A while back, I read about a challenge put out there by well known bead artist Heather Trimlett. Here's the link Click Here When I first read it I figured it just wasn't for me. My hands are too shaky, I don't have the patience to do such repetitive stuff, not sure I could follow the rules, etc. etc. The excuses were there. lol ! Fast forward to the present. Too much boredom actually made the decision for me before I even realized it ! I started this challenge yesterday and am joining in on a group of a whole bunch of people that frequent Lampwork Etc also doing this challenge. I was so excited to get started I just dove it yesterday without adding to that thread at LE. I'll be doing that today. lol !
So just below is what I accomplished yesterday. I am so very excited to be doing this I just can't explain ! :) Not only is it FUN, I am sharpening skills I should of sharpened LONG ago ! Because my hands tend to be very shaking I never did much dot practice. Not only is it about sharpening skills, it teaches you MANY things that Heather talks about in her pdf. The very first thing I have learned, I CAN make a fairly decent round/donut shaped bead WITHOUT the EMS (electric mandrel spinner) ! I was very leary about that. I have always used the EMS simply because of the problems with my hands and arms. The problems are still there and I can feel the 10 beads I made yesterday but I will forge on ! lol ! It's just too much fun not too and it's working. I am getting out of this "slump".
It is AMAZING what just a simple little dot can do on a lampwork bead. The things that can be created is endless. I am ready and anxious to be at the torch again this morning adding to this group ! I made 10 beads yesterday. One is missing from the photo because it stuck to another bead when I put it in the kiln. UGH ! It was flat on one side because I tried to separate them when it was too hot. Oh well, I'll make another one today.
Thanks so much for coming by ! I hope you come back again soon to follow along with my 40 Bead Challenge ! :)
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that your muse has come back and you are feeling creative again. Your beads are gorgeous and you are right it is amazing what a dot can do to a glass bead. Good luck with the rest of the challenge.
Therese
Thanks Therese, I appreciate it ! This exercise is just what I needed to get excited again. lol ! Day two beads will be up soon. :)
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