9.18.2021 - Becoming the Chain.....

While I’ve seemingly stalled out, …things are not always what they seem….

Last year I purchased a beautiful silver pendant from Lark in Smithville, TX - it’s so stunning, shaped like the blossom of a yucca plant, it is hinged and opens as if blooming. I want to wear it all the time - but I also want to wear my work… so - the larger barrel shaped beads I had been making have now been scaled back to fit through the tiny bail on the pendant. My beads have become the chain… many of you know that I like to work small - and inevitably as I come up with new ideas I work to refine them into more delicate and, yes, much much smaller finished beads. (3/16”dia.)

I’ve been making these for a few months now - in lengths ranging from 16” to a decadent opera length of 38” - from every imaginable opaque and silver glass. The loop that the lobster claps hooks onto is also small - so that the pendant can be switched out.
I have quite a nice inventory and will be bringing the ‘chain’ out each week. Email me if you would like a certain length or color. Smiles, Jill

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1.1.2023 - I’m reminded that "I'D Been Reminded..."

So.. this (below) was written two years ago. I’m starting by updating here - as my glass and torches are still packed. but seeing this draft blog entry reminded me that something has been missing in my life, and I’m sure it’s my connection to glass and you.


_____ so this was back in 2021….
This past year has been odd, I can see you nodding in agreement… “new norms” is what we have now.
I can only tell you that while the world has been in various states of flux, I continue to find refuge in glass & torch time. It’s my ‘go to’ place for reflection/stability. Glass isn’t going to change - but its transformation is and always has been immensely joyful.

Usually every six months (or so) I clean all the glass rods from my work surface, this entails full length 13” rods and what we call shorts. It’s easy to see which are my favorites and this time was no different! I gathered them up and ran them through the dishwasher, then they were dried, sorted & bundled. It was apparent as I dug down on my worksurface - like an archaeological dig, that I had used many transparent colors - but only, of late.. opaques. To me, the use of opaque glass signifies a time when the light changes, and more serious seasons are looming.

As I carried the tub of glass bundles to the torch, the sunlight hit just right, quietly nudging me as if to remind me that THIS is why I love transparent glass. Really. Why should beads have to be any more complicated than simply showcasing the beauty of this glass?

Through different shapes, textures, etching and thicknesses the color just jumps out with transparent glass. smiles - Jill

6.03.2020 - I thought I'd do something different.

Glass must have magical healing powers. I spent the week at the torch just zoning out (aka escaping it all)… making my favorite things - earring beads… and guess what? I didn’t make (well - not TOO MANY) into earrings… I have tonight’s update page laden with earring pairs. Three matching pair for $40. Usually a pair of earrings are $50.. so that’s quite a deal. Good for me (to get to make them), good for you too! Just to give you an idea.

But - please try to use the PayPal buttons if you can… or I will be forced to do MTO!

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5.20.2020 - SO… My Cap Has An Instruction Tag

Who doesn’t own a Life is Good hat? You know, they have cotton ball caps with goofy things on them and little tiny instruction tags inside. “Do what you like, LIKE what you do”. What better advice to give?

I have said in the past how gratifying it is to have auch an incredibly positive venue in which to showcase my work, and that it’s so positive simply because people don’t come here and leave hate mail… if they don’t like it, they leave. If they like it, and something speaks to them - they buy. It’s a fine line being able to make something that speaks to someone else. I know me best - and it’s easy to make what I like, whereas it’s incredibly difficult to take direction from someone who has an ‘idea’ in their head - and if you have to create based upon an idea that isn’t yours - I, most often, fail.

So, musing the other day about what the week might hold, my very task/results oriented friend asks “Well, what sells?” I rattle off a few things - and she proclaims “make that”. BUT… that may have been how I was feeling then - it’s not in the cards right now. She continues, with this, which makes sense - but - from an artist’s point of view… doesn’t. “If you make what you like, it’s a hobby - if you make what sells it’s a business” - ouch. I think the goal is to make what I like and hope that my customers like it as well - and are willing to evolve with me - or at least wait the creative process out. - knowing I’ll be onto something they might like soon.

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If you see today’s update page - you’ll notice that I’ve been working on those spree shaped beads with fine ivory scrollwork. I’ve been making some version of this for almost 20 years. Yet, if you compare today’s with those from then - the technique has been refined - the edges are crisper - and the precision is better… so each torch session - even while making the same style bead - is an exercise in other things. This week it was alternate color ways - to convey a different feeling entirely. The busy set above is more delicate, while this set, below, is bolder and more of the color of the glass is dominant.

It’s also comforting to do repetitive things - hands active, mind thinking… (see way below)**.

Now, do consider that women wear a lot of black… I wear a lot of solids… what a lovely backdrop it would be to a necklace such as this! Smiles, and solids - Jill

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I’ve been seeing a LOT of cardinals on my deck - which is opposite from where I have morning coffee. I’ve never seen so many before - and not just in the mornings. They’re so delightfully brilliant and I just love the red. I was making birds - and started thinking about how distinctive they are with their tuft on top of their head… nice.

Cardinal Birds

A cardinal is a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you most need them or miss them. They also make an appearance during times of celebration as well as despair to let you know they will always be with you.

5.13.2020 - Beads Totems!

While I’ve never seen myself as particularly sculpturally oriented, I must admit that I do enjoy shape manipulation (is that sculpture?)… all round beads would certainly be somewhat boring!

I freehanded these little guys - being a bit thankful that they took on a more sandpiper shape than the foreboding shape of a raven. They seem to nicely cap off a set that’s in limbo - while awaiting the artist’s inspiration. These beg further exploration - and it will come.

I lapsed into my comfort zone - and made copious amounts of a softly pillowed tab shape - for a necklace idea. I have several that I wear - and always am amazed that for the amount of beads involved… once they warm to body temperature - I forget that I’m wearing them. Mine is a mix of black, grey, and a few purple, and it seems to go nicely with what I wear most often.

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So… I’m feeling more like myself lately - and have a pile of beads to put on my update - and if I don’t get started… I’ll never get it done!! smiles, Jill

5.6.2020 - Hello From Texas - personally certified virus free ; )

Just poking my head in to briefly connect with you all - and to use up some of the thousands of words I’ve been “storing up” - (a silly throwback line from the one man comedy act Defending the Caveman… where we are ‘issued’ only so many words a day - that women store these words up, while men generally use them all, hence often having not much to say in the evening… sorry guys, for the joke & generalization) ; )

I’ve had a blog idea rattling around in my brain since about midway through the covid19 time at home. Let’s see how it spills out.

SO. I’m almost 59 and remember 9/11 as if it were yesterday, exactly where I was & what I was doing when I tuned in and saw the assault on my country. After the initial horror - I remember being quieted by the gathering together of a people… to assist each other, to comfort & console. Where in the face of something so horrific as that day - a silver lining still was found.
I was living in Germany at that time, on a US military post, and most of our soldiers were on training exercises elsewhere… leaving their families. Upon learning of the attacks in the US, the threat levels went from Alpha to threatcon Delta. Access to the Post was closed & armed guards put in place - to quell potential further acts of malice. Boquets of flowers started appearing, laid at the closed gates by people from the little German town close by… we also had soldiers from the German Army volunteer to help guard our military post and keep us safe. It was a scary time to be so far away from home… and the outpouring of concern was certainly touching.

And now, for everyone worldwide, the first quarter of 2020 has been hard... when faced with such unfamiliar circumstances & a whole new trial set of parameters with which to live our lives - it’s definitely taken some adjustment to find balance. Add to this my personal sadness in the passing of my brother & impending decline of my golden, Charlie. I lost my creative drive… but chose to write about it here, as I have known many of you for decades. You’ve transitioned over time from being customers/visitors to close friends. Admittedly, this blog is not always about beads, as I don’t think of myself as a machine that pumps out soul-less beads, it’s important to me that you have an opportunity to get to know the artist, so when you wear my work - you feel a connection of warm familiarity.


This new isolation has been difficult for many reasons - the new set of circumstances. Being alone. Dealing with loss. Dealing with impending loss. So the blog has been a way of connecting - and not feeling so alone. Did I have any idea that I would receive letters of comfort/support from as far away as Amman, Jordan… NYC, CA etc? NO, not really. But then it started me thinking about how even in a time when this country is so divided - politically - we still are human beings - and when we hurt - people are inclined to comfort.

People from so far away stopped to reach out, and it felt really good. thank you.

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On the other side of things - my creative energies are returning… but they have morphed. I’ve not been inclined to the norm for Springtime/Early Summer carved and sparkling transparents… but more storytelling totems. Crazy, huh? I will photograph the new totem sets for next week in a normal horizontal “set” format, then also a vertical totem pole type layout. The beads will be shipped with a vertical post and a wooden base that it fits into - so that while you decide what you will make, the set can be displayed as temporary enjoyable art. Smiles - Jill






3.25.2020 - I spoke too soon...

While I have had two torch sessions - I only made about 1/4 of the number of beads that I normally would, and they’re a bit repetitive… so - it looks like I’ll put this on hold until I can shine.

While still reeling from the sadness of the past month - I just learned that Charlie, my golden, has cancer. Gosh, I thought He would only give me what I could handle…. Many of you have watched over the past 9 years as Charlie firmly welded his presence in my heart/life - and as it always is, too many of us lose our pets way before we’re ready to let them go… and - it’s never easy.

Charlie is my fourth golden, and much like the prior three they all lived robust lives until about 8-9… then something epic knocks them down. I’ve been through blindness, diabetes, eye removal, hip dysplasia, two blown knees, bone cancer, and now cancer again. My agreement was to pay for a pup bred from a reputable breeder this go-round so that I knew what I might be facing… and while he came with clearances for many common issues - cancer is the crapshoot I never saw coming.

Over the last (near) decade Charlie has become my companion, my guardian, and another warm soul that I share my home with... His vocabulary (understanding of mine) was quite extensive and often when words didn’t work - signals were sufficient. He gets me. I think he is the last golden in the string - as this kind of heartache isn’t one I would will on anyone - although if you’ve welcomed a furry companion into your life - undoubtably you’ve been here too.

I want to make happy, sparkling work that inspires that in you… but for now, it’s just not coming. On the positive side, for a good portion of my friends/customers my connection is virtual… I have some surprises planned… as our lives, as we have known them, have changed for the time being and this will bring some joy.

see you soon - love, Jill


3.18.2020 - I'm sort of back...

So, the short story version of this is - that my brother has been dealing with a cancer diagnosis since last July… I drove him back to Houston for a scheduled visit - and found that we weren’t able to return for over three weeks.

Through I arranged for many ‘versions’ of life (from skilled nursing facility, to 24/7 care in home) the status of his diagnosis and the resulting treatments required a constant re-invention of plans… Nothing worked out until he was transported back to Austin and we found a facility that could address all his needs - close to family.

Once he was settled, in hospice… and the dust once again began to settle - Coronavirus kicked up a notch… and we weren’t allowed to visit him in the facility. Until the very end - which was last Friday night. Although I know in my heart that he wouldn’t have wanted this to be prolonged… the idea that he was actually really gone has been slowly seeping in over the past few days.

This is all so out of my area of expertise… dealing with a serious illness, caring for a family member, administrative red tape, ineffective home caregivers, and wanting to be able to make the right decisions with very little sleep… I’m sure the trip home was what I should’ve arranged from the start. Heartfelt thanks to a girlfriend who searched out facilities and took my folks for tours… I seriously don’t think I could’ve done this.

Tim is my only brother - and I honestly am grateful to have been able to say ‘I’m here’ all those times in the past month that he called out for me… what a shame we weren’t closer during the past few decades… how different life might’ve been for us both.

Today was my first day back at the torch, and I didn’t venture far from my comfort zone… give me a week and I promise I’ll be back full strength… and thanks for listening… hugs, Jill

2.12.2020 - Pburrrrples in Texas.....

Gosh. I know we get a break for most weather, aside from the scorching and endless summers… but seriously - it dropped from 79 degrees to 42 on Monday. Is that just crazy?? Thank heaven I work at a torch and snuggle up to my kiln at the same time…

Last week I had a throwback set on my update - shown below… - I had forgotten how stunning these can be… and over the years hadn’t made many… so - on Monday & Tuesday (which are always torch time for me), I revisited this style.

I must admit - it’s the same general idea, just it’s gone wild. These are made with silver wire…

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And these are made with the copper wire. Same idea, different materials… not exactly getting back to basics, but very pretty nonetheless. These are available on my update page tonight - for a very reasonable price… why? Because, I love to make beads - maybe you’re not a seasoned bead person, - well, here’s your opportunity to become one!! Smiles and shivers, Jill

1.29.2020 - POOF... gone

Hello again, it seems a most lovely post has been swallowed up by the great beyond. :‘(

so. Let’s see if we can recapture the essence.
It was just me, lamenting about how much I enjoy lampworking… and how that even after 22 years - I so look forward to each torch session as if this were new to me. I’m sure I’ve written similarly before, but I honestly never thought that this would last decades.

I find myself telling people how much I love what I do - and how I love glass, its beautiful qualities in its cool form, as well as how magical it is - when molten - to command the shape… to add sparkle, or stretch to thinness the darkest color to allow the light - and release the color. While living in Germany I started working with Lauscha glass from the former East… (from what I have heard, we Americans like to work too fast) This glass allows for heat and the building of a nice bead without the sacrifice of boiling the glass.

In the past people have said that they can pick my work out of a jumble of other artists’, and I often hear that people hoard or covet the sets - not wanting to make things from them, but to keep in a bowl on a desk to ‘visit’. I understand, and admit that I have come to terms with that - in knowing that while a necklace may be ‘made’… it can always be ‘unmade’ and transformed into something else. So - use them, enjoy them, then rework and enjoy them differently!

The beauty IS the glass, in its simplicity - the beauty of the color itself. - Smiles, Jill