Gearing up for winter shows!

I am trying to keep a studio schedule, making beads etc for winter shows. Man is it hard to set your own schedule! I've started playing with Gaffer glass, but haven't got many beads out of it yet. Maybe in a couple days! Here's a few new listings I've got in my Etsy shop!

BC Rodeo Finals

Hubby and I got home from BC Rodeo finals today and what a great weekend! Roddy (husband) won the Saddle Bronc, he rode well and had no injuries! YAY! The held it outdoors this year and all though we had a bit of rain it was much nicer. More room made a big difference. Hoping to get back at the torch this week and get some beads and jewelry done for the up coming Xmas shows!

Creative Handsy

THIS is what happy, creative hands look like! I had been playing with bronze clay while at M & D Designs. Vicky showed us how to use it. It was fun, can you tell from the big grin on my face!

Studio Kitty

While in Chinook I met Blackie M & D's studio kitty. Here's a couple pics of her. The sleeping one she is on top of a fresh batch of soap, which is warm because it's still curing. She got her own personal kitty spa!

Chinook Washington

I spent the last week in Chinook Washington at M & D Designs (heaven for glassy people!) I had the most fun I've had in ages, laughed all day long, learnt tons and got to hang out with amazing friends! many thanks to Kristi for organizing it and to the folks at M & D for letting us hang out there. I miss everyone!

Featured Artist

I am going to try and get back to featuring one artist a month (maybe more, maybe less!) on my blog.

This month I am featuring Julie Sigmund. I love her wire work, it's so precise and creative. She's also a member of the SATEAM and I think just a fantastic person. Here's a little insight into Julie and a photo of one of her favorite pieces.

How long have you been working in your medium?

I made my first wirewrapped piece 3 years ago. I had a handful of lampwork beads that I had made that I was so proud of. I made a simple necklace with sterling silver wire and the lampwork beads and my passion for wire wrapping grew from then on.

What is your favorite thing about your art?

I would have to say its the wonderful feeling I get after I've created something beautiful out of simple wire with my own two hands.

What's your favorite piece?

My favorite piece is my Dragonfly Pendant. I love dragonflies!

What's the hardest piece you've ever made?

The Dragonfly Pendant was the hardest piece I've ever made. I actually worked on this idea for several months. I gave up on it numerous times and would toss it aside until a new idea hit me. Attaching the wings to the body was my biggest problem I had, and the idea came to me one night just as I was falling asleep. I jumped up out of bed and sketched my idea down on a piece of paper so I would'nt forgot it the next morning. LOL!

Who or what inspires you?

I've been inspired by so many wonderful artist, Sandy Cowan, Iza Malczyk, and Sharilyn Miller to name a few. I also find inspiration in my natural suroundings, a walk in the woods, camping trips, and even when I'm working in my yard.

What's your favorite inspirational saying?

My favorite inspirational saying is:

If you can Dream it, you can do it.

Walt Disney.

What's one thing you've never done you always wanted to do?

I would love to travel the world.

Indy's spending time outside

Indy is healing up fairly well, slow and steady. He's been outside during the day lately, hopefully if the weather stays nice he'll be outside at night soon too. He seems happy enough to be outside, being in the stall all day gets boring for him!