Tuesday, January 29, 2008

more rings




New rings




In a last minute dash before heading to Cape Town to exhibit at The Womens Show, I've been trying to stock up on my glass rings. Not sure if they will sell, but the odd few have asked for glass rings.




Friday, January 25, 2008

For fellow South Africans

Well this is it. Our power shortage has reached critical mass, so much so, that our mines did not operate today. Gee, it's only gold you know!!

So if you're from Gauteng and listen to 94.7, The Rude Awakening show you might have heard this:

http://www.pod947.co.za/podcast/whackhead/Whackheadswindow20080125.mp3

I'm trying to find another one. LOL

I think I'm still in the anger stage - yes, I can laugh with others but deep down it cuts like hell. Why, cause it affects my business. It's crippling!!!

New pendants




Wednesday, January 23, 2008

No power....



For those of you who know me or are from South Africa, well you will understand. LOL

On an almost daily basis we have 1 -2 load shedding sessions and sometimes even 3. So we basically have no power for 2 hours at a time.

What happens when the power does come back on. Well that load of washing gets going, the dishwasher is frantically put on. The tumble dryer is put on in a hurry. You make that quick cup of tea, if you can chance it - make dinner or whatever. Power usuage rockets and you have no power again. It's a vicious circle. LOL

We won't even talk about how this effects my small home business. It does, teaching bead making has almost come to a grinding halt.

There is a huge shortage of generators. A shortage of LPG gas......and soon I would imagine, a shortage of batteries. I'm almost positive there is a bunch of stock piling going on somewhere. Rechargeable batteries becomes pointless as you require power to charge those. I admit to stock piling, yep, those teeny little camping gas canisters - I bought a bunch of those in the name of stock piling because you just never know.

Evenings have become huge family time, which is great in the long run. You have no other choice but to talk to each other or play board games by candlelight . It's like getting to know each other all over again.

Right now everday I pick up the kids from their various schools, I hear of another family managing to escape and go and live in another country. Right now apparently the grass on the otherside is far greener (doesn't matter why) but at least other countries live in the first world and have power.

Yes, I worry about the future for my boys. They're white in a country where their skin colour will count against them. The fact their generation had nothing to do with Apartheid doesn't matter - they will be punished all the same for it.

Do I regret not taking up the offer 7 years ago to go to Holland. You bet I do!!!

Anyway I need to write a 200 word synopses about my little home run business and answer this "How is your product / service helping to empower, support and recognising the women of South Africa as a powerful market? "

I need to try and stay positive, but it is very hard.

With that being said, seeing as the deadline is today - I need to get working.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

We'll name him/her spider




Johan's Encased Florals







These are the encased florals I bought from Johan at Glass and Fire.






Saturday, January 12, 2008

A visit to Glass and Fire

This morning was a trip to Pretoria to get some glass supplies. We thought we would give our GPS a try and let her dictate where we should go. Uhmm, we ended up dictating to her on the way back home. LOL We get this turn left here. But it is a one way - no way are we turning left.....guess a phone call to the supplier is in order on Monday.

Nevermind glass supplies, I came home with 3 beautifully encased florals made by Johan. They were really pretty and I just had to have them. I'll take photo's later and post a pic later, I'm sure he won't mind.

Crossing over to the dark side of glass


I started this artform over 2 years ago. It started with me being curious about the kiln I had purchased from the UK and it arrived with a bead door. Up until then beads were something that I had not even thought about really, they came in a packet. Nevermind, how they were made.
It took some months and googling and voila....
I started with soft glass, otherwise known as Effetre/Moretti. I had 2 days training with an artist here in SA.
This year I travelled to the USA and WOW!!! What they do with glass is amazing. I came home with a bunch of borosilicate glass. Fear had taken hold and I could not get myself to play with it. I didn't have Deb, Pam or Katie standing nearby to rescue me if something went wrong.
A couple of months ago I thought what the hell and just did it and boy am I glad I did. I got myself some of the Doug Remschneider DVD's and the rest is history. I've fallen utterly and totally in love with Borosilicate glass.
Some of my friends who work mainly in soft have said I have crossed over to the dark side. I guess I have. LOL


It's raining again........


Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Art by Brad

Brad drew this picture of me this morning. What I love about it, is that I am thin. He is most welcome to draw pictures of me anytime. And the next important thing is I'm smiling. I feel special today!!!


Monday, January 7, 2008

Just had to show you this pendant


Yesterday I got a pm (private message) on the one forum I belong to, Wetcanvas (WC). It was from a lady named Momka. She is the maker/developer of some of the most wonderful borosilicate glass. Those yellow sunflowers is the Momka Sunflower rod. Needless to say she complimented me on some of the vessels I had made using this rod. I was on Cloud 9, 7th Heaven. Nothing could explain how over the moon I was when I read that pm.

Another beautiful rose from my garden


I think my hubby is most thankful that our garden is full. I just love roses and will find any excuse to buy a new bush, but I'm running out of space. Hmmm there is always the pavement.


Sunday, January 6, 2008

Yesterday's hearts

I find myself being drawn more each day to borosilicate glass. I love the freedom that I have with it and the reactions I get from the colours. Nevermind how fun it is to sculpt.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Heart pendants




Looking back I've noticed I haven't been posting much of my work. That is about to be corrected. It cannot be all about the lunatic mom bit....LOL




Morning Rose...


While out this morning photographing pendants, this rose caught my eye. They've been taking strain with the heat we've been having. Fortunately yesterday we had the most beautiful rain.


Tuesday, January 1, 2008