Kui Studios: The Glass Bead

Bicones -- sort of

2005-11-10T13:48:00.000-06:00

Well -- as I was taking ebay pics last night, it finally occurred to me to take some pics just for the blog! The solid color green on top is my very first attempt at a bicone (in my class last weekend). Libby charmingly referred to it as a lantern -- I just couldn't manage to get both halves close to the same size! The second bead is one I made after I came home -- much happier with that one. And check out the spiraled stringer around it!! I'm getting there!

Lampworking Class a Huge Success

2005-11-07T08:34:00.000-06:00

Hi all :) I took a two-day lampworking class in St. Louis this weekend -- it was wonderful! We had a great studio setup at Sorella Beads, Libby was a great teacher, and there were only two students in the class, and we were quite compatible! It was a great experience. I learned some new techniques, got some practice, and gained a lot of confidence in my foundation. I really am feeling like I'm ready to move on and grow a little more as a lampworker. It is very exhilarating, and inspiring!! Thanks, Libby :)

Happy Halloween!

2005-11-01T13:29:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a great halloween! Here is my little Pumpkin Princess. She had a great time, and acquired plenty of candy and attention. She's a smart one, though -- and wouldn't take anything from any scary looking creatures!

As for me -- I'm glad Halloween is over -- it's not really my season of choice. Christmas is what I'm looking forward to! And now is the time to start getting ready for it! I've already made my first Christmas shopping trip of the season. (It is essential to get to Toys 'R Us early! in a few weeks, just forget about it!)

Have a great day!

Re-Invigorated!

2005-10-24T13:52:00.000-05:00

Hi all~ I just spent the most wonderful weekend replenishing -- and a whole lot of the weekend was devoted to beads! I cleaned up the studio, and completed several sets of beads. Early saturday afternoon, Steph and I spent a couple hours with a wonderful high school art teacher who is introducing her jewelry students to lampworking! The kids love it! I wish I had had these kinds of art opportunities in high school. For the rest of the afternoon and evening, Steph and I played in my studio -- she did a lot of patient tutoring, and I tried to be a diligent student! I'm completely re-invigorated from simply learning a few new things -- and from giving myself permission to spend an afternoon making beads just to learn some new techniques.

This week is devoted to all the new sets that have just come out of the kiln!

Have a great day -- and thanks for checking in!
Resa

Happy Thursday!

2005-10-13T11:14:00.000-05:00

Well -- it has just been forever since I posted! Well -- the spammers have finally found my blog and have been posting weird comments (in case you saw them and were wondering!) I've tried to remove them as quickly as I see them ... but they are increasing. So -- I've turned on an option that will still allow you to post a comment, but you will have to do a word verification -- that will prevent non-humans from posting on my blog! Sorry for the extra step :)

My torching has slowed down a little bit over the last month or so -- but I'm anxious to heat it back up again! (not to mention that my stock for ebay is dwindling...) I've decided I need to curtail my ebay spending and let some funds accumulate! There are going to be two major, major glass conferences in Missouri this summer -- and I intend to go to both! All the lampworkers I know in Missouri are just giddy with the thought -- me included!

And -- to kick off my new-found resolve -- next weekend I will have a three-day weekend to myself while my daughter takes a little trip with her grandparents. I can tell you that torching is going to be at the very top of my list for the entire weekend.

Have a good weekend everyone :)

Friday Update

2005-09-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! wow -- has it been a week since I updated?? Sorry 'bout that -- I'm going to have to reverse that habit!

For those of you who might be reading my blog, but are not on my mailing list -- check out the website of my new favorite jewelry designer, Jeanette Ryan, Blix Designs And, if you look quick, you'll see an eye-catching bracelet she made with Kui Studios beads on the front page :)

I had been having some problems with my website (turns out it was operator-error -- imagine that!) -- but everything is fixed now, so hope to work on updating some more of the sections of the site.

I've got one auction up that started last night -- it's a tiny set --

Ebay auction

That's it -- have a great day!

Happy Survivor Thursday!

2005-09-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

Hurray -- Survivor premiers tonite! I ended up getting to choose a second player in the Beadhive survivor game -- so I'll be cheering for Gary and Margaret!

I think I'm going to try Thursday auctions for a few weeks and see how it goes. I'm not sure it will make a lot of difference to my customers, but it will work into my schedule a little better. So -- there will be an auction launching this evening about 8:30 central time. Here's a little preview:

These are very fun beads -- all on a base of dreamy purple (which is what causes all the great reactions in the decorations.)

Also want to let you know about my good friend Steph's bead blog -- check it out!

Take care, and have a great day :)

Survivor Game Beads

2005-09-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!! I just put my Survivor Game beads in the mail... and thought I'd share them with you. I was delighted with how these beads turned out. This season's Survivor will take place in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, Guatemala. My inspiration for these beads was the Mayan ruins, set in the middle of the rainforest. The beads are covered with a layer of fine silver, and then decorated with scrolls of transparent sage/green. These beads (and the others that folks submit) will be going to the winner of the Survivor Game on Beadhive. But -- I'm thinking I'll make another set like it to post on Ebay. What do you think?

And, speaking of Ebay -- I had another good week last week, and have one new auction up now, titled "Minette" :

Happy Friday!

2005-08-19T16:18:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Wow -- it's been a while since I posted! Much craziness at work :) But -- I'm hoping things will settle just a tad. I'm looking forward to getting back on a regular torching schedule -- and doing some more work on the website.

I had a super week on ebay last week -- very fun to back into the action :) I've got two new listings that went up on Wednesday -- and will end Wednesday night.

Click Here to go to auction

Click Here to go to auction

Have a good weekend!
Resa

Whew! Is it only Wednesday???

2005-08-10T06:04:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! What a week! The launch of my website at work went relatively smoothly -- but the follow details are almost overwhelming! Hopefully things will settle down by the weekend. Then, next week is Orientation week for the first year law students -- always a very busy time for us.

I've got two auctions ending tonite -- no bids yet, so you might be able to get a bargain :)
Coquette
Blueberry
And -- I'll have a new one starting tonite -- one of my favorites, inspired by a color scheme featured in Somerset Studio (if you do any visual arts, you ought to see this magazine!)
Here's a tiny sneak preview!

New Auction Launched

2005-08-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hi all! Sorry for the absence :) As predicted, general craziness is the rule of the day. The website launch at work is requiring a lot of extra work, politicking, etc.

I did decide to go ahead and get one of my auctions launched! Take a look at Coquette. I love this set -- and the masked dot beads are so very fun to make -- I'll definitely be doing more of these.

I recently acquired Dots: The Definitive Guide -- the book looks great, and as many of you know dots are my all-time favorite design element. You should be seeing lots more dots in my future sets! If you are a beadmaking, I highly recommend this book. One of the really excellent features is that there are two beadmakers talking about how each one of them does things -- and it is not always the same way! What a great way to present different options.

Gotta run for now! Thanks for checking in -- and will talk to you again soon :)

ahhh.... friday

2005-07-29T13:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! I'm having a crazy day at work -- we are launching a new website for the law school (kind of a quiet launch -- we aren't changing some of our pointers 'til next week), and it always seems there are a gazillion little things to do ... I nervous about having it out there, subject to much criticism -- but also excited 'cause it is a good piece of work. So... I almost missed giving an update.

Monday is Aug. 1 -- am hoping to have some auctions launching that week (but haven't figured out the most desireable schedule for that). I'll keep you posted here -- and I'm planning to send out my first newsletter next week as well. (If you haven't joined my mailing, but want to ... http://kuistudios.com)

Have a great weekend :)
Resa

We Match!!

2005-07-28T08:18:00.000-05:00

Good morning all! Riley frequently insists on matching me -- it worked this morning. She actually did have a shirt that matched the one I picked out. Then -- she insisted on blue jeans, but unfortunately didn't have any pink socks to match mine -- we settled on the pink sandals. And, we managed to get past an almost-meltdown when she wanted to wear bracelets like mine -- they aren't supposed to wear jewelry to school :(

More squished beads this morning -- looks like I'll have two sets of those by the end of the week. I'm going to have a little alone time on Saturday -- so plan to clean, string, photo, etc. My goal is to get as many auctions as possible ready to go for the next several weeks. August is always beastly at work (getting ready for the influx of new students) -- so I will probably need to slack off on the beadmaking for a few weeks. Fortunately -- I've got quite a few sets ready to go!

Have a great day!!

hello -- and a couple webpage updates

2005-07-27T11:02:00.000-05:00

Hi all! The heat has broken here today -- and I actually shivered a bit this morning when I went out to turn on the gas! I don't know what the forecast is for the weekend -- but hope you have a better one, Steph!

Well -- it seems that I can no longer keep myself from getting up and making beads in the mornings. I keep telling myself I need to spend some time doing all the other stuff -- cleaning beads, stringing beads, taking pics, updating website, etc... but ... I'm working a little on encasing this week (just really don't like doing it -- but love some of the looks of encased beads), and am working a lot more with presses. Right now, I'm working with the crunch. I also made some sliders this morning (on a 1/8 mandrel). I haven't worked with sliders myself in jewelry design -- but have always thought they looked fun.

Oh yeah -- I am slowly hacking away at my website ... I've got a couple sets up in the Beads to Buy section. And, am still hoping to launch an auction next week, so stay tuned!!!

Have a great day!

It's Hot, Hot, Hot!

2005-07-25T08:05:00.000-05:00

Well -- my beads aren't that hot -- but the weather sure has been! My thermometer registered 108 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. Steph and I made a bead challenge to each other late on Friday. The challenge was simply to make beads!! I sure won't blame Steph if she didn't make it -- since she doesn't have an air conditioned studio (ACK!). I got in about 2 hrs torching on Saturday. Here's what I've got! As you can see, I decided to work on crunching my beads -- a fun, and very forgiving shape!! It was all play for me... just getting back in the groove after being gone for several days.

Happy Friday!

2005-07-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Just a quickie note to let you know I'm back in town. I had a lovely stay in San Antonio -- lots of fun, good food, and the most fun part of working -- connecting with colleagues from all over the country. I haven't been back at the torch yet -- and with the extreme heat right now, it is pretty hard to get motivated to do so. I think I'll be spending a few days working on the beads I've made -- getting them ready for auction/website; working on the galleries for the website, etc.

Stay cool, and have a great weekend!!

Hey Everyone!

2005-07-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!
Well -- the photo shoot happened, but the photo-editing did not. Riley, beadmaker-in-training, helped me string up the beads -- so it took a little longer than normal (but oh-so-worth-it! she was so proud to be helping mommy, and she did a great job) I hope to steal some moments to edit pics and put them on the website today -- but here's a little teaser for my faithful readers!

Website Redesign is Launched!

2005-07-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

As promised/threatened yesterday, the newly designed website is up. I still have a lot of things I want to do with it -- but I'm pretty proud of it. Thanks, Steph and Karla, for your wonderful support and encouragement!! [Steph -- you're next...]

For days, I've been wondering if this is just a coincidence or my imagination -- but now I'm convinced that I'm getting callouses on my finger from spinning the mandrel. I'm taking this as a positive indication of how steadily I've been working lately. I'm sure I never got a single callous my entire first year of torching!

I spent last evening cleaning beads, and stringing them up -- this evening I'm planning a photo shoot. I've got a little trick I want to try to make the beads look more shiny [as they are in real-life]. One of the "downsides" of shooting with so much diffused, soft light is that your beads can look a little more matte than they really are. There is nothing there to tell your eye that this is a reflective, glassy surface. I'll let you know/see how it works!

Have a great day -- and thanks for checking in :)

Good Morning, Friends :)

2005-07-12T08:16:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was full -- and it seems there are just never enough hours in the day! On Saturday morning, the family took a short bike ride -- we were trying out our new bike carrier, and just trying to work our way gently into some more extensive trips. We are still waiting for the trailer for Riley to ride in, before we take off on some trips down the Katy Trail. I'll have to get a picture of Riley on her trike -- she is doing wonderfully!

Well -- I was all set to take some more photos last night and throw up the new website -- but we had some surprise guest. It was a great visit from my aunt Edna... just no time to do the pics. I'm tempted to go ahead and put up the site today -- that should compel me to get the photos completed. I hate putting up unfinished areas of a site ... but life with a 3yr old sometimes forces you to do things in bits and pieces. It is not my natural inclination -- but I'm getting used to it. I think I've now talked myself into it -- check in later this afternoon :)

TGIF

2005-07-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

I love my job, I don't dread Mondays, or going to work -- but I do love Fridays 'cause it means the weekend is here and I'll have a little more torch-time! Hurray :) And -- my PLAN is to get the new website up this weekend ... I'll give it my best shot!

Here's another portion of a favorite set (well -- most of my sets seem to be my favorites!)

Have a great weekend, and thanks for checking in!

Black and White

2005-07-07T08:22:00.000-05:00

Here is one of my favorite sets that I'm working on this month. I love doing a complicated design in simple black and white. I took this picture in my new tabletop studio -- and hung it in front of one of the background papers that came with the kit. Altho' I generally like a white or grey background for "sales" pics -- this is kinda fun for a gallery shot.

the table top studio has arrived!

2005-07-06T08:34:00.000-05:00

Hurray! the table top studio has arrived -- and I've got it all set up. Of course, it doesn't magically take pictures by itself, so I've got to spend some time learning all the things my camera can do, and experimenting with lighting and positioning. But -- it is clearly going to give me the tools I need to have my set up inside and ready to use at any time!

So -- without further ado... (more pictures later -- I need to go work for a living!)

What Day is It?

2005-07-05T16:08:00.000-05:00

Is it Monday? Is it Tuesday? Feels like a "monday" at work today!! Ah well -- I'll be happily surprised when Friday rolls around!

Hey! It looks like my tabletop studio is on my porch at home!! (don't you love UPS tracking on the internet?) Can't wait to get things set up -- I cleaned the studio and made space over the weekend... I hope I can get some pictures taken tonite!

stay tuned...

Super Quick Post!

2005-07-01T16:06:00.000-05:00

Hi all~ This is just a super-quick post before heading home for the holiday weekend! My days off from work earlier this week were great -- got lots of stuff done, but no photos :( It was just too dang hot to get set up out in the sun. The good news is -- I finally just ordered a table top studio with all the "fixins" to set up a good photo studio inside. It arrives on Tuesday -- so should be able to get things set up next week! Hurray :)

Have a great holiday weekend, and enjoy some fireworks!

Bike!

2005-06-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

Yes -- there is definitely a new bike in my future! We went out to look/drive bikes last night and found a lovely pink "comfort" bike for me. The whole family is getting into it -- and I'm so excited to find a family activity we can do that will have so many great benefits (including health).

On the bead front -- I'm working on a great black and white set right now. I really love working with just black and white -- it is a great way to focus on the bead design. Plus -- you almost always come out with something great! One of these days I plan to do some serious work on checkerboards. Mine usually come out fairly wavy and surreal (altho' still rather fun!) But -- I'd love to be able to make real checkerboards. Also -- I've been doing a lot more with dots that I leave raised -- always adds a lot of interest, and, when done with transparents, a lot of extra sparkle!

I've got the day off work tomorrow, so will try to get some decent pictures taken!

Have a great day :)

Happy Monday!

2005-06-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great weekend :) Mine was full, but wonderful... On Saturday morning, I got in a full 2.5 hours of torching -- spent a good part of that time simply playing around, which is sometimes hard to do, but essential to developing and growing! I tried some of my more unusual colors that I hadn't really messed with yet -- copper green, evil purple, the new ink blue-violet (not hugely different than "regular" ink blue, but slightly more purple), the new odd ivory (was able to get some pink out of it). Sorry -- no pics yet! I'm going to try to do a photo session Wed. morning, as I have the day off from work.

Other activities -- on Sunday morning, my sunday school class (adults) and my brother and I all took a bike ride on the Katy Trail! It was so much fun -- despite the rather warm weather. I rented a bike there, since I don't have one -- but am seriously thinking I need to take up biking and buy my own bike. It seems like it would be a great fitness activity, as well as a great family activity. [and, it is not good for your mental or physical health to sit at the torch ALL the time!]

The new website is coming along... still hope to launch it in early July...
Have a great day!

A different type of bead project

2005-06-24T08:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday everyone! Yup -- did my 5am torch session this morning as usual -- that makes an entire week! I must say that I'm pretty impressed with myself :) And, I must also say that it is easier to motivate myself out of bead to make beads than it is to exercise.. so, I might get used to this before the summer is out!

Since tomorrow is Saturday -- I'll try to take more than an hour (should be able to get in a couple, at least!) -- and should be able to finish up my second set since the big meltdown. Then I think I might be ready to tackle the most time-consuming set that got melted. I think that might just complete the healing process ;)

Thought you might like to take a look a different sort of bead project. I love home decorating, and love making home decor items myself. I had a huge blank space above my bathtub that needed some large scale artwork -- so this project was born~

[Click here for a larger view]

[Click here for a larger view]

A Quick Drive-by Hi!

2005-06-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :) Thanks for all your commiseration on the kiln disaster! And special thanks to Steph for a RAOGK in the form of some special glass rods -- it was the perfect thought to get me back to work :)

It is now Thursday, and I have stuck with my 5am torching schedule all week! It's hard to get out of bed that early -- but once I do, it feels great! I'm torching consistently for a little more than a hour a day, and feel like a real beadmaker again (and don't feel like my beautiful studio and nice equipment are going to waste!)

So -- look for some beads from me after the 4th of July holiday -- along with the unveiling of my new website look. I'll post some sneak previews when I'm able to take photos!

Have a great day!

New Glass Storage: Need More Glass :)

2005-06-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

OK -- on a lighter note -- I took advantage of a tip I saw on WetCanvas last week, and ordered up a whole glass storage system! Looks great -- but, as you can see, I need a whole lot more glass to fill it up! I must admit that I like to plan for the future, and I have a goal of having every type and color of lampworking glass there is!

Kiln Disaster!

2005-06-21T08:33:00.000-05:00

Well -- I finally experienced the dreaded kiln disaster this past weekend :( I've done my grieving and am moving on... I'm thinking of making this into some wall art for the studio -- what do you think? The colors are quite fun!

Weekend's Coming!

2005-06-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

...and that always means another opportunity for some torch time! And, I'm hoping to get some pictures taken of something interesting to share with y'all!

In addition to my quest for some consistent torch time, my other big project is to re-do the Kui Studios website. I'm not doing anything fancy like learning a new programing language like my friend, Karla. But -- I'm hoping for a somewhat different look and feel. It will be focused on my beads, and the jewelry designers who use them. I'm hoping to have a little something up by around the first of July/August... so stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!

New Pics~

2005-06-15T09:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday all!
First -- notice the new profile pic, at last! We had our pictures taken by a professional photographer in the beautiful Shelter Gardens this spring. And, after the pro was done -- this was a snapshot my mom captured of Riley and her uncle:

Getting in the Beading Groove!

2005-06-14T08:55:00.000-05:00

I was so inspired by my recent glass bead retreat to the Cabin in Michigan (with my buddies, Steph and Karla)! It was clear to me that my biggest issue of the moment is no time to practice, practice, practice! I've been motivated to find a way to get in regular practice at the torch. My current solution is to get up at 5am, and torch for about an hour. I've made it two days in a row -- we'll see how I hold up thru the rest of the week! But -- if I can keep to it even a few days a week (plus some weekend hours) you ought to be seeing some actual bead sets out of me soon!

Now -- if I can just get in the picture-taking groove. This continues to be a challenge -- mostly because of my set up [or lack thereof]. I'll be tackling that in the near future! I'm seriously considering one of those tabletop studio setups...

Have a great day :)

Creation Station!!

2005-05-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

I just got my new Creation Station in the mail! I don't have a picture of mine yet, but you can see what they look like here. They have gotten rave reviews -- I haven't had a chance to actually give it a test drive for functionality, but I can tell you that they are well-designed, and very well-made. I'll let you know what I think when I've had a chance to actually make some beads with it!

A Quick Check-in

2005-05-24T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hi there! Just wanted to do a quick check-in -- even tho' I don't have a lot of news today. I'm starting to settle in to summer finally -- it is always busy, but it has a different pace and feel. It is one of the things I love about working at a University. In a couple of short weeks I will be going on a little bead retreat with my bead-buddies, Steph and Karla. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to that. I absolutely know it will be huge fun, and no doubt inspiring for my own bead making. I can tell you now that my plan is to hang over the shoulders of all the experienced bead makers and just soak it all up! I promise you a digital scrapbook when we return!

What? Tuesday already??

2005-05-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm "back" from a glorious 4-day weekend of recreation and creativity. My daughter took a trip with her grandparents, and I was left with nothing to do but indulge myself :) I don't have pictures (yet) -- but I spent some quality time making beads -- my traditional round beads, as well as some using my presses -- one day with the crunch, and another with my new puffy pillow [highly recommended!] I also took this opportunity to concentrate and do some wirework (new to me), and I made my first pieces from precious metal clay -- with very satisfactory results. Now -- if I can just find some time (and light) to take some pictures!

Happy Thursday-that-is-like-a-Friday-for-Me!

2005-05-12T10:25:00.000-05:00

Apologies to all of you who have to go to work again tomorrow -- but, WOOHOO -- I have the day off tomorrow to start my 4-DAY weekend! I'm so excited to have a chance to play at the torch, organize my studio, do a few other creative projects, etc. With any luck, we may even see a few beads for ebay! Stay tuned... and have a great day :)

Back in the saddle

2005-05-10T14:05:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!! (is anyone even still out there?) I can't even believe it has been February since I last posted. I won't even try to explain all that is going on here -- nothing bad, but suffice it to say that my daughter turned 3, bedtimes are getting later, I'm sleep-deprived, and stretched too thin! But -- you can't keep a girl away from the torch too long! I'm looking forward to getting back to the beadmaking, and assorted jewelry designing this summer. I'll be off to a good start this weekend, as my parents are whisking my daughter away for a 4-day weekend -- and I'm taking the extra days off work -- 4 days to myself to devote to beads and jewelry!! In addition to the usual time at the torch -- I have supplies to get started with precious metal clay (PMC)! I can't wait to try it out. I'm a little scared that I'll turn out some expensive blobs -- but I guess there is nothing to do but try! I'll keep you posted on the experiment. I also hope to take advantage of some sunlight and take some pics -- to post here, and to update the website.

Thanks to any of you who have stuck with me during this absence, and I hope that others will find their way back soon.

What a Difference a Day Makes :)

2005-02-15T09:42:00.000-06:00

WooHoo! First good night's sleep in about two weeks! If you've been wondering about my absence -- my poor little daughter has been sick. First she got the flu, and yesterday was diagnosed with a "little" pneumonia and ear infections in both ears. Poor kid. She's taking antibiotics now, and slept thru the night for the first time in quite a while. So -- we are hopefully on the road to recovery!

Lots of stuff has been going on with the glass studio! I don't have a lot of the newer pics, so this one will have to do:

The ceiling was the last finishing step on the studio -- and here it is complete. My dad and brother (pictured) were quite proud of themselves for hanging their first ceiling. It's magnificent, and really brightens up the space.

Of course, as soon as that was done -- we started moving in the furniture, and setting up the torch (more pics on that later). And -- I have made my first beads on my new bobcat! It's a fantabulous torch -- I'm quite in love with it already. I still have tons to learn about using it -- but the learning curve doesn't seem quite as hard as I feared it would be. And, I'm seeing that a lot of what I want to do might actually be possible -- it was sometimes hard to imagine with the hothead.

I don't have any beads ready for ebay yet -- but hopefully within a couple of weeks. Right now, I'm giving myself a little time to play at the torch :)

Thanks for checking in!

Fun Jewelry Just For Me!

2005-02-02T08:48:00.000-06:00

Ever since I started making jewelry, I've had a tendency to give away or sell everything I make. I finally decided I needed to make something that I intended to keep for myself. I saw these adorable beads on ebay by Sarica Beads, and just had to have them. The colors made me smile :) I put the bracelet together almost as soon as I received the beads.

A Custom Order

2005-02-01T10:48:00.000-06:00

After seeing my mom's bracelet and earrings, my aunt ordered a custom bracelet. Here are the beads I did for it. They are squeezed, and I used turquoise, petroleum green, a kind of teal transparent frit, and transparent teals and aquas. This was the last set before I disassembled my torch, but I'm hoping to try a few more in this color scheme when I get set up again.

Studio Progress!

2005-01-31T14:33:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! This weekend was full of work on the studio. I have a much better appreciation for finish carpenters now. There are a lot of little details in finishing up a space! Everything is pretty much painted -- the trim still needs to be attached, and I think the floor is getting a second coat today. Riley was desperate to get into the act -- so, she spent a happy hour scrubbing a paintbrush around on the concrete floor. The splurges of the day were the faceplates for the outlets and switches -- I had to have them :)

Red Hat Bracelet and Earrings

2005-01-27T08:30:00.000-06:00

My mom is a "red hat lady". This is a bracelet and earring set I made for her for Christmas. She loved it, and gets many compliments on it. The beads are squeezed, and the bracelet is strung on stretch magic (also very popular with my mom!)

Bidding War!!

2005-01-26T14:15:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited -- my first little bidding war on "Raku Debut".
Check it out :)

New Auction Tomorrow Night!

2005-01-25T15:34:00.000-06:00

I'm launching a new auction Wednesday night at 8pm CST. Here's a sneak preview for you. The base beads are opal yellow -- I managed to get a beautiful golden color out of them, but am not sure if it was lucky application of heat, or the help of the fucshia frit I used. But, I loved how they came out.

Look what came in the mail friday!!

2005-01-23T08:29:00.000-06:00

This is my brand-new GTT Bobcat! I'm still waiting on the oxygen concentrator...

Drywall!!

2005-01-23T07:26:00.000-06:00

The drywall on the new studio is up, and is almost complete! On Monday it will be done, and ready to paint.

New Auction Tomorrow Night!

2005-01-18T21:41:00.000-06:00

The Snow Shadows auction ends tomorrow night; and a new one begins! These beads were tremendous fun to make with raku stringer. A little of that stuff goes a long way! The auction starts tomorrow night, 8:00p.m., C.S.T.

Studio Update

2005-01-18T15:08:00.000-06:00

I've been using the unfinished studio -- but yesterday we cleared everything out, in preparation for the drywall installation! Hurray! Here's a "before". Stay tuned for more progress reports.

Studio and Torch: Good News

2005-01-14T14:58:00.000-06:00

We've been working on putting together a real glass studio for some time now -- and it looks like we are in the home stretch! We decided NOT to try to do the drywall ourselves, but have hired someone to do it -- and they are hoping to start on Tuesday! Then just paint and ceiling -- and the finish work will be done. I am all-of-a-sudden incredibly impatient to have it all done. And, since I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel -- I have just now ordered my new torch set up, including an oxygen concentrator. I am incredibly excited!

The only (minor) bad news is that the current set up (which was in the unfinished studio) will be dismantled. I probably won't even set the old torch up again -- but will be able to re-start with the new set up. I don't have a clue about what kind of learning curve I will have on a new, hotter torch -- but it may take a little time to get back into bead production. Fortunately, I do have a couple more sets ready to go, in addition to the current ebay auction -- so that should ease the transition.

New Auction has Launched!

2005-01-12T20:32:00.000-06:00

I've launched a new auction at last! Hurray! I find that I've actually missed doing the whole auction thing over the last couple of months. So -- click here to check it out. This is a great set, and I had a lot of fun playing with the frit my buddy Steph shared with me. (and it was her press that I used to make my first-ever lentils!!)

New Beads!

2005-01-11T15:55:00.000-06:00

At last -- some new beads! I'm planning on posting these on ebay tomorrow evening.

Click here to see a larger view.

Snow Bunny

2005-01-09T23:11:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! What a great holiday season :) I had the privilege of spending a couple of weeks at home with my daughter. Not much beadmaking, but lots of free-ranging fun! And, this weekend -- a snowball fight with mommy.

Christmas Cards

2004-12-13T15:28:00.000-06:00

This weekend was Christmas Card weekend! Riley's studio portraits came in, and we busily mailed out dozens and dozens of cards. We ordered some of the cute photo cards -- but they had no printing on them. I felt compelled to write Riley's name and the year on every single one with a paint pen! Is it any wonder I don't have time to make beads?! They looked great, though. I can't believe how much Riley has grown and changed since last year. She is such a grown-up little girl now! Since I have no beads to show at the moment (but thanks, Karla, for your encouragement -- you do inspire me!) -- please take a look at the most beautiful thing in my life!

2004-12-09T14:27:00.000-06:00

Hello, everyone! I'm just going to stop even suggesting that I'm going to have some beads finished -- 'cause I just don't know when I'll get it done! It's that time of year -- lovely, but busy! Christmas shopping, wrapping, decorating, shopping, wrapping, shopping.....

I had a special request today to bring in some of my jewelry to work -- so decided to have a special holiday sale for all my colleagues and friends. I've had a little interest :)

Hope you all are enjoying a wonderful holiday season as well!

Here I Am!

2004-12-03T15:11:00.000-06:00

Hello! Things got a little busy here -- I guess it is just that time of year. (Hi Karla!) No beads this week -- darn! I'll see if I can get them finished up this weekend. Riley (my daughter's american name) and I, and the rest of the family have been getting ready for Christmas! The tree and the advent wreath are up and out -- but there are still stockings to hang! Riley has been busy making a gingerbread house, and Christmas cookies -- yum! And shopping -- who has time to go shopping! Okay -- deep breath… I think I need a little torch therapy tonite. Check back in with me later :)

The Chrismas Season Officially Begins!

2004-11-26T06:44:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I typically resist all evidences of Christmas (except maybe a little shopping) until the day after Thanksgiving -- so, now it is time to let loose! I'm happy to say that both my Christmas bead sets sold -- and I'm very pleased about that! One of my lampworking buddies traded me some frit, so I've been busy trying that out. What fun! An interesting color frit on top of a base it reacts with is so gratifying -- instant design! And, I made all the beads round! I've been addicted to the presses -- and still love them. But, there is something very relaxing about making easy, round beads. Look for a couple of new sets from me on Ebay next week!

WooHoo #2

2004-11-18T15:24:00.000-06:00

We're indexed on Google now! Do a phrase search for "Kui Studios", and we're at the top of the list! You're really somebody when you're on Google, right??

WooHoo!

2004-11-17T21:05:00.000-06:00

Not only is Kui Studios in the top 50 sites on Top-25.com! and Artzee.net,
but we are also "site of the moment" on Artzee.net! OK -- I know "site of the moment" is a random honor, but it was pretty cool seeing it there! If I hadn't been working on our banner for the site, I might have missed it entirely!

Thanks for everyone who voted for us!

New Auctions This Evening!

2004-11-17T08:20:00.000-06:00

I spent most of last night editing bead photos, and putting together auction pages -- and now the auctions are ready to go. They will both launch this evening on Ebay at 8pm, CST.

Auction Previews

2004-11-16T09:31:00.000-06:00

My newest beads have been cleaned up, and have had their portraits taken! Here's a preview~

Click here to see the whole set!

A Blog is Born

2004-11-15T15:56:00.000-06:00

Hello and Welcome! This is the newest feature of the Kui Studios website -- I've joined the blogging craze. This blog is dedicated to the art and the business of a glass bead maker.

Current shopping opportunities on Ebay:
Chocolate Mint

Look for two new sets later this week ... do I hear jinglebells?