Birth Box

I accomplished a lid to use as example in these shows to come.

Birth announcement.

I used to do something similar a long time ago...I didn't realize that this kind of thing is popular still...so I stained the footprint (painted on clear glass then fused it to my choice of color)

remember my "painting" is using crushed glass making a paste then using that AS paint.

Made a generic looking hospital record and now to make the box.

There is More

Here also is a piece that has a fused and stained Walleye fish in the water.

This piece started as a clear substrate that i added crushed and powder glass to create color and water.

i used the traditional method for staining (crushed glass mixed into a paste)

I am not exactly sure what I am going to do to finish this piece.

I started it forever ago, tossed it to the side to work on a commission...forgot about it...found it in a box and thought I should do something with it...so I needed to at the least finish the staining.

That much is done.

Kiln Opening

I fired the lids for the Homestead's second part of order.

A lid that depicts a panoramic view of ma's house to the little school.

The ladies want it to look like a sepia picture and just hint at the detail... mostly implying the tall grass only, the first try didn't show up very well with the bottom...that has the Homestead LOGO.

So I needed to add some black.

Still neutral but it makes things show up a little better.

The lid is clear in background...the kiln shelf makes it appear solid.

Today's Accomplishments

I have been struggling to complete a repair to a window that goes in a cabinet. Spent 3 days on something that should have taken 3 hours tops. BUT I accomplished the repair and didn't break any of the other pieces...that was a PLUS!

It is a generic style cabinet door, nothing spectacular. Just a job...I am lucky to have had...I better put that out there!

Small Panel Dragonfly River

Here is the panel of Dragonfly River. Very small, 12 x 10 The river rock is small beach glass and nuggets with decorative soldering making the river "flow". A dragonfly is done within the panel in irridized cathedral blue. Shimmery and delicate looking even if it doesn't show up in the picture. The second fly is Free flying done of solder and wire.

The season has started for doing the outdoor show. I do not remember it being so much work! And i have a partner!!!

We got along great, which i already knew we would in that area. She brought her daughter who is just back from Iraq. Rachel is the loveliest young woman. Bright, funny a LOT of fun for us two older females..then to break up the rest of the time was Dylan. Rachel's son and Janet's first grandchild. He is 3 the same age and my grandchild Hannah...so I knew he would be fun. He did great for being dragged all over for 4 days. He is one tired child! Cause I am one tired old lady.

The next show is in a couple of weeks. I hope I can make what is rolling around in my mind materialize...quick....glass takes so long to produce. I am going to make a few book examples, and a collage, and smaller panels.

Been Busy!

Here is a picture of a current piece. It is small. The river draws the dragonflies and I caught a couple of them. Here is a closeup of a dragonfly flying free form on the panel. Made of solder and wire. If the piece isn't sold by the time I have the show at the Dakota Prairie Museum, then I can include it in that presentation.

Students!

Ya know...I hate to do it ...but my time is so limited and valuable to me. Come the end of the class, the time the students miss will be noticed as a value for them. Because most likely they will not finish their work.

No-shows...no phone call, no note in the mail later, not even an email...when a person has a scheduled class (to meet with their agenda no less) and they miss the time I have made available to them, that...I am sorry, counts for a class.

I can understand that an emergency occurred, I can't understand that notification ( of some kind, at some point) failed.
Phones are everywhere (and almost everyone on earth has a cell phone). Then there is the trusty mail service...send a note card....how about an email...I am thinking everyone on earth has a computer too.

None-the-less it counts for a class. 3 hours taken away from the 27 hours designated for the project.
Missing 1 class won't cause a person to not finish the project but, missing 4 classes will.

I don't see myself as momma, and I shouldn't need to remind a person they have a class...I keep a calendar, and usually so does the student.
When I am stood up, my time has been horribly wasted.
I didn't get notice, so I couldn't schedule something else in that space.
I can't get involved in an on going project of my own.
I can't even get housework done...I am not IN the house.

This is horribly unfair to me because, I have every time space on every day of the calendar marked in with appointments, work, teaching, and shows. I need every free space I might suddenly get to be used wisely creating work to sell, catching up on paperwork, or maybe just to get a moment to rest.

So, do you see my point?

Am I unjust to make the violator of time used wisely, own up to the offense?

Or, do you think that I should just brush it aside and add another time slot so they can catch up?
Of course, perhaps I should have my secretary put in a reminder call?....yeah that must be the answer.


Wanted: proficient being for occupation; secretary. Must have a calendar and know how to use a time piece and operate a phone using proper etiquette.
Must be able to use mental telepathic processes to communicate with students and appointees.
I won't put a number in...this is a test. ;)

An Exciting Email!!

Nancy, from GA, e-mailed me this morning that she was at the Homestead in De Smet So Dak! and she actually purchased a Laura Box!!
(scroll below and visit that entry)

How EXCITING is that!

Well for me it is.

Kinda like just because we haven't actually met I feel like I did through the spirit of my work.
She is a Laura Ingles Wilder researcher and teacher, and must be on one of the art groups I belong or else she wouldn't have known about my blog.

Blogging is so cool!

Creamery Open House

I am pleased to report that most of Platte showed their support

and came in to the Open House.

Chris, a master pastelist from Gregory SD,demonstrated her talent on this day.

Angelika, attending the festivities, connected right away with Chris and signed up for classes.

She will have a great time. Chris is delightful and patient.

One of the best instructors I have sat in with.

She is generous with information and encouraging.

All the key components to a fabulous experience.

Happy Mother's Day

It is a gorgeous day out! After 3 really cold windy rainy days (good for our grass for seed crop), but I will take the nicer weather too.

Happy Day lady's!

Not a lot really happens around here for these kinds of occasions...but, I know a LOT of the rest of the land will do the day up. For y'all I hope it is everything you wish it to be.

I will be resting up the morning, making out a glass supply and sheet glass list to place this week. Doing my exercises!! Fusing 2 slabs of glass in the kiln. Work on the coloration for the Homestead lids...(that is still an on going project).
Then this afternoon go help Ghena with putting the restaurant back together so she can hopefully open her doors tomorrow night!!!
THE Grand Opening!

The town needs this re-vamped establishment where the insides are totally cleaned up and getting restored (really old building) the basics for now. The menu is to die for good!
We needed this change, the young energy floating around and happy excitement!!
All Good!

So, I hope that goes off successfully this week...but tomorrow would be great too.


Have a great day!

Sage Green on Opposite Wall

On the N wall went the sage green color. So CLEAN is this color! No shelves will go back on this wall. Green, to me, is the best compliment for hanging artwork.

The toy replicas in wood, of artist Paul Samuelson, surround the opening into the antiques room. They are so much better showcased in this area.

The one picture shows how the meeting of the colors look over the opening wall.

This was a huge job. The walls kept growing, but I finished in 1 week!!

BE sure to go to the before pictures below!!!!

Changes are in Place

The painted walls make a HUGE difference!

Invitingly warm, clean, and of course the gold and green are money colors! So we have the yin/yang balance happening.

The S wall meets up to the Faux Log wall behind the till, and goes around the short corner to meet the sage green we put on the N wall. The green dominates the arch opening that takes the customers to the antique and collectible room.

The shelves were removed and only 1 has been brought back. I am waiting for the artists to bring in new work, to see how much wall is needed for hanging space. Until then I do not want to clutter the wall up with shelves.

The caramel color goes well with the Bag Treatment floor!

Spruceup of the Creamery Gallery

Dianne, the owner of the Creamery and I have a mission for this season. Bring in new artist. To entice the artist in, we decided to spruce up the gallery walls making this huge expansive space more welcoming and artwork friendly. Here are before pictures.

Two years ago the faux log wall was painted.

The new wall color for the south wall that will meet up to the log wall is "caramel".

The N wall is sage green and will meet the caramel at the arch door that takes customers back to the antiques and collectibles.