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Hot!

Hot

Yep, it’s hot here!  The heatwave is just starting, and I am so glad I am just finishing on the torch.  Phew!  So pleased that I have now made all of the beads for the “Resonate” exhibition at Gallery M.  Now I can sit in my kitchen “studio” and make all of the jewellery.  And the best part about that is…air-conditioning!

Actually, I love my little kitchen table studio here.  It’s one of my favourite parts of the house.  I’ll try to show you a picture soon.

I can’t remember the last time I have gone so close to the wire with an exhibition, I am usually a whole lot more organised than this.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the next few days go well, and that I’ll be sharing some photos of beautiful jewellery very soon.

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Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Beer Bottle Beads

KronenbergBeads

Nick was kind enough to try a new type of beer last year, it was Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc beer, and the bottles were this gorgeous shade of cobalt blue!  He has been wondering for ages what the glass would look like made into beads, and now we can see the result….beautiful!  I love this colour, and have embellished some of the beads with a little bit of silver so make them sparkle even more.  Again, can’t wait to make the jewellery!

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On my walk this morning…

MorningWalkFeb

  1. I am enjoying walking through this little wetlands area on my morning walk.
  2. I am anxious about my exhibition at Gallery M.
  3. I am listening to an audio book “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven.
  4. I am thinking about what to cook for tea tonight.  Probably the Pete Evans Butter Chicken recipe.
  5. I am looking forward to driving to Adelaide this morning to do a few jobs!
  6. I am happy that we all seem to be settling into life in Murray Bridge.
  7. I am planning my SALA exhibition.  I don’t have a venue yet, but I have an idea!
  8. I am excited about all of the family visits that are planned for the next month.
  9. I am still sad that my big brother is not here.
  10. I am pleased that I was accepted to do the Penny Lane Market in Mount Barker on March 28.
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Banrock Station Wine Bottle

BanrockWine

If you have seen my recycled glass beads before, you’ll know I am a big fan of the Banrock Station wine bottles.  Firstly, I love the environmental ethos of the company. Secondly, I love that the wine is so affordable, and so drinkable!  And thirdly, I love that the glass bottles make some of the prettiest beads!

I can’t wait to start making the jewellery with these beads.  Super pretty and sparkly!

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Bead by bead…

MakingProgress

I know the only way I am going to get this exhibition work completed…is by actually doing the work!  I am lucky that Finn is still having a lovely nap in the afternoons, and that he is now spending a whole day in childcare.  It has meant that I have made a lot of progress this week.  I am getting there…bead by bead…

I have created a little “spreadsheet” of the beads I have to make, and the types of glass I am using.  Every time I put a tick in one of the boxes, I am making progress!  I am trying not to think about how much work I have left to do after that.  It will get done.

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Exhibition Stress

BombayBeads

I am slowly ticking things off my to-do list.  And it was nice to finally see a collection of beads ready to start making jewellery (Bombay Sapphire Gin).  I wish I had made more beads by now, however with everything else that is going on (moving, settling etc), I think I am also lucky to have done as much as I have.

I am grateful for an excellent childcare centre for one day each week, and for Finn still napping solidly in the afternoon.

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My favourite necklace this week….

EtchedNecklace

This is my favourite necklace this week.  I made the etched beads for my Home-Wear exhibition last year, but never got around to using them.  Then I saw that I needed some new work at Tarts (thanks to everyone who has been in to buy something from there), and I looked through all of my beads, and just loved this colour way.  There is something really special about the etched glass beads, and with the sparkly silver, it is extra special.

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Back on the Torch

GlassSetup

It took a bit longer to get setup than I had planned for, but last week I finally got all of my glass set up and I was back on the torch again.  My studio in Murray Bridge is considerably smaller than the room I had in Mount Gambier, so there were a few challenges in getting set up, but finding some excellent secondhand furniture helped a lot.  Luckily I am used to working in a small room (Mount Gambier was really quite decadent), and it has been nice to  compact everything again.  It feels good.