When one owns a whole slew of beads… the mind is always churning. What do you think of a pair of earrings that allow you to change out the tops? They are pictured above - with the large hole beads just sitting on the upper part…
So - we know what size is needed… I love this idea and will be playing with it a little more in the coming weeks. smiles. Jill
3.27.2019 - Hello World, meet the Glassel...
If one is good, but leaves something to be desired - maybe it could use a little help from its friends? Sure. This is the glassy version of a tassel… it’s called a “glassel”.. : ) Three distinct components - non stand-alones… paired up to create a showstopper. Often larger beads are clunky - and I worry about the sheer heaviness… this one has two hinged joints that allow for it to move… and allow its wearer to fiddle with it… I like that.
I have fallen into the abyss of shaping these past six months or so - and love how the photograph above shows the perfection of a sleek unwavering line on the black tassel… The decorated barrel needed some punctuation - and I think by pulling the blues out on top and emphasizing the black in such a dramatic way - I achieved this.
Update tonight at 9pm Eastern, right here on my website… : )
smiles,
Jill
3.20.2019 - It's springtime in my garden of glass...
JillSymons.com Lampwork
While I’m aware that the garden is awakening, I’m enjoying this glass too much to stop. Normally, by this time of year I’m knee deep in using the transparent glass I so desperately love - but I just need to get this out of my system. The pair of rounds on the left are from a very limited stash of Prussian Blue glass from Lauscha - in fact - it was the color I was most in love with - and sadly - they were never able to reproduce just that color. I felt it went so nicely with this other myriad of color glass…
JillSymons.com Lampwork
JillSymons.com Lampwork
JillSymons.com Lampwork
JillSymons.com Lampwork
Raked and feathered glass - that was one of the first things I played with when I started making beads over 20 years ago… it’s such a delicate process - and after all the time involved in getting a perfectly shaped base bead - it doesn’t take much to ruin it… luckily I had a light touch that day - and just enough coffee to keep things interesting!! I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s delicate walk through this garden of glass! smiles, Jill
JillSymons.com Lampwork
color combinations & shape variations - why does everything look so darn nice against black… note to self - move on…
JillSymons.com Lampwork
3.13.2019 - Loving my Torch Time!
I don’t know if it’s the change in season (80 one day, then 30 the next) or what… but I’m all over the place. I’ve been trying some new things and didn’t have enough time tonight to get it all on the page, so I guess I have a leg up for next week!
As I sit at my desk, I keep striking the wrong keys on the keyboard - because I have limited myself to space… I’ve got projects going on all sides… projects that will emerge next week - I get tripped up on the finished items so often because they’re more labor intensive than I anticipate, and while I always have a blog on Update Wednesday, the actual page is really the push. SO… that’s why this is coming to you now.
Lots of times I am trying out things and making mental notes that I’ll improve this or that next torch session… and believe me - I have a list of things I’ll have for you next week! Smiles, Jill
3.06.2019 - Bowling?
Kingpins of Scrollwork
JillSymons.com Lampwork
I need a bowling ball? Nah… these are human sized, and similarly shaped… and currently sitting in a bath of liquid silver polish - that will take the rest of the reduction off… this turq. glass silvers up if given too much heat… and it does come off - if it were consistent that’s one thing… but - patchy - me no likey.
2.25.2019 - Non Bead Goodness
First. Remember Charlie? We’ve not talked about him for awhile… I took him off of kibble and started giving him real food. Raw chicken, spinach, peas, carrots, brown rice, raw egg, vitamin supplements… some days he gets quinoa instead of rice, or broccoli instead of carrots… every meal is exciting for him, and he cleans his bowl. Charlie’s energy level has changed and he has lost about 10lbs. He IS fluffy… and looks larger than he actually is… but in the past month he has slimmed down. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, eh??
I’m in a timeframe where I’m rethinking certain beady issues - so I’m taking a break from writing about the glass in my life. I wanted to tell you about some trees I’ve been watching for about 4 years. I drive by these every so often - and have kept a rather timeline on their different moods. Funny how things have moods… I often talk about how much fun it is to photograph the beads - and how they develop photographic personalities. … that makes me smile.
Visited this golden eyed beauty at the Animal Shelter a few weeks back… isn’t he a beauty???
just some of my favorite pictures… there are a ton more…actually 12 thousand of them on my phone… LOL… love it. There is an update tonight - in just about 5 minutes - so - after you read this - go swing my and have a look/see. Thanks for stopping by!! smiles, Jill
2.20.2019 - Wide Ranges
Can you say HOT HOT HOT?
I can empathize with the cold temperatures… know that in TX we get cold too - after being treated to 86 degrees last week (for a day), the temps dropped to the low 30s. This is the norm for Feb/March - it found me hunkered over my torch and backed up to my kiln… with a ceramic heater blowing on my feet. Brrrr.
But out of that came these beauties. It’s such a timely design jump - as the graffiti park has been closed. I KNOW I wrote about it recently - it just is a very cool place & such a shame it was closed down.
These beauties are up for grabs tonight on my website update!! Come by and have a look! smiles, Jill
2.06.2019 - Topographical Beads?
Wouldn’t it be fun to wear beads that represented the area of the country you live in?
I’ve been playing around with an idea and ended up here… this too will evolve - but wanted to give you a heads up… and see what you thought!?
Topographical Beads by JillSymons.com
1.30.2019 - 1/12th of the year gone ALREADY?
I blink and lose a month. While the rest of the nation is in what seems to be a deep freeze, Texas is holding its own… granted it’s not sweltering here (today)… it has been chillier than the norm.
Makes one glad to have a torch or two to cozy up to. Big cheesy grin. I had a small bump on the creative front this week - happily so. Now, to see what else I can make with it.
Come see the update tonight - lots of interesting new items!! smiles, Jill
I bought these shards online - and am still trying to figure out what they will do… but - So far - am loving the look!!
1.23.2019 - Super Blood Wolf Moon... EARRINGS?!
I’ve been admiring the way the glass has striations and layers of color… I had no idea that the moon would copy!! Goes to show you that you should always be on the move - with new ideas and things - because there’s always someone/something out there looking to take your ideas.
I had to laugh - as even the Jetstream trails that showed up early in the evening reminded me of the JETSTREAM silver trails I’ve been using in my bead series for years! All kidding aside, it was an awesome sight and made me feel quite big in our awesome universe… as the Earth could project a shadow on the moon that would totally cover it! I hope you had an opportunity to see the eclipse - word on the street is that the next eclipse will be in 2021. Probably nowhere near as awesome (great viewing conditions) as this one was!
Update tonight at 9pm EST. Right here on this website! smiles, Jill
1.16.2019 - Bead and Life Musings... ?
If I didn’t love what I do so much… I’d be in big trouble. But after a few decades you figure things out… just how much time it takes to do certain things… or how many degrees you need to rotate an item in PhotoShop to make it sit nicely on the website page… it all becomes rather automatic.
Creativity, though, flows at its own rate. I am in that stage now where I’m waiting to see where my muse leads me next… and it can get a bit frustrating. I try new things at the torch, only to find the next day - as I’m emptying the kiln that it didn’t turn out as I had hoped. What I CAN tell you though is that I have often said I’m glad my friends are friends with my friends… and it goes for beads as well. All of them are made with glass I have on hand - and denim blue today matches denim blue from last month…
I am always able to round out a page with what I have here on hand… and often I find inspiration as I rifle through the sets. I have come to realize that I make way more finished pieces than I make bead sets these days. How do you feel about that - anyone really missing the sets?? Like a car out of alignment - I veer into the earring making lane all too often… and am quite content to cruise there. Nudge me if you need to!
While I’ve got the bead time all figured out, I do often wonder as to where personal the time goes.
This little cupcake turns one tomorrow… I am so grateful for the internet and the way I can get instant updates with the press of a button… I feel like I’ve watched her learn to walk, figure out food, try to whistle… and just enjoy the awesomeness of the world around her - thanks to the iPhone & her parents! Please let the world slow down a little bit though - as this year just zoomed by… and I’d like to relish things small and innocent just a while longer.
smiles & Happy Birthday wishes - Jill
1.2.2019 - Eyes of Babes...
Mom & Merritt (scrutinizing her necklace)…
These are her parents - Matt & Morgan - credit always where credit is due!!
This holiday season took us to far off places… all via Glassdaddy’s new electric vehicle. Can you imagine driving half way across the country and back for under $70? Funny though - how you drive with the idea that you don’t deplete the battery beyond 30% and don’t charge more than 80%… all the while managing to hit charging stations that will do the work quickly… it was truly an endeavor. I did find myself looking longingly at the real gas stations a time or two!!
At the end of the trek - we found ourselves at the home of my granddaughter, Merritt… such a pistol at not even one year old! She is walking, talking and has a cute sense of humor. We celebrated her conquering small feats, and enjoyed the wonder at which she approached most everything. It makes one re-examine how we can let things become mundane…
What I’m loving about this picture is that while she was interacting with my mother - her gaze was distracted by the clear glass of the balls on her necklace. Imagine that if I can grab and hold the attention of this little one, I must be doings something right. I’m lucky in that my mother, Tula, is one of my biggest fans and I know I can always make her one of my creations and it will get worn!
The idea of glass and its beauty is celebrated - IMHO - by the removal of the bead hole… I know, you’re tired of hearing this… but it’s so true! Glass becomes the center of attention and reflection. I had taken about 2 weeks off from torching - and can attest to the truth from an old friend - as she used to say - she gets ‘TWITCHY” if she goes too long without torching - I’m definitely feeling it! I designed pieces in my mind on the drive and can’t wait to put it down in glass.
So - Christmas with an almost one year old. So very SWEET. It was truly the year of the box/paper… and Christmas was magical once more. I hope you found the magic as well! smiles, Jill