Thought I'd share a 'sneak peek' photo of the beads I'll be listing on eBay tomorrow. I recently purchased some glass shards, and this is the first time I've used them. I can tell this is going to become *another* addiction!
Remember to pop back tomorrow if you want to check them out at auction!
Monday, 31 March 2008
New Beads Tomorrow (I Promise!) . . .
I know I said I'd have a new set of beads up on eBay today, however, I was running late for work this morning, and my back was slowing me down too, so I promise, they'll be up for sale tomorrow morning. I also purchased a TENS machine to help relieve my back pain and it arrived this morning, so I figured it was probably more important for me to get that operating and on my back for some pain relief. I'd never tried TENS before, and it doesn't necessarily work for everyone, but I'm pleased to say that I have it on at the moment, and it is helping ease the pain - I particularly need it when I'm sitting here at the computer all day typing in my day job. It will be nice to work without having chronic pain in my back for a change!
Well, that's it out of me for the day. I've gotta start work, so I'll say TTFN. Stop by tomorrow to check out the beads!
Well, that's it out of me for the day. I've gotta start work, so I'll say TTFN. Stop by tomorrow to check out the beads!
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Touching Base. . .
I apologise for being so quiet. There's two reasons for that. Firstly, because I haven't had any new beads to offer you, and secondly, due to my back (which is *still* driving me insane), I haven't been spending any more time in front of the computer than I've absolutely had to. I actually took Tuesday off work as I couldn't bear to sit in front of the computer and type for 7 straight hours. The day off helped a little, however, my back is far from 100%. I didn't think I'd even manage to fire up the torch this weekend, however, I did manage to spend enough time in there yesterday and today to put together a smaller than usual set of beads. Assuming I have enough time before I start work tomorrow, the auction should be up and running on eBay. There'll be six freeform squeezed beads in the auction, and since that's a few beads less than I usually offer in the larger beads, I'll be starting the auction around US$50. Pop back tomorrow if you'd like to check them out.
So, that's really all the news I have at the moment. I'm now going to have a hot shower to hopefully help ease the pain in my back a little, and I'll update the blog again tomorrow as soon as the auction is up on eBay. Thanks for stopping by.
So, that's really all the news I have at the moment. I'm now going to have a hot shower to hopefully help ease the pain in my back a little, and I'll update the blog again tomorrow as soon as the auction is up on eBay. Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, 24 March 2008
Happy Easter. . .
Happy Easter. I hope you're having a happy time with family and friends this long weekend. It's not really a long weekend for me, since I worked Friday, and I'm also working today - one of the hassles of being self employed I suppose. I have however spent a few days catching up with friends, so that's been nice.
Unfortunately, I have no new beads to offer you this week. The main reason for that is because of my back. I've had back problems on and off since I was 15, but until the last year or so, it hasn't bothered me all that often. I woke up yesterday morning with a slight twinge of pain in my lumbar spine, but I thought it may have had something to do with the way I had slept and that I'd be okay once I got up and moving. That assumption lasted all of about 30 seconds - until I got out of bed. I could barely stand, let alone walk.
So I spent yesterday hobbling around the house and feeling very sorry for myself. No matter what position I tried, I couldn't get comfortable - walking, sitting, lying - it all made no difference whatsoever. The referred pain from my back was also very pleasant - radiating into my groin/pelvic area and down the back of my legs. I was hoping that today things would have improved, and I did manage to walk Toby this morning, but apart from that, I'm not much better. It's not helping that I have to sit at the computer for the next 7 hours typing away in my medical transcription job, alas, I don't really have much choice. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway.
I'm really rather peeved at the whole thing, because I had a burst of inspiration late last week about a new set of beads I wanted to try, and of course, with my back being this painful, I haven't been near the torch. Oh well, there's always next weekend. Fingers crossed that I will be feeling a little better in a few days' time.
So that's about all the news I have to share with you at the moment. I've just finished my coffee break and I better get back to work. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll catch you again next time.
PS. I know I have a few emails I need to catch up on, but please bear with me. I promise once my back has improved, I will reply. I really don't want to spend any more time in front of the computer than is absolutely necessary at the moment. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I have no new beads to offer you this week. The main reason for that is because of my back. I've had back problems on and off since I was 15, but until the last year or so, it hasn't bothered me all that often. I woke up yesterday morning with a slight twinge of pain in my lumbar spine, but I thought it may have had something to do with the way I had slept and that I'd be okay once I got up and moving. That assumption lasted all of about 30 seconds - until I got out of bed. I could barely stand, let alone walk.
So I spent yesterday hobbling around the house and feeling very sorry for myself. No matter what position I tried, I couldn't get comfortable - walking, sitting, lying - it all made no difference whatsoever. The referred pain from my back was also very pleasant - radiating into my groin/pelvic area and down the back of my legs. I was hoping that today things would have improved, and I did manage to walk Toby this morning, but apart from that, I'm not much better. It's not helping that I have to sit at the computer for the next 7 hours typing away in my medical transcription job, alas, I don't really have much choice. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway.
I'm really rather peeved at the whole thing, because I had a burst of inspiration late last week about a new set of beads I wanted to try, and of course, with my back being this painful, I haven't been near the torch. Oh well, there's always next weekend. Fingers crossed that I will be feeling a little better in a few days' time.
So that's about all the news I have to share with you at the moment. I've just finished my coffee break and I better get back to work. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll catch you again next time.
PS. I know I have a few emails I need to catch up on, but please bear with me. I promise once my back has improved, I will reply. I really don't want to spend any more time in front of the computer than is absolutely necessary at the moment. Thanks!
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
The Butterfly Effect. . .
And here's the set of beads I was talking about in yesterday's blog entry. They're up on eBay right now.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, 17 March 2008
Sneak peek. . .
Sneak peek at a new set of beads I'll be listing on eBay in the next day or two
Originally uploaded by thatgirl1269
Hope you like the sneak peek, and catch you again tomorrow.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
!@#$%&*. . .
Eager to spend as much time as possible in the studio, and particularly excited to use my newly repaired (HA!) oxy concentrator, I fired up the torch at 10.30 am this morning. Everything was going along fabulously, and 30 minutes later, the "Below Normal" light still hadn't lit up - finally, after 4.5 years of working with a defective oxy concentrator, it was fully operational. I was excited beyond belief about the possibility of spending all day working on a new set of beads.
Yes. Well. That excitement lasted for another 4 minutes - until I looked over at it again, and the !@#$%&* "Below Normal" light was blinking its evil yellow glow.
ARGHHHHH.......
So after another 30 minutes of swearing and turning the PSI up and down, I uttered one final !@$%, turned off the torch, and had to seriously restrain myself from kicking the concentrator through the window. With DH Russ away until tomorrow, there's no possibility of him looking at it today.
Seriously though, I'm not really all that surprised. Nothing else that ever goes wrong is simple, or cheap, to repair, (e.g. the THREE kilns I've been through since I started lampworking almost 6 yrs ago, the dishwasher that died 4 weeks ago that cost me $480 to repair, the ducted evaporative cooling system in the house that has been making weird grinding noises for months and has been quoted at costing us $4000 to replace [and we completely gave up on ever fixing it, and instead forked out $2500 for air conditioning]), so why should the !@$#% oxy concentrator be any different? I need a drink.
Oxy concentrator 1, Sue 0.
Yes. Well. That excitement lasted for another 4 minutes - until I looked over at it again, and the !@#$%&* "Below Normal" light was blinking its evil yellow glow.
ARGHHHHH.......
So after another 30 minutes of swearing and turning the PSI up and down, I uttered one final !@$%, turned off the torch, and had to seriously restrain myself from kicking the concentrator through the window. With DH Russ away until tomorrow, there's no possibility of him looking at it today.
Seriously though, I'm not really all that surprised. Nothing else that ever goes wrong is simple, or cheap, to repair, (e.g. the THREE kilns I've been through since I started lampworking almost 6 yrs ago, the dishwasher that died 4 weeks ago that cost me $480 to repair, the ducted evaporative cooling system in the house that has been making weird grinding noises for months and has been quoted at costing us $4000 to replace [and we completely gave up on ever fixing it, and instead forked out $2500 for air conditioning]), so why should the !@$#% oxy concentrator be any different? I need a drink.
Oxy concentrator 1, Sue 0.
Friday, 14 March 2008
Friday Night Chat. . .
TGIF - that's all I can say. Well, it's technically not all I'm going to say, but, you know what I mean. It's been another busy week in my medical transcription job, and I'm now winding down with a glass of Australian White Shiraz and looking forward to taking it easy over the next few days. Actually, I will probably be spending a few hours over the weekend working, but at least I'm not on any set roster, so, I can just pace myself and take it a little easier.
And what else to chat about? The weather, for one thing. We're now technically into the second week of autumn Down Under - but you wouldn't know it by the insanely hot weather we're having at the moment. At the time of typing this, it's still 38C (100F), and the heat is not going to let up until at least late next week - 34C is tipped for the next few days. Crazy weather for this time of year - I really won't be sorry to see winter. Until it gets here and I start complaining about the cold that is.
DH Russ and his eldest son, Chris, are heading up to Albury-Wodonga (the border of NSW and VIC) to attend some sort of gathering of petrol heads, called Chryslers on The Murray. Rather them than me - I personally couldn't think of too many more unappealing options than spending 2 days camping in 39C heat, with no shower or toilet facilities, and surrounded by drunken car hoons. I hate the heat, I cannot go a day without a shower, I wouldn't go camping if my life depended on it - and as for the drunken hoons - the only thing I remotely have in common with them is that I enjoy a glass (or 3) of alcohol. If there's a hell, then that would be it.
Chris has been hassling Russ for years to attend this car "thing" with him, and this year I suggested that in order to improve their relationship (they've always had a few "issues"), perhaps he ought to give in and go. Don't get me wrong - Russ loves old cars and he doesn't even mind camping, but I know how irritated Russ gets with Chris over his never-ending obsession with cars - and that's when he's only chatting to him for 5 minutes - so how he's going to spend 2 full days with him without killing him should be something to see. I love my husband dearly, but he's probably the least patient person I've ever met - and that's saying something, since I always thought I was the most impatient person on the planet - until I met Russ.
Anyway, they were intending to leave Melbourne this evening, but Russ' brother hasn't been well the past few days, and Russ wasn't sure if he wanted to leave today, just in case Johnny, his brother, needed Russ to take him to the hospital. At the moment, Johnny seems okay, so Russ is trying to contact Chris to ask him if he does want to leave tonight. Why they just can't go tomorrow morning is beyond me - it'll take them at least 3.5 hours to get there, and then they have to find a camp site and set up the tent in the dark. Again, rather them than me.
So with Russ going away until at least lunchtime Sunday, I'll "sort of" have the house to myself. I say "sort of" because, of course, my mother lives with us (and I can't believe she's been living here almost 1.5 years now). It'll feel a little strange not to have Russ here - it's been years since we've spent a night apart, and although I'm looking forward to having some time to myself, a huge part of me doesn't want him to go.
So, as I already said, I plan on spending a few hours working on the weekend, but I also hope to spend some time making beads - that all depends however on whether my oxy concentrator is fixed in time for Russ to put it back together before he leaves. Yes, he did take it in for service today, and it appears the problem was something rather simple - so the service guy told Russ to bring it back home and fix it himself. A mechanism that controls the quality of the oxygen output has cracked, but luckily all Russ had to do was put some sort of sealant on it and it should be as good as new. It's now sitting in the shed and hopefully Russ will be able to put it back together before he heads off. Fingers crossed that this is all the problem was and it'll be back in tip top condition for the weekend. It really will be fantastic to have a 100% fully functioning oxy concentrator for the first time in years.
And on that happy note, I'll say TTFN. Hope you have a relaxing weekend, and check back early next week to see if I was able to make any new beads.
And what else to chat about? The weather, for one thing. We're now technically into the second week of autumn Down Under - but you wouldn't know it by the insanely hot weather we're having at the moment. At the time of typing this, it's still 38C (100F), and the heat is not going to let up until at least late next week - 34C is tipped for the next few days. Crazy weather for this time of year - I really won't be sorry to see winter. Until it gets here and I start complaining about the cold that is.
DH Russ and his eldest son, Chris, are heading up to Albury-Wodonga (the border of NSW and VIC) to attend some sort of gathering of petrol heads, called Chryslers on The Murray. Rather them than me - I personally couldn't think of too many more unappealing options than spending 2 days camping in 39C heat, with no shower or toilet facilities, and surrounded by drunken car hoons. I hate the heat, I cannot go a day without a shower, I wouldn't go camping if my life depended on it - and as for the drunken hoons - the only thing I remotely have in common with them is that I enjoy a glass (or 3) of alcohol. If there's a hell, then that would be it.
Chris has been hassling Russ for years to attend this car "thing" with him, and this year I suggested that in order to improve their relationship (they've always had a few "issues"), perhaps he ought to give in and go. Don't get me wrong - Russ loves old cars and he doesn't even mind camping, but I know how irritated Russ gets with Chris over his never-ending obsession with cars - and that's when he's only chatting to him for 5 minutes - so how he's going to spend 2 full days with him without killing him should be something to see. I love my husband dearly, but he's probably the least patient person I've ever met - and that's saying something, since I always thought I was the most impatient person on the planet - until I met Russ.
Anyway, they were intending to leave Melbourne this evening, but Russ' brother hasn't been well the past few days, and Russ wasn't sure if he wanted to leave today, just in case Johnny, his brother, needed Russ to take him to the hospital. At the moment, Johnny seems okay, so Russ is trying to contact Chris to ask him if he does want to leave tonight. Why they just can't go tomorrow morning is beyond me - it'll take them at least 3.5 hours to get there, and then they have to find a camp site and set up the tent in the dark. Again, rather them than me.
So with Russ going away until at least lunchtime Sunday, I'll "sort of" have the house to myself. I say "sort of" because, of course, my mother lives with us (and I can't believe she's been living here almost 1.5 years now). It'll feel a little strange not to have Russ here - it's been years since we've spent a night apart, and although I'm looking forward to having some time to myself, a huge part of me doesn't want him to go.
So, as I already said, I plan on spending a few hours working on the weekend, but I also hope to spend some time making beads - that all depends however on whether my oxy concentrator is fixed in time for Russ to put it back together before he leaves. Yes, he did take it in for service today, and it appears the problem was something rather simple - so the service guy told Russ to bring it back home and fix it himself. A mechanism that controls the quality of the oxygen output has cracked, but luckily all Russ had to do was put some sort of sealant on it and it should be as good as new. It's now sitting in the shed and hopefully Russ will be able to put it back together before he heads off. Fingers crossed that this is all the problem was and it'll be back in tip top condition for the weekend. It really will be fantastic to have a 100% fully functioning oxy concentrator for the first time in years.
And on that happy note, I'll say TTFN. Hope you have a relaxing weekend, and check back early next week to see if I was able to make any new beads.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Casanova. . .
New set of beads, up on eBay right now. Not sure if I'll be making beads next weekend - we never did end up taking the oxy concentrator in for service last week. DH Russ has this Friday off, so we're planning on doing it then. Fingers crossed that it won't have to stay in the shop. Anyway, hope you like the beads, and see you next time.
Monday, 3 March 2008
Better Late Than Never. . .
Well I've finally decided to take my oxy concentrator in for service. Not bad really when you consider its been playing up for at least 4.5 years. Yesterday was the final straw - I spent the better part of 5 hours in the studio working on a new set of beads, and most of that time I spent venting various expletives at the oxy concentrator every time the 'Below Normal' light lit up, necessitating me to turn the PSI down from 5 to 2-3 PSI on the damn thing about every 10 minutes. GRRRR... I figured that if was going to continue along this path, I may as well sell my minor burner and go back to using a hothead.
I've kept putting it off, firstly, because basically I'm a lazy git, but mostly because I always had the impression that the service centre would be about 1,253 km from where I live in rural Victoria, as seem to be about 99.9% of the places I need to visit, and the thought of having to take a day off work to take it in always filled me with dread - not to mention the fact that I hate driving anywhere but locally, so it also meant that DH Russ had to take a day off work so we could visit the service centre. So it was with much surprise that I found out Air Liquide, the place I'm having it serviced, is only 29 km away in North Sunshine. Russ is finishing work early on Thursday, and by chance, he's been meaning to visit a wood factory in Sunshine for months, so he can combine the trip to Air Liquide with his visit to the factory he needs to stop by. Now I have to wonder why I waited this long. Procrastination is my friend.
Anyway, depending on what's actually wrong with it, it may have to stay in the shop for a while. The woman on the phone seems to think, and I admit I agree with her, that it's probably just going to require a good clean of the filters and sieve bed, and we'll be able to get it serviced on the spot. However, experience has taught me that nothing is ever as simple as it first appears, so, if something else needs to be done, it may need to stay in the shop for a while and they can deliver it back to me when it's ready. Of course, if it does require a stay in the factory, that means I won't be making beads until it returns. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be too long before it's back in tip top condition.
I was a little concerned at first that they wouldn't actually agree to service it - once upon a time, they weren't too keen on servicing oxy concentrators that weren't used for medical purposes. However, the girl on the phone seemed to think there wouldn't be a problem, so, that's good news.
So with any luck, this weekend I *may* have a fully operational oxy concentrator for the first time in years. It will be fabulous to turn it on knowing that I'm not going to see that rotten little yellow light flash up any time soon. Now I just have to hope it's not going to cost me too much. Oh well, I can dream.
I've kept putting it off, firstly, because basically I'm a lazy git, but mostly because I always had the impression that the service centre would be about 1,253 km from where I live in rural Victoria, as seem to be about 99.9% of the places I need to visit, and the thought of having to take a day off work to take it in always filled me with dread - not to mention the fact that I hate driving anywhere but locally, so it also meant that DH Russ had to take a day off work so we could visit the service centre. So it was with much surprise that I found out Air Liquide, the place I'm having it serviced, is only 29 km away in North Sunshine. Russ is finishing work early on Thursday, and by chance, he's been meaning to visit a wood factory in Sunshine for months, so he can combine the trip to Air Liquide with his visit to the factory he needs to stop by. Now I have to wonder why I waited this long. Procrastination is my friend.
Anyway, depending on what's actually wrong with it, it may have to stay in the shop for a while. The woman on the phone seems to think, and I admit I agree with her, that it's probably just going to require a good clean of the filters and sieve bed, and we'll be able to get it serviced on the spot. However, experience has taught me that nothing is ever as simple as it first appears, so, if something else needs to be done, it may need to stay in the shop for a while and they can deliver it back to me when it's ready. Of course, if it does require a stay in the factory, that means I won't be making beads until it returns. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be too long before it's back in tip top condition.
I was a little concerned at first that they wouldn't actually agree to service it - once upon a time, they weren't too keen on servicing oxy concentrators that weren't used for medical purposes. However, the girl on the phone seemed to think there wouldn't be a problem, so, that's good news.
So with any luck, this weekend I *may* have a fully operational oxy concentrator for the first time in years. It will be fabulous to turn it on knowing that I'm not going to see that rotten little yellow light flash up any time soon. Now I just have to hope it's not going to cost me too much. Oh well, I can dream.
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Books for Sale . . .
The books have arrived!
I have 10 copies for sale of "Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry" by Karen J Leonardo. Inside you'll find a 9 page tutorial of me making my "Autumn Glow" bead (the pillow bead on the front cover), along with tutorials for lampworking and jewellery designs by some of your other favourite artists. Each book will be autographed by me (if you're into that sort of thing LOL), and I am charging the absolute minimum per copy - only AU$24.99 each (approx. US$23.65) plus shipping as follows:
Australian buyers: AU$11.15
US/Canada buyers: US$21.00
UK buyers: GBP11.65
European buyers: EUR15.30
Other countries: Please email me
Email me for further information OR to purchase your copy today!
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