calumey’s blog

Ever hear that saying about if you get bored easily, you're just a boring person?  That's why I always try my hardest to never admit to myself or say, "I'm bored"

For some reason, tonight, I just plain don't care that I am just plain bored.

I got up extra early today since I had some errands to run before my trip to New Orleans and working full days prior to leaving on this trip. I got all my other chores out of the way and this has made for a very long day.  It doesn't help that it's after  8pm and the sun is still out.

It's so warm and humid that my energy has just been zapped to take on any projects tonight.

I'm just curious.  How do you deal with these bore - bore- boring days?

Oh, part of my tasks today was to add new beads to my shop: http://www.calumeydesigns.etsy.com

One of the many catch phrases from reality TV.  Coined by Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame.  So, just HOW can one make it work in the competive field of artisan lampwork beads and jewelry?

What "IT" factor can one strive to add to a design?

Well, after putting so much pressure on myself to come up with answers to these questions, I decided to just...be.

My torch time has decreased in the last few months for one reason or another.  When I do get to light up, it makes it that much better. The beads I create are truly appreciated and not just cranked out to meet a quota.

I read a lovely quote today in the latest issue of "Real Simple" magazine:

Michael J. Fox said, "I strive for excellence. I leave perfection to God."

Sounds good to me.

Here's some bead eye candy for you to enjoy:

The latest topic on Flaming Hot asked to identify the little things that I enjoy about glass and my bead world.  Well, as many of the other bloggers stated, "This is easy!"

For me, the list is endless.  I would say the top three are:

~ When I'm in the studio, I'm my own boss

~ The rush I feel when I sell a set of beads

~ The rush I feel when I open up the latest box I picked up at the post office.

It's a vicious cycle that I hope never goes away.

Yup, my blog is on my to do list of on-going activities, chores and duties that SHOULD happen on a regular basis.  Pardon me while I adjust my chair....

Just needed to be at a height where I wouldn't lose circulation to my hands as I type on my semi-new computer desk.  It's the one that was originally assembled and housed in the basement then moved to the second floor during my first studio phase.  Then on Sunday, I decided to rearrange my basement studio again when I decided I needed a new desk for my computer and 22" monitor.  You see, before this, I was literally a foot a way (well, not MY foot away) from the monitor and found myself leaning into it until I was about 4 inches away....Baaaad for my eyes.

Ok.  I am stopping myself before I just simply ramble.  I came on here to night with the intent to just say: "Just checking in and I'll be back tomorrow"

As you can see, that didn't happen.  I made a pit stop at Flaming Hot, a blog for lampworkers.  The proposed question was What is your staple glass object.  As I pondered the quesiton, I realized that my staples have not been very daring or earth-shattering artistic.  I stepped back to see what I find myself creating over and over again. Something that I truly enjoyed making.  The defining moment in this quest would have to be the part about "enjoy making" over and over. 

I would most definately have to say my twist beads.  I began working this design quite by accident.  I've done it many a time in one color.  Now, I've ventured into other, more livelier colors.  I LOVE making these beads.  I have been a frit hoarder for a while now and I have endless color combinations to work up.  I am quite proud of these fun, simplistic, yet funky beads

Since starting my obsession with glass and beads, I've often battled with coining myself as an artist.  I know I'm creative.  Am I really a bead artist or just a bead maker?

What's your definition of an artist?

I did create this earring design :)

I need a quick distraction from all the sucky things going on today.

First, allow me to vent:

Paypal shipping down so I couldn't get all my packages sent today before going back to work tomorrow.

Hours of "on hold" for various home services - Tivo, Fios, Bank

An unauthorized charge from dreamhost.com - NEVER EVEN HEARD OF YOU!!!!  WTF???  Have to wait until Thurs. to reverse the charge.

Ahhh, feel a little better.

I figured I'd have a nice, cozy title so I wouldn't be such a downer right off the bat!

By the way, that is also the tile of Raul Malo's Holiday CD.  I absolutely love it!  It's my new "grown up" Christmas CD.

Amazon has it for a good price:

Marshmallow World CD

It's also helped me get through today.  Tomorrow will be a better day...RIGHT???

After getting my act together today, I had hoped to just relax for a few moments before heading out into some wicked wind and cold.  I'd give anything to stay home and bundle up on the couch while catching up on my recorded tv.

However, duty calls and must go out to celebrate our friend's retirement after 34 years on the police force.  I'm hoping that the snow fluries they're calling for will hold out until after we get home.  I know I shouldn't complain as I know anywhere north of us is being spanked pretty badly with snow and ice. 

I have managed to make beads lately but not caught up on picture taking. 

Oh, on more fun news:  I am now a proud member of BHV the Bead Hive on Etsy!  It's already been so much fun and can't wait to add more to my Etsy shop to make my fellow Bead Hivers proud.

Until later, stay warm!

Here's one of my beads to help you dream and distract you from the weather:

As the minutes, hours, days and weeks fly by, the urge to blog remains.  Although I have endless words and endless thoughts, I often have a hard time sitting down to put them on the screen.  I want to write about everything. 

A few weeks ago I got the invite from fellow glass artist Susan Sheehan for her new blog group whose intro line is

"One blog dedicated to sharing flameworkers blogs with the world." 

Tonight was the first time I really had the chance to read it and dip my toe in the waters of blogging again.

The topic Susan proposed for today was Idols.  My first thought really did jump to American Idol :)  Then, as I read the body of the entry, I instantly became inspired and figured I owed my neglected blog a vist.

The questions posed are as follows:  Who do you admire?  Aspire to emulate?  Look to as the artisan you wish to be?  In setting goals and reaching higher where do you find your benchmarks?"

First off, I admire anyone who has a dream and a passion for something and takes a chance to pursue that dream.  I also admire anyone, regardless of their profession, who is not afraid to try new things. 

In order for a person to succeed in what they do, they have to have an open mind, be focused, committed and this should be complimented with a dash of generosity.  It is my opinion that this combination makes for a great and innovative leader.

This, my friends, is what I aspire to be.  I have always wanted to posses these qualities and be in a position to discover, create and teach.  There are a great many things that I still have to overcome and experience in the bead world in order achieve this. 

But, fear not.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....I KNOW I can! 

How's that for corny yet motivational?!

Cheers to all who try... 

The title says it all.  After this weekend of doing the tourist thing with friends in NYC, I'll be back at the torch and the keyboard. 

I did manage to list a set of beads this week on JustBeads:

Not much to say but I didn't want to start another month without checking in.

To sum up my M-I-A days:

Too hot to torch, slow sale venues, lots of sunshine, lots of places to go...

Teaching, NYC, Teaching, Upstate NY, Teaching, post office, groceries, eating, watch tv, walking, Saratoga Race Track, eating, swimming, eating, reading, eating.

Ah, t'was a good summer! 

I did get two - count them - TWO days of torching!  I have a few sets of beads that need to be cleaned and photographed then off to Justbeads and Etsy they go! 

Hope your summer was just as fabulous as mine.  Cheers!