Today I was interviewed for the local paper! Who doesn't like being in the local paper? For me it brings about memories of my childhood....waiting to see my swim team picture, the annual American Legion " picture with Santa" and the occasional mention in the police blotter...kidding about that last one. Or am I??
 I was interviewed by Laurelle, who is not the only one writing for the Methow Valley News but is my favorite because I have had the opportunity to hang out with her before and feel most comfortable with her.
 It was neat to see someone new in the Studio. Formally I have a Private Studio so I do not get visitors. Sure Mom will pop by and of course April brings me Tea (Thanks :) ) but it was nice to see a new face in my space.
  We chatted about my beginnings as a glass artist, how long I had been doing blown glass...all of the basics. I did a demonstration, the usual. I have to say it was the most I had talked about myself ever! Of course I felt when it was time for Laurelle to leave, that I had covered all of the bases, everything that I wanted to say. Then about 20 min later while continuing my work day, the "should have's" started flooding in...... and it goes a little something like this:
  ooo I should have.....
- Told her that most of the tables were made by April and Me from the freight crates that the equipment came in.
 - That I have never been more comfortable doing anything else.
 - That the few times in my life that I had not been able to make glass, for one reason or another, had been some of the most heartbreaking and "Lost" times of my life and in order to not feel that heartbreak ever again  the only solution was to build my own studio. Something that only I had the power to make a success or a failure.
- That Blowing Glass is the one thing I have been truly in Love with and have felt no hesitation about. It is the thing that makes the saying "Love what you do" have meaning for me.
- checked my hair before she took pictures. :)

So , I'm sure I did say all I needed to say at the time. All of the other stuff about how much I love it, and such I think is better left for a blog anyway. After all, what else would I have to write about?

 Thank You, Laurelle for sharing the morning with me and helping to spread the gospel of glass to the masses. I look forward to seeing the end result!

 

The first opportunity to sell glass that I had produced out of my studio presented itself to me in the form of the annual MVCC Bazaar in Twisp, Wa. Besides the fact that I spelled "Bazaar" wrong on the live Facebook post, (and course) it was a successful event. Lots of vendors and a great crowd turn out. I met some very nice people, fellow vendors and customers alike. It was fantastic saying " Yes, I made the glass myself in my studio at home." What a joy!! I had the opportunity to trade some of my work for some really neat ceramic bowls that local potter Emily Post made. I also tried my very first homemade marshmellow made by Judy Brazina, delicious!

I am looking forward to the Dec. 3rd Bazaar in Twisp and also the Dec.10 bazaar in Winthrop at the Red Barn. I need to get to work!! Thanks to the Methow Community Center for hosting the Bazaar and the Community itself for supporting each other. What a great place to live!!

Up and running!!

Yes! I have been up and running for a week now and It is so amazing to wake up, pour a cup of java and fire up my studio!

 Educational and emotional, no doubt. I have been reminded in the last week just how long it has been since I have blown glass (almost 8 months) and have been thankful for muscle memory. Not to mention getting the flow of the new space down. I have been less focused on the actual quality of the glass ( stones, bubble, cords, other furnace parts) and more on getting the feel of making things back. Getting my "Glass Legs" back, so to speak.

  I still giggle frequently while I'm looking around simply because the space is my own. It is a bit surreal. So far I have made several tumblers (rocks glasses, see pic) and a few beads.

Today I made some wide mouth vases, pics to come. I have also been getting April up to speed on editing the website. I'm so thankful to have her in my life. She is so excited and I like that she hangs out in the studio with me while I work.

  It's good to have a cheering section especially because I can be hard on myself. Important to be reminded about the fact that I have only been up and running for a week. In my eyes I should have totes full of awesome glass pieces packed and ready to sell this coming summer! Patience, patience and persistence.
On goes my glass-adventure or "glassventure" if you will. Stay tuned for more ramblings to come!

You know what they say....

Business ventures take longer and cost more than budgeted.
So true. Patience has been my friend these days. Putzing around, waiting for everything to be ready. The propane was installed and naturally I had to order a special regulator. It should be here early this coming week.
I am still on course for my "end of October" completion date for my Studio.
I have had a hard time actually calling it a shed instead of a studio. I have decided on "shedio". It's catchy and I like it.
So I did not get the Shedio up and running this weekend. So what! Besides the ants in my pants, I've only had to suffer my anticipation.
I will be up soon and producing like mad!
Soon!

The easy part is over....

All of the equipment is here!
The easy parts: converting the shed into a studio, insulating, ordering equipment, buying tools and color, are over...for the most part. I spent yesterday "fine tuning" the placement of everything. Still wondering what to do with all of the crating wood that sits in my carport. If anyone wants it...let me know.

now I get to have fun programming the annealer and furnace. The propane gets installed on Thursday...with any luck i will be making my first pieces a week from today :)

So the time is here! Time to realize a dream and start my own Hot Shop.

The last year has been such an adventure for me. I have learned so much from starting this business. From insulating to re-branding to hoping the freight truck doesn't ruin the tree in the yard it has been , well....fantastic!

 I am so grateful and excited to be able to even have a chance to own and operate my own studio. This blog will give me a chance to diary my experience. many trials and tribulations to come.

Stay tuned!