Give Your Torch A Little Lift

I just received my ProJack Adjustable Torch Stand on Friday and am so excited about it.

I found them when I was in Austin and knew that this is the answer to my uncomfortable back when I bend over to torch, when standing up.

I had always sat down and when I was in Robert Mickelsen's wonderful sculptural boro class, I tried standing. I have so much more freedom of movement that way. I really enjoyed everything, but my sore back at the end of the day. This solves my problem of stooping over the table to work.

My understanding is that there are just 4 left and no more will be made. I wanted to let all of you know, before they are gone. Here is the link (click here) to go to them.

I can see using this small scissor jack for other things too. We can all use a little lift some times.

What a great present for yourself, don't you think? They are currently on sale right now too.

Hot Times in Asheville

Psssst, this is where I am right now...I'm in Asheville, NC at Hot Times here at A Touch of Glass owned by Gary Newlin, and which is put together by my buddy, Marjorie Langston with the help of friends. I'll mention more names in my follow up post.

It's always a joy to attend this get together. About 30 torches, a lot of glass, chatter, tools and laughter start at 9 in the morning and continue until 9 pm at night, for those who can make it that late. I think this is the 6th year and my third or fourth time attending.

Fabulous drawings, wonderful resources and selected bead artists do demos twice a day. We also have a room full of generous lampworkers who share what they know with the rest of us. I'll fill you in on some of the details when I return. But meanwhile, back to the torch and my new & old friends.

See you tomorrow! http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Making Your Own Headpins

Do you belong to Beaders Showcase?

I really enjoy that they strongly encourage videos to be posted there. I recently watched one on making your own headpins.

Here is the link to the How To Make Your Own Headpins.

I hadn't realized that it's so easy to do. I'm not sure that I want to make all of my headpins, but there are times in which an extra long one is needed. Or now that I have watched it, I think there are other things I might want to do with fine silver. I just need to think of what they may be. Got any ideas?

Of course it wouldn't be so much fun if a torch wasn't involved. The Creative Jeweler, who made this video, said even a creme brulee kitchen torch would work. I guess that's an excuse to go buy something else that's shoots fire. Woo hoo! I like those tools.

Do you make your own headpins or something else that is really easy? Tell me about it. I'm always interested in acquiring new skills. Especially if they involve just a touch of danger.

See you tomorrow-

Sugar Skulls and a BIG WOO HOO!

Let me start with my big WOO HOO first...
I won first place in the bead section of the FlameTree Glass Halloween Contest. It sure means a lot to me and I appreciate it very much. My prize is one of the many generous donations from GTT- Willy and Wally Horn - a Lynx Torch. This will make it easier for me to try larger stuff and perhaps a little in boro too. I'm thrilled. To see the contestants and other photos, visit FlameTree Glass.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now back to my daily topic. Sugar skulls. Today is Dia de Muertos, which takes its roots back to the Aztec civilization and Mexico. It honors family and friends who have passed on.

I think sugar skulls look like potentially awesome beads for practicing dots, stringer control, sculpture, surface decoration and possibly murrini application. Wow, that's a lot of potential in one item. I know some glass artists already make them, but it seems like this is an item that would be easy for people to add their own style to.

The photo on the left, I found on flickr.com, which is a wonderful site for reference photos. This one was by ArtofSkulls You can also learn how to make real sugar skulls through this other website. Or use it for more fabulous reference photos.

This little Frida Kahlo shrine, I found on etsy.com. This is not quite as "upbeat celebratory" or traditional as some of the holiday shrines go, but I thought that the artist must have felt a connection with Kahlo and that this one is hauntingly poignant. The same artist has an "Anima Sola" shrine with a lovely brunette woman in flames. I really like that one too.

So hopefully you've seen some different inspiration ideas through another culture and you'll look to other cultures too. I just ask that before you make something that might be sacred to a group, that you research it carefully to be sure that your interpretation would be appropriate.

What are some other ideas or websites that show multi cultural inspiration to you?

My New Cricket Torch Arrived!

Woo Hoo... It's My CRICKET!

Here's my actual torch taken with my computer's camera.
Please do not notice either the dust or the messy bookshelves behind me.



I know I've been blog tagged, but that will wait until tomorrow, because I have a new torch to tell you about today.

My new GTT Cricket torch arrived and I'm excited. I haven't connected it yet, but wanted to show everyone what one looks like, if you haven't seen one. Mine is pink with lime green knobs. I know the price of this one sure caught my attention quickly. (Introductory sale base price $139 USD, plus color upgrades that I chose.)

I tried this out at the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers) Gathering this summer while it AND another Cricket were hooked up to a 10 LPM concentrator. It had a nice strong flame and could focus down to a small point pretty well too. My try out time was short, and it was late at night, but I sure liked the idea that I could hook two torches to my 10 LPM Regalia concentrator at home. It was designed specifically to maximize the abilities of low flow oxygen concentrators like a 5 LPM.

If any of you readers out there know whether there is a torch mounted marver that fits with it, please let me know. That's part of my delay of hooking it up. I use my marver so much, I'd like to have one before I switch over. My trusty Minor needs to go get a good cleaning. Once that happens, I'll try hooking both up and see how well that experiment goes and let you know.

Do you have a Cricket? Or a torch that you think is exceptional? Tell us about it. So often people ask for recommendations for torches, but I'm always reticent to suggest, unless I've used a certain model extensively.

Tomorrow will be tag day about me and I'm sure something about glass and beadmaking. Next week, I'll be announcing two 2-day classes that I'm teaching in February and how to sign up for the lottery to get into them.

Until then, happy torching!
___________________________________________

Meeting Hayley of enVisionsf

When I was in California earlier this month, I was lucky to meet Hayley a beadmaker and graphic artist from San Francisco. Hayley is a bundle of energy mixed with lots of talent, love of life and I immediately knew she was someone that I'd want to hang out with. (and the rest of the group too)

You can find enVisonsf glass at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5196435 .

Stop by and enjoy.