We have had an onslaught of rain (yes, you heard me correctly - RAIN). Last week it was so muggy that there were even a few days where we had fog/clouds right down to the ground. This morning all that changed and there was a shimmering coat of frost on the garage roof, and I had to warn Charlie to slow down on the mad dash from the deck, down the steps to the yard. (no, he didn't listen... ; ) This kind of weather energizes him unlike any pet I've ever had - and I have to brace myself as he flies up the steps and thunders into the house ready to conquer anything in his way. Funny dog. I have a fire lit right now, took great pains to move his bed right in front of the hearth - right? "dogs-hearth" straight out of Norman Rockwell... I ordred him to 'park it', he looked like I'd sent him to time out, and when I was distracted he snuck across the room to sleep on the bare tile in front of the window. ????? I may go curl up on his bed... well - not really... but if I were him, I WOULD!

I sort of got stuck in transparent tile mode. To make them is an ordeal - as nothing NOTHING in glass simply wants to be square... and it all starts with a tall disk, that's flattened on four edges, pinched flat - then re-shaped to two sets parallel sides - more glass is added to corners - reshaped, flattened, squared up, flattened... etc. you get the idea. But they are intoxicating... and I get lost in the challenge of the perfect square tile. Although the thought did cross my mind this week, if they are too perfect - do they lose credibility/allure of being handmade? hmmm. : ) Jill

11.30.2011 - Click away, the pages are live!
Beautiful sunny late fall day here - making nice progress on the update pages... : )

11.23.2011 - Pages are done, So - here's Charlie in his Warhol pose... not much has changed with him this week, he loves the cooler weather - and is just happiest to be outside any time possible. I scrolled down tonight - to see how he's changed... he has just grown sooo much, so quickly, and it's been relatively easily documented - as I know you guys expect to see updates weekly! (thanks).

Yes - beads. I, of course, revisited the most popular styles from recent updates - and have multiples of some - will let you know.
Am having a love affair with red again this week... : ) The sleek lines - and the visual simplicity of some designs. OK... time to go get things squared away. Thanks for stopping by!! Jill

11.16.2011 - I am loving this segue I've recently taken into earrings - each week, I wait to see if perhaps it will wane... but - am still happily exploring "what is possible". I'm wondering if perhaps it should be an offshoot - maybe solely earrings... hmmm - but definitely still mulling. : ) I've taken a trip into the realm of red with this update - and am experiencing exactly what I usually do when re-introducing myself... that great moment of wonder, as to why I've not consistently used it all year long. A brief visit also to transparent gray proved pretty nice. Know you'll see more of these colors soon.

I've just finished putting together the pages - and am quite pleased with this weeks' offerings - time to post the reminder note out to the mailing list - and tweak Mr Mr's weekly portrait... yes - this week you get more than muddy paws! : )

All in all - it's another happy Wednesday - my only regret was that I couldn't make it to Bluemoon Glass tonight for Marcy Lamberson's teaching gig. Aside from her sunshiney personality and warmth - it'd be fun to take elements that normally don't work their way into my work - and find a way to mesh the two... smiles all - Jill

Just to be a tease - I put the tennis ball up on top of the wall... he, for some reason, doesn't jump... so - has never been up into the flowers... but today he did stretch and get it down. 7mos on the 3rd, probably about 68lbs... dang, that happened quickly, eh?



11.9.2011 -Greetings - another week - blown on by! Update tonight - getting all set. I only have a muddy pawed pic of Charlie... and it actually rained for a few minutes yesterday - and he felt compelled to escort each and every drop from the roof down to the mud. I am once again in major earring mode... with a few sets to boot... NO = absolutely no R4 this week. sigh.... but lots of yummy transparents!! smiles, Jill



11.2.2011 - Hello November - thank you for the cooler temperatures! Here's Charlie's weekly picture... he's a few weeks shy of seven months, weighing it at 62lbs. He's freshly bathed here - brushed and hugged... can you see it in his smile? He's turned into such a camera hound... always with a smile when I need it.

See you guys tonight at 9pm EST for the update!! smiles, Jill



10.26.2011 - Where does the time go? The neighborhood has been overrun with Halloween decorations making it a challenge to walk Charlie at night and not have him spooked by some eerily blowing ghost hanging from a tree... and I don't blame him! He pulls on the leash - trying to quickly move away from one oddity, only to find he's face to face with something else. Inflatable axe murderers brandishing huge pointy weapons? Me too - who's running faster??
With the cooler weather he has decided though that sleeping on the appointed dog be is 'not so bad'... and maybe he's settling down a bit - but - there are times when I catch him just napping... not always a constant blur of motion. : ) Jill

10.19.2011 - Welcome Fall! It has happened, almost overnight - our thoughts turn to where's my sweater? Riiight. Gosh, it was a long and hard summer - and I refuse to be a pansy about this - I am loving it! If Charlie could open the door he'd be outside all the time, his most favorite activity these days is to eat the acorns that fall onto the deck. I remember years ago - visiting Jiley Romney out in Sacramento - and laughing as she told me about her black lab eating walnuts from their tree in the backyard... and how it'd added some not so needed lbs. Frankly - I can't imagine an acorn tasting anywhere as good as a walnut - we shall monitor his boyish figure. Smiles and sweatshirts! Jill

Mr Mr was not much for posing this afternoon - much too occupied with his hedgehog. I had set up a hospital here at the house yesterday and carefully sewed the nose areas shut on about 3 stuffed animals - and mended Pooh's arm seams - as "someone" has been a little rough with his toys of late. Nonetheless - he had his own agenda - it's brisk out - you can see his fur being blown in the wind... he absolutely loves this type of weather. Just wait until he sees SNOW?!!

10.12.2011 - Charlie - 6mos. 6 days... growing up.... : )




10.5.2011 - I owe you a Charlie pic. Today was thrown akilter because one little dog stood at the open windows this morning - sniffing the coolish Fallish air - and sighing... I just couldn't let him go without a nice long walk... you know what I mean... so. Maybe by night's end... we shall see! Smiles, Jill

YES... this is a bead site. I just have started doing this weekly update on the growth of Charlie - and post a new picture here every Wednesday... am thinking maybe they deserve their own page. hmmm. ?

9.28.2011 - Looking like he just woke up in his PJs... it's the recent bath curls. Charlie was outside rounding up rocks. Most goldens are nuts about tennis balls, but this one? Rocks, water bottles and gallon plastic milk jugs...??? Just a week shy of 6mos., I can't lift him anymore to weigh, but - am thinking about 55lbs.




9.21.2011 -
Here's Charlie from earlier today, quietly begging for a cookie... he knows Wednesdays are work days...



I spent about 4 hours carving out bead caps to core/cap one of my portal beads... it made a cool looking finished piece, but - nothing that I will be doing again anytime soon!!


9.14.2011 - miss me?



Beautiful hydrangea from Long Beach, WA

This has been the longest break I've taken in the 118 weeks I've been doing these updates... I had hoped to come back to let you know that fall has hit and I'm all bundled up in crunchy sweaters making beads that evoke fall... but, no. OK, not yet!

I've been called again by the boro - and R4... working smaller than usual in some instances and larger in others... trying to find my groove... also been playing with some new glass - learning its limitations. So - the temps are still up there - the fires are east of me about 40 miles... and I'm back in the saddle.

Charlie has grown, I'm almost embarrassed to post his most recent pictures - as he seems to now be a dog, 53lbs... not the cute ball of fluff we knew at summer's start. But - hey - that's life, and he's just wonderful... : ) I'll post the teasers here in a little bit - still editing - but did want to pop in and bring you up to speed. Smiles - Jill

You missed Charlie - didn't you? 52.6lbs today... sheesh.

8.31.2011 -

I'm trying to bribe you - as I don't think many of you have seen this picture. I had just potted some basil on the deck, and Mr Mr was helping me - in his own way. I am taking some time with friends this week, may manage an update next week - but time will be tight - maybe by Friday, but will have to see. Otherwise, I promise something fantastic on the 14th.

Enjoy the rest of summer - for those of you on the west coast - who have some left. We have plenty of 'summer' - but the kiddos are back in school. Texas remains hot, dry and crispy - as ever. crispy smiles, Jill

8.24.2011 -

Happy 20th week birthday!!! Gosh, that's 5 months. I am pleased to report that he is housebroken *odd word*, as he is very easy on the house... and realizes that Wednesdays carry a bit of stress... so he maintained his presence, about 4' away always - dutifully watching my every move. : ) what a good boy!

I realized I don't have a 'today' picture - but am pleased to report that I am all 'set' for tonight so - I will take birthday boy out and see if he will pose. : )



Update tonight in a little less than an hour!! Big smiles, Jill (& Charlie)


8.10.2011 -Happy 18th week birthday, Charlie!! He has officially crested 40lbs, (that was fast) and seems to be housebroken... (fingers crossed)... and is my buddy. I couldn't get him to do much in the way of being cute outside earlier today, as it was 105 out there. So - it's easier to have him looking cute & 'happy' inside, AS he truly IS. (I interrupted his nap... but only for a moment!)




8.3.2011 -Happy 17th week birthday Charlie - 37.5lbs. Gee Mr Mr... what have you in store for me THIS week???? (funny, this site used to be about beads... and last I checked my beads don't have fur and teeth... LOL... he's fitting in so nicely though : )

Update tonight - working on the pages... hiding out from the heat!! smiles, Jill




7.27.2011 - Another week has passed, and he continues to grow - taken this morning about 10am. 37lbs. - loosing the puppy fur, getting wavy fur at top of his back... I can 'still' drag him up into my lap for a quick squeeze before the wiggles take over... silly puppy love.





7.20.2011 - OK, pages are all set!!

There will be an update tonight - with a nice variation of beads - a little of a lot of styles. So - tune back in at 9pm tonight - see you!

Greetings, here's my distraction... happy 15th week birthday Charlie! It looks like he's sleeping, but we all know he's just growing/recharging... he's almost 33lbs now - and I think most of that weight is his puppy teeth!



7.13.2011 - Apologies. Does time pass more quickly when the temperature is over 100 EVERY DAY???
I feel like I've been in self induced exile, finally braving the temps the past three days... and guess what? I found my groove again! 8D

I'm putting the pages together for tonight's update and am pleased to report new color combos - and a general feel of 'control' again. Yehaw! Check in later and you'll see what I mean. Smiles, Jill

Oh Charlie!!!
Surely... he's all boy, well - that's only where he's not mud! LOL
13 1/2 weeks and on a tear.

6.29.2011 - It's Update Wednesday which will go off as planned tonight precisely at 9pm EST... AND it's Charlie's 12 week birthday.... I love the way those tie together! Maybe it would be fun to also post his birthday week picture here on the journal... ?
OK, I'll admit this is grainy - he was asleep, and as I was working on the pages I called him into consciousness... that's why he looks a bit bewildered. Plus I used a dry brush filter in Photoshop to get rid of some of the graininess... making you think that perhaps I've taken up oil painting in my 'spare' time... LOL!!!
(not).





6.22.2011 - "For Your Ears Only..." (sung to that 007 tune...) tonight at 9pm EST.

6.15.2011 - Yes... there will be an update! Sorry I've been so quiet, I've shifted my sleeping patterns to allow my 5am start of the day to help out - rather than leave me grumbling. See... we've been having 100 degree + temps of late - and torching earlier in the day is really a good idea. Thank you Charlie!

Life with Charlie is good. He was just what we needed! I need to get back to the pages... so - see you in a little bit!!

smiles, Jill

6.8.2011 - While my life is a blur these days, although I did find time to torch this week, so - am gearing up for an update.

Charlie has made the transition to our home beautifully... I was very pleasantly surprised when he managed to sleep so nicely in his crate - from about 10:30 last night to almost 6am! What a treat. : )

He's smart as a whip - and learning fast... making me proud. smiles and puppy breath - Jill

6.1.2011 - The flame is out this week... preparations are in full swing for CHARLIE!!!

5.26.2011 - I marked up the pages late last night and forgot to post them live... I have just sent them, and they reflect what is still available. No more Wednesday evening glitches, promise. smiles, Jill


5.25.2011 - Update tonight - this will be the last update before school is out and summer officially hits home... again tonight - pages are posted early... goes LIVE at 9pm EST...

...AND we get the new puppy!! We've decided to call him Charlie - he officially turned 7 weeks old today, and is just an amazing ball of fluff... of course you know, just KNOW you'll never feel left out of his life, as he will have as much of a presence here as Sam did : ) FYI - remember the puppy in the flowers picture? The zinnias are coming up full strength, and the only thing missing is sweet Sam sitting there right in the middle of them! Maybe Charlie will pull some of the same antics? You just never know. Nonetheless - we are absolutely thrilled to share our home/hearts once again with a golden 'love'. Pictures? well... maybe.

smiles, Jill

5.18.2011 -
OK - I'm sending the pages - but will be modifying them - adding dimensions as time permits...

Sorry - hate to do this to you - but - have a scheduling conflict - will post pages early - but will not be able to take email until 9pm EST... and will not be able to update site to show what has sold. SO - if you see something you like, send me a request - it might be available.

Promise there won't be many more of these glitches, but it's the best solution I can come up with.
(puppy on the horizon!!!)

smiles, Jill
5.4.2011 -
We've been blessed with a wonderful break in the weather, from what I hear - by monday all will be back to 'normal'... with 96degree temps. I have just received shipment of a new (to me) glass with amazing applications - and I've been playing these past few days trying to allow it to find its niche. Sometimes it just takes time to find the best place for it to shine. I've been looking into designs such as were used by Frank Lloyd Wright and Rennie Mackintosh - where straight lines and a punch of color is so important - but - glass naturally wants to be round... hence the problem... But who knows - maybe by next week you'll feast your eyes on something amazing!

For now though - I need to go finish the pages - see you later on tonight! smiles, Jill

4.27.2011 -OK, pages are out there - officially live at 9pm EST.

It's been an odd week, the first few days of truly unbearable heat... (yes, it's Jill's "almost Summer whining session") Seriously folks, need to adjust, and it'll take time. Maybe my torching sessions will be at night - and I'll sleep during the day! ; )

I feel at times like my head is in the sand. I just discovered Adele (singer) after listening to Haley sing one of her songs on Idol last week... her album Adele 19 is just my style!! So - think of it, beads made with the influence of her music, web pages edited by her music... yes - just like any new style - I've got to run it into the ground. I'll post a link for those of you who are challenged. ; ) love you - big smiles - Jill

Adele19 - Rolling in the Deep

4.24.2011 - Happy Easter everybunny! (ouch)

4.20.2011 - it's LIVE! (oh gosh - do we vote for American Idol's Casey or Haley?)

(I won't even go there this week... oh shoot, I will...) but how'd it get to be this week so soon????
I'm just now finishing up the main page - and will work on the individual pages next... I've sent a splash of what's new up top - and will post on Facebook, as usual... if you have not joined my mailing list - that's the easiest way to receive a weekly reminder of what's coming - I send out only one weekly email - usually about 4:30pm on Wednesday afternoon - it just serves as a gentle reminder of what's coming that evening.

So - once again - I've toggled my way through the week - and have enjoyed the different aspects of what can be done with transparent glass... among other things. I did strain my shoulder - and had a rough start to the week... but it's feeling better - and I'm being careful. soooo. I've got to get back on task... see you later on tonight! smiles, Jill

Puppy progress: reading puppy books like a madwoman, and patiently waiting for a few litters to evaluate show potential of their males. Fingers crossed one of them will be deemed a companion dog and come join our family. Miss having a furry friend roaming the house...

4.13.2011 - *POOF* - where'd the week go??I know, seems to be my mantra of late, eh... will this ever change - or is this just 'it' from here on out?? Even so - know that I am knee deep in putting the pages together - it's a mix of more experimenting with transparents - as you all know that's my passion in the springtime - a few more toggles - just to get them out of my system... and well - more florals.

The puppy hunt is still on, but it's not a fast process by any means... we're learning to be patient. I've got three more puppy training books coming in the mail from Amazon over the next few days... so - we're making good use of time. The weather is GORGEOUS... yeah - can you say major distraction? I'm loving the deck, and make sure to take mid-day breaks for lunch out there. B-) that's me in sunglasses!

Before I know it, school will be out... I've got to get over this "time slipping through my fingers" feeling...
We planted a redbud tree in honor of Sam, and I'm pleased to say that it's in full leaf, and from where I sit and work, I can see it. He's never far from my thoughts... sigh.

OK, back to work, see you later on tonight! smiles, Jill

4.6.2011 - It's update Wednesday, and do I have some goodies for you!!!
Up top is a small sampling... I'll put the complete thumbnail library on Facebook... I think you'll be pleased, I am! There are three toggles, bead sets and earrings... drool. But, I am under a time crunch, what else is new??, so - must get back to task. See you here tonight : ) big smiles, Jill

4.2.2011 - Back at the torch... been too long, always wonder if there is a ramp up time to gettin' where I was...sure felt like it.... : ( The grass has officially started growing - here we go! Still no news on a puppy... there is a litter due this week, hopefully there will be an abundance of males - and we'll get one. Otherwise, hunt will still be on.

Why didn't anyone tell me I was all dorked up - and that there couldn't possibly be a Weekly Wednesday update on THURSDAY the 7th??? I just realized that - and felt the fool... blush, Jill

3.31.2011 - Goodbye March! Hello kinder & gentler April.

As I had said earlier, sadly - no beads this week for public consumption... and a longing to find myself behind the torch, but - have to conquer the stacks of 'stuff' I've been saving to apply to taxes. Got a good start yesterday - also used the carpet cleaner to do the bedroom, organized my CDs back into their original cases after making a few CDs... and accomplished a few more of those incredibly "necessary things" beckoning for my attention. LOL... too bad I knocked most of them out yesterday, as today, I am once again looking for diversions.

Oh, I have sent out a few emails regarding local litters of puppies "local" means TX... in my mind. : ) OK, give me a good swift nudge back onto task will-ya?? ... maybe if I get er done, I can reward myself with some torch time. (yeah!!)... smiles & taxes... Jill

3.24.2011 - Although working from home, one finds it difficult to separate workweek from workweekend... this past week has been a doozie! I was pleased, though, with how the update went together, love working with the transparent Spring inspired glass... and seemingly am having difficulty climbing out of the botanical phase... (secretly loving it!)... and of course waiting for some new inspiration to happen along.

Nothing new on the puppy front...

Next week, I'll be working on completing some custom work and .... getting started on the dreaded taxes. So - there won't be an update until April 7th. If you find you're going through tough bead times - please don't hesitate to write... and I most likely will still be torching. (shhhh). nite... Jill

3.23.2011 - OK, pages are posted... have a look/see...

Beautiful Springtime... please linger a little longer... pleeeeese? Kiddos back in school and of course, there are just not enough hours in the day, so we resort to using up nightime hours. Burning the midnight oil here. Speaking of which, just a few nights ago - there was the most amazing moon... huge and hanging on the horizon like an exaggeration.

... on an aside, you know I'm not a sculptural lampworker... but that Puppy in the Flowers picture of Sam in the Zinnias has been floating around in my mind... and yesterday I made this for me... I realize it needs refining... but I can't help but smile when I see that silly tennis ball in his mouth. Yeah... I'll stick to my normal style of bead. : ) Smiles, Jill



3.18.2011 - OK, somehow it's summer. OH - Spring lasted maybe a week. I've been spending time working in the yard, and coasting a bit. Spring break is on full tilt, and had a nice visit from my elder son and his girlfriend... younger one (I'm sure quietly can't wait for school to start back up!... riiiight).

I have started the search for a furry golden love, but am being methodical - as it's a long term commitment...
My parents had this photo at their place the other day - November 22, 2002 - it's been a LONG time since I've seen this. Grandpup... makes me smile. Jill

3.16.2011 - ... all set for this evening, live at 9pm EST. All the pages are set - and it will go off precisely when promised. (I love saying that). I'll send out the update notice and see you at the Journal page.... later gator. Jill


This is Sam's tree... we planted an Eastern Redbud outside the window at the breakfast area... it just sunk its roots into firm ground today, and as you can see, is very enthusiastic about getting started blooming... I can't tell you how tempted I was to buy a dogwood... (arrr), but this tree is ever so pretty with its blossoms in the springtime.

3.2.2011 - I'm taking this week to regroup...



Note: Sam was euthanized on Monday, Feb 28th. The cancer had grown, and he showed almost constant signs of pain - even with higher doses of pain medication. I'd promised him not to let it go too far, and much as it broke my heart... it was time. Silly golden. love.

2.23.2011 - Happy Wednesday Y'all! Notice just went out about tonight's update - and all that there is left to do - is put it all together. Although the sunshine has been visiting this week, today is like being all wrapped up in a murky cloud... maybe a blessing for me, as I have no desire whatsoever to set foot outside!
Working on the pages - will deliver the update tonight at 9pm... see you! Jill

2.16.2011 - YES... there has been sunshine and warmer temperatures... and it has caused the transparent colors to come knocking at my door - begging to please be let out! So - above is a preview of what's in store for tonight... I'm a bit behind the power curve - (so what else is new??)... but - as promised, pages will go live precisely at 9pm tonight. smiles & sunshine - Jill


2.9.2011 - OK, all pages are updated and live - remember to refresh the page!

well, it seems the weather cooperated just long enough for me to produce a whole bevvy of beauties, AND then we had flurries again this morning... uh, are we forgetting this is AUSTIN??? it's supposed to be 'minimum' in the mid 40s... next week it's supposed to be 70... what gives? crazy.

So - I've got a mix to offer tonight - lots of organic focals, some encased pretties and a variation on the boro rounds. So - check back in tonight at 9pm EST and see what a few days of 'Spring' does to me! : ) Jill

1.30.2011 -

I'll be the first to admit that I'm totally blown away by the beautiful weather we've had these past few days, and just when I start to 'feel' it in my mind (ie - reads - as inspiration to reach for colors I've not used in awhile), I hear that we're due for an arctic blast come Tuesday evening - through the end of the week. Waaaah.

Say bye bye to January in a few days... in like a lion... out like a lamb? hmmm. I'm knee deep playing with some beads I've made recently - and also bitten off quite a huge home renovation project... so - know that I'm going going going.... smiles, Jill

PS - Vet said that if he had no prior knowledge of Sam's condition - he would think he was a normal goofy golden. Good color, disposition, tone etc. so - I've taken to a shift in my thinking about him... and treating him more like he'll be here forever. : )


1.19.2011

The notice just went out to the mailing list - and I'm diligently working on the actual pages... timewise, it's looking good! I'm trying to wean myself off the boro long enough to enjoy some of the red goodies I'm so eager to start making. I've enjoyed coming up with the finished necklaces of late - and the idea that goes along with the two offered tonight - that they can be redesigned on the fly. Adjustable in length as well as grouping of the beads - all without taking it apart.

Fun.

And with that said, it's back to work for me.... see you guys later on tonight!!
smiles,
Jill

*note on Sam - he continues to hold his own, there are days I'm sure that it's 'time' and he surprises me. I still strive to be one step ahead of myself and see clearly when life is no longer fun for him... but so far - he's still himself. Silly golden. love.

1.14.2011

OK, it's been long enough - I'll brave the cold, hug the torch and get back to what I love.

Thanks for missing me.
smiles, Jill

12.20.2010 - Happy Birthday Glassdaddy!

I'm going to send out a notice today about the update for this week - and how it will be a tad different than the norm. Hope all you elves out there are about to kick up your little curled toe shoes and rest a spell. While I steal your shoes and get started! Got a list - and I KNOW who has been NAUGHTY and/or nice. ; )

smiles and a *wink*,
Jill