This Year in Review Part 1: The Marbles

The marbles created by Chris have been a HUGE part of this year!  Chris had professional photos taken of his marbles early in the year, and in June they were published in The Flow magazine.

Source

Our first show of the year is always the Marble Crazy show at Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs, KS.  It is a wonderful, fun show and this was the second year of many (we hope) that we participated!

 One of Chris's most popular designs.  Our friend, Frank Brooks, designs twisted forks for the stands for the eyeball marbles.

 Chris doing demonstrations (which he does at many of our shows) of marble making at the Moon Marble show.

 New design, marbles with heavy frit on the outside that when illuminated, shine from within.

 Ladybug Summer, also a popular design.

A mix of show demonstration marbles after the kiln annealing.

2013 Final Show This Saturday!!

This Saturday, we will have our final show for 2013 (though you can still shop our products at Graham Gallery in Hastings, NE) at the Old Hastings Middle School in Hastings.  Our friends, Frank & Deb Brooks and Chris & I will be hosting an Art Open House in Frank & Deb's studio space.  Artists (in addition to the host artists) participating in our Open House are:

Nancy Fairbanks, ceramic artist

New Santa design from Nancy's Studio

Karen Kohtz

Jeremy Hansen, Glass Artist

Tammy Sorensen,  pencil and pastel artist

Gone But Not Forgotten

Melvin W. Sanner, 77, Lawrence, Nebraska died Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska. Graveside Services with Military Rites by V.F. W. Post #7285 of Sabetha, Kansas will be Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at the Sabetha Cemetery, Sabetha, Kansas with Rev. Ernie Moravec Officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation as his wishes were to be cremated. Memorials can be directed to the family. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.

Melvin was born on August 6, 1936 to Lee Gale and Ruth Edna (Hollabaugh) Sanner at

Sabetha, Kansas. Melvin served in the United States Air Force from October 6, 1958 to May 22,1963. Melvin married Josephine Eberly on May 22, 1965 in Raton, New Mexico. Melvin had been a member of the Morrill and Delaware Baptist Church’s. Melivin was a carpenter and had worked for Carmichael’s Construction, Hastings, Nebraska. 

Melvin is survived by his Wife: Josephine, Lawrence, Nebraska, (3) Sons: Shawn Sanner,

Seattle, Washington, Robin (Mary) Sanner, San Diego, California, Mark (Cheryl) Sanner,

Wamego,Kansas, (2) Daughters: Toni Bennett, Seattle, Washington, Stephanie (Chris) Haussler, Lawrence, Nebraska, (1) Brother: Glenn (Gloria) Sanner, Fairview, Kansas, (9) Grandchildren, (3) Great Grandchildren. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, (1) Infant Son: Eric, (1) Brother: Gale and (1) Infant Sister: Linda.

My Dad passed away.  He is at peace and no longer suffering from the pain related to his cancer.  I am sad that his time went so quickly, but glad that we were able to be with him at the end.  I think of him daily, remember the happy times we spent together, and cherish every moment I was blessed to have with him.  

Changes

This has been a difficult month.  I have gone from being a child to my parents to being the caregiver to them.  After several weeks of excruciating pain, my father was admitted to the hospital.  Tests revealed...Stage 4 cancer in his spine and probably more areas.  Dad decided that as there is no cure, there is no need for treatment.  Radiation therapy is being done to help with pain management and trying to prevent the largest tumor in his spine from paralyzing him.  His condition is deteriorating far more quickly than we expected and certainly faster than we wanted.  Sadness, overwhelming exhaustion, and loss overtake me.  Whenever I look at my Dad's hands I think of this song by Holly Dunn (source):

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.

My Dad is quite the guy.  Funny, stubborn, able to talk to anyone at anytime, loving, hardworking, wonderful husband and father.  I thank God for him.

Autumn Art Studio Open House

We are co-hosting our third Art Studio Open House this weekend in Hastings, Nebraska at the studio of Frank & Deb Brooks in the Phoenix Center (Old Hastings Middle School), 505 N. Hastings, second floor Suite 212.  Our Open House coincides with the Cottonwood Market events, which will take place about a block away!  Find out more on that event and the schedule of activities for Saturday and Sunday. Here is a preview of all the goodies you will find there! 

PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Jewelry by Deb Brooks

Silverware Jewelry & Gifts by Frank & Deb

Pottery, Sculpture, and gifts by Nancy Fairbanks,

Jewelry & Glass Designs by Pixybug Designs,

Raku Art by Karen Kohtz

Hope to see you there!

Lincoln Bead Bazaar Saturday

We will be at the Lincoln Bead Bazaar on this Saturday, October 12.  Here is the list of other vendors and location info!

Bead Bazaar!!!

27th Street Convention Center, Lincoln location map

Everyone getting ready for the show?  This Saturday, October 12th ** 9 am to 4 pm!!!  Here's a list of vendors:

*Papio Creek Gems and Gifts  www.papiobeads.com

 

* Jodie Marshall  Lampwork Beads, beading supplies, wearbale art

*Pixybug Designs, Stephanie Haussler  www.pixybugdesignsblogspot.com

lampwork beads, buttons, marbles, sculptures, handmade fun, artistic jewelry and gifts

 

*Star Spirit Studio. Sue Laupp   www.starspiritstudio.etsy.com

artisan made raku beads and findings, lost wax cast sterling, bronze and copper, and a small amount of czech glass beads

 

*Ayla's Originals, Dan Starkey  www.aylasoriginals.com

 findings, pearls, gemstones, furnace and glass beads

 

*Tanya McGuire  www.TanyaMcGuire.com

 lampwork beads and jewelry

 

*Deb Kubik Designs

fused glass items, beads, findings, blank bracelets and bails, finished bracelets and pendants, and earrings

 

*Jade Dog Beads, Darcy Horn   www.thejadedog.com

 glass beads, polymer, and vintage components

 

*Artistic Creations and Designs, Rose Rutherford

 pearls, crystals, stones and sterling Silver

 

*5 Z's Star City Bead Shop, Charlene Zweerink  www.5zs.biz

japanese beads, delicas, beading supplies, findings and various beaded items

 

Hope to see you there!

Fordite Falcon

I LOVE BEAD EMBROIDERY!!  I often say that it is the beading that I do for myself.  Not that I wear it often, but it is my "sanity" refresher when my business beading gets the best of me.  I use it to refresh my "muse".  Here is the latest piece I have created.

I used a piece of Fordite for the focal which I purchased from a distributor this summer.  Not familiar with Fordite, also known as Detroit Jasper? 
From Wikipedia:
Fordite, also known as Detroit agate, is old automobile paint which has hardened sufficiently to be cut and polished.^[1] It was formed from the build up of layers of enamel paint slag on tracks and skids on which cars were hand spray-painted (a now automated process), which have been baked numerous times.^[2] In recent times the material has been recycled as eco-friendly jewelry.

This picture was taken in process, when I was stuck.  Obviously, thanks to the gals in my Bead Embroidery Forever! group on Facebook, I became unstuck and was able to finish.  You can see by the orientation, that the layout shifted also.  I had planned on the layout here being a pendant, but things went a different direction.  That is what I love about bead embroidery.  I start it and it just "happens".  My style is more freeform.  I rarely have a finished idea in mind when I start.  I also love that it becomes almost a treasure hunt or hidden picture by adding in the bits and bobs as I go along.

Here are a few other pieces I have created:

Center piece from an Artbeads Blog Partner challenge

Bead Soup Blog Hop piece with partner Shirley Jones Moore

Beading Challenge from The Jade Dog

design using Chris's lampwork cabs and leather

Beading challenge with Pine Ridge Treasures

Swarovski Fancy stone with vintage cup chain

My very first project!  Only one that I knew what it would look like when I started.

My second piece, Frankly My Dear.  Jen Martin, made the polymer face.

Can you tell it is my favorite beading technique?!

Snow People and Snow Globes

Gosh, nearly a month since the last post!  The time certainly flies right by!  We have been busy with lots of new designs and Chris had a large order of snow people for Yvonne Irvin-Faus for her adorable Domiciles.  The snow people will be part of her snow globes!  Here are some pictures!

Aren't they adorable?!

Join Us at the Bead Extravaganza!!

When: September 14, 2013
Time: 10am - 4pm
Where: Hastings, Nebraska
Adams County Fairgrounds, Activity Building North Side

Bead Vendors from coast to coast and in between, Bead Artists, and Bead Lovers are being brought together in one location to share the joy of all things beady!  Beading Demos and Make It ~Take Its throughout the day!  Come join us for the fun and don't forget BEADS! 

Confirmed Vendors:
Ayla's Originals, Dan Starkey
Carole Rodgers Creative Services, Carole & LeRoy Rodgers
Charles Reece, Faceted glass pendants and cabochons
Cotton Candy Dreams, Raquel Wagner
5Z's Star City Bead Shop, seed beads and beadweaving supplies
From the Heart Creations, Deborah Wenske Brooks
Gisela Patterson, Handcrafted jewelry & Scarf accents
Julie's Xpressions, huge variety of beads and supplies
Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads & Wearable Art
Pixybug Designs, Chris & Stephanie Haussler
Star Spirit Studios, Sue Laupp
The Jade Dog, Darcy Horn
Two Dog Pond, Rachel Pozehl


Sponsored & Hosted by:
Mid-Nebraska Beaders & Julie's Xpressions

New creations part 2 (More Flower Pots)

Guest blogger Chris here.  I just finished packing the car for what promises to be a very hot weekend.  I will be at Old Trusty Days in Clay Center Saturday and Sunday.  The forecast is upper 90's for both days.  Couple that with a metal roof and you get an oven!  Yippee!  Stop by and see me if you think you will not melt.  My dad will be in the next booth over with his really big, scary, handmade knives and stuff.  I made manly finger bits for him to show next to his knives to remind people that what he makes is fully functional as well as cool to look at.

Well, enough about what I am doing tomorrow.  This is what I have been doing the last week or so, other than making marbles with my representation of cattle brands inside them.  That will be another post.   Here are some new flower arrangements...

 The Batty Skull

 A vase with hidden depths and a purple flower

A yellow flower in a copper blue vase

A viney pot with a pale flower

Our show schedule for the month of September is busy.  Old Trusty this weekend, the Hastings Bead show the 13th at the Adams county fairgrounds, and wrapping up with the Hillboro, KS Arts Festival the 20th.  If you have the chance, stop by and say "Hi".  We would love to see you!

Chris's Newest Creations

How adorable is this?!  Chris recently decided to make a sculpture to enter in the Nebraska State Fair.  This is what he came up with!  The flowers and leaves are created on black steel wire and then annealed in the kiln.  The flower pot is also glass created on the end of a large hole mandrel so it has a bottom but is also open to be able to insert the flowers.  Once all of the components are created, Chris uses 2 part epoxy to set the flowers into place and to attach the aluminum disc to the bottom of the pot.  Chris also made the aluminum discs from recycled blanks and used a machine to add the engraved grooves to the disc.  So creative and cute!  We plan to make quite a few to have at Graham Gallery during the Holidays. 

Here are a couple others Chris made that are available for sale:

I love the free-form blue daisy and the stone-look flower pot.

This is probably my favorite flower!  The outside edge is a pretty, soft peach and the inside a darker coral.  The flower pot looks like a well weathered terracotta pot!

As for me, I have been beading, beading, beading to get ready for all of our shows next month.  Lots of new designs being churned out!
Earrings:

Left to right: free-form nugget turquoise with Vintaj brass leaves, abalone, and fire agate with carnelian dangles.

Bracelets:

 Lots of Czech glass, crystal, stone, Clay River focal (top), and FanceeThat focal (bottom).  This batch was focused in the antique brass color for the findings.  My favorites are the second from the top and the second from the bottom.  The matte finish on the agate on the bracelet near the bottom adds a wonderful texture to the piece and the leaf charm adds movement.  On the second from the top, I used pieces of chain as dangling charms to add movement to the piece.  It also has a small chicklet style bead from Clay River designs.

This group of bracelets focuses on antique copper.  There are lots of fun goodies in this batch, recycled glass ring from Trinket Foundry, natural stones, Czech glass, copper filigree butterfly, double hole drilled bone bead from Wild Things Beads, Clay River Designs, and chain.  Chris's favorite is the top one, and I also liked it.  My favorites are probably the bottom two, one of which sold last weekend. 

So that is a bit of an update on the jewelry and glass front!  Sorry for the long silence!  It may be a bit quiet here for a couple weeks while we prepare for the shows!