Happy New Year!
Soooooo, you've been ogling images on AOTM for 12 months, it's the start of the new year, here's the plan!
What technique, style, colour combo, press, etc. do you want to try? What beadie-related resolution is there in your head (or heart...or purse ;))? Let's hear them, and, with a bit of luck, you'll get a chance to try it before the end of this month, and we'll match resolutions with your 'LOOK, I'VE DONE IT!' pictures.
Sooo, here's mine: I've been meaning to sort out a new website which includes sculptural work. Eek, now I said it, I'd better do it :)
My resolutions don't really include glass per say .... but they are to be more business orientated and to get a handle on time management. Last year I got into a real mess with the whole business / family / housework stuff.
I am writing myself a timetable for my work days, cleaning days and research days and pinning it to the fridge.
Nothing specific yet, but I definitely want to spend 2011 developing a more concrete business footing.
On a beady note though ... I'd really like to get better at florals and encasing :)
First I really wan't to do a stock take of my studio ceramics, this I wan't to down size.
Second, get to grips with my new camera and Pracice getting my ideas and beads right.
Tidy the studio....now where do I start ???
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4798224531_7a6040dd5c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51048389@N02/4798224531/)
This is my workspace looking the other way (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51048389@N02/4798224531/) by Avalon Beads (http://www.flickr.com/people/51048389@N02/), on Flickr
I call it lived in ;D
What a great space you have :)
I want to be able to make a goddess who doesn't look like she belongs to a Martian monster race ::)
That's a great one to get your head around :) I've not made a goddess in a good couple of years now ...
1. Sort out my Etsy shop (will be listing the first thing in months today.)
2. Make a real set of beads (a nice focal, some large pairs and spacers)
3. Get to grips with fine stringer control.
4. Attempt something sculptural.
There's probably more, I'm still not fully awake yet.
i want to get better at decorating beads! my colour combos are ok im my head n not so gd in practice!
I'm also trying to save which means going on a glassy diet :( but i am saving for an oxycon so its not all bad :P
oh and i want to get better at photography.
other than tht its just the usual- diet, spend less etc
im sure theres thousands more tbh
ok my resolution is, be more adventurous with decoration on my heart beads (frit and polka dots are not very exciting!) and open my Etsy shop (eeeeek, scary!)
I need to list more of the stuff I make on my artfire and website. this means doing the dreaded pricing thing. I cant get my head around it when its loose beads, jewellery Im fine with though.
making wise, I'm having great fun making focals, but I really need to sit down and make smaller matched sets of beads for bracelets and earrings. sets are not my strong point, I'm too much of a butterfly and like to try out different things all the time, I have to force myself to even make two of something.
also, I'm getting a new studio, and I would like to try and keep it tidy and organised..chances of this are slim!
generally be more organised, and keep the motivation going from 'ooh I'll make some of those', right through to, 'I'll take a picture and edit it and list it' rather than leaving them in a pile that gets huge and scary and I don't know where to start!
I would love to be more focussed and organised ::)
More realistically, I'd like to learn more about glass sculpture and how to work boro colour on a larger scale. In fact, I'd just like to spend the year learning more about boro (clear and colour) and its many capabilities :)
There, how's that for focus? :P :D :D
Mine is to stop being scared and make some beads in my new outbuildio! First fire today, but no beads as didn't turn the kiln on and forgot to make sure I have some vermiculite! Try to make some decent beads and to use other techniques than frit (which I love and is brilliant, but I need to do other stuff too). By the end of the year have my website set up and maybe start trying to sell beads/jewellery! Oh yes and find a house to live in that is ours! :)
Last night my gas was so low pressure (the cold maybe) it was really hard to melt the glass so....I am saving for an oxycon and torch. I really want a bobcat so a lot of saving to do.
First have to get to grips with all the bills and get them paid but still......... feel pretty determined so maybe this time next year.....tenner a week? :) Problem being really not to get distracted by pretty glassy things. ::) ::)
Try to do more torching when I can... and make some decent beads.
get computer fixed and hard drive as all our webby photos are there and get the new website up and running . Hussle DH (sure thats his resolution too) :)
Hussle DD to take photos ( part of her glassy resolutions I'm sure) and get new stuff listed. :)
I'm spending this year focusing more on some other areas of my life/business but the main thing I want out of the glassy side of things is just to get back to why I started all of this in the first place. That would be to do something purely for the pleasure of doing it with out having shows, markets, orders, Etsy, etc. on my mind. Doesn't mean I won't make beads.....just means I'm taking the pressure off.....just for a while so I can focus on some other important things!!.....Still planning to come to the Flame-Off though ;D
Oh....and a clean up of the studio goes without saying!!
:D
Biggest job on my To Do list: work out what the heck I'm going to demo at Flame Off :o
Most exciting job: order skip and get started on my new studio ;D
Well, mine concern silver mostly, although a bit of glass has crept in!
1. Work in a more financially effective way - i.e. stop going off at a tangent and experimenting with stuff and using up the silver stock that was meant for tried and tested items
2. Post regularly on my blog
3. Sort my website out
4. Develop a silver 'components' range that is different from George's!
5. Open (or reopen!) an Etsy shop and ask to be part of the FHF street team (part done)
6. Play with, develop and refine a couple of lampwork findings I have in mind
7. Make some money so I can afford my own lampwork set up
Well, apart from the usual (spend more time in the shed), I'd like to develop more of a designer approach to beads. Rather than constantly experimenting and doing one-offs, I'd like to start working on techniques, making co-ordinated sets and developing colour schemes that work! I'd also like to keep improving my silver work to make classier jewellery!
Work on encasing.
Making neater stringers and get the hang of twisties and try murrinis :o
Make focals that are interesting to look at.
Make some of the ceramics ideas that have been swimming in my head for ages.
Coring Big Hole Beads.
Find the patience to try and make sets (it starts to become a chore after the 4th or 5th one)
I think that's enough to get me started........
QuoteBiggest job on my To Do list: work out what the heck I'm going to demo at Flame Off
What about your cute little buttons? I'd love to know how you make them, not the ones made on two pronged mandrel, but with the thread hole underneath? They are so lovely, I've been almost tempted to dust off the sewing machine!
My new years glassy resolution, has to be to make the garage a 'nicer' place to be, its not a very inspiring space. A few notice boards with glassy goodies might help!
Quote from: Gay on January 02, 2011, 09:44:21 AM
QuoteBiggest job on my To Do list: work out what the heck I'm going to demo at Flame Off
What about your cute little buttons? I'd love to know how you make them, not the ones made on two pronged mandrel, but with the thread hole underneath? They are so lovely, I've been almost tempted to dust off the sewing machine!
YES YES YES, i'd love to see these too Julie, or hearts ;D
I might just squeeze a little button in there, I've got plenty of time to fill! ;D
My first resolution is already underway quit smoking AGAIN on new years eve - had a slip today but know I can and will do it!!
Second resolution is to toughen up a bit more... Then
Next resolution is to diet and get healthy..
And another one is to help my son get his life on track
Glassy resolutions would be to get back in the shed for at least 4 hours a week.
Loving these - don't forget to keep us updates on progress! ;D
My New Years Resolution is to loose weight put on after going cold turkey giving up the cigs.
Get the garden back in shape and turn it into a giant veg patch.
And spend as much time beading as possible :)
My msin one is to get my old conservatory converted into a studio. The plan's there. It's actually made from 3 sets of patio doors, so the north face is coming down to be replaced by a straw bale wall that a friend is building for me. Then the floor will be insulated and re-laid, and the roof taken off and replaced by a really well insulated one - possibly one of the 'green' roofs I've seen around. I've already got a calor fire to take the chill off in the winter!!! That will leave me with south and west facing doors, which should make a really nice space.
Then I want to learn how to make godesses and decent twisties. My godesses all look rather odd, and the twisties are all thin and lean. And I'm hoping that the heart press that my DH ordered at the beginning of December - just as it started snowing - will finally turn up.
On top of that I need to loose weight and get fit after spending five years fighting polymyalgia, which has finally about cleared up.
Then I think I'll need a rest..... ;D ;D ;D
Anne
I need to get back into updating my blog regularly again, have been so busy over the last month he has been neglected!
Glass wise, my new tile press has just arrived and I'm dying to get to grips with it, thats tomorrows plan. And I have some degree show ideas mulling around that really need to be put into practice! Oh and I'm going to have a go at a goddess by the end of the week too :)
Cant wait to see how everyone gets on with theirs! x
I want to spend more time with my children rather than dragging them to the post office all of the time to send off beads, taking phone calls and updating websites etc. My youngest starts school in September so gonna do less beading and more mummy time, growing up too quickly think I need another one!
My resolution is to spend at least as much time making beads as I do shopping for glass :-[
I've got a few but not necessarily in this order!
1. Stop checking Facebook every hour :-[
2. Get more organised with my time so I get out in the studio before midday
3. Take my poor neglected pooch for a walk every day
4. Be less grumpy with the kids
5. Drink less so I don't have to lie when I go for a heart check up :-[
6. Keep my paperwork more up to date
7. Keep up to date with my blogging, photographing, bead listing etc
8. Keep better control of my finances!!!
How about a sacreligious and controversial one.....
I will not spend money on glass this year.
Ouch! Nope, I'm going to use the stash I have and try to keep my spending under check. And if I get bored with that I'll melt some jam jars or wine bottles or play with the colours I really don't like. That's once I've spent my Tuffnells voucher of course. And I've decided that calling the funds in my paypal account 'not money' would be cheating, so that's off limits as well.
I'll let you know when/if I weaken. ;D
Edit to add: Well it looks like I killed this topic with a really controversial resolution. So here's my not so serious one. At work most of the school is in portacabins temporary learning village while the main school is rebuilt. There's about 30 loos in the staff loo block. My resolution is that I shall wee in each and every one before we move out this summer. ;D
I'm off to run errands then will come back and spend my Tuffnells voucher on glass (not real money you see ;))
I have a few resolutions can I add mine pls?
1. To post more on here, I am addicted to this site and always on here reading and looking but never post as I normally feel quite intimidated by all the beautiful beads and that I am just not good enough to post.
2. To spend more time at the torch and create some beads I actually feel confident in posting a pic of.
3. Diet, I seriously have got to do some dieting! I am the heaviest I have ever been and after looking back at hol pics last night I seriously need to do something!
I'm sure there are more but I will keep it at those for the time being :)
Kay xx
Well I manage my first one in making sets of beads. Though I would like to make some more fancier ones.
Ooh, do show your beads Kay! If you put them in the Show and Tell section it might not be so intimidating as the Gallery...
I don't make resolutions at New Year 'cos I know I will fail and feel miserable - but I do intend to lose some weight from February onwards.
Bead-wise - to spend more time making beads!, to clean them straightaway, to make more sets (butterfly-mind syndrome at the moment), to make more jewellery with my ever-increasing stash, to get enough good ones together to open an Etsy shop...to spend less time on the internet!! Wish me luck :)
Well owing to some unforeseen shit hitting the fan here, I am finding that I have to re-evaluate my resolutions already, and replace them with just the one ..... to not give up and let the business fold.
I just recently got into Lampworking and I would say I am still at the learning stage. None of my beads are good enough to post on here yet, but hopefully soon with more practice they will be.
I really want to get to grips with Double Helix glass, Most of my attempts turn out like poo!
So my new year's resolution would be to make a half decent set of beads to show you all and to master Double Helix glass, wish me luck!
Jo x
Wozup Les? Things were looking goodish for you hope its not going down the pan? ???
Looks like I'll have to be the sole breadwinner for the family for a while.... here's a link to my blog, to save hijacking this thread.
http://madasacat.blogspot.com/
Quote from: Helen G on January 04, 2011, 04:33:28 PM
I've got a few but not necessarily in this order!
1. Stop checking Facebook every hour :-[
2. Get more organised with my time so I get out in the studio before midday
3. Take my poor neglected pooch for a walk every day
4. Be less grumpy with the kids
5. Drink less so I don't have to lie when I go for a heart check up :-[
6. Keep my paperwork more up to date
7. Keep up to date with my blogging, photographing, bead listing etc
8. Keep better control of my finances!!!
A woman after my own heart !!!
>:( i think im failing miserably at my resolutions already!
me too .. well with the health related ones anyway ... I think I'm making progress on the business ones though :)
aren't resolutions/rules made to be broken ;)
Here Goes...
Personal:
* Save for our house deposit (Goal [Year 1] - £12,000) ;D - On TARGET
* Book a holiday (honestly cannot wait for a holiday anywhere, as i have not had one for errrrr 6 years)
* Visit my friends and family more often
* Quit Smoking (.... update quit since 2nd Jan) - STILL QUIT
* Stop being shy and make more friends
* Develop my career (qualifications) in Human Resources - COURSE BOOKED TO START MARCH 31ST
Hobby:
* Insulate Studio & Design layout better
* Learn and take time to practise.. developing technique
* Promote more and look into shops/galleries
Louise x
an update on mine...
so far new studio is not finished. is not my fault, is builder and weathers fault.
but, that means I have not messed it up yet, so I feel I'm doing well!
sets..I have made one small set of 3 beads like my bigger focals I am pleased with, I will be making more! I even photographed it! but not so much of the listing yet. (that would be the pricing thing that I haven't done yet!) I also photographed some of the rest of the pile.
I have a vintage and handmade fair this weekend, so that should be good for making contact with some new customers, and a good excuse to load up my online shop with stuff as soon as I'm back.
so, I feel like I've made a start on all of them. this is good!
Quote from: Lush! on January 01, 2011, 02:41:57 PM
Biggest job on my To Do list: work out what the heck I'm going to demo at Flame Off :o
Most exciting job: order skip and get started on my new studio ;D
Ooh, I can tick off both of these ... I do believe I now know what I'm going to demo; and the studio is nearly finished ;D ;D ;D
Sooo, what's it going to look like? ;D
Quote from: sparrow on February 11, 2011, 07:47:45 PM
Sooo, what's it going to look like? ;D
The studio?
I've just added a couple of progress pics to Flickr ;D
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5437069752_fc4152a498.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lushlampwork/5437069752/)
New Studio Progress (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lushlampwork/5437069752/) by LushLampwork (http://www.flickr.com/people/lushlampwork/), on Flickr
Well as a general resolution I've decided to lose weight ;D Over 1 stone lost already, woohoo! ;D
Although my glassy resolution isn't as straightforward as NO CHOCOLATE DEAN, NO! - I'm after a kiln :P But before that I really, really want to upgrade my torch- ANYTHING faster than a hothead :P They say you don't miss what you've never had but I learnt on a dual-fuel torch :P So that's the main resolution; a faster torch ;D
ALSO I'd love to make a really good goddess bead and some stripy beads ;D
Dean :)
oh Julie, that really is Lush!
my new one is teeny tiny by comparison
I am beginning to really hate my kitchen corner... bah !!!
Looking fab, Julie! My studio *might* be finished this week-end, too ;D ;D ;D ;D
Dean - a stone is loads, well done you!
Sorry Les >:(
Sabine, I'm a week or two off being finished - I haven't even started buying the ventilation or had a single trip to Ikea yet ;D
He he... no worries .... I do have a plan .... in 8 years time, I might just be able to afford one ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Lesley Jane on February 11, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
I am beginning to really hate my kitchen corner... bah !!!
The advantage of the kitchen is not having to trudge outside when it's cold, wet, snowy, dark, yukky, blowing a gale, and tackle all those spiders that decided that the best place to put their webs is straight across the path! I'm staying in the kitchen.
Quote from: Lush! on January 01, 2011, 02:41:57 PM
Biggest job on my To Do list: work out what the heck I'm going to demo at Flame Off :o
Most exciting job: order skip and get started on my new studio ;D
So how's everybody doing with their New Year Resolutions?
I hate to be smug, but .. cough ... both of mine are ticked off, in the bag and sewn up tight ;D ;D ;D
It's great to see how everyone is doing with their resolutions. I had a look back at mine.
Hmm well still up to my ears in bills but getting through them a bit at a time.
Have made some beads I am really pleased with. Even entered some in the GBUK competition.
OH is working on the website kinda. Obviously needs more hussling.
DD has been taking photos for me so hussling worked.
Fraid nowhere closer to my bobcat and oxycon due to first resolution/goal not being sorted yet!
Great looking back! Weeeell, bills/debts are sorted into manageable payments and I am paying them up.
Came second in GBUK comp and have made some sales with my beads
website with etsy page done
managing my own photos and posting and listing
Got my bobcat and oxycon (thanks to a very special forum lady)
I dont believe it I've done it....happy dance around the room! ;D
Louise, you've quit smoking since January , that's brilliant! :)
Quote from: Louise Menzies on January 28, 2011, 01:56:40 PM
Here Goes...
Personal:
* Save for our house deposit (Goal [Year 1] - £12,000) ;D - NO WHERE NEAR On TARGET
* Book a holiday (honestly cannot wait for a holiday anywhere, as i have not had one for errrrr 6 years) GOING NOWHERE
* Visit my friends and family more often ?????
* Quit Smoking (.... update quit since 2nd Jan) - STILL QUIT
* Stop being shy and make more friends SLIGHTLY TRUE
* Develop my career (qualifications) in Human Resources - COURSE FINISHES ON 2ND DECEMBER
Hobby:
* Insulate Studio & Design layout better NO
* Learn and take time to practise.. developing technique NONE
* Promote more and look into shops/galleries TRIED A COUPLE
Louise x
well ..... anyone got updates on there plans for this year? how has it gone.
Mine has not gone to plan what so ever :( I should never make plans hahahahaha
HERE'S TO 2012 :p :p
Quote from: MadelineBunyan on January 01, 2011, 12:17:20 PM
I need to list more of the stuff I make on my artfire and website. this means doing the dreaded pricing thing. I cant get my head around it when its loose beads, jewellery I'm fine with though.
well, I've started doing it, I've priced some types of items, which means I just need to make more and list them, and I have an etsy shop now too, and it has a couple of things in at the moment, however, I have spent most of the last two months making stock for my galleries, so have not got much stock for myself! but, I did manage to photgraph all of it, with nice enough pics to put online, and most of them are online
making wise, I'm having great fun making focals, but I really need to sit down and make smaller matched sets of beads for bracelets and earrings. sets are not my strong point, I'm too much of a butterfly and like to try out different things all the time, I have to force myself to even make two of something. getting much better at this too, my last two kiln batches have been nothing but pairs! well, a few odds that didnt quite make it, sets also happen occasionlly, this is mainly due to the fact I now have rather a large collection addiction of/to presses and rollers ::)
also, I'm getting a new studio, and I would like to try and keep it tidy and organised..chances of this are slim!um, well, didnt I say I've been busy making loads...er, that comes with side effects of mess I'm afraid! I'll call it lived in I think...
generally be more organised, and keep the motivation going from 'ooh I'll make some of those', right through to, 'I'll take a picture and edit it and list it' rather than leaving them in a pile that gets huge and scary and I don't know where to start!getting better, need to get back on it now that the gallery stuff is done, but I do have the photos of those things, so at least have a sort of catalog of past work that people can look at
so, er, well I've done ok, but got new ones to add...starting with curbing my press habit!