4.27.2016 - Deep Concentration

April 27, 2016 Jill Symons

Over the years - I've made these scrollwork beads pretty consistently, usually only in navy blue during the springtime or early summer. This got me to thinking... I had been published in the Lark 1000 Glass Beads book back in 2004 - I had submitted a set of scrollwork beads very similar to this - only they were about twice as big and the lines were about 4x as thick.

These are 1/2" in diameter - and the ivory 'writing' on the bead was made with very thin stringers (threads of molten glass pulled out from a thicker rod to thicknesses of about 22ga. The glass is melted onto the surface to adhere - but I like to leave it raised after I'm sure it has adhered.

While I make these regularly... I seem to make even more during the political season. As I listen to talk radio - and my concentration just seems to lend itself to this kind of production. eh - I have some amazing necklaces!! smiles and scrollwork, Jill

4.20.2016 - The Art of Flexibility

April 20, 2016 Jill Symons

I am a very practical person. Therefore, it comes out in my work... jewelry should be adaptable, comfortable and practical. I have made and worn necklaces that showcase the beads this way now for over 15 years. It's simple and practical... (am I wearing that word out??)

The beads float and the stringing material is very nice... meaning it doesn't get furry with use, it doesn't outshine the beads AND it's nicely washable. Since I've eliminated the need for a clasp - it's hypoallergenic and can easily be sent through the dishwasher for a touch up.

The top image shows the beads all pushed together at its shortest length, while the lower image shows the beads spaced out - any way you want... and the necklace extended to the longest length. LOVE this idea, love the simplicity and PRACTICALITY... : ) Jill

4.13.2016 - Delights....

April 13, 2016 Jill Symons

My disclaimer for this post is simply that I live in Austin... where things can be weird. if I remember correctly, I first saw this lawn in the middle of winter - and assumed it was her way of dressing up and otherwise drab yard. Needless to say - this is in an area of Austin where there is great pride in the unusual... and no overwound HOA had any issues with this. (this would never fly in my neighborhood!) I just thought I'd delight you today with the simple show of what is possible and how delightful color can be!! smiles, Jill

4.6.2016 - The Tax-woman Cameth! (Happy Birthday, Charlie!!)

April 6, 2016 Jill Symons

OK, so it was the tax-woman, AKA - "Glassmommy" *(lol - for those of you who don't know - Glassdaddy.com is my father, which then makes this Glassmommy!)...
While we are glass obsessed - she has a gift for detail and has generously helped me year after year with my taxes. That's part of what's so nice... the other part is that she loves my beads - and they suit her SO well! I especially love how this necklace looks, don't you? I have a few others of this style for sale, should you be interested, just send me a note and I'll show you!

So there is an update tonight - come by jillsymons.com at 9pm EST and see what I made this week!!

Today is an around the house type blog,,, some of what I've been up to lately... writing "LOVE LETTERS", 1/2" inspirational beads - see below!

"So Proud of You", "Awesome", "All My Heart", "All My Love", "Hugs And Kisses" "I Love You", "Yes, You CAN", etc. All written with thin glass stringers - shown above.

I can write about 11 characters on these 1/2"D beads... so if you want a custom bead ($25) let me know! Good for backpacks, zipper pulls, keychains or to serve as a reminder of a special message!

Workspace - a few years ago I changed my workbench to industrial shelving... Let me explain. I don't need a lot of depth, but I do enjoy the adjustability of this shelving. This is the Gorilla shelving unit from Costco which is 20"D. I set it up without two of the shelves... set the first at desk height and the second as a top shelf. So cool. So portable, so adjustable. I also have a $5 magnetic knife strip I bought at Ikea that holds all my "go-to" tools over my right shoulder. I have the ventilation coming through from above, as well as my lights - both of which are on the top shelf... (where I can also store glass...: )

Below is a review of the shelving I found on YouTube... it goes on for a bit - but you get the idea... smiles, Jill

For those of you who know him... Charlie turned 5 today... time surely flies!!

3.23.2016 - Many faces of Murrini

March 23, 2016 Jill Symons

I ordered some murrini a few weeks ago from Lori & Kim, and plunked them down on a set of beads that sold last week , named 'Sandstone'. It was a refreshing new way to play! SO... I ordered more.

But you know how it is... like that time when you see or hear a word that's 'new' in your world of word interaction - then you go on to hear it multiple times that same day.

Last Saturday, we had taken Charlie for a swim in Barton Creek... and I spotted this caterpillar on a bush nearby... do you see what I see???

Yes, caterpillar sugar skull murrini!

Mother Nature, you never cease to totally amaze me!

Here's a cool picture of Charlie - who wouldn't stop fetching - this is his MOST FAVORITE thing!!
smiles, Jill

3.16.2016 - Toggle, toggle....

March 16, 2016 Jill Symons

Every now and then - I am smitten by the toggle bug. Since it's a multi day/step product - often I have a day of making just rings - then time is spent pairing them up - and then comes the final torch day... yesterday was just that!

These are little sculptures that have movement - and color - plus a sweet clink sound as the rings tap each other. There is a bead hole through the main part of the spindle, and can be worn - I see these as more of a collectors' piece.

I had two kilns going at once, and this made things much easier - as one held soft glass beads and the other had the borosilicate components for these toggles. There is always a ramp up *in my psyching myself up* to get 'em done... and finally by day's end - I was there. Happily pleasing results!! smiles, Jill

3.08.2016 -Silvery Drops of Rain... and then some...

March 9, 2016 Jill Symons

Rain is such music to my ears, as usual, each springtime - the rains come. Seems maybe I should be making an ark - but instead am driven to restock my supply of handmade headpins, ear wires, jumprings, I'm even making some chain! (last weekend the search was on to find some sterling silver chain - and it was near to impossible!)

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-rotary-rock-tumbler-67631.html

As I write - my tumbler is humming in the background - steadfastly rolling the stainless steel shot over and over my silver pieces. This gives them in credible polish, serves to work-harden the silver and just gives my finished pieces an extra degree of elegance. I have been through a few of these tumblers and wanted to give a shout out to Harbor Freight for offering this workhorse - for a very reasonable price.

When I went to their site to snatch a picture of it, I was that it is on sale this week for $42.99 and IMHO is well worth the money!

Back in 2004 I took a silversmithing course - I really loved it - but at the time silver was uber expensive... and I wasn't willing to take the time away from glass to delve further. The happy medium was to introduce it in the background with my beads. Over the years - I have become a little more comfortable and can report that I've done away with mfg. bead caps, headpins and bails - and as of today sterling silver CHAIN. So - I laughed today - as I used the Smith Little Torch to solder the jumprings closed - an important step in making chain. The amount of heat required to solder 20ga sterling silver was a whisper compared to the output of the Lynx lampworking torch. LOL. The Chain lengths are currently tumbling - I'll snatch a picture to put here in a little bit.

I confess that I did make a ton of beads this week, but as ususal - once I latch onto something new - I tend to run it into the ground. I have made oodles of these little glass cups from last week - and while I think they're wonderful - I need to spend some time using them in a finished piece to get you fired up! So - maybe next week you'll see the finished fruits of my "labor"*. smiles and raindrops, Jill

*I have to smile each time I call this work or labor... as you know what they say - love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life!

3.2.2016 - Fun Glassy Bead Shapes for Springtime...

March 2, 2016 Jill Symons

Fun new shapes - and one cool thing to do with them! I paired two of them and they're part of a pair of earrings I'm working on...

The glassy bead cups shown above are especially cool because of how the light gathers the color and bends it and brings it to the front edge of the bead.

Below are the cool splat shape - tri-lobed beads - are fun fun fun....

I etched some of the splat beads and paired them up... to make this cool, fun new necklace. What could you do with them?? Smiles, Jill

2.24.2016 - Lauscha and tall thin transparent disks!

February 24, 2016 Jill Symons

I fall so hard for the transparent colors each springtime... and while I don't have many pearls of wisdom about them - I will tell you one thing. I love the Lauscha transparents - if you've only worked with Effetre - you have to try Lauscha. I love the Peach, Medium Amethyst and Glassdaddy Purple. Many of you know that my father is Glassdaddy... let him know you saw it here!!

I work fast and hot - and yet I never have scumming or bubbles because this glass doesn't pit and boil. YAY! These disks are sometimes 1 3/4" tall with a tiny footprint of glass holding it onto the mandrel - yet - there are no visible signs of a struggle - because this glass is such a pleasure to use.

On my workbench, I confess, I also have a few varied colors of the Czech glass - which for the most part YES, is incompatible with everything - even other Czech colors... but when used separately like this - compatibility is not an issue! Love this.

This necklace is only showcasing the warm colors... but there are also beautiful green - Lt Green is the same color as Sage Green - but no boiling! Aqua, medium blue... etc. Maybe next week I'll make another necklace in cool tones. smiles, Jill

2.17.2016 - San Antonio Concepcion Mission

February 17, 2016 Jill Symons

Still as working church, this mission was gorgeous - I especially loved the artistry in small details. The Moorish influence shown in the arches and keys, clean lines and tilework... very nice - so much so that at times I felt transported back in time.

How's this for a very cool set of door hardware? I make my ear wires much the same manner as the handle's curl. Very nice. Most perplexing for me were the door hinges. I assume they were the semblance of two eye screws... but knowing how hard it can be to open a jumpring made from 14ga sterling... how do you suppose the hinges were put onto the doors? Certainly not opening the rings and inserting then closing the ring... very cool.

2.3.2016 - Photo Mosaic

February 3, 2016 Jill Symons

This Fence is in New Braunfels, TX... and seriously - I don't know...

Sir Charles... peeking over his fence. Yes, it was late December and there were still flowers on the lantana!

I couldn't resist this dishtowel. (for those of you who know me well - I still can't resist collecting new ones!) I loved the double yolk!

little girl blowing bubbles down at the Riverwalk in San Antonio... loved the surface of each shining with so many colors. Take joy when you find it - as this was fleeting!

Dad carved the pineapple, being an engineer - he chose the most efficient means with the least waste. KUDOS!!

Somehow - I don't think this design element was for efficiency. But I must admit - it brought delight to something that would otherwise have been most ordinary!

You have to remember - I live in TX. In San Antonio boutique... bowties for TX formal... made from feathers. LOVE this!

And finally, I know this is late. But I had to show you. This is the Christmas display in Johnson City, TX... at the Electric Company. It was so amazing! Spacing of the wraps on tree trunk was about 1/2" apart. The trees were wrapped out to most branches with the tiny lights - then the tree canopies were studded with larger bulbs. AWESOME so so awesome.

1.27.2016 - My introduction to MOSAICS (SO) broadened my horizons...

January 27, 2016 Jill Symons

Right about a year ago, I went with a girlfriend to a studio tour where I met Lynn Bridges - a Dripping Springs, TX painter/mosaic artist. I had spent a little time talking about how cool her mosaics were - and loved that there was yet another way to repurpose glass and pottery. I signed up to be on her mailing list... then one day - I received a notice about a Community Mosaic Project

I've provided a link to Lynn's blog which details the progress of this mosaic project over the past three years. So far, they've completed almost five of the six panels. What I took away from this brief foray into mosaics is that not all mosaics are grouted-to-flush with the tile surface... and it's meticulous work, the details are amazing up close and from afar - it's hard to believe everything just blends into such a beautiful project!!

Below is the panel that's currently being worked on, and the drawing from which it was made. Amazing the detail that is employed to render shadows - giving it such depth. Very cool. Since this is a project that has had many hands on it - you see little touches.. like maybe a pretty tile is used as a tattoo... or a small charm is placed in with the pottery shards.

The tiles below are about the size of the mini-Chicklets from years ago... maybe 3/16" sq. giving much more detail to the small figures. I was sooo impressed!