Save the date - my first open house

It's a done deal. I've set the date for an open house for my jewelry. I sold at craft shows during the Christmas holidays and did quite well, it was suggested I make my designs available to a wider audience. Not everyone has time to go to craft shows.

I knew I'd have to set a date or I would just keep putting it off.

My studio has a double purpose. It is also my potting shed, I will need to make room on my workbench for trays of seedlings.

I simply have a hobby addiction!

There isn't room in the studio for my loom, which sits in the dining room and my scrapbook supplies take up half of the basement.

I'm starting today to clear space on at least one of the shelves hold my potting/gardening supplies for a jewelry display.

I have an idea for a new glass piece. I've experimented with different textures as designs between the layers of glass. So while I'm trying to sort things out on the shelves, I'll also be seeing if my idea will work.

Sometimes it's totally amazing what comes out of the kiln, then there are the uh oh moments, the times I look at the finished piece and wonder what I was thinking.

There are a lot of specifics to firing glass. Temperature, COE and what the materials are you're trying to fuse.

There are several different types of fuses. I usually use a full fuse, but I've also done some pieces using a tack fuse method, which just anneals the pieces of glass than a full fuse where the glass is smooth and rounded into a finished piece.

Tack fuse creates a more textured design and is used to create specific designs.

Well, as close to a design as possible.

I have used some pieces of broken glass from pieces that broke during firing and created some freeform pendants that I've wire wrapped to finish them.

Just another way to make them stand out from the crowd.

Inspired by life

I've gotten comments from people who see my jewelry designs and ask me where I get my ideas.
I have to admit I literally dream some of them up.
I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for a design and can't wait until I can get to my studio and try to realize that dream-inspired design.
Sometimes it's awesome and sometimes, it's just awe.
One thing that helps is having the proper tools for wire work.
I have a variety of pliers, files and different gauge and texture of wire available to work with.
I've found a great source for tools, wire and instruction at Wire-Sculpture.com.
The support offered on this site and through the staff is great.
If you're not sure what specific tool you need simply call their 800 number for support.
If you're into wire sculpture or just curious about all the different tools available just visit the tool link on the website Wire-Sculpture.com Jewelry making tools! and browse around.
You're liable to become a tool junky like myself.