Bigger blown bead

After 2 days of shoveling snow, I took a day off yesterday and made beads.  I have been anxious to practice blowing more huge beads, and this is the result of yesterday in the studio.  It is even bigger than the first one I made!  I am not sure why I am so intrigued with these huge beads, but I love them.  Thank you, Patti Cahill!

Huge hollow beads

I just got back from a fabulous one day workshop with my friend Patti Cahill, and among other things, she demonstrated how she makes her huge hollow beads. I had talked to her about it before, but there is nothing like actually seeing it!  Today, while the snow came down, I finally got to try it at home, and took this bead out of the kiln tonight.  Unfortunately, there is a crack in it, so this one will be mine.  I think I need to tweak the colors a little, but all in all, I was not unhappy (except for the crack!)  It is the largest bead I have made, close to 2" diameter. 

Paperwork

This weekend I tackled a huge pile of paperwork.  I filed sales tax for 3 states and 3 local business privilege taxes, plus sorted and filed a lot of papers.  At some point I will have to start on federal, state and local income taxes, but that can wait for another day.  I usually don't mind the paperwork too much, unless it takes too much time.  Then I resent it; being in my studio is a much better use of my time!

I still need to hem 2 new pairs of jeans so I can wear them.  I can seldom buy any pants that don't need hemmed, and even ones for short people usually need a little hemming.  If I can get them done tomorrow, then on Monday I can start working in my studio with a clear conscience.  I need to melt some glass!

New Year!

It is a brand new year, and I have a brand new purse.  It took several trips to several stores but I finally found one I think will work.  Red wouldn't have been my first choice, but I really liked everything else about it, so I decided I liked the red after all.  Choosing a new purse is a big commitment, and leads to many possibilities for the new year.  There are lots of pockets, inside and out, zippered or not.  Who knows what will end up in them by the end of the year.