Gallery Happenings

I'm so excited to announce that I am now in a wonderful gallery in downtown Anoka (Minnesota)! My sister has been raving about Krista Artista Gallery for quite a while. I was lucky enough to visit my dad's in Anoka just after Christmas and finally got to see the gallery for myself. A myriad of artisan goods from inspired individuals. Often at galleries, I feel that I have to act cooler than I really am or that my wallet needs to be a little fatter in order to touch the merchandise.

A bowl my sister bought at the gallery

Not so at this place! I immediately felt an affinity for the work inside. Most memorable were the pottery pieces. There were these feelings of comfort and inspiration. I had to be a part of it.

My gushing praise aside, I contacted the gallery owner, Krista, and things proceeded pretty quickly. She accepted my work and I am in! My first shipment has arrived at her gallery and we are working on finishing touches!  I can't wait to see how it goes--fingers crossed.

The items for my first shipment

The Weekend is Over?!

Okay my blogging is really going to improve. See it as a pre-New Year's resolution. I know, we've heard this before. But this time I mean it.

For the first time in 9 years, I didn't have to work Black Friday. Instead I got to stay home, relax, and work on beads. The perks of being a teacher! The extent of my Black Friday shopping was going to Shopko and Kmart with my sister and in-laws at 10 pm on Thanksgiving. However, upon seeing the line (I know, I should have known), we high tailed it out of there. My major triumph for the night was finding a folding table that I can take to craft fairs. You can see where my focus is!

My sister stayed over the whole weekend. Dance parties, movie marathons, and ridiculousness ensued. Too bad reality has returned and I still have papers to grade. Oops...maybe shouldn't be blogging. It's amazing the amount of things you get done when you're avoiding something.

Among the things I got done are a bunch of new beads and stained glass ornaments. I spent about 20 hours this weekend in my studio ♥ If only I could do that all the time.

Shangri-La

The term Shangri-La is often used in a similar context to Utopia to represent a paradise hidden from modern man. It is sometimes used as an analogy for a lifelong quest or something elusive that is much sought after. It originates from James Hilton's Lost Horizon, written in 1933.

On my trip to Hawaii this last week, I had the great pleasure of visiting Honolulu's own Shangri-La--that belonging to the late Doris Duke (as in Duke University). While her back story is very interesting, I wanted to share some images from the beautiful property. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pics of the interior, but I did get some of the verdant grounds. For more info about Doris Duke, you can go here.

(Above) The front entrance: understated and private

    

 

         The front door                                                    A view of the interior from the front

 The back veranda

A mosaic arch leads to the Moon Garden, while on the other end is an amazing view of the ocean

           

A spectacular view of Diamond Head                                       The pool and guest house    

 

An overlook to the passageway outside Doris Duke's bedroom.

 The other side of Ms. Duke's bedroom. This is a lawn that overlooks the ocean.
Overall it was a memorable tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Honolulu!

"Gentlemen, I give you a toast. Here's my hope that

 Robert Conway will find his Shangri-La. 

Here's my hope that we all find our Shangri-La" 

-Lost Horizon the movie, 1937

On That Note

As can be expected, things are slow business-wise since the Christmas rush. I was stressed to get orders done on time and now I'm stressed that there are few orders. I took a needed break from my torch and, after 3 weeks, have begun again, renewed.

I started out playing with my new toy--a hollow mandrel that allows me to create hollow beads. It's just like glassblowing, but on a much smaller scale. So far I don't have any spectacular results, but I'll keep working on it.

 <----- Hollow Bead Mandrel
            (courtesy of Sundance Art Glass)

       


         An amazing, giant hollow bead  ----->
         by Belvedere Beads, blog here

  I also made several pendant beads shaped like music notes. They look pretty cool and will be nice on a simple chain necklace. Here are some still on mandrels:

 

Long Time...

Wow, the last couple months have been a whirlwind. Along with the normal craziness of the holidays, I finished student teaching and my independent studies classes, while working 40 hours/week. Whew. I never want to be that exhausted again. This led to my neglect of this blog. I mean to change that!

One exciting thing is that I got several custom jewelry orders for Christmas. It was so much fun working with others to complete their unique visions! (Also a little nervewracking to do my best to make people's ideas come into being and not mess it up). I love getting outside perspectives and inspiration.

Now that I'm graduated, I have some free time on my hands. It's a new year and the resultant optimism has infused me with energy to carry out new plans and goals. My aim is to get back to making stained glass along with continuing to expand White Torch Glassworks. I'm also exploring oil painting (a medium that's intimidated me for a long time!). Here's my first completed oil painting:

The subject is an abandoned house in a big field. It goes with my fascination with urban/rural exploration. I'm pretty happy with the results of this painting and am excited to expand my skills.

A Sneak Peak

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I want to give a sneak peak of the holiday beads I've been working on. I've experimented with all sorts of designs--candy canes, Santa hats, stockings, snowmen, holly leaves, and bells. The candy canes and snowmen are definitely the most challenging. The snowmen because I want to make them in one single piece instead of 3 separate round beads. Then, I add a scarf and "coal" eyes and buttons. These like to bake in and spread out too much and make the snowman look creepy. So, I have to make sure not to heat them directly while I'm adding the finishing touches. Finally, I put the carrot nose on and have to be careful that it too doesn't spread out. Here are some slightly creepy ones:

Tomorrow is the American Leadership Academy's holiday craft fair in Spanish Fork. I'm excited! My sister Elizabeth is helping out and I hope to have a fun, busy day.

Where Were They Going (without ever knowing the way)

On the Nevada side of the Virgin River Gorge, going northbound on I-15, is a sight that has intrigued me for years. Looking tiny in comparison to the mountains that loom behind, a half-finished house clings to the desert landscape. I look forward to passing it each time I travel this route (a couple times a year). Who built that house? Why did they stop? How long has it been there?

I imagine it would have taken someone quite brave to build a home so far from a city, next to the immense gorge. It's miles from a city, solitary, yet completely exposed to the tens of thousands of travelers along the interstate. If you look at close-up, you'll notice that there's an old car parked out back. That's been there as long as I can remember as well.

I wish I knew the history of this place. Searches online have been fruitless. But, the not knowing allows for greater mystery and I'm free to imagine all sorts of possibilities. Did the owner run out of money? Did they pass away suddenly? Was there a problem with running water and electric that far? Was it the result of a love affair that ended in disillusionment? Every time I see this home I recall the chorus to Fastball's The Way:

Anyone could see
The road that they walk on is paved in gold
And it's always summer, they'll never get cold
They'll never get hungry
They'll never get old and gray
You can see their shadows
Wandering off somewhere
They won't make it home
But they really don't care
They wanted the highway
They're happy there today