I'm taking a class!

I'm very excited because I will be taking a class with Lucio Bubacco in two weeks! I found out that there was a cancellation this past week and quickly grabbed the spot. Lucio is a well known Italian glass artist and you can see some of his work at www.luciobubacco.com. One of my dreams is to travel to Italy and go to the island of Murano, but for now a little piece of Murano will be in Indiana!

I have replenished almost all of my inventory just in time for the Willoughby show next Saturday. I'm hoping it won't be as hot as the previous shows have been. Aaron has been working on putting new items up on the web site too. We went to see the Fantastic 4 last night, it was fun. If you don't go with any expectations you'll probably enjoy it:).

Happy 4th of July!

The weather has been wonderful for this long weekend! We had a few friends over Saturday night for a little celebration. Yesterday we went to see Star Wars and yes, it was far better than the previous two. I think today we'll try to see War of the Worlds. I realized I hadn't seen a movie since the Fall of 2004. Eek! The dissertation really took over! So we're trying to make up for it now I guess:)

I've also been making a lot of beads and pocket vases to get ready for the Willoughby show that is July 16th.

Many of you have asked about Grammie and I haven't posted much about her because I am so sad about the fact that she is in a nursing home now. She was hospitalized about a week ago and the doctors were arguing about whether or not she had congestive heart failure. In the meantime, she had fluid on her lungs so they were dehydrating her in attempts of getting the fluid removed...ugh. I could go on and on but, essentially, she was transferred to a nursing home last week and I'm not optimistic that she'll recover enough to go back home.

Well, I don't want to leave you all on that sad note so on a lighter note I think we'll be using up the sparklers we bought last year at the karate and fireworks store in Erie, PA off of I-90. If you've never stopped there (on your way to NY) you really must. It's a hoot! We go for the entertainment value and leave with 50$ worth of fireworks...he he.

Have a great 4th everyone!

Hot Hot Hot!

Whew! We spent last weekend sitting in the extreme heat in Toledo. Thanks to all the wonderful people who braved the heat and came by to say hi and purchase my work. It has taken us a couple of days to recuperate but now I think we're back up to speed.

We also just saw a preview that the segment taped for the TV show Applause will air tomorrow night at 7:30. Those of you who missed the original airing in October will be able to see it!

I've been getting some pieces ready to send off to the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft. It is for a juried show called River of Glass! It's an honor to have been selected for the show!

That's all for now. More soon~

I'm Back!

Hi everyone! I'm back from Indiana. I have spent the entire day making beads and reacquainting myself with my husband:). Grammie is holding her own for now. We had some really rough days but my stay ended on a positive note.

I'm going to be in Toledo this coming weekend for a wonderful show at the botanical gardens. I also found out I have been accepted into a new show that will be in Solon in September (hopefully, it won't snow!!).

more updates coming soon!

On the Road Again

I'm heading to Indiana again tomorrow to stay with my Grandmother for a few days. It was great seeing everyone at the Legacy Village show this past weekend. Boy was it hot and sticky!! UGH! I'm going to have to come back from IN by this weekend to re-stock for the Toledo Botanical Garden show June 24-26. It's a beautiful setting for a show.

I'll keep you posted as often as I can on the progress in Indiana. Keep the emails coming, I just may not be able to reply quickly!

Busted

OK, so I've received several funny notes about the show. The one that stands out is from friends razzing me about wearing lipstick on the show. Those of you that know me were a little surprised to see me wearing it on the TV show since I never wear it in real life:). OK, so my vanity got the best of me:).

We just returned from setting up for the outdoor art show at Legacy Village. I'm right next to the Kettle Corn dude....do you know how difficult it is to smell kettle corn all day long?????????

What did you think??

I can't wait to hear what you all think! I'm not going to be able to see the show until 5pm EST today so you'll have to let me know if I should plan to put a bag over my head or just a beaming smile!!

Big Day Tomorrow!

The TV show should air tomorrow! I can't wait to see how they edited the show. They were at my house from 8am until 4pm!! It's really amazing that they'll edit it down to only 5-6 minutes.

Check HGTV for Crafters Coast to Coast to find the times and then email me or comment on the blog with your reactions!!

Staying until Monday

Well, my parents think I should stay put and get things ready for the show this weekend and then head back to IN on Monday to stay with Grammie. She said she was feeling better today. So I'm making aliens and wine stoppers today and I have only 2 more chapters to proof read on my dissertation...yea!! OK, have to get back to the torch.

Grammie

Well, I've been working as hard as I can on finishing my dissertation revisions so I can turn that puppy in. Today my father took my grandmother to the doctor because she was experiencing shortness of breath and her heart was racing. Turns out they are really worried she will have a stroke and the doctor that had provided care to my grandfather was seeing her, which of course made her cry. So I may be heading to IN again tomorrow. Not much time for beads right now!!

HI

Hi again everyone! I am back from a week with my grandmother. It was really difficult to leave, she's trying to live alone now. She had been very determined about this while I was there and then when I was getting ready to go I think the realization hit that she would be alone. So we were both in tears and I cried the whole first hour of the trip back. I sure do wish this could be easier.

I also taught a bead making class yesterday and had six wonderful people who were all very talented! Now, I'm finishing up the final touches on my dissertation to turn it in this week.

Don't forget the TV show airs this week! June 9th on HGTV (Crafters Coast to Coast). Here in Cleveland it airs at noon and 5pm. I'm a little apprehensive about seeing it, I hope I don't end up looking like a huge dork:). But, as Kim from my bead class said "who cares if you look like a dork, you're getting national exposure!"

Also, this coming weekend (June 11 & 12) is the Beachwood Art Festival in Legacy Village! New hours Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-6pm

Memorial Weekend

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend! I'm heading to Indiana once again for a memorial for my grandfather and to stay with my grandmother for a week or two. We seem to be making some progress with the help of some grief counselors. I'm a bit worried that I am not able to make beads, but have accepted the fact that I need to be doing something else right now!

Hessler Turn Out

We had great weather for the Hessler Street Festival (until the very end when it rained)! Fun was had by all and while I wasn't able to get a henna tattoo, I did pick up a way cool patchwork belt!

Everyone loved my new designs and so I'm going to be busy making more before the next show at Legacy Village.

I also had a good week with my grandmother and will be heading back to see her over Memorial weekend.

Heading to Indiana

I'm hitting the road to go stay with my grandmother for a week. I'll be back for the Hessler Street Fair, hope you can stop by to say 'hi'. In the mean time, I don't think I'll be able to check email while I'm gone so don't take it personally if I don't reply in my usual 'timely' manner:).

Postcards are Mailed!

It's taken me most of the week, but I have labeled and mailed postcards to all 650 people on my mailing list! The postcard contains info about the TV show and the shows I'll be participating in this summer. If you don't receive a postcard and would like one, email me!

TV Show

I found out today that my segment on the HGTV show Crafters Coast to Coast will air on Thursday, June 9th at noon and again at 5pm! It is episode #253 and the producer said to check the HGTV website closer to the date to make sure it would still air on the 9th. Apparently, sometimes the network has to make a schedule change and the shows get bumped back.

I'm excited about seeing the show, but nervous too because they made me do some REALLY silly things.....

Gallery Opening

The gallery opening for several of the artists that will be featured on the HGTV show Crafters Coast to Coast was a big success! I'm going to call the producers today to find out when my air date will be. More soon.

Gallery Show Opens this Saturday

Have I mentioned that I'm going to be on TV again? There is a show called Crafters Coast to Coast that airs on HGTV and the producers came to Cleveland in February to follow about 20 artists. I'm not sure when my segment will air, but they said probably during the month of May. I'll post a note as soon as I find out!

Several of the artists that will be featured on the show are participating in a gallery show in Lakewood that opens this Saturday May 7th. I'm taking earrings, pendants, aliens, and mermaid necklaces to the gallery Friday and there will be an opening Saturday from 12-6pm (I'll be there for a couple of hours on Saturday too). The gallery info is below and the show will run the month of May. Hope to see you!

Local Girl Gallery
16106 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Phone (216)-228-1802 www.localgirlgallery.com
Hours T-W-TH 12-5 pm & F-S 12-6 pm

Unexpected Visitors

Well, I had grand plans to get a lot of work done in the studio yesterday until I received a call from a cousin of mine that was coming through the Cleveland area and looking for a place to sleep. So we had to drop all our plans and frantically clean the house instead! We finished about 30 minutes before they arrived..whew! So, now that I don't have to clean for awhile, I'm off to make beads :)

getting out of the funk

Last night I attended a Hot Rods meeting (the local chapter of the International Society of Glass Bead Makers). There was a lot of torching going on and a lot of eating and laughter:). It helped me start to get out of my funk and I've been cleaning up my studio today. I haven't done any fusing in a LONG time and have been literally dusting off my equipment to get some things ready to fuse. I've had this wonderful large platter mold that I've never used! So this summer I'm going to try to make some fused serving platters....this could be interesting:)