12.10.2014 - Fear of being the Critic

In August I agreed to write a review on a tutorial DVD for ISGB.  It involved working off mandrel - which is not something I do often (should read "much at all!") My beads have holes through them (I toy with the idea of trying to cover up that fact, as evidenced by the picture below, but yes - there are holes) - that keeps them from jumping off the mandrel onto my lap.  But it had more to do with the fear of not being good at it.  

I've been making beads now for seventeen years - sheesh.  My youngest son is just a tad older than that - so - it's been most of his lifetime... that's a LONG time.  I don't fail often OR publicly, and if I do, I recover so quickly - doubtful anyone would know.

So - under the gun - I finally decided it was time to tackle the tutorial.  First thing was my torch wasn't as powerful - so working real-time along with it was near to impossible... and of course, I hadn't made a million of these as the teacher most likely had!  I learned lamp working on my own, so the tried and true ways to do things aren't in my vocabulary... so I learned a lot, just seeing someone else do it the way it's 'supposed to be done'. : )

While YES, I did have issues balancing a larger than my norm glob (ahem "gather") of molten glass, that will come with practice, and I experienced the frustration of having it pop off my rod of glass onto my work surface, then I rescued the runaway pendant from the work surface - repuntied - and carried on.  On the positive side, I made a very nice twisted cane from a large lollypop paddle, learned to make a glass loop for hanging (I've often admired those handles on essential oil vials, but knew surely I couldn't do it - but I now CAN)!

SO - news on the streets is that although some of us ARE old dogs, we most certainly can be taught new tricks!  Maybe I won't ever make pendants as beautifully as the instructor... but everyone's got to start somewhere.  

Next question is... while I thoroughly enjoyed the tutorial - I was asked to critique IT, uh oh, I see 'critical' in that word - I don't want to 'criticize' - I'm not mean spirited... how does one go about this and not sound critical?  Well - I was honest - with regard to the good as well as what could be improved.... there wasn't as much on her end as what could stand improving on mine!!   smiles, Jill

12.3.2014 - Finding My Rhythm

Oh, this is just crazy.  I've been doing this long enough to know how I am....

Years ago - a friend commented on how she gets 'twitchy' when she doesn't get her torch time in... what with the holidays and its accompanying distractions, I found myself in that mode.  So - I added an extra torching day.  What I ended up with was a whole pile of beads and I was all over the place.  

Tonight you will see things I have not made in years - and then some new funky things... at times I lament not being able to stick myself into a box - and say - "THIS" is what I make... as I seem to like everything.  

Hopefully by next week, I will have settled down - but I can't promise you.  Maybe by then I can at least get everything I made up and posted!!!  Happy week after Thanksgiving - I AM thankful - just a bit scattered tonight! smiles, Jill

11.12.2014 - The Art of WOW...

We love what we do, we talk (nonstop) about what we do... we want others to try it and fall in love with it too.  Over the years - I've always enjoyed watching closely as my students embark on their first session - watching for telltale signs of what's going on in their minds.  

My friend, Carol tried her hand at it last week and as I had hoped, displayed the signs of being bitten by the fire bug.  She easily made a little pile of round beads - I was flattered to realize she knew the different names of my beads - and requested to learn to make a certain type by name!

Watch closely as she begins to wind the glass - how her eyes widen... and the rest is history.  
If you've never melted glass - it's a must for your bucket list!! 
smiles,
Jill

11.5.2014 - New Designs

New presses, same glass - how can these two mesh to come off with a whole new look?

I think my being drawn to transparent glass has always been a key characteristic in my work... yet this week I struggled trying to find my voice with 'their' presses... first I played with managing to fill them precisely and retain crisp edges while not introducing extra stress or cracking the bead release on the mandrels.

After a few sets - I decided for the first time EVER that I really didn't mind seeing the horizontal bead hole.  Granted they will always be cleaned of all release, but I've always wished that they would just disappear. (working on that)  This time though they seem like a necessary element to this design.

I am LOVING the amplification that the clear glass 'lens' affords and the silvery shimmer achieved through this embellished design (maybe ya just gotta order one!)  I tried matchy-matchy with earring beads, but like the distant relationship mode I've achieved here with the denim blue... very cool look though - and I'm stoked.

Come see them on my Weekly Wednesday Updage tonight on my website http://jillsymons.com at 9pm EST

Remember, you saw them here first... : )   
smiles,
Jill

10.20.2014 - Colorful Life up North!

I have taken this week for a venture up north to where nature offers up color as a parting gift as seasons change.  For those of you who are Texans, this will come as a treat... for with us, central Texas folks, we just fade to a gentler shade of brown or green.  The fleeting celebration abounds up north, albeit for only a short while...

I posted on Facebook that this picture reminded me of perhaps an aerial photo of a Martian subdivision - complete with roads and lots.  When in reality it's just a close up of a gloriously red maple leaf.  Do you see the heart at the middle??

The following are images of other things that tickled my southern imagination - please enjoy - as I did!

10.15.2014 - Shift...

It's been a long time since the price of silver has been as low as it is right now.  Normally I recognize that along with my beads - I have to factor in time and materials.  As you've seen recently - my pieces are becoming a little more labor intensive after the beads have been created.  

It's often hard to recoup the cost of materials AND still make pieces affordable... but - with the drop, I am now more likely to spend time making pieces such as this cab.  I used to know my audience - and it was mostly jewelry designers and other lampworkers, of late I have a feeling that this assumption has shifted.  I would love to hear from  you - tell me what you are looking for... so that I can aim my offerings to be more in synch with your needs.

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My dabbling in silver started with making my own ear wires, hammered rings, and closures about ten years ago.  I had been told that I needed to make everything - in order to make a truly unique piece.  I believe this to be true.  These are the first post based earrings I've offered in many years.  I finally came up with a design that is in keeping with my design preferences... and so - that's why it's here.

I do plan to offer silver necklaces for sale here as well - as sometimes it seems a turnkey piece is what is sought... and sending a lonely pendant off to a non-jewelry designer customer just isn't right.  What do you think of this? Is this something that you'd be interested in?

10.8.2014 - add on...

Last week when I posted about the creation of the bracelet - I received many comments, but one stuck in my mind.  Someone said that she often saved bits of this and that to commemorate some life event and this type of bracelet would be a nice way to bring all the memories together in some cohesive wearable salute.  (...think charm bracelet, Pandora Bracelet etc.)

This idea kept surfacing this past week, as I prepared the trio of 'fobs' that I'm offering tonight.  While they are a harmonious blend of pleasant things - this is the same sort of idea. (I love making them & for whatever reason,  they are usually wildly popular).  Usually amounting to a cluster of maybe 4 or 5 smallish items wired onto a sterling silver ring.  "Usually" one is made of metal, one contains metal, one is a solid color, and the last is a mix of all others.

During the week I often stray from my "plan"... and end up with a few really pretty beads that don't fit in with any sort of organized idea... they go in a special dish.  The silver nuggets are created from melted-down bits of fine silver from my Smith Little Torch (which I use for jewelry... ) you recognize the spirals from earrings I've offered in the past, and well - the copper is new.

It's a fun way to incorporate small things that taken by themselves don't amount to much, and letting them feed off each other into a truly interesting and highly wearable piece! 

10.1.2014 - Sands of Time

Recently, I spent some incredible time working with these raw materials to make a custom commission anniversary bracelet.

I has mistakenly assumed everything would have holes... and was perplexed as how to approach the project.  Eventually decided to fabricate silver end caps and link the pieces.  Also - chose to make beads from some of the shorter pieces - clipping/grinding and coring them into 'beads' to add some relief - but carry on the theme.  A few of my lampwork beads were included to round things out.  All told, I didn't ask enough questions... communication is the KEY!

9.24.2014 - Behind the Lens

While glass is my first love, my knees weaken when I see something lovely.  I think I mentioned it in an earlier post - but - I've decided that at this point in my life, it's time to take the time to take note... stop the car - get out and take that picture that you saw in your mind's viewfinder.

Along with this realization, I was given a good firm nudge from an old friend - saying she missed my taking my camera out for the day and shooting.  I'd made a note to do that more also. (*lots of notes to self here lately*)... so I took these with her in mind - to add to the gallery and make mention that I owed it all to her.  But sadly, she passed away before I could tell her.
I will always think of her when I add to my image gallery.  Life IS a celebration and she just helped to remind me... I like that.

8.21.2014 - Packed with Personality...

It's funny - torch time is a pretty solitary time, usually accompanied by radio or simply thoughts running through my head.  I've often said I believe in the 20min bead, that any more time spent means either it's way too complicated for my taste or it's just never going to work out!  If I labor over it longer AND it doesn't work out - it's become a frustrating mental loss... accompanied by a potential financial loss from wasted time.

SO.  I am torch-bonding with the newly born bead, and find that it often will name itself during this time... I then have a pretty good idea of whom it will become.  The final sealing of its identity takes place during photography, where it can also develop a personality!

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While the stringing of this set will definitely allow it to stand vertically upright - I think the falling down of several tiles add a sense of playfulness to an otherwise rather rigid set.

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 I also like to vary the size of these tiles a bit - to allow for visual fun.  Because these are always  made with transparent glass, I make sure to flame polish both sides of the tiles to make it read like old fashioned window glass.  A smooth surface will more directly transmit light/sparkle/reflections. : )

I try to line them up to show edge progression, angles... maybe another shot showing clarity, or how when two light colors are superimposed - how the blending of colors naturally will occur.

Maybe it's safe to say - I love photography almost dangerously as much as I love making beads! ;  )

smiles, Jill

8.20.2014 - Making it your own

We all start somewhere.

Like dry sponges, we soak up everything that's put before us.   We wrestle with techniques and diligently practice, practice,  practice.  

Starting anything is a journey where we are inspired by someone or something.  We emulate someone while learning the basics... while the world watches.

Back in late 1998 I saw lampwork beads on eBay that piqued my curiosity.  I searched online for resources about lampworking.  I eventually ended up on Sundance's site - making lists of what I'd need to get started.

“...because you’ve been so diligent and read so thoroughly, we are offering a beginner’s set - free...”

After devouring Sundance's site - I found a hidden reward link they'd posted that went something like this:  

I ordered the kit and was soon on my way.  It consisted of a small fiber blanket, release, mandrels and a few shorts of glass. I added a plumbers' torch from the local hardware and I was on my way.  The oxygen deprived flame scorched and muddied most of the opaque colors - but even so, I knew I was hooked!  I kept a blog for awhile where I posted images of my work's progression... take a look here: JillSymons.blogspot.com 

I also found an article in an early issue of Bead and Button magazine (circa 1996) that interviewed Andrea Guarino (Slemmons) (Please forgive my memory - as I can't find that issue anymore - but loosely - this is what it said to me.)  I strongly agree with what was said, that while we all  need to start somewhere - copying is ok, but it's always good manners to credit your teacher/source.  

It went on to say that when you master a technique, move on and modify it to make a design that's your own. In other words - Find Your Own Voice, this helps to define who you are as an artist.  While coming up with a design that is your own is great - it's usually not very long before people are copying it *in some form or another*... so - always be moving forward on to new things AND if you're still making that signature bead , you'd better make sure that YOU are the one who still does it best!  

My Weekly Wednesday Update each week has helped me always move my designs forward.  This is paramount in my work, as people come here looking for things that delight, new things each week, or they don't come back.  

I think many factors go into the making of an artist - these are just some of the things that shaped me into who I am and how I think...  what and/or whom inspired you?

Smiles, Jill

8.13.2014 - Keeping it simple.

The first cool front of the summer rolled in last night, so it's coffee & oatmeal enjoyed on the deck on this gift of a summer morning - simple pleasures.  

It is so easy to over complicate the things we all do - daily.  I am constantly looking for that least common denominator - to knock it down a few notches, simplify, and get back to the basics.   

I'm heading towards photography and light today.  I started selling on eBay in 1999, at a time when there were fewer than five pages of lampwork listings.  It was all just beginning for us back then and the market was hungry for what were offering.  Listings sold for crazy high prices and it began a process of thinking for me.  "Online sales - how can you stand out?"

The means of promoting your items was through the photographs and descriptions in your listings, and the images needed to be drop-dead gorgeous with well written descriptions.  I have always loved the sexy side of photography - the careful arrangement of a set to capture crisp edges, a necessary reflection or the effect of a light flooded bead spilling out a color-filled shadow. 

These minute nuances of serenity and beauty - in their simplest of forms - were what caught and kept the attention of online buyers.  To allow them to enjoy the absolute sweetness of pure form and color - thoughtfully arranged and beautifully delivered.

It took me awhile to find my voice and understand how important the concept of being consistent was.  Early on, I photographed in natural daylight, I loved the sparkle my glass gave off in the sunlight, but quickly realized that sunlight had differing color "temperatures" depending upon time of day and season, this caused my images to be inconsistent. 

I moved indoors, giving up the sparkle and bought an illuminated light box and high(er) dollar equipment... (because we're used to "more is better" - right?) NOT.  Currently, and for perhaps the past eight years, I photograph indoors with an old 5megapixel Sony Cybershot camera on a piece of printer paper with two daylight lamps overhead.  

Keeping it simple... I strive for the quintessential compliment from customers - "I just received my beads and they're even prettier than the pictures!"  I love it.

smiles,
Jill

ps - I am looking for a few more of these memory sticks:

if you have one, contact me and I'll give you a $50 credit (for a 128MB stick) to use towards purchases on my site.