More heat downunder

As if it's not hot enough some days, a glass bead making studio where students work on flaming torches can up the temp even more. I've always wanted to make my own glass beads for jewelry, so when I found Goglass studio near me in Newport, I figured it was time to learn. It's been terrific! The artist/instructor is called Gail too, so even better. She's a gifted artist and teacher.

She has taught us how to take rods of Italian glass, heat them in the flames of a dual-head torch, and form beads. There are amazing beads just lying around the studio, ones Gail has done, or other students' creations. Any one of them would make a great piece of jewelry.

I am still coping with trying to keep things reasonably round but it has been great fun to learn. Students keep their beads on wire stringers, so they can see how they've progressed.

My string isn't too fabulous, but Abby thinks they're fine. We go over them after each session to see which ones she likes best.  I seem to be leaning towards the blue end of the color spectrum. Only two more sessions before I return to the US.

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