Lifeguard on Duty

The temperature hit a whopping 85'F this past Friday.  Soon it will be time for the 3 B's...  Beach Balls, Babes in Bikinis, and Bikram Yoga.  Ok, maybe the last "B" is a bit of a stretch.  Get it?...  Stretch?!  Hope you have a nice #SundayPunday.

Beach Babe

Sun, surf, and sand! 

Enjoying a much needed vacation, Roxie is soaking up rays while sporting stylish sunglasses.  One has to admit, a guinea pig's life is pretty tough...  being pampered daily, fresh veggie treats, and constant human adoration.  Sometimes a piggy just needs a break from the daily grind.  Good thing Ricardo Flamingo is there to help apply sunscreen and freshen up her lemonade.
 

Roxie's theme song is Carrot "Cake by the Ocean" by DNCE

Soda Lime Times - July 2016

 

Hope you are having a wonderful Summer.  If you are looking for some fun fish themed projects, check out the July issue of Soda Lime Times. The featured artist is none other than the immensely talented Deb Crowley.  Looking forward to exploring tutorials by Diane Woodall and Corina Tettinger.  Goldie will be making her tutorial debut.  Enjoy!

"Goldie" look-a-like tutorial in the July Issue

Lucky Goldfish

Atlantic Puffin No.2

Fratercula arctica
 

Full side views to show symmetry.

Summer Fling

Why do Summer romances fade?  Maybe because the conversation was one sided... or maybe one partner prefers pineapple shaved ice over coconut flavor.  One thing is for sure, the relationship was never the same after a sporty, beach volleyball entered the picture.  C'est la vie!

Shell Shopping

When a hermit crab chooses a new shell, is it similar to taking kids shoe shopping?  Does the little critter compare style, color, fit, and comfort?  I would surely hope so.  Nothing worse than being seen in an out of season conch shell on Venice Beach... the fashion horror!

Southern Rockhopper Penguin

 Eudyptes chrysocome

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arctica

Catching some Rays

The little guy would be right at home in an elaborate beach scene staged inside an Altoid's tin.  Another thing to add to my "To Do" project list.

Do I have Something in my Teeth?

 

The age old question which plagues men and animals:  "Do I have something in my teeth?"

Parsley, pepper, cilantro, or the walrus's personal favorite fish!

Seal Pup

  Catching a few rays of sun.

Jetty

A variation based on the stepping stone design.  The new Effetre Avorio Lapis is the perfect blue to compliment the ocean themed color scheme.

 

Whale Watching

 

Splash Focals

A variation on a mermaid focal.  The tutorial project is available in the "Day at the Beach" workshop.  What better way to capture the shimmer than with a splash of dichroic glass.  A second batch is below:

Mermaid Lore

Mermaid Lore No.1

Mermaid Lore No.2

The design "Rising from the Deep" didn't seem to pop like my original sketch.  After a bit of rethinking, I settled on black stringer work to create the mermaid scene.  Enjoy!

Poolside

Marcia, a friend and fellow flamworker, shared this lovely recipe with us in class.  Depending on the flamepolish and finishing process, the blues can vary from a soft turquoise to a vibrant transparent teal. 

Day at the Beach Tutorial PDF - Now Available

The "Day at the Beach" Tutorial packet is complete!  The E-book is a compilation of 14 Beach/Ocean Themed Designs – included in this booklet are step by step TEXT instructions for intermediate to advanced flameworkers, 1 high-quality color photograph of each completed focal, a sketch booklet containing of each design in a 5-step progression, and helpful tips. In addition, I include all Effetre names and numbers used throughout the tutorials. All of the glass referenced in this book is COE-104.

 A preview of the tutorials found in the eBook.

The eBook includes a printable sketch packet.  Example from the Spring Tutorial:

Why a printable sketch packet?

First, the packet illustrates the bead detail from start to finish. I wanted to give the reader a look into my world of glass design. I’m hoping the illustrations will help the reader become more adventurous and think outside the box. I suggest purchasing a set of colored pencils to experiment with the endless color options.

Second, I wanted to create an inexpensive booklet which includes a multitude of tutorials for intermediate to advanced students, who are unable to travel for classes/workshops. Also, I didn’t want to waste the readers time and their printer ink with instructions on “how to” create a simple round bead or press a lentil. I hope the innovative tutorial sketch concept is embraced by readers.

The packet is available via instant download through Etsy.

Surfacing

Gearing up for the "Day at the Beach" Workshop this weekend.  So many ocean themed focals coming out of the kiln, not enough time in the day to photograph it all!  Seriously, I need to take a second to tap the sand out of my shoes...

The expanded tutorial PDF with accompanying sketch packet will be coming soon to Etsy for those of you unable to attend the workshop.  Here's wishing you a sunkissed weekend!

Shell Design

A hollow form is usually perfect for creating a sea shell, however what if a lampworker is hollow-challenged?  The design came about to help students create a shell without the frustration of perfecting hollows.