken Puppy Syndrome soon. Seriously, he's better off out there for right now. Sorry, Tuck....

Woefully out of shape!

I just went for a run, if you could call it that. OMG, I am so out of shape it's embarrassing! Seriously, I could run farther when I weighed 20 pounds more than I do right now. After taking the entire summer and the last 1 1/2 off, I have absolutely no stamina and no wind. Sad!!!

Anyway, I'll keep at it. I love running and I miss it, so I won't give up.

In the meantime, I have a new set listed on eBay. It's made with gorgeous Gaffer Chalcedony. The colors are just amazing and I made them with Zoozi's crystal press, so they have a wonderful shape to them. Very fun.

~*INDIAN SUMMER*~