Fire Divas Easter/Passover Challenge

Welcome to the Fire Divas Easter/Passover Challenge! We've allowed plenty of time to shop for those Easter and Passover beads. Below are the entries; take a good look at all that eye candy and then vote for your favorite on the right side of the Fire Divas Blog!

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Defrosting!

The weather is starting to warm up a bit. Everything is defrosting. That means soon I'll be able to get back to that torch! I can't wait - it has been so long. I just want to go out there and create for hours!

Unfortunately that means I need room for my new creations, and around here space is scarce. Because of that, I am having a "Cleaning Out My Closet" event. All my items (except tutorials) are permanently marked down to help make some room. This applies to both my Etsy and Artfire shops.

As far as my new creations...well, you can believe that when I get to that torch again, I'll be letting everyone know!

Fire Divas January Blues Challenge

In honor of the blue moons this month, The Fire Divas are holding a January Blues Challenge! You can see big pictures of the entries below, then vote for your favorite on the Fire Diva Blog! The voting will be open for one week, and will end on February 7. Please go vote!

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It's Official...

...I hate fusing! I tried, I really did, but I just don't like it. I don't mind doing little things; I was successful at making a few dichroic pendants and some barrettes (all of which sit in a bowl in dire need of finishing). Nonetheless, behind the torch is where I belong. Unfortunately it is still so cold here! That means no torching - I am going through withdrawal. Once it warms up I'll be out there as often as I can! I am counting down the days!

In the meantime, I am building my glass inventory. I've branched out into Double Helix and Devardi glass. Double Helix Ekho is devine, and I bought it at my favorite vender, Frantz Art Glass, for 35% off! I bought a couple other colors so we will see how those are once I can try them out. Believe it or not, I finally made a list of the colors I don't have yet, and I am working on stocking my studio with those.

I was fortunate enough a couple weeks ago to get some work done; I had enough time to make two beads. I have a large bag of shorts (about 10lbs) and I just went out there and played for a while. Eventually I will get around to listing them, so keep a lookout for two multi-color focals!

Fire Divas Thanksgiving Challenge

To celebrate the season of giving, the Fire Divas are having a Thanksgiving Challenge! Some of our members have made wonderful pieces for YOU to vote on. First, enjoy viewing these wonderful treasures. When you're done, please vote for the bead you are thankful for on right side of the Fire Divas' blog. The voting will stay open for one week - then the winner will receive a really cool prize!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Fire Divas are having a Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge! Several of our members have made wonderful pieces for YOU to vote on. First, you can feast your eyes on these beauties in big, clear pictures. When you're done savoring them, please vote for your favorite in bite-sized images on the right side of the Fire Divas' blog. The voting will stay open for one week - then the winner will receive a really cool prize!

Go vote on the Fire Divas Blog.

Let the fusing begin...

It looks like we are having an early winter this year. Unfortunately for me, that means no more lampworking!! I work in my garage and with the kiln, oxycon, and fans, there is no power left for the heaters I need to keep warm. I've packed up my glass and put it in the closet to remain untouched for the cold months.
Now what? We considered having the garage rewired to handle the extra power requirements of the 3-4 heaters I would need to stay warm enough with the garage door open or ventilation. We also considered buying a small building and setting it up as my studio. We finally settled on something entirely different.
I am going to start fusing glass! It doesn't take any modification to the garage or a new building. It just takes tools and sheet glass, both of which are on their way to me. I'll still need to run the kiln, but without the oxycon and fans going I'll be able to run the heaters. Plus I won't need the garage door open so that means less heaters to stay warm.
I plan to make funtional pieces as well as jewelry...stay tuned to see what comes out of the kiln!