sunny day, sweeping the clouds away!

Mmm...sunshine makes for some nice pictures when the subject is glass. A couple of weeks ago, I tried to get a picture that would convey the iridescent sheen in some of the buttons Scott's been making lately. I didn't have any luck that time, but today, success!

I'm also partial to the tone set by a loom-in-use, sitting in a morning sunbeam. We'll probably look back and cringe at the mistakes made in planning/executing this woven piece, but we're definitely learning as we go, so it's all good.

To illustrate the mysteries of working with glass, I present some beads- and buttons-in-progress.

Believe it or not, these were all made with the same glass. Same rod, even! Sometimes we know enough so that Scott can control the effects and variations, but sometimes not. A little trial and error with these, trying to blend what we know, what is happening with the glass that is currently beyond our control, and what we'd like the beads and buttons for Leah's Sylvi coat to look like.

The cluster of five beads toward the front left are double amber purple glass. The six buttons along the back are double amber purple glass encased in a clear dome, which magically transforms them to something with a bit of iridescent sheen among the more subtle swirls. The three beads to the front right are also double amber purple glass, unencased, but worked in the flame to bring more of the purple hues to the surface. To complicate matters, the colors will likely morph yet again as they go through the annealing process (heating and slowly cooling in a digitally controlled kiln for optimal strength and durability), so it's always fun to open the cooled kiln and see what surprises it gives us!