Sunday, April 18, 2010

Where Has Shirley Been?

Wow - way too long since I've blogged!  But I've been really tied up with my tech job lately, so much work to be done in such a short period of time.

So this weekend I've taken a few breaths and a few breaks.  I actually spent a good amount of time on the torch yesterday.  I'll show you the fruits of my labor a little later in this post.  But first, I want to show you my finished February BJP "page".  I finished beading the other side, and now I'm going to wet and reshape it a bit.  Here are both sides of the vessel.


The influence for this February vessel was all the pink trees and bushes that start blooming around here in February.  But that's not the only month in which the 'hood turns pink.  The pink bushes right outside my front door get really full around the end of March, and every time I walk down my hallway I can see what looks like a big pink wall through the window in my front door.


On the weekend, we usually have breakfast at the local bagel shop.  On the way home from breakfast yesterday morning, I saw a rather shocking front yard.  So today I drove by it with my camera - talk about pink, yowza!!




Now back to beading projects - I've also been working diligently on my tall blue vessel.  I beaded the other side of it, and as soon as I'm done here, I'll start working on some kind of collar for it.  Then I will attach the Lisa Peters piece that was the inspiration for the beading that I did and it will be finished!  Here's the other side sitting in front of my big pink "wall".


And here's what came out of my kiln this morning.  These are supposed to accompany me to the Bead & Button Show - but I think I'll put them out into my Etsy shop tomorrow.






So this is where I've been for the last few weeks.  Despite all my tech work, I've been having a bit of creative time.  Now you go have yourselves a happy and creative day!

14 comments:

Fiona said...

Just love that final blue bead. It is beautiful.

Pam @ The Blue Between said...

really beautiful creations, Shirly! It's so nice to see both your beads and your fiber work again - it's been too long! Even that pink yard is kind of a treat!

Crazy Mama said...

i love love love your vessel! it turned out so gorgeous! and the tall blue one is well on its way. the beads that came out of your kiln are REALLY pretty too! all in all it's a beautiful post.

Dees said...

WOW shirley... these pieces are all stunning. I love what you do with your felt vessels and how you combine it with beading. I would love to hear about how the beads hold up when you felt the vessel again (assuming it will be done by wet-felting).
I was taught felting about 2 years ago and have not found much time to do this at home, but when I see your pieces I find them so inspiring they give me the urge to find a niche somehow somewhere and experiment.
The blue vessel is stunning too, is that another BJP piece?
Don't mind being absent from your blog if that means you can create such beauty!

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Oh my gosh, thank you all for your kind comments!

Dees, the blue vessel is not a BJP piece. For the BJP, I'm using the same template for all my vessels. The blue one uses a completely different template and I plan on putting it up for sale when I'm done with it. I have a booth at the Bead & Button show in the same aisle as Lisa Peters, and since I'm going to use one of her pieces on it I might put it in her booth as a sample of how someone might use her work.

Robin said...

Everything here is exquisite, Shirley... and that word only touches on what I feel about your work! I know you took on a ton of work with your Feb vessel, but isn't it just a masterpiece and well worth the time?!!!! I sooooooo want to hold it in my hands and touch all those pink flowers and other forms on it. It begs to be fondled!

I love your LW beads too... Have you ever considered (or would it even be possible) to make cabs like that? Or maybe beads that are flat and "empty" on one side, domed and decorated on the other? Wouldn't we embroiderers line up to get such a thing!!!!

Robin A.

PS... I LOVE your pink yard!!!

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Robin, you have me blushing - thank you! I shall bring my February vessel to the Bead & Button Show - but it won't be for sale. I don't think I could part with this one.

Regarding cabs... I've thought about that. I'm going to have to give it a try. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, though... LOL!

Carol Dean Sharpe said...

Both your journal project and the tall blue vessel are fantastic. The new beads...well, that goes without saying.

I don't know where you find the time or energy to keep up with all of this, but I sure am glad that you do :0 *hugs8

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Thank you, Carol! Energy? hmmm...
As long as I take my thyroid meds, I'm OK. ;-) Although there are days when all I want to do is nap...

Unknown said...

Oh gosh I don't even know where to start. Your beaded vessel is gorgeous. Would the beading not get loose when you wet and reshape it? That pink yard is amazing - wow - that's a lot of flowers LOL Your beads are just wonderful - amazing colors. And can't wait to see your new piece finished! Thanks so much for sharing the beautiful pictures!

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Thank you for all your kind words, Jill! I don't know yet about the beading getting loose, I haven't done it yet. Maybe because I'm scared... LOL! I think I'm going to start by just wetting the bottom, not the whole vessel.

And yes, that pink yard grabs my attention every time I drive down that street. It really screams!

Sharon M said...

I've been waiting for you to complete this vessel! Its just beautiful and the pink flowers remind me of home--I'm originally from No. Calif. too, where pink flowers and spring are synonymous. So much work went into your vessel.

I agree with Robin, your LW beads are truly amazing. She's right, I would line up to obtain one in a cab (or even just as they are!).

Anonymous said...

You're on the Daily Muse today!
http://dailyartmuse.com/

Nancy Goodenough

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Sharon, thank you for your kind comments. And Nancy... thanks for that heads-up - how cool is that?!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Color Inspiration!