After the Fair

The Indiana State Fair has now come and gone.  My friends at ISLAGA and I entered our finest efforts with visions of ribbons and prizes.  The judges did their thing and I was able to photograph just about all our entries.  If I've omitted anyone, I'm truly sorry.  I wasn't able to take pictures until I picked up my beads after the fair.  Congratulations to everyone who received recognition for a job well done!

New Beads this weekend

Went to our monthly ISLAGA (Indiana Society of Lampwork and Glass Artists) meeting yesterday.  As always, there was a great group of people there with much to talk about.  We all reminisced about our adventures at The Gathering in Louisville.  Sally Gurth was kind enough to do a demonstration on her beautiful African sunset beads.  Feeling really inspired when I got back home, I immediately fired up the ole' hothead torch and tried to put in practice what I had just learned.

I'm a really big fan of the beauty of the desert, so I adapted the bead as a desert sunset.  Now, you're gonna go OMG, that's awesome! - and I'd have to agree with you.  But to let you in on a little secret, it's all in the lighting!  In real life, this bead doesn't look NEARLY this vivid.  I leaned it up against a rock on the railing of the deck and the sun brought it to life!  Tell me what you think......I've got another one in the kiln right now that will look a little different. I'll debut it next time.
Also, while looking at a book at the meeting, I saw some other neat beads I wanted to emulate.  One is called an "End of Day" bead.  It's made with scraps of glass left over from other bead projects.  Sort of a cool way to use up all your glass without wasting any of it!  Here it is.  Now, only if I could get it to look this good when I wear it!  Maybe I need to invent a little lighting system. 
Also in the kiln is another bead that's my take on an aquarium.  You'll have to wait to see it til next time!

Art in strange places

So, we're at Avon Subway yesterday enjoying our usual Saturday  afternoon fare.  I glanced at the pictures on the wall and suddenly saw the profile of either Cyranno or Gene Simmons.  If you look in the center of this photo, to the left of the green peppers and under the red onion, you can see a white-faced man looking to the left, with long black hair, a large nose, and wearing a green fedora.  Now, before you say anything snide, this was at lunchtime, and no alcohol was involved!  Unless you saw poodles and bears in the clouds during your childhood, you might not be able to see it.  It jumped out at me, and I had to record it as an artistic musing!  It took me quite awhile to upload, sideload, download this picture.  When I tried to crop it, the image was distorted and really showed that it was a reflection on a black olive!  So, if you go to Subway, look for the photo of the big tomato slice with oil/vinegar getting poured on it.  See if you can find the Cyranno/Gene and let me know!

Smokin' Toes

There's just something about a pedicure that soothes the weary soul.  I hadn't been since May, so I was way overdue to make my feet Summer Presentable.  About halfway through the day today, I decided it couldn't wait any longer and I made an appointment at Perfect Pinkie nail salon for after work.  Once you get there, it's almost like planning an art project.  First, you pick out what color you want - do I need something flashy or demure (yeah, right.)  Matte, pearly or sparkly (duh.) Light or bright (given).  Then, you have to decide if you want plain or with a fancy design.  I chose plain so I can add Swarovski later.  Today, I met Li for the first time.  She's very personable and really knows her way around pedicure tools.  After a day of  rushing around and dealing with people wanting something from me every 5 minutes, it was SO nice to relax and be pampered., if only for an hour.  The leg and foot massage was wonderful, topped off with hot towels wrapping the calves.  I could have very easily fallen asleep right there in the heated, vibrating lounge chair. 
My color this time is "The Show Must Go On" - a lively, festive shade with just enough shimmer and sparkle to give me yet another set of Smokin' Toes (as Jim calls them).  I left with a finished masterpiece to enjoy for the next month.  If only I could wear sandals to work~  The canvas may not be that great, but the artist's rendition is fabulous!  Lovin' the Happy Feet!

Art for Tuesday

I'm trying my very hardest to post pictures on this blog.  However, when I plugged in the iphone, it started syncing and I don't know where it "sunk" to.  Sometimes too much technology isn't a good thing...

I was trying to post my entries for the Indiana State Fair.  Anyway, here's some of my fav flower pictures - after all, they're art too!  Since I grew them from seed (or plant), I guess I can take partial credit for it!
These lillies are some of the prettiest flowers around.  I've found that they change color from year to year.  One year they're vivid pink, and another year they're light pink.  Wonder if it has something to do with the extreme summers we've  had the last 2 years.

This is hardy hibiscus.  Each bloom is dessert plate size and a brilliant pink.  I always look forward to these blooming in July - reminds me of Hawaii. 

Are you noticing a trend?  Seems like all the gorgeous flowers that bloom in the front yard are some shade of pink.  They're all so pretty, but they have such a short blooming time.  Thank goodness for cameras!

Maybe by the next time I post, I'll figure out pulling photos out of my iphone!