Chunky Discs

A Day Of Discs Ahead


   Today I'm making some more chunky disc beads to list in the etsy shop, I enjoy making these thick little lampwork discs, there is something about the shape that works well with both natural colours and with the brighter more colourful designs, either way they work well alongside silver findings.
   The first few sets will be listed this evening along with more unique spacer sets and a few more sale sets in the ebay shop, I know things are very quiet at the moment but that gives me a chance to get a better selection of beads in both online shops, it's no good just waiting for customers and sales when the chances are they just won't happen, so I need to get more beads out there at least that way I feel I'm doing my best, if this summer turns out to be my last making beads for a living at least I know in my heart I've given it a go and I guess that's all one can do in these situations, but hey, you never know I may still be here this time next year writing down my rants and telling my dreams, lets see how things go in the next month or two.
   Another sunny start to the day here in the flat lands, the second morning running we have woke to sunshine, we really are getting spoilt. To sit with out lunch in the garden yesterday was a real pleasure, the pond was alive with insects what seemed like every blackbird in the fens was enjoying the cherries, they sit there feasting high in the tree looking down on us with not a worry in the world but to be honest I don't mind, I'm the only person in the family who eats them, so to share a few with my little feathered friends really isn't a problem.
   Yesterday evening was once again spent throwing ceramic pieces including lidded vessels and some small sake sets, I've been throwing a few bottles which I'm enjoying, it's funny how you gain a preference for certain design so quickly, in just a matter of months I find that making ceramics bottles already helps me with the discipline I need to form taller shapes with the clay and you know me, I just love the fact that they offer so many different styles and shapes. I also made a few larger bowls yesterday so I hope they will be available to list next week, slowly but surely I'm making the bigger sized pieces, has my confidence grows on the wheel I'm trying more designs, just a few weeks ago I could only dream of making lidded pots, now I'm enjoying making them, this is just what happened when I was starting off in lampwork all those years ago.
   I know I say this often but teaching myself is by far the most exciting way of learning for me, every day when you look the pieces I've made and I see before me designs that weeks ago I thought were out of my reach, I can see that I'm really heading in the right direction, that journey is not just a pipe dream but it's happening, I'm learning a new craft and tho in this case it is just another option for me to carry on making a living from my beads, it really is nice to know that just maybe one day I'll be in the position where I can make and sell pottery items to help take the pressure off bead sales, I can't think of a better way to make a living than by using two crafts that are so very different but are both so very enjoyable to do.
   So it's back off to my torch for me and I hope you all find a way to get outside and enjoy this sunshine, I know I'll do my best to get an hour out in the garden.