Posts
My friend Kim gave me a great idea for my Christmas cards this year. I'm still working out the details,,,, but I finally came up with my idea. These are the original paintings.
Planning my Christmas cards
My friend Kim gave me a great idea for my Christmas cards this year. I'm still working out the details,,,, but I finally came up with my idea. These are the original paintings.
Okay, one more post because I need to vent.
Some days, I just look around at me and think, "What the hell have I gotten myself into here?!" Today is one of those days. After I wrote that first post this morning about the new painted pendants that I am totally loving, I realized that I have a whole bunch of stuff to do. And of course, I have to keep Colden entertained at the same time, or I won't get ANYTHING done!
What has been driving me nuts is the lack of workspace for me lately. I can't work in the basement like I did when I was pregnant for a few reasons. First, there is waaaaaaay too much stuff down there that Colden gets into when I am down there to print something out or look for a particular bead or whatever. Plus, now he can climb stairs, and I am terrified that he will start climbing up the stairs, slip and fall, and put his tooth through his lip or bash his head against the concrete cinderblock wall. Second, it costs way too much to heat that part of the basement every single day. Third, I really don't like it down there because the light isn't great and it always feels like I'm working in a dungeon. Really.
So this is where I HAVE been working lately. (And please don't tell my husband you saw these pictures of our totally messed up house online because he'll kill me and make me take 'em down.)
This is where I have been stashing some of the beads I'm using on current projects. The big, blue suitcase is what I've been using to haul projects and inventory around to shows this fall.
My current "desk", a.k.a. our dining room table. (And no, that's not a bottle of wine. It's balsamic vinegar. Really.)
My other "office" in the living room. Think I've got enough clutter there? That's all gonna have to go somewhere before we put the Christmas tree up this year!!!
So, yeah, this is how I've been working lately. You don't even want to see what the glass workshop looks like. But we'll get to that later.
Anyway, now that I've posted my rant for today, I think I'm going to tackle some unfinished projects that I've been sitting on for a month now and see about getting some lunch for me and the kid!
What has been driving me nuts is the lack of workspace for me lately. I can't work in the basement like I did when I was pregnant for a few reasons. First, there is waaaaaaay too much stuff down there that Colden gets into when I am down there to print something out or look for a particular bead or whatever. Plus, now he can climb stairs, and I am terrified that he will start climbing up the stairs, slip and fall, and put his tooth through his lip or bash his head against the concrete cinderblock wall. Second, it costs way too much to heat that part of the basement every single day. Third, I really don't like it down there because the light isn't great and it always feels like I'm working in a dungeon. Really.
So this is where I HAVE been working lately. (And please don't tell my husband you saw these pictures of our totally messed up house online because he'll kill me and make me take 'em down.)
This is where I have been stashing some of the beads I'm using on current projects. The big, blue suitcase is what I've been using to haul projects and inventory around to shows this fall.
My current "desk", a.k.a. our dining room table. (And no, that's not a bottle of wine. It's balsamic vinegar. Really.)
My other "office" in the living room. Think I've got enough clutter there? That's all gonna have to go somewhere before we put the Christmas tree up this year!!!
So, yeah, this is how I've been working lately. You don't even want to see what the glass workshop looks like. But we'll get to that later.
Anyway, now that I've posted my rant for today, I think I'm going to tackle some unfinished projects that I've been sitting on for a month now and see about getting some lunch for me and the kid!
New Handpainted Pendants Available on my Etsy Shop!
For the last few months, I've been tossing this idea around in my head about taking a bunch of fused glass pendants and painting them with lovely little nature scenes. (My first problem was that I can't paint, but I'm reasonably happy with the results!)
I got these wonderful acrylic enamel paints way back when I first sprung for all my glass fusing supplies, and they basically sat there, untouched, until last fall when I finally started feeling up to working with the glass again. I tried a few cuff bracelets with them, and they worked out pretty well, and then I decided to try my hand at painting a few pretty little scenes.
The photo on this one isn't very good, but you get the idea.
For this piece, I fused some white frit into the background to make it look like snow!
This is a much better photo of a painted pendant with a lone pine tree on a snowy landscape.
And then, just in case you were getting bored with the snow, I painted a few summery scenes. I love the way I can get texture from the paints by adding water or using them "dry", and because I am painting the top clear layer of glass, there are shadows underneath that give an unexpected depth to the whole piece.
I'll have more of these for sale as I finish them. The process to make them takes several steps in the kiln. First, I have to cut the pendant shapes from the glass and then full fuse them at 1550 dehrees Fahrenheit with a layer of clear on top for depth. After the pendants have cooled, I grind down any uneven edges and then firepolish them in the kiln again. Once the basic shape is perfect, I paint them with the enamels and allow the enamels to dry. Then it's once more back in the kiln, this time to a temperature of about 1350 degrees Fahrenheit to allow the enamels to cure and melt. Because the enamels are melted into the glass, the design is permanent and will not chip, fade or wear off. Once I'm happy with how everything looks, I will add the pendant finding, a length of satin cord or a fiber necklace, and put the little beauties out for sale!
As I'm gearing up for my last big show of the holiday season this coming weekend, I'll be working with some fusible paper in my designs this week. Once I get those done, I'll of course post some photos and some techniques here on the blog.
I've also been tossing around the idea of starting a jewelry makers guild up here in the Adirondacks, or at least revisiting the idea of starting up a bead society once again. (Tried that when I had the brick and mortar store, but I wasn't terribly motivated then, and I really am now!)
This weekend, I'll be at the Christmas in the Village celebration in Essex, N.Y. on Lake Champlain! I'll have lots of new work for sale at the Adirondack Art Association Gallery on Main Street in Essex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 5, 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Let's hope the weather cooperates!
I got these wonderful acrylic enamel paints way back when I first sprung for all my glass fusing supplies, and they basically sat there, untouched, until last fall when I finally started feeling up to working with the glass again. I tried a few cuff bracelets with them, and they worked out pretty well, and then I decided to try my hand at painting a few pretty little scenes.
The photo on this one isn't very good, but you get the idea.
For this piece, I fused some white frit into the background to make it look like snow!
This is a much better photo of a painted pendant with a lone pine tree on a snowy landscape.
And then, just in case you were getting bored with the snow, I painted a few summery scenes. I love the way I can get texture from the paints by adding water or using them "dry", and because I am painting the top clear layer of glass, there are shadows underneath that give an unexpected depth to the whole piece.
I'll have more of these for sale as I finish them. The process to make them takes several steps in the kiln. First, I have to cut the pendant shapes from the glass and then full fuse them at 1550 dehrees Fahrenheit with a layer of clear on top for depth. After the pendants have cooled, I grind down any uneven edges and then firepolish them in the kiln again. Once the basic shape is perfect, I paint them with the enamels and allow the enamels to dry. Then it's once more back in the kiln, this time to a temperature of about 1350 degrees Fahrenheit to allow the enamels to cure and melt. Because the enamels are melted into the glass, the design is permanent and will not chip, fade or wear off. Once I'm happy with how everything looks, I will add the pendant finding, a length of satin cord or a fiber necklace, and put the little beauties out for sale!
As I'm gearing up for my last big show of the holiday season this coming weekend, I'll be working with some fusible paper in my designs this week. Once I get those done, I'll of course post some photos and some techniques here on the blog.
I've also been tossing around the idea of starting a jewelry makers guild up here in the Adirondacks, or at least revisiting the idea of starting up a bead society once again. (Tried that when I had the brick and mortar store, but I wasn't terribly motivated then, and I really am now!)
This weekend, I'll be at the Christmas in the Village celebration in Essex, N.Y. on Lake Champlain! I'll have lots of new work for sale at the Adirondack Art Association Gallery on Main Street in Essex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 5, 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Let's hope the weather cooperates!
Bear Down Sunday #12
The Chicago Bears are in Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings tonight. Each team stands at 6-5. The winner will take over sole possession of 1st place in the NFC North division.
In the early part of the 1985 NFL season, on a Thursday night, the Bears were playing the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome. Jim McMahon was not scheduled to play due to a neck injury which forced him to miss a practice that week while staying overnight in the hospital.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bears trailed the Vikings 17-9. Coach Mike Ditka finally relented to McMahon's persistent lobbying to enter the game. McMahon's first play was a 70 yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault. The next time McMahon touched the ball, he threw it for another touchdown pass, this one to Dennis McKinnon. The next time the Bears got the ball, it took several plays, but McMahon connected with McKinnon again for his 3rd touchdown pass of the game.
The Bears went on to win 33-24. Of course, they also went on to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl victory!
I hope some of that McMahon magic appears in Kyle Orton as he tries to lead the Bears to victory tonight. Ironically, McMahon played with the Vikings later in his post-Bears career.
Despite his sometimes questionable image, I have always found McMahon to be a decent guy. He is a great autograph signer and is involved in many charitable causes. Logistics prevented me from posing with the punky QB, but I did manage to get a couple cards signed.
In the early part of the 1985 NFL season, on a Thursday night, the Bears were playing the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome. Jim McMahon was not scheduled to play due to a neck injury which forced him to miss a practice that week while staying overnight in the hospital.
Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bears trailed the Vikings 17-9. Coach Mike Ditka finally relented to McMahon's persistent lobbying to enter the game. McMahon's first play was a 70 yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault. The next time McMahon touched the ball, he threw it for another touchdown pass, this one to Dennis McKinnon. The next time the Bears got the ball, it took several plays, but McMahon connected with McKinnon again for his 3rd touchdown pass of the game.
The Bears went on to win 33-24. Of course, they also went on to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl victory!I hope some of that McMahon magic appears in Kyle Orton as he tries to lead the Bears to victory tonight. Ironically, McMahon played with the Vikings later in his post-Bears career.
Despite his sometimes questionable image, I have always found McMahon to be a decent guy. He is a great autograph signer and is involved in many charitable causes. Logistics prevented me from posing with the punky QB, but I did manage to get a couple cards signed.
Patrick Swayze
Several websites are reporting that actor Patrick Swayze's battle with pancreatic cancer is worsening.
Patrick recently got word that the cancer had spread to his liver and that is what his doctors said would begin the countdown to the end," a source told National Enquirer magazine.
If true, this is terrible news. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat of all cancers. Long-term survivability is uncommon. I wish him and his family the best through this horrible time.
I thought Patrick Swayze was fantastic in Ghost and Dirty Dancing, although his most entertaining shoot ever may have been with Chris Farley on the Chippendales SNL segment...
Photo credit: prphotos.com
Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:
Spreading Like Wildfire
Tommy Rich started wrestling in 1974. Sometime early on, he added Wildfire to his moniker. Rich wrestled mainly in the south, winning many NWA regional titles. He is also one of a very few wrestlers who never wrestled for the WWE. In 1981, he became one of the youngest NWA World Heavyweight Champions in history. Some say the title win was done to show that anything can happen at any time, since Rich was a huge underdog to Harley Race. Some say the title change happened as a result of a screwjob from one territory to another. Either way, Rich dropped the belt back to Race just four days after winning it.
Rich still wrestles on the independent scene. I met Rich backstage at an event in Kokomo, IN.
Rich still wrestles on the independent scene. I met Rich backstage at an event in Kokomo, IN.
Tommy Rich and me in Kokomo, IN-November 2007.
Nicole Kidman or Wax Figure?
Is this a photo of Nicole Kidman or a wax figure of Nicole? It seems as though she has resumed her Botox injections, in addition to lip enhancement with a filler such as Restylane. I bet she's had some chemical peels too, judging by the smoothness of her skin.
To check out my last post on Nicole Kidman, titled "Nicole Kidman : Botox Free?" click here.
Photo credit: prphotos.com
Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:
Amrita Rao Wallpapers
After a very long time, we are back with some updates. Unfortunately as was mentioned at the start of the year, updates to this blog would be few and far between from now on. However there will be updates as and when they are possible.
So starting off with couple of wallpapers of Amrita Rao.
The wallpaper above is from an upcoming movie of Amrita as she poses on the beach showing off her long legs and feet.
So starting off with couple of wallpapers of Amrita Rao.
Two Close For Comfort
It's a bit funny to me that many of the celebs I meet have a connection to Star Trek or Star Wars. I don't particularly either of those movie franchises. Of course, as I have established, I usually like the odder, less known roles of the celebs.
Deborah Van Valkenburgh had a role on Star Trek:Deep Space Nine, which usually leads to a line of trekkies waiting to meet her. However, I remember her from her somewhat sillier role on tv's Too Close For Comfort. I guess if nothing else, I am a change of pace for these celebs, since I usually talk of the lesser roles. Of course, some celebs aren't so excited to discuss certain roles. DVV was very happy to chat about her non-Star Trek roles.
She was also a guest panelist on the 1983 version of The Match Game, a great game show from yesteryear. If any show ever needed a dvd featuring behind the scenes stuff, The Match Game is it!
Deborah Van Valkenburgh had a role on Star Trek:Deep Space Nine, which usually leads to a line of trekkies waiting to meet her. However, I remember her from her somewhat sillier role on tv's Too Close For Comfort. I guess if nothing else, I am a change of pace for these celebs, since I usually talk of the lesser roles. Of course, some celebs aren't so excited to discuss certain roles. DVV was very happy to chat about her non-Star Trek roles.
She was also a guest panelist on the 1983 version of The Match Game, a great game show from yesteryear. If any show ever needed a dvd featuring behind the scenes stuff, The Match Game is it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am sitting here watching the Macy's parade with Tristan, as is tradition before the rest of a weekend of Thanksgiving festivities begins. There is so much to be thankful for this year...
... one being a huge thanks to all of my customers and supporters over the past couple of years who have made my jewelry business possible!
I just posted some new items in my Etsy shop in honor of the day, and am offering a Thanksgiving weekend special. If you mention my Thanksgiving blog post in the 'notes to seller' on your Etsy order, I will give you 10% off your entire order.
Please wait for a revised Paypal invoice pior to submitting your payment. This is valid until Sunday 11/30 at midnight EST. This offer can be used one time and is not valid with any other specials in my shop.
Thanks again for a great year and enjoy the weekend spending time with your friends and family! Warm wishes! :) Anne
... one being a huge thanks to all of my customers and supporters over the past couple of years who have made my jewelry business possible!
I just posted some new items in my Etsy shop in honor of the day, and am offering a Thanksgiving weekend special. If you mention my Thanksgiving blog post in the 'notes to seller' on your Etsy order, I will give you 10% off your entire order.
Please wait for a revised Paypal invoice pior to submitting your payment. This is valid until Sunday 11/30 at midnight EST. This offer can be used one time and is not valid with any other specials in my shop.
Thanks again for a great year and enjoy the weekend spending time with your friends and family! Warm wishes! :) Anne
Giving Thanks
I meet a lot of people at a lot of places. I appreciate all of them. However, I am most thankful for the people in my life constantly. My family. My friends (near and far, old and new).
Stunning Previews : boulder matrix opal for my steampunk rings
Finally i could order a few Boulder matrix opal beads that i will receive shortly . I get them from Australia so it may take about 2 weeks . This time i have different size and also some extremely incredible gemmy beads . I will make 3 design of rings with them depending on their size .The first model i will make is the one just like in the ring that i have made with a green resin vintage filigree beads from the 1960's .
In this model I will be able to use the following 3 stones :
The next model i will make with one of the smaller bead. I will make it like this ring that i made with clock screws . I also ordered 1 pound of clock gears and screws for that purpose.
In this model i will use this gorgeous purple fire bead.
The next model that i will be able to make is my original steamed rings Like this one below:
I got this amazing piece with an absolutely stunning flash .
The last piece is this cube . I will make a pendant with it :
The price of these rings with this new arrival of Opal will range between 95 to 250$
In this model I will be able to use the following 3 stones :
The next model i will make with one of the smaller bead. I will make it like this ring that i made with clock screws . I also ordered 1 pound of clock gears and screws for that purpose.
In this model i will use this gorgeous purple fire bead.
The next model that i will be able to make is my original steamed rings Like this one below:
I got this amazing piece with an absolutely stunning flash .
The last piece is this cube . I will make a pendant with it :
| Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade CatherinetteRings.etsy.com |
Quick links
Here are some quick links to take up time while you are relaxing at home...
1. If you are on Facebook, take the True Age Test. They ask you 20 questions about yourself and determine the true age of your body from the results. According to this test I am 17 years old! Then why do I feel 50 today? (Must be the five days of surgery in the last seven days...)
2. Click here to view a television segment on the Beverly Hills radiologist who fashioned himself a liposuction guru. There is a warrant out for his arrest, and now he is somewhere in South America. After you go to the CBS site, type in "Raid" and/or "Bittner" to view the segments on Dr. Alan Bittner.
3. Are Guns N' Roses Bringing Back Plastic Surgery? Check out MakeMeHeal.com for their post on the Gunners (I've asked for Chinese Democracy for Christmas).
Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:
Quote of the Day
"My ideal situation would be to live on a farm in a solar-powered house with a hammock and a vegetable patch. When this is all over, that's where I'll be. I've always wanted kids, so someday, eventually, yes, it will happen," - model Miranda Kerr in this week's issue of Page Six Magazine.
Steampunk Phantom Quartz Pendant : Now in my shop .
Quartz is always fascinating and there is a vast variety . It amazingly constitute 12% of the earth crust.
These are the main types of Quartz :
In bold are those i currently have in stock
Chalcedony Agate ,Onyx ,Jasper ,Aventurine ,Tiger's eye ,Rock crystal ,Amethyst,Citrine ,Prasiolite ,Rose quartz ,Rutilated quartz ,Milk quartz ,Smoky quartz ,Carnelian
In this pendant the phantom quartz can be seen in the clear rock crystal quartz . It is a cloud of tiny crystals that are formed when the quartz pauses during its growth then resumes. The phantom quartz is often composed of different variety of quartz such as amethyst , milky quartz and smoky quartz.
I have included a clock gear in the pendant to give it a modern twist.
I also use brass ,copper, gun metal and silver colored material to mirror the anachronism inherent in steampunk .
These are the main types of Quartz :
In bold are those i currently have in stock
Chalcedony Agate ,Onyx ,Jasper ,Aventurine ,Tiger's eye ,Rock crystal ,Amethyst,Citrine ,Prasiolite ,Rose quartz ,Rutilated quartz ,Milk quartz ,Smoky quartz ,Carnelian
In this pendant the phantom quartz can be seen in the clear rock crystal quartz . It is a cloud of tiny crystals that are formed when the quartz pauses during its growth then resumes. The phantom quartz is often composed of different variety of quartz such as amethyst , milky quartz and smoky quartz.
I have included a clock gear in the pendant to give it a modern twist.
I also use brass ,copper, gun metal and silver colored material to mirror the anachronism inherent in steampunk .
| Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade CatherinetteRings.etsy.com |
Joey Pants and Johngy 4Cokes
Joey Pantoliano first caught my attention as Guido (the killer pimp) in Risky Business. However, Snake from Running Scared is my all-time favorite role of his. Coincidentally, both films were set in the Chicago area.
In 2007, Joey Pants revealed that he has suffered from clinical depression for years. Pants went public about this and has started a non-profit organization, No Kidding, Me Too! to raise awareness. Pants has been very open in his discussions about his struggles.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pants at the Motor City Comic Con earlier this year. He was extremely nice, even asking me to double-check my photo to make sure it was good enough. That sort of attention doesn't happen often.
Joey Pantoliano and me in Novi, MI-May 2008.
In 2007, Joey Pants revealed that he has suffered from clinical depression for years. Pants went public about this and has started a non-profit organization, No Kidding, Me Too! to raise awareness. Pants has been very open in his discussions about his struggles.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pants at the Motor City Comic Con earlier this year. He was extremely nice, even asking me to double-check my photo to make sure it was good enough. That sort of attention doesn't happen often.
Joey Pantoliano and me in Novi, MI-May 2008.Fun with Fimo (Clay) Canes
Last week, I couldn't help myself, and ordered some clay canes from BeautyTech (linked to the right). Basically, these are made from fimo or other clays, and rolled together into a pattern, then reduced to itty-bitty diameters for nail art (and other things, of course). Above you can see some of the canes I bought - I picked out several, and got two "grab bags" of ends/imperfects. I'm pretty pleased with what I ended up with...
So of course I had to try them out right away when I got them on Friday, and decided the green leaves went best with my green marbled nails. You can see how small they are in the picture above. These particular canes are baked before they're sent out, and then you have to slice them yourself. This isn't too difficult, except the thinner the slice the better, and that really does take practice. You really want to just shave off a very thin slice, which is easier said than done. But I didn't do too badly, I don't think. I'll keep practicing. Here's how those turned out (bad flash, sorry):
So this week, I wanted those red maple leaves on my nails. Unfortunately, I didn't get them sliced as thinly as I'd like, and I think what I may do with the rest is go back and hold them with wide stamp tweezers so I can slice them thinner. They don't look too bad as is, I don't think - just like transparent bubbles on my nails with leaves suspended in them. The ones on my middle and pinky finger are the thinnest I sliced - both are thinner than the average 3-D nail sticker.
I did get them sliced thinner than the leaf cane, so even just two canes into it, I'm getting better at slicing. It's occured to me that I need a teeny tiny little mandoline for slicing (like I have in the kitchen for onions & tomatoes). That would really make easy work of it, and I could adjust the size of the slices as needed (sometimes it would be nice to vary the heights and layer them). Maybe I'll see if I can make one out of a wood planer or some such tool.This week's polish is China Glaze "Cross Iron" with a stripe of OPI's 18k Ginza Gold on top.
It was quite a lot of work to get the clay slices back *off* my nails last night - especially since I ran out of my favorite Zoya polish remover. I think I may have to soak my nails for a few minutes in polish remover with the clay. Once they're on, they're on! I just applied them in a coat of wet topcoat, then a very generous top coat layer to finish.
I'm hoping to get some more fun nail art items in the near future, but these should keep me busy for awhile. I do love playing with new things!