Carb Loading

1 day until Christmas... let the carb loading begin!  A stickler for clean energy, Santa fuels his sleigh with high-quality organic, non-GMO deer feed.  Wash it down with a steamy mug of hazelnut hot chocolate topped with frothy whip cream and peppermint sprinkles.  Sooey! 

Out of My Gourd - Homely Hubbard

The hubbard squash has an extremely hard outer shell and can be stored for long periods of time.  This misfit of the pumpkin patch may have a tough shell, but hides a sweet, delicious flesh that is great for baking, boiling, roasting, and purees.  The squash can grow up to 50 pounds!  Originally named in the 1840's when Elizabeth Hubbard gave seeds to a friend in a kind, neighborly gesture...  looking back, who in their right mind would gift such homely squash seeds to a friend?  I call shenanigans!

First Flamework Session of 2018

A few projects have emerged from the kiln.  It has been difficult to fit substantial torch time into my daily schedule with work and family.  I'm hoping 2018 brings more time at the torch.  One can dream, right? 

Lock Down

Trying to keep the pumpkin shenanigans contained to a crate aka "Pumpkin Jail"

Bat Signal No.2

It took a while, but finally got around to finishing the batpig display. 

Frick and Frack

The comedic duo enjoys traveling from town to town and preforming silly skits at county fairs.  One could probably look at the pair and correctly venture a guess on who is the "brains" behind the show verses the comedic brawn.  In addition to booking their appearances, Frick keeps his prankster partner in check.  If Frack had his way, their vagabond earnings would be squandered on sarsaparilla, cotton candy, and lotto tickets.  I would estimate at least 30% of their income is spent on glass eyeball replacements. Always rolling away during the show's intermission! Frick is a total saint to stick by him, but that is what brothers do.  You know what they say, "Pumpkin puree is thicker than water."

Dinner and a Show

After months of studying abroad in Italy's finest music academy, Benito is ready to debut his tenor pipes.  Granted, he is no Luciano Pavarotti when it comes to classics such as Ave Maria, however little Benito manages to belt out quite a musical masterpiece everytime the crisper drawer opens.  Magnifico!

Otter in the Tub No. 2

My bathtub is occupied at the moment... this seems to be an ongoing issue.

Feeling lighter already...

Skeeter's New Year's Resolution involves twine, helium balloons, and loosing a few lb's.  Not going to lie, the corduroy slacks are quite snug after slaying one too many Holiday veggie trays at the office Christmas party.  Hope you have a Happy New Year!!! 

 

Ski Patrol

Move over Snow Bunnies, there's a new animal on the slopes!  It has been said that the brave don't live forever, but the cautious don't live at all.  So here's to you Snow Guinea, enjoy all the frigid air, excessive schlepping up the mountain, and near death experiences a ski adventure has to offer. 

 

The Elusive Yeti

Here are some Yeti fun facts to start off your Tuesday.  Yeti Motto:  "The powder is falling, the mountains are calling."  Off the slopes, Yeti enjoy making snow angels... which look less like an angel and more like an abominable bowling ball.  They also love a rousing game of hide and go seek.  Yeti or not, here I come!

 

Twitch the Troll

WARNING: Post may contain explicit Troll Content (NSFW)

 One of life's great troll quandaries, why bother to put on clothes when you live under a bridge? Meet Twitch the Troll. During the week, he works for the NY Port Authority monitoring E-ZPass violators along the Staten Island Bridge. This tough as nails troll has a softer side and I'm not talking about his hair. On the weekends, Twitch enjoys riddles, the Sunday crossword puzzle and lounging with his 3 cats. #gingertroll

Good Morning Sunshine!

Hopefully you awoke to a new issue of Soda Lime Times or maybe you waited up for it's midnight release.  Either way, this issue is a generous 77 pages of all things non-beady.  The super talented Amanda Muddimer is the featured artist, so you know it is going to be a fun issue with great eye candy for all!  I personally hope you enjoy the "Dive into Glass" paperweight.  Happy melting!

 

It's a bird, It's a plane, It's Superguinea?

Faster than a speeding snail,
More powerful than a robo hamster
Able to leap large veggie trays in a single bound...
An amazing cavy from the planet Krypton!
The Piggy of Steel, ...
SUPERGUINEA!!!

 

Coming not so soon to a theatre near you!

Guinea Pigs Playing Poker

Homage to the famous oil painter C. M. Coolidge.  Miniature details recreate the scene, from the color of the poker chips down to the Ace of Clubs being passed under the table.  It just goes to show that you can teach an old guinea pig new tricks.

Some friends showed up to the party who are known for having the worst poker faces ever...

Seed Spitting Contest No.2

In it to win it!

Fresh Squeeeee-zed

Meet Carmen... not to be confused with the famous Brazilian singer, Broadway actress from the 20's & 30's. Nope, this Carmen doesn't need a stage to preform. She has a flare for belting out high pitch weeps on cue, just open the crisper drawer... on key or off, whatever gets her a treat!

Taming the Dragon

Second attempt at the Cerura vinula design pictured above.

Confession:  Creating a new sculptural design is always a learning process.  Even after 11 years at the torch, I find some designs extremely challenging.  During the torching process, mistakes occur when I hit the proverbial wall.  

The heat...

the challenge... 

minutes ticking away...

pure exhaustion of the mind and hands...

the breaking point when one chooses to continue or surrender to the beckon of the quenching bowl. 

Three hours into the first torch session for the design, I forgot to add the layered dots on the caterpillar's side.  Truth be told, I am my worst critic.  After the initial attempt, I reassess the approach, reorder the steps, tighten the techniques, adjust the proportions, rethink the glass color choices, and reassure myself that I can do better next time. 

The first attempt pictured above. 

Seed Spitting Contest

It is heating up and a slice of cold watermelon sounds mighty tasty right about now.  The first place winner of the seed spitting contest at the county fair goes to Ruggles with a distance of 2ft 3in.  It takes quite a pucker to generate such distance for a guinea pig.  Enjoy!

Atlantic Puffin No.2

Fratercula arctica
 

Full side views to show symmetry.