And since I have nothing positive to share - oh wait, there was one glimmer of good news. A friend of a friend who is a graphic designer got such a big job, she's booked through Christmas! Yay! May we all be so blessed.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
No, I Didn't Forget...
Truth be told, I have the doldrums...no sleep; too much worrying; Spending too much time looking for something to do that I can get paid for; Art Bead Scene piece due TODAY and I haven't thought about it since I made the bead the 1st week of June. SIGH....
And since I have nothing positive to share - oh wait, there was one glimmer of good news. A friend of a friend who is a graphic designer got such a big job, she's booked through Christmas! Yay! May we all be so blessed.
And since I have nothing positive to share - oh wait, there was one glimmer of good news. A friend of a friend who is a graphic designer got such a big job, she's booked through Christmas! Yay! May we all be so blessed.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A Great Big THANK YOU!
Dear Fans & Voters,
Yes, I've been sooooo discombobulated with my computer changeover...I'm still finding files and teaching myself Windows 7... and I haven't been focused on much of anything. Certainly not my Glass Beads website. And certainly not my Free Glass Beads monthly giveaway!
I honestly forgot to have the drawing... not once but TWICE! And you sweet folks kept voting ANYWAY! THANK YOU!
So, I got busy and had two drawings, using all the voters in both. If was the only fair thing to do. The two winners are posted on the voting page. And there will be another drawing this month. Hopefully, I'm getting back into my pre-computer breakdown schedule.
Thank you all for your continued support and THANK YOU FOR VOTING!!!
Yes, I've been sooooo discombobulated with my computer changeover...I'm still finding files and teaching myself Windows 7... and I haven't been focused on much of anything. Certainly not my Glass Beads website. And certainly not my Free Glass Beads monthly giveaway!
I honestly forgot to have the drawing... not once but TWICE! And you sweet folks kept voting ANYWAY! THANK YOU!
So, I got busy and had two drawings, using all the voters in both. If was the only fair thing to do. The two winners are posted on the voting page. And there will be another drawing this month. Hopefully, I'm getting back into my pre-computer breakdown schedule.
Thank you all for your continued support and THANK YOU FOR VOTING!!!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Commitment to Art or Ready for the Looney Bin?
Whenever I'm asked to write on a theme - as I was for this month's Art Bead Scene Blog Carnival - I always like to look up that word and be sure I understand the theme and how that applies to the topic at hand. For the Blog Carnival, the topic is always the use of artisan made beads and the theme is commitment.
While pondering this word, I thought it would be the commitment that is dedication to one's art that I would write about, but that's not the true meaning of the word. A commitment is a pledge to do something in the future; a financial, physical or emotional obligation. That doesn't really seem fitting, does it?
But the first meaning of the word is even more interesting: The act of committing, as to a mental institution! Somehow, this definition seems far more fitting to my relationship with art glass beads!
How better to describe something that you are driven to do despite lack of sales or even positive feedback ? Isn't it somewhat crazy to keep doing something that costs so much time in research, education and promotion? Isn't it insane to keep throwing good money after bad all in name of your art?
So WHY keep doing it??? For me, it's the time at the torch that all the voices in my head just shut up and go... who cares where! (What's that? YOU don't have voices in your head??? You're probably NOT an artist. Every artist I know does. They are loud and critical!)
It's that moment when I accomplish something I was unable to before - a really cool bit of stringer design; a better understanding of some glass; an amazing sculpture. It's the knowledge that I am better for the practice.
So if you see the men in white jackets looking for me, tell them they can find me at the torch!
While pondering this word, I thought it would be the commitment that is dedication to one's art that I would write about, but that's not the true meaning of the word. A commitment is a pledge to do something in the future; a financial, physical or emotional obligation. That doesn't really seem fitting, does it?
But the first meaning of the word is even more interesting: The act of committing, as to a mental institution! Somehow, this definition seems far more fitting to my relationship with art glass beads!
How better to describe something that you are driven to do despite lack of sales or even positive feedback ? Isn't it somewhat crazy to keep doing something that costs so much time in research, education and promotion? Isn't it insane to keep throwing good money after bad all in name of your art?
So WHY keep doing it??? For me, it's the time at the torch that all the voices in my head just shut up and go... who cares where! (What's that? YOU don't have voices in your head??? You're probably NOT an artist. Every artist I know does. They are loud and critical!)
It's that moment when I accomplish something I was unable to before - a really cool bit of stringer design; a better understanding of some glass; an amazing sculpture. It's the knowledge that I am better for the practice.
So if you see the men in white jackets looking for me, tell them they can find me at the torch!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Shifting Gears
When I get stuck as I have been of late, I often love to take a class to get me out of my own head. While I often take jewelry making classes it's great to take a glass bead class. I find it's good to get out of my own head and just learn something new!
This past weekend while at our local ISGB meeting, I found out that a local artist, Chiharu, was to be teaching her flower focals at The Mandrel the next day. Still feeling that funk, I decided to take the class and am I ever glad I did. We were supposed to make two beads but learned many more and had ample time to make multiple versions in class.
I also took some purple rods with me and used my spare time to make a couple of hearts for Beads of Courage, which always feels good.
It was a productive day but I won't have the beads to show you for a few weeks because I'm having them mailed with other stuff waiting to arrive.
It's good to shift gears and try new things when you are in a funk. I'm anxious to get on the torch and try my new floral skills.
Have a great weekend!
This past weekend while at our local ISGB meeting, I found out that a local artist, Chiharu, was to be teaching her flower focals at The Mandrel the next day. Still feeling that funk, I decided to take the class and am I ever glad I did. We were supposed to make two beads but learned many more and had ample time to make multiple versions in class.
I also took some purple rods with me and used my spare time to make a couple of hearts for Beads of Courage, which always feels good.
It was a productive day but I won't have the beads to show you for a few weeks because I'm having them mailed with other stuff waiting to arrive.
It's good to shift gears and try new things when you are in a funk. I'm anxious to get on the torch and try my new floral skills.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Oh Dear...
I swear I don't know what is going on with me. I forgot to post... I just have ZERO motivation. Zero sales + Zero responses to resumes + Zero in the bank = 1 unmotivated Holly. Harumph!
And just when I thought the tide may be turning for my little circle... a friend recently got a job she really wanted and there is potential to open up a lot of doors for her. I was so happy and prayed that her good news would rub off on everyone... and then today, a dear friend called and told me she had been laid off. She's a genius at what she does and does everything well. We were a fearsome twosome back in the day when we both wrote bids for some of Hollywood's hottest directorial talent. Landing million dollar jobs left and right; pulling rabbits out of our hats...we were very equipment, union, special effects savvy. Oh, how the tide does turn...
Anyway, I was on the phone with her brainstorming for hours and spent a few more hours trying to learn some new Windows 7 tricks. And whaddayaknow? It's 5 pm.
On the beady front, one good thing... I haven't been as productive thanks to my eyesight and I got new glasses. Lets hope being able to SEE the flame will help!
Hope your Wednesday was awesome!
And just when I thought the tide may be turning for my little circle... a friend recently got a job she really wanted and there is potential to open up a lot of doors for her. I was so happy and prayed that her good news would rub off on everyone... and then today, a dear friend called and told me she had been laid off. She's a genius at what she does and does everything well. We were a fearsome twosome back in the day when we both wrote bids for some of Hollywood's hottest directorial talent. Landing million dollar jobs left and right; pulling rabbits out of our hats...we were very equipment, union, special effects savvy. Oh, how the tide does turn...
Anyway, I was on the phone with her brainstorming for hours and spent a few more hours trying to learn some new Windows 7 tricks. And whaddayaknow? It's 5 pm.
On the beady front, one good thing... I haven't been as productive thanks to my eyesight and I got new glasses. Lets hope being able to SEE the flame will help!
Hope your Wednesday was awesome!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Ten Glassy Things with MOI!
I started the Ten Glassy Things Questionnaire for this blog in hopes to get to ask all the glassy questions I wanted to know about my other glassy friends and acquaintances. It was incorporated into the the Fire Diva's Diva of the Month articles as Part two, but I love to pull those over here. Since I'm the Diva of the Month for June, well, I had to answer my own questions.
If you haven't been reading along over there, here are some links:
Part one
Part three
Part four
And here's Part two:
Welcome back to our four part series on Diva of the Month, Holly Dare of HollysFolly. This week Holly answers all the glassy questions we can throw her way!
What attracted you to glass? When I was working as a producer on HGTV's The Carol Duvall Show, one of my guests would come in dripping in lampwork. Her jewelry, her scissor fob, her pens, everything was glass. I was drawn to the color and feel. Even though I had taught and made jewelry for years, I had no idea what glass beads were. Then when I got to write some of the out of studio segments, I got to see how the beads were made.
Many glass artists have training in other art mediums. Do you? If yes, please explain. Well, I'm a lifelong crafter and started teaching when I was 17. But discovering rubber stamps and thus feeling free to play with better quality art materials really opened me up artistically. I started to get an understanding of color. I spent most of 2003 in a wheel chair and studied oil painting and I find what I learned about layering of color really helps with glass. It also makes me a "glass snob" - I look for glass that utilizes mid-tones, highlights and low-lights. Those are all elements of a good painting and I feel that glass is the same. If an artist doesn't think of those things... well they really aren't an artist to me.
Describe the first bead you made that you were really proud of? Are you still proud of it now? (Please send a photo if you have one.) I'll let you know when I do! LOL! Seriously, I'm really hard on myself. But I think the one is actually a set and I've never tried to sell it! I keep it in my show stash and rarely put it out. It's a set of purple reduction beads in a variety of shapes. I put so much work into them, they are priceless and can't part with them.
What inspires you? Oh gosh, what doesn't would be an easier question. I hike everyday in our local mountains and take tons of pictures and can get inspire from anything out there. I've made beads based on graffiti to flowers. I'm always analyzing color in nature and trying to match it to color rods in my head. I'm a Pisces and love anything to do with the sea. I adore the challenge of making LARGE hollow seashells. My day job often takes me to pastry shows and I love trying to capture sweets in glass. Lately, my inspiration has come from upholstery fabrics. Sometimes it's a shape and sometimes it's just the challenge of knowing I can pull something off and push my skills further than before. I also love playing with scale....making something as large as I can and then making it as tiny as possible.
Do you have a plan when you sit down to torch? Do you sketch beads or have photos around for reference? I usually have a plan. Sometimes it's as simple as a list, especially if I made the beads before. If it's something new, I will hit Google pics and pull a few images of an object from different angles and print that up and hang it near the torch. If it's a sculptural piece- I tend to like elaborate beads - I will make an ordered list of what to do when.
Photography seems to be a key element for any glass artist. What type of camera / lightbox set up do you use? I have a little Nikon Cool Pix which I hate more and more every day. I really hate what Nikon does to the color blue but still it takes better pictures than any other camera I've ever used. But I long to upgrade to an SLR. I studied photography for years and the lack of options on an ordinary digital makes me nuts. But Photoshop is a must. I recommend taking a class in that for any bead artist. It can make up for a myriad of mistakes.
I have a little double layered light box but I only use it at night when I'm on a deadline. I've pitched it for a folder full of paper: white, black and neutral gray. I put that on whichever side of my back porch is shady and shoot away. I'm much happier with those pictures than I am with the pricey light box! But if the bead is highly reflective, I end up on the light box anyway.
If the issue of finances (i.e. will it sell?) were of no consequence, what would you spend your time making? Since I can never pick what will sell - I've had beads I hated sell within minutes of listing and ones I love sit and sit - I would just spend more time making beads.
What kind of jewelry do you wear? Everyday vs. out on the town? Well, both of my professions are filthy. Between work in a rubber stamp manufacturing, glass and hiking, I stay dirty! Not exactly the look for fine jewelry. But, one of my favorite beadmakers ALWAYS wears something and she's picked up customers while hiking (always has a card on her too!)!! So I try to wear something I can throw on a chain...just one fabulous bead. But when I'm out and about, I love something "simply complicated" like a four foot long lariat with large focals on each end.
What is the one skill you wish came easier to you? Being able to make the same bead over and over. It kills me! I get bored easily.
What do you love about marketing your business? What’s the hardest part of marketing it?The best part is the costumers. I love that feeling of knowing someone gets my weird humor and sees what I see in a bead. I also love seeing what they make! I really despise the amount of time I feel I need to be on the computer when I would rather be torching. The hardest part is just finding customers.
If you haven't been reading along over there, here are some links:
Part one
Part three
Part four
And here's Part two:
Welcome back to our four part series on Diva of the Month, Holly Dare of HollysFolly. This week Holly answers all the glassy questions we can throw her way!
What attracted you to glass? When I was working as a producer on HGTV's The Carol Duvall Show, one of my guests would come in dripping in lampwork. Her jewelry, her scissor fob, her pens, everything was glass. I was drawn to the color and feel. Even though I had taught and made jewelry for years, I had no idea what glass beads were. Then when I got to write some of the out of studio segments, I got to see how the beads were made.
Many glass artists have training in other art mediums. Do you? If yes, please explain. Well, I'm a lifelong crafter and started teaching when I was 17. But discovering rubber stamps and thus feeling free to play with better quality art materials really opened me up artistically. I started to get an understanding of color. I spent most of 2003 in a wheel chair and studied oil painting and I find what I learned about layering of color really helps with glass. It also makes me a "glass snob" - I look for glass that utilizes mid-tones, highlights and low-lights. Those are all elements of a good painting and I feel that glass is the same. If an artist doesn't think of those things... well they really aren't an artist to me.
Describe the first bead you made that you were really proud of? Are you still proud of it now? (Please send a photo if you have one.) I'll let you know when I do! LOL! Seriously, I'm really hard on myself. But I think the one is actually a set and I've never tried to sell it! I keep it in my show stash and rarely put it out. It's a set of purple reduction beads in a variety of shapes. I put so much work into them, they are priceless and can't part with them.
Artist's Private Collection
What inspires you? Oh gosh, what doesn't would be an easier question. I hike everyday in our local mountains and take tons of pictures and can get inspire from anything out there. I've made beads based on graffiti to flowers. I'm always analyzing color in nature and trying to match it to color rods in my head. I'm a Pisces and love anything to do with the sea. I adore the challenge of making LARGE hollow seashells. My day job often takes me to pastry shows and I love trying to capture sweets in glass. Lately, my inspiration has come from upholstery fabrics. Sometimes it's a shape and sometimes it's just the challenge of knowing I can pull something off and push my skills further than before. I also love playing with scale....making something as large as I can and then making it as tiny as possible.
Do you have a plan when you sit down to torch? Do you sketch beads or have photos around for reference? I usually have a plan. Sometimes it's as simple as a list, especially if I made the beads before. If it's something new, I will hit Google pics and pull a few images of an object from different angles and print that up and hang it near the torch. If it's a sculptural piece- I tend to like elaborate beads - I will make an ordered list of what to do when.
Photography seems to be a key element for any glass artist. What type of camera / lightbox set up do you use? I have a little Nikon Cool Pix which I hate more and more every day. I really hate what Nikon does to the color blue but still it takes better pictures than any other camera I've ever used. But I long to upgrade to an SLR. I studied photography for years and the lack of options on an ordinary digital makes me nuts. But Photoshop is a must. I recommend taking a class in that for any bead artist. It can make up for a myriad of mistakes.
I have a little double layered light box but I only use it at night when I'm on a deadline. I've pitched it for a folder full of paper: white, black and neutral gray. I put that on whichever side of my back porch is shady and shoot away. I'm much happier with those pictures than I am with the pricey light box! But if the bead is highly reflective, I end up on the light box anyway.
If the issue of finances (i.e. will it sell?) were of no consequence, what would you spend your time making? Since I can never pick what will sell - I've had beads I hated sell within minutes of listing and ones I love sit and sit - I would just spend more time making beads.
Teeny Weeny Cupcakes
What kind of jewelry do you wear? Everyday vs. out on the town? Well, both of my professions are filthy. Between work in a rubber stamp manufacturing, glass and hiking, I stay dirty! Not exactly the look for fine jewelry. But, one of my favorite beadmakers ALWAYS wears something and she's picked up customers while hiking (always has a card on her too!)!! So I try to wear something I can throw on a chain...just one fabulous bead. But when I'm out and about, I love something "simply complicated" like a four foot long lariat with large focals on each end.
What is the one skill you wish came easier to you? Being able to make the same bead over and over. It kills me! I get bored easily.
What do you love about marketing your business? What’s the hardest part of marketing it?The best part is the costumers. I love that feeling of knowing someone gets my weird humor and sees what I see in a bead. I also love seeing what they make! I really despise the amount of time I feel I need to be on the computer when I would rather be torching. The hardest part is just finding customers.
| Holly's Folly ~ Glass | Holly's Folly Artfire | |
| Holly's Folly Fan Page | Holly's Folly on Etsy |
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fire Divas Summer Jewelry Challege Prizes
The prizes for the Fire Divas Summer Jewelry Challenge have been announced! All the details can be found here. Now you can see what incredible prizes are up for grabs!!
http://hollysfolly.com/ or http://www.artfire.com/users/hollysfollyglass
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads
http://ahouston.etsy.com/
http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign
Good luck to all who enter!!
http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign
Good luck to all who enter!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Happy Thursday - Let's Have a Sale!
Anyway...it's Thursday and I've been working away on the Fire Diva's Blog for a new page and I'm bushed and dying to torch so... this is a shorty but I thought I would have a sale for my Fan Page members. The details will be over there and even though you can read it on the side here... the sale is just for fans...
Have a good weekend folks and I will see you back on my glass bead blog on Monday! Hope you do something fun!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Desire for Junk
I was all a flutter yesterday when the most well known importer of Chinese crap lampwork glass beads decided to follow me on twitter. HUH??? WTH? As usual, I over analyze EVERYTHING!
Why are they following me? I don't sell enough to be considered a well-known beadmaker and I don't make enough to be considered prolific. Hmmm... Maybe they just want to steal ideas!!!!!! How DARE THEY! Well of course they dare...that's how they became the giant monolith of a vendor they are! (For those of you who are wondering, I'm referring to "that Texas sounding place;" First name is the capitol of Texas, last name Hamilton).
As I went to their twitter site to block them from reading my tweets, my heart sank as I realized they have twice as many followers as I do. It would seem there is an endless supply of people who want to buy cheap crappy beads instead of tasteful, well-made, properly cleaned and annealed art glass beads. And I wonder why I can't make a living a this! It's like educating the ocean, one drop at a time.
It's so odd that we all want lower prices, but we all want to be well paid for our time. I have always supported artists and hope and pray that one day, I find customers who feel the same way about me and my work.
Why are they following me? I don't sell enough to be considered a well-known beadmaker and I don't make enough to be considered prolific. Hmmm... Maybe they just want to steal ideas!!!!!! How DARE THEY! Well of course they dare...that's how they became the giant monolith of a vendor they are! (For those of you who are wondering, I'm referring to "that Texas sounding place;" First name is the capitol of Texas, last name Hamilton).
As I went to their twitter site to block them from reading my tweets, my heart sank as I realized they have twice as many followers as I do. It would seem there is an endless supply of people who want to buy cheap crappy beads instead of tasteful, well-made, properly cleaned and annealed art glass beads. And I wonder why I can't make a living a this! It's like educating the ocean, one drop at a time.
It's so odd that we all want lower prices, but we all want to be well paid for our time. I have always supported artists and hope and pray that one day, I find customers who feel the same way about me and my work.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Hit and Run
I'm actually excited about torching for the first time in weeks and I'm dying to get out in the shop. So... just a hit and run today!
I'm steadily adding new goodies to my glass beads website and I thought I would share a few recent additions:
I love this heart with embedded copper chain... I find it rather mesmerizing.
This glass heart, called Wisp, came about when I was pulling some blue aventurine cane and making a heart for my sister. She loves her version of this!
That's all I've got today! Have a happy Tuesday!
I'm steadily adding new goodies to my glass beads website and I thought I would share a few recent additions:
I love this heart with embedded copper chain... I find it rather mesmerizing.
This glass heart, called Wisp, came about when I was pulling some blue aventurine cane and making a heart for my sister. She loves her version of this!
That's all I've got today! Have a happy Tuesday!
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