Thursday, November 1, 2018

"oh beautiful glass!" - An Eclectic and Exciting Group Show at the Leverett Crafts & Arts in Leverett MA

Hi Friends,

I am happy to be participating, along with a talented group of glass artists, in

“oh beautiful glass!”, a gallery show in Leverett MA.


Leverett Crafts & Arts

The Barnes Gallery

A Community Gallery for
Sharing Local Arts & Crafts

Curated by Sally Prasch

Open November 3rd – November 29th, 2018


Leverett MA
13 Montague Road
Leverett, MA  01054


Work I will have in the "oh beautiful glass!" show

Falling Leaf Necklace

Inspired by the beauty of the changing of seasons in New England.

Materials:  Lampwork Glass Bead with 24kt Gold Leaf, a PMC Fine Silver Leaf by Lori, Sterling Silver wire-wrapped by Paul Engle on a Crochet Seed Bead Necklace by Suellen’s Creations, completed with Sterling Silver findings and clasp.

Price: $300


Falling Leaf Detail

Persist and Garden Trio Necklaces

PERSIST Necklace

A statement piece reflective of the “Me Too!” movement.

Materials: Lampwork Glass Beads by Lori, Sterling Silver “Persist” Cat with Hat Bead by Anne Choi, Sterling Silver wire-wrapped by Paul Engle, on a Crochet Seed Bead Necklace by Suellen’s Creations, completed with Sterling Silver findings and clasp.

Price: $300

Garden Trio Necklace

A riot of greens, purples and pinks…my favorite garden c9lors…
Materials: Lampwork Glass Beads by Lori, Sterling silver Marcasite Beads with a Sterling Silver chain and clasp.

Price: $125


PERSIST Detail 

Venetian Sunset and Monet's Garden Necklaces

Venetian Sunset Necklace

Dreaming of the Venetian sunsets over the lagoon…
Materials: Purple Lampwork Glass Bead with 24k Gold Leaf accent by Lori with Brass wire work by Paul Engle on a 14k Gold-filled chain.

Price: $150


Monet’s Garden Necklace

Inspired by the Impressionist paintings and colors found in the work of Claude Monet.
Materials:  Fused Dichroic Glass Pendant by Lori, with a Sterling Silver bead on a leather cord.

Price: $100
Venetian Sunset Detail


Monet's Garden Detail

Field of Swallows and Midnight Ocean Necklaces
 

Field of Swallows Necklace

Florence in the springtime, return of the Swallows.
Materials:  Fused Dichroic Glass Pendant by Lori, with a Sterling Silver bead on a leather cord.

Price: $100

Midnight Ocean

The ocean is where my mind finds peace and my soul is refreshed.
Materials: Lampwork Glass Bead by Lori, Sterling Silver wire wrapping on a beaded necklace made in Nepal.

Price: $150


Field of Swallows Detail

            
Midnight Ocean Detail

Monday, October 1, 2018

An Interruption in My Regularly Scheduled Glass Posts, Ramblings of a Grieving Sister…

Where did the summer go? I’ve already started the preparations for hibernating thru the winter, ordering pellets and cords of wood for the stoves to keep the house warm, scheduling appointments before the snow flies and generally going about winterizing the house.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The cool crisp days of Fall bring clarity to my mind and soul. There is a special magic about Fall that shakes the old cobwebs out, and refreshes my being, something the hotness of Summer nor the cold of Winter does for me, and Spring flashes by far too fast for the chillness of winter to have worn off.

I’ve spent many hours on my torch this summer, making beads like crazy. It has been a much needed distraction from the reality of life while also being a way to meditate on the meaning of life.  In June I lost my younger sister Darlene to a drug overdose.   The truth is, I have been very lucky to have this wonderful, funny, kind, generous woman in my life for as long as I did. As with any addiction, Dee’s life and our relationship were complicated. The opioid epidemic is a crisis in our country and I have been thinking about it quite a bit, you could say it has consumed my life as of late.  One thing that surprised me was that when I ventured to share my story to others in my town, everyone has a child or sibling that they are, and have been for some time now, waiting for the same dreaded phone call about their own loved one, an overdose …

I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and kindness from friends, especially those that I have met thru social media; Friends, who shared in my grief and supported my efforts to create a memorial to remember Dee. How can so much love come from so much pain?  

This summer has been a re-awakening for me -- cliché, yes, but nothing is more true -- life is short, period.  Another day, another hour, another minute is not guaranteed to any one of us. Prioritize making time to see the people you want to see, do the things you want to do (if not now, when?) and live life in the present moment (be here now).




Dear Darlene,

I will be haunted forever by your leaving us too soon.
Did you know you were leaving us that night?
There was always supposed to be more time…
I will miss reminiscing over our childhood, what you remembered, what I forgot.
I will miss seeing your beautiful smile and the twinkle of mischief in your eyes.
I will miss hearing your giggle, as you were making us all laugh.
I will be missing you Dee to the day I die.

Dee enjoying a stay in Gloucester


The Opioid Epidemic, My 2 Cents…

The Problem:

  • The initial introduction to a narcotic is either:
    • Recreational or
    • Prescribed treatment, where the drugs are often over prescribed.  We can throw a lot of blame to the pharmaceutical companies for this… but the problem is now much more complicated
  • There no longer is any denial that narcotics are addictive.
    • For many years, the pharmaceutical companies and doctors lied to us all. They knew the truth. Their greed and corruption led us to where we are today. Big Pharma and their chief officers have blood on their hands, while families continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. They dumped millions of narcotics on small unsuspecting communities. There wasn’t then and has not been now any accountability for their criminal, unforgivable, murderous actions.
  • For those prescribed a narcotic, when the prescription runs out, and you need more, what are your options/choices?  Turning to the streets?  Today’s Heroin cut with Fentanyl is a killer!

Added Complications:

  • For some people:
    • The altered state, created when taking a narcotic can be an escape from reality, a sign of depression or other mental illnesses.  A willing or unwilling game of Russian roulette, a disengaged route to commit suicide?
    • The withdrawal symptoms feed the need for more drugs, hence the addiction

My Reaction:

  • Awareness that drugs and /or alcohol are not a cure for loneliness
  • Not everyone wants help
  • Programs are needed to help an addict cope long term, not just take away their immediate addiction to narcotics.  You don’t just put someone in electric shock treatment to disrupt their behavior without teaching them a new way to cope with life.
    • Programs to learn about one’s self worth and gain self esteem
    • Learning the joys that come from helping others unconditionally
    • Tools for reintegrating into society or their community drug free
    • Teachings on how to rely on others, without becoming needy
  • There needs to be a “safe”, “inexpensive”, “timely”, and “convenient” way to wean a person off narcotics.  It is time for the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry to step up to the plate, to find a solution, and to be held accountable for their part in this epidemic, for their lies and profit mongering. 

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

“Meet the Makers” An Artisan Craft Fair, Sunday, April 29th at the Hub of the Hubb


Shop Local, Shop Homemade!


Come shop and meet local artists from Central Mass 

Sunday, April 29 

9:00 to 1:00pm

At the Hub of the Hubb 

Located in the Wellness Hub Building 

1 Main Street, Hubbardston, MA.


***********************************************************

Beer Tasting 11:00am – 1:00pm


Book Signings by 3 Local Authors


10 Local Artists/Craftspeople


I am excited to be a part of the first “Meet the Makers” event!  Please stop in to say hello and see all the wonderful items the shop has to offer. Each artist will be displaying and selling their own work. I will have a variety of work created using my handmade lampwork glass beads and fused dichroic glass.

For more information: 

Below are examples of my work:





 










Sunday, April 1, 2018

Upcoming Show: Glass Art and Bead Extravaganza - April 14th, 2018

Hello Friends!

The New England Chapter of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers is hosting its annual GLASS ART and BEAD EXTRAVAGANZA, on Saturday April 14th, at the Regency Hotel in Boxboro, MA.

Glass Art and Bead Extravaganza

April 14th, 2018
10:00am – 4:00pm

Regency Hotel
Boxboro, MA

Admission: $3.00

Glass Art and Bead Extravaganza showcases members’ unique styles and a variety of  glass techniques used to create their work.

I will be participating in this show and will have an assortment of Flameworked and Fused Glasswork for the home and personal adornment. Some of the items I will have for sale are: 

Lampwork Glass Beads (Focals and Sets), Jewelry, Bookmarks, Pens, Key Chains, Scissor Fobs, Hair Sticks, Gift Items and much more!!


Hope to see you there!

Below are some examples of work that I will have available for sale: