Lyn Foley Lampwork Beads and Jewelry » Lampworking

Preparing for Septemberfest in Midland, Texas

Lyn Foley — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:40:32 +0000

Having skin cancer slowed me down a bit, and I missed the last show I was supposed to attend in Austin. I was looking forward to it too. Well, life happens while you’re making other plans. My face is healing steadily and by the time the Midland show rolls around on September 10th I shouldn’t look too much like the Bride of Frankenstein. I’m back to work full swing, and so not only do I have all the beads and jewelry I didn’t sell in Austin, I have even more (!!!) new jewlery. I’ll ply you with photos later.

Not much else going on at all, except working to save all our plants during this Texas heat wave. We get up around 6:30 am and work in the two gardens until around 9 am, watering and weeding. Our “old” house, the wonderful octagonal nest we built when we first moved off the boat is surprisingly still for sale, so we go next door to take care of the flowers there first. I know the economy excuses and etc. etc, however, really we just can’t figure out why this sweet house has not sold. So, anyway, the plants at the “old” house are thriving in spite of the heat, and the new ones we’ve planted in our zeriscape garden at our new house are too, thanks to our early rising diligence. It’s been hovering in the day to close to or over 100 degrees for it must be weeks now!

We built our new place mostly to accomodate Jim’s need for extra wide doorways and hallways – and my need (?) for a new studio. And we thought the original house was too perfect to remodel. It’s octagonal shape allowed us to nestle it into a lovely stand of oak trees, and we didn’t have to remove any of them to place it perfectly. Want to move to beautiful Round Top? It’s not always this hot, promise. Check out the lisiting:http://www.trrn.com/detail.asp?PropID=62035

Oh, and here’s the Midland Septemberfest Poster.

Acquiring Patience

Lyn Foley — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:27:25 +0000

It’s been one week since my surgery, and I am thankful to say I am much improved. The swelling has gone down around my eyes. I can see again – yes! Enough to be able to read, watch t.v. and work a bit on the computer. Yesterday I even made jewelry at my bead board for a little while. The incision/stitches wander from my nose between my eyebrows, up to my hairline in the middle of my forehead. Not a lovely sight, and the problem presented now is one of glasses. I wear reading glasses to read, “regular” glasses to drive or watch t.v., and special prescription protective didymium glasses for lampworking. The swelling, pain, etc. in the area along the bridge of my nose is not dimished enough to wear the didymium glasses. So, no lampworking.

I’m learning a new brand of patience. Many times people say to me when they hear I am a lampworker, “Oh, I could never do that – it would take so much patience!” Well, perhaps. I can’t say, since for me lampworking is (mostly) pure joy in the process. I love what I do – love choosing the colors of the rods, love the zen trance like state I get into when I work, love the satisfaction of making what I consider a well executed bead, and especially love opening the kiln the next morning to see the goodies I have created.

As I talked with my sister about how anxious I am to get back to the torch, and making beads, she said. “Be patient. Remember what Daddy used to say to us,’We are acquiring patience.’ “ So I need to master the patience required to live through not being able to make beads. Seems I have already mastered the other kind, he he!

No new beads this week, only a photo of a necklace I made prior to my week of acquiring patience.

Austin Bead Society Bead and Jewelry Bazaar

Lyn Foley — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:29:07 +0000

Come on by this show if you are in the Austin area this coming weekend. I’ll be there with loose beads as well as jewelry. There will be a great selection of lampwork beads (not just mine), and gemstones, and findings, and finished jewelry, and beading supplies – a jewelry lovers and beaders dream. I’m looking forward to doing some shopping as well as selling. Hope to see you there.

Ruidoso Art Festival

Lyn Foley — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:55:16 +0000

I’ve had a fairly long break from shows, which means Jim and I have had time to make a LOT of new pieces. They aren’t all photographed yet. When they are, I’ll give you a sneak peek of what we are taking to the show in New Mexico next week.

I so look forward to this particular show. The Chamber of Commerce sponsers it, and all the staff and volunteers are so nice – they really take care of the artists. The Convention Center is a terrific venue, and of course Ruidoso itself is a cool treat for us hot weather Texans. It is almost a mini-vacation for us. The show itself is packed with really excellent artists and their work, including us , of course. Meanwhile, I’m still making some more beads for an update on my Japanese Kimono Series. Back to the torch —–

Let’s Party Again – Bead Soup is Back!

Lyn Foley — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 02:51:50 +0000

Remember a while back Lori Anderson organized a great on-line party? Artists with beads! How great is that? So great, we’ve done it again. We’ve swapped beads with a random partner, and created a piece of jewelry using the beads they sent us. We didn’t have to use all the beads, however did need to use the focal, the clasp, and at least some of the other beads. My bubby is Rebecca Sirevaag. Here’s a photo of the beads she sent me.

Bead Soup Rebecca sent me

I played around with the copper focal bead, changed it a little, added some of my lampwork beads to the mix, and came up with a long adjustable length necklace. I used mostly the beads Rebecca sent me, including the copper clasp. Jim contirbuted a little oak branch and pine cone he made in silver from live castings. I added some other gemstone beads too. The process was really fun and it stretched my creative juices. What do you think?

Check out what the other party members have made. It may take you a while – there were over 90 of us! Have fun, and

Welcome to the party!

Blog Soup Party Goers

1. Lori, Pretty Things

2. Lorelei, Lorelei1141

3. Norma, Moonlit Fantaseas

4. Beth, EB Bead and Metalworks

5. Katie, KatieBead

6. Kimberly, Bahama Dawn

7. Debbie, Prairie Emporium

8. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

9. Kate, Tropical Blonde

10. Janet, Singing Woods

11. Julianna, Juls Beads

12. Erin, Treasures Found

14. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth

16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio

17. Marie, Skye Jewels

18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta

19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack’s

20. Joanna, Filcowe

21. Diane, Diane Hawkey

22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

23. Anna, The Laughing Raven

24. Marcie, La Bella Joya

25. Lois, Que Onda Q’town?

26. Jayne, Mama’s Got To Doodle

27. Lisa, Alterity

28. Dale, Dales’ Flights of Fancy

29. Melanie, Kookie Designs

30. Christine, A Hot Piece of Glass

31. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

32. Laurel, Rue’s Daftique

33. Sandi, Do Be Do Bead Do

34. Nicki, Nicki’s Reef

35. Virginie, ViviBijoux

36. Janeen, Wild Vanilla

37. Filomena, Pink Velvet Bird

38. Lyn, Lyn Foley

39. Tari, Pearl and Pebble

40. Rebecca, Song Beads

41. Regina, Regina’s Writings

42. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

43. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

44. Maria, Garden Path Beads

45. Michelle, Life in the Bead Lane

46. Ann, My Critical Eye

47. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio

48. Nan, Spirit Rattles

49. Amy, Copper Diem

50. Malin, Beading by Malin de Koning

51. Anne, Gardanne Glass Lampwork

52. Alice, Alice’s Beads and Baubles

53. Barbara, Second Surf

54. Amanda, Articulations

55. Heather, Humble Beads

56. Melissa, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

57. Kate, Organic Odysseys

58. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

59. Stefanie, Stefanie’s Sammelsurium

60. Carol, Carol Bradley Designs

61. Wanda, A Frayed of Fibers

62. Diana, Vintage Blue Studio

63. Marieke, Marieke’s Blog

64. KJ, Silver Parrot

65. Maire, Maire Dodd

66. Shannon, Miss Fickle Media

67. Dana, Dana’s Jewelry Designs

68. Charlene, The Bead Dreamer

69. Elisabeth, Beads for Busy Gals

70. Cathryn, Chile Cats

71. Missy, Melissa Rappaport

72. Cindy, Cindy Dolezal Designs

73. Valerie, Hot Art

74. Courtney, Beads by Breul

75. Johanna, Fire Phoenix Creations

76. Shea, gr8findings

77. Julie, Pryce Designs

78. Jeannie, Jeannie’s Blog

79. Patricia, Verre Design

80. Christa, Adventures of One Beady Woman

81. Heather, My Muse

82. Susan, Night Beader at Large

83. Sonja, Drachenei

84. Jennifer, Glass Addictions by Jennifer

85. Melissa, One-Eared Pig Beads

86. Rebecca, 2SistersBeadwork

87. Karyn, Releases by Rufydoof

88. Denise, Bling on the Blog

89. Doris, Glaszwerg

90. Megan, Churchy & Her Sailor

91. Jo, Daisychain Designs

92. Jen, VanBeads Jewelry and Design

93. Kristie, Artisan Clay

94. Jess, Vintaj

95. Suzann, Beadphoria

96. Sharon, Sharon’s Jewelry Garden

97. Michelle, bMichelle

Bead Soup Party Teaser

Lyn Foley — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:24:33 +0000

Remember the first Bead Soup Party a few months back? Lori Anderson organized it all, and what fun it was. So much fun, that Lori has organized a second “Party.” My partner this time is Rebecca Sirevaag. She sent me beads, I sent her beads, and on June 22nd we will post what we made with the “bead soup.” So exciting, a real challenge, and here are the teaser pictures.

Beads I sent to Rebecca - My lampwork with pearls and Turquoise

Bead Soup Rebecca sent me

I’ve already made a really terrific piece with the beads she sent me. Here’s two hints: I altered the wonderful copper focal she made by removing the gemstone that was hiding the nice etching she did on the copper. AND – ta-da – someone already know what the necklace looks like, and agrees it is wonderful, because she bought it at the Texas Arts and Crafts Festival! It was my first sale of the show, and good thing I had already taken photos of it, yes? Sorry, you’ll just have to wait for the party reveal date later in June to see the finished necklace. I’ll keep you posted.

Making a Statement – Ykkks!

Lyn Foley — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:29:27 +0000

My computer, after hiccups, coughs, fevers, and sleepless nights, is lingering in a sad state. I spent most of the day yesterday with the “Geek Squad” at Best Buy, hoping for a better prognosis. Alas, no luck. So now I am the proud owner of a new computer, however, in the process lost my passwords file and haven’t been able to post my statement necklace (or anything else, either).

So, finally got into my blog, and hope I am not too late for the ABS Carnival Blog about “Statement Pieces.” Each of the members has made a fabulous “wow” necklace, here’s the list.

Cindy Gimbrone
Cindy Dolezal Designs
Island Girl Insites
Janel Dudley
Jeannie’s Blog
Jen Valesquez
Kate Clawson
Marcie Abney
Mary Harding
Nicki’s Reef
Sharon’s Jewelry Garden

Check them all out – you’ll see some great creations using art beads. Here is mine, from a conglomeration of BIG lampwork beads I made, some old silver beads, and whatever else I had on hand. Enjoy!

Bragging Rights and a Sneak Preview

Lyn Foley — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:20:51 +0000

Fayetteville Art Walk was a lovely show. The weather was perfect, the food was good, crowds of people showed up and the art work was fantastic. I really enjoyed the weekend, sold some jewelry, met some new people, saw some of my old customers – and (drum roll, please!) was awarded “Best of 3D” for the entire show!! I am really honored – my highest award to date, and a nice cash prize to boot. Thank you one and all.

Now we are gearing up for Dallas City Arts which is just around a tiny corner and starts this Friday. I am happily at my bead board today, making even more new pieces. So those of you that didn’t get out in the SNOW the last time I was in Dallas, come on by and see us. We’ll be indoors at Fair Park, with lots of new goodies.

My Show Line-up

Lyn Foley — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:50:22 +0000

We enjoyed our recent show in Lubbock, Texas. It came and went so quickly I didn’t even write a post about it. Now Fayetteville Art Walk is in the near future (May 1st & 2nd). and ….Dallas City Arts will be the weekend after that, on May 7th, 8th and 9th. Whew! Am I busy?

So all I have time for is a copy of the City Arts e-mail reminder. If you make it to any of my shows, please introduce yourself.

Artwalk Fayetteville, Texas

Lyn Foley — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:26:37 +0000