More Leaves

That's all just some more leaves.

These were made using a tungsten to hot drill the holes.
The creamy look comes from Bullseye glass  special production rods from way back it is called Amber Surprise and I love what it does when mixed with an opaque color. The color looks opaque when it is held against a solid back ground but when you let the light shine through it becomes transparent or translucent.

I used it in some of the leave that were posted yesterday too.

Leaves

I needed an vacation after the ISGB Gathering but .............
What is that saying? No rest for the wicked ... I mean weary.
I hit the ground running after a one day crash and burn. The Fall tutorial for the ISGB Glass Bead was due soon.
Somewhere in between teaching classes and ordering glass and supplies for Dream Fire Studio I got the tutorial done pictures and all.
That is the glamorous life of a small business owner! But I get to do what I love so I guess I'll suffer.
The tutorial is wrapped up and on it's way to the editor. No preview but here is a hint. Just in time for Fall.

Can't wait for Fall and "cooler" weather

The ISGB Gathering Classes and more

Yes I know it is taking me forever to finish up with the trip........
Now that I am back time is limited so I blog when I can.
So when I last blogged we had set up for class

Nicole day one waiting for everyone to arrive

Nicole has most of the class day picturesI was kind of busy with teaching thoses days so I'll post some of them later.
Class went well the students were great and I think they all went home with the knowledge they were looking for. They made some great beads too. Everyone went home with a container full of the different murrini they had made in class and lots of ideas.

The end of day two students cleaning up

Duane was in my class! He had a shirt for BOC Beads of Courage that he was having everyone sign. I am Proud to say I got to be the 1st signature right on his right shoulder. Great idea Duane!

Duane and the "Shirt" before the signatures

The final sweep down of the table

We cleaned up and with that the class was over and I was running to catch the final moments of the ISGB Board meeting.
Thank you Nicole for  all the help and support!

Thursday the Gathering formally begins
I'm ready I shipped the box of 1st timer Beads ahead

Every 1st timer I could find got and indivdual pink flower.

There is the 1st timers meeting, the general meeting and the opening reception. The flamedames and much much more. My pictures are just not so good of Thursday.

Friday was My Presentation: Frozen in Glass
Translating Inspiration into Glass
Everyone said they enjoyed it!







Then it was time to hop on a bus and get to Seattle for the Gallery tour


The Venture show was here

 
























One of the nice things is you get to see friends you only see once a year.

BFFFFFF Annemarie and her Honey

Me, Shruti and Debby



These hugs have to last a year!
















Now get back on that bus!

Almost done Saturday is the Bead Bazaar I had a table.

Just a half table

There was still more the banquet and live auction. A little sleep- more lectures- I mostly worked Sunday packing the Indelible exhibit for Japan
And the end Bead Trading and the closing party

Carlos and Jeri by the smiles I think it was a good trade

A long delayed plane trip back and that is the end!

Back to Seattle and the ISGB Gathering

Monday came too fast and it was time to get back on the road. We headed for Seattle/ Bellevue and the Gathering. You do have to stop and eat so we stopped in Olympia. Walked around a bit and enjoyed the cool air.

Nicole had packed an amazing gourmet lunch from our leftovers. Those were some leftovers!
Salmon cakes,roasted veggies and local cheese on a fresh bagette. We sat on the pier and enjoyed the fresh air and lunch

We arrived at the hotel in Bellevue in time to set up for tomorrows class.

This is a beautiful Hyatt and the staff was wonderful!

One big classroom!

You can barely see the green folders and tools on the table with the torches.

Bullseye donated rod

Everything is set up and ready for tomorrows class.

I headed back to the hotel which was a little bit of a hike. But there was a reward when I got to the room.

I found out my student back in San Antonio arranged for the Bellevue Hyatt to make my stay special!

Thank you Lori and the Bellevue Hyatt management. Best Hyatt Stay yet!

Yes it is all about the food- and fun

Portland Adventure

The next few blog entries will be about the trip and the ISGB Gathering.
On Sunday we went for a hike.

Well more of a walk as there was a 0 elevation but plenty of source material!



Sculptural flowers and encased too



Berries Class

We even saw a couple of  bald eagles. I am really happy with the new camera- Great bead pictures, Macro and the zoom is great!

Some of you know that I do love Bubbles- I believe Life is short so Blow Bubbles when-ever where-ever you can!

Then it was time to get back to the City of Bridges and a wonderful dinner at Jenny's house with more glassy friends.Thank you Jenny!

Thank you Vanessa our wonderful tour guide!

Vanessa and Nicole

Time to catch up

I need to catch up on blogging.
There were too many days that the doing was way more fun than the talking about it. So the blog suffered.
When I last blogged we were in Portland. I will start there.
The "crash pad" was fantastic!
Great view

Mt St Helen's- I think

Good healthy food

Plenty of exercise


My house is one story so this was exercise
















I didn't get many pictures the day we went to the Portland Farmers market and then the Art fair but a friend snapped this one. Yes caught in the act of getting a Henna Tattoo. Friends and Family DO NOT freak out it is Henna and gone already as I write this blog. The leaves of the vine were flames. If you haven't had a Henna Tattoo they go on black and fade to brownish red and in a week or two they are gone. This one is long gone but was fun!

Henna Tattoo

More tomorrow........