Dancing

Since 'Dancing' is an important part of our name, I thought I'd share one of my all time favorite dancing videos.



Happy Friday!

...and if all goes according to plan there will be a project posted tomorrow.

Finding Frogs

Working with beads has changed the way I look at the world around me. It seems that the little details are what catch my eye, things out of place, or shaped differently immediately grab my attention.

Recently, I was at my least favorite place on the planet... the grocery store. My sweetie was headed for the bottle return outside while I helped his mom, who's a spry 96 year old, round up a grocery cart. Once she was situated, I went back to hang out with my guy.

As I was walking toward the bottle return area, something caught my eye on the ground about six feet in front of me. There on the black top, surrounded by huge humans, more asphalt, and cars was a tiny, bright green frog. It was no bigger than a quarter, and it was hopping straight towards me.

Without hesitating I picked it up, and cupped it in my hand. I took my little passenger over to show to Jeff.

We were both amazed that the frog was where it was. The building is in the center of a huge parking lot, devoid of trees, shrubs, or any sort of greenery. We surmised the frog must have come in with someone's bottles. How the frog had avoided being stepped on or run over seemed nothing short of miraculous.

Jeff declared it was the frog's lucky day. He left his bag of bottles for someone else to redeem, and we trekked across the parking lot to deposit the frog in a safer place.

So, what does finding a frog in the middle of a parking lot have to do with beads?

Give me a minute...

How about this... if you look, I mean really look, you'll find amazing things in unusual places. Sometimes it's a shell, or a rock, sometimes it's a bit of inspiration. Other times it's a special person, or a wonderful moment. We're surrounded by so much beauty, and wonder, I think you have to work too hard to not find frogs.

Who wants to work that hard?

Tonbo-dama

More years ago than I care to admit, during my early teens, I lived in Japan. The years spent there greatly influenced my aesthetics. From the color palette I prefer, to my love of stylized natural forms, and simple design, those were very important years.

In February, 2008 I traveled to Tuscon for what I believed to be my last Gem and Mineral Show. I went to say good-bye to people I'd worked with, and I went to buy some treasures for myself.

While at the Best Bead Show, I encountered a group of Japanese lampworkers and fell in love with the pieces they were offering. The bead pictured above was made by Yuka Kawakita, and is one of my treasures. I was also able to purchase a bead by Ryo Ono on that lucky day.

Tonbo-dama translates to "dragonfly ball." It's thought that the name came about because when the molten glass is applied to the core bead it resembles a dragonfly's eye. The actual origin of the term is unverified.

Lampworking arrived in Japan during the Edo period, (1603-1848) when trade was started with Portugal and Spain. Beads have been made in Japan for about 400 years.

Early 'lamps' were charcoal burning furnaces shaped like a volcano, which concentrated the flame at the top. While American and European lampworkers use a flame they work behind, Japanese lampworkers still work over their flames. Modern torches are shaped like Bunson burners, and are designed especially for Japanese made glass.

...and since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a video of a Japanese lampwork artist. Yep, it's in Japanese, but it's still fun to watch.

It's Tuesday and I Don't Have Much

This morning my computer screen is as daunting as an empty sheet of paper. I want to write. I know once I begin, I'll find something to write about, but the ideas... they're not coming.

*waiting*

Nope, still not there. Perhaps taking the easy route might be the best thing to do today. I'll post some pictures.

This is himself... Rick the Cat.  He was determined to help out as the Czech seed beads were being processed.  Since seed beads love to run away, his task was holding them down.  He did a great job!

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Last night I received an email from Claire Kimble, one of the instructors at the shop. She'd attached a couple of pictures. The piece above is a herringbone bracelet with a little moon face she purchased on one of her first visits to the new store.

Isn't it amazing? I love her color choices.

Thank you, Claire for letting me share your beautiful creation.  Oh, and by the way, Claire will be teaching this technique on Wednesday, October 27th.  There are still a couple of spaces available.

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One of my favorite time killers (besides playing Bejeweled on Facebook) is stumbling. The stumble button up on my toolbar can get quite a work out depending on how much I need to check out.

I found the picture above while stumbling one night, and had to save it. That's my kind of crustacean! I have no idea if the image was Photoshopped, or if there is a creature as colorful as the one pictured. I'm going to opt for the latter, as it makes my heart happy. Mother Nature has a spectacular sense of humor, and whimsy.

Hmmm, looking at that picture again, and then looking at what I'm wearing today, the crustacean and I have something in common... we haven't met a color we won't wear!

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Last night I felt like goofing around in Photoshop. I'd come across the quote I used, and was struck by how very true it is! I hear all the time "I'm just not creative." "I don't have a creative bone in my body."

We're all creative. Some of us just won't trust it's real.

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Looks like I did have a topic after all... Color and creativity... and it only took until 3:30 to realize it!