Time outside

Keeping active means staying creative

I've been so busy lately!  I've been working hard in the studio to meet demands of the upcoming Fall and Winter season so a family holiday in Norway came just at the right time and even if I did bring some work with me I've still managed to spend time with the family and take time for myself.  When in Norway it's important to take advantage of good weather so I like to take my exercise outside.  Just spending time focusing on myself and my health while being surrounded by nature helps to awaken my creative energies.  I truly do believe that the best way to break a loss of creativity is to get out and exert yourself physically.  So during the mild summer and Autumn  days get out of the studio, office, house and get your heart-rate elevated and your muscles warm with some all important movement.  

Take care,

Delana 

I'm still here...

Stars through the forest canopy bowl
Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

.....but having a bit of a break after the Open Door event! Thanks to all who came out! Your support and interest keep me going. See you all next week.

Chaos in the diningroom!

Chaos in the diningroom!

When folks come to my open door events they always find the house tidy and the studio very orderly. I can tell you that it is a far cry from the mad chaos that ensues two weeks before the event. The family doesn't get proper dinners, you can't see the dining room table for beads, chain, wire and tools, and the studio should be declared a hazard area. And today I have had to keep my cool and not panic. Ah well, tomorrow sees the start of the open door with a private preview for people on my mailing list. Once it starts I just sit back and enjoy the party.

I've uploaded some new photos (including those above) to my flickr 

Bold, Bright, Beautiful slideshow

Let the Good Times Roll.....

BBB_winestoppergroup_02

Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

.....but save the wine!

Oh I do like making beads for these wine stoppers. I found them not long ago and, like the pens, it is possible to remove the bead and add another bead/s or to use the bead on some other item...like a pen ;-)...I am very impressed with the quality of them also.

One last thing....as days draw closer to the open door I am finding little time for taking photos, uploading photos, making blog posts etc. I'll be a bit low key until next week. Enjoy the next few 'Delana free' days. ;-)

If you do want to know what I'm up to you can find me on the By Delana Facebook page as I'll probably get the odd chance to check in there.

Delana

Key Rings and 'Thinking Outside Of The Box'

BBB2012kchn_group

Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

I have a few of these keyrings on offer for the upcoming open door. I have put some rather nice beads on them and I hope they will appeal to folks. Once the open door is over I plan on sitting down at the torch with some glass in colours that will work well in my home. I'll make some key rings for my downstairs WC (bathroom) and my back door. These doors usually have the keys in them on a daily basis and I find having a keyring more appealing to the eye than the bare key stuck in the door. So my point is....think special keyring like: Guest house key, WC, back door etc. They may even make great a great decoration for your purse....hmmm!

Delana

As Promised...

I did mention that I would be giving a bit more information about the photo in yesterday's post.  The photo was a close up of a selection of some of the pens and letter openers shown above.  I think these items would be suitable as gifts for weddings, Mother's day, Father's day or a First Communion.  The great thing about these pens and letter openers is that you can unscrew the top and  put the beads on a choker or bangle.  You can switch the order of the beads or you can even put other beads on the pen.  I have a selection of chokers, bangles, etc. that suit the beads.  I think this flexibility will appeal to a broad group of people and it shows how versatile my beads can be.  Thank you to everyone on my email list who have responded to my invitation to the open door.  Your support and interest in my work keep me inspired!  Honestly....it's nice if people buy when they come to the open doors but that's not the most important issue for me.  I just enjoy seeing the same people coming back again and again....and bringing their friends.  Thanks again!!!

New post coming soon.....

Delana

Bold! Bright!! Beautiful!!!

I have put a lot of time and energy into a new collection entitled ‘Bold, Bright, Beautiful’ and I would like to invite you to my upcoming Open Door 21, 22 April, 2012. As usual it is in my home. The hours are 14.00 – 18.00 both days and demonstrations are at 15.00 and 17.00. On my website you will find more information and be able to view a slideshow of some pieces that will be available.
When I decided to have another open door I asked myself a few questions about what I wanted my work to project and why I should expect people to continue to come to visit me and my studio. I want my work to make people happy. I want my work to reflect the colors and energies of Spring & Summer and I want to show you the different directions that my work has taken. I’m happy to say that I have managed to create an exciting collection that I am very proud of.

So…what’s new? Wine stoppers, pens, letter openers, and bracelets. All of these make great gifts for Mother’s day, Father’s day, First Communions, Graduations, Weddings and it’s never too early to think about Christmas ;-) (For my U.K. friends, I do realize that U.K. ‘Mothering Sunday has passed…sorry! There is always next year!)

What is familiar? Remember those shiny pendants on satin cords? Well, I’ve made more and I’m offering them all at a great price. I’m also reducing the price of some of my pendants and beads from previous collections.

I do hope to see you sometime during the weekend. For those of you interested in classes I am planning on offering some workshops soon.

I plan on making more blog posts leading up to this event so please check in regularly.  In tomorrow's post I'll tell you a bit more about what's in the photograph above....

Best,

Delana

I'm not worthy.....yet

Lucio_March_2012 045
Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak
Ah! The workshop with Lucio was....well....just absolutely wonderful....and eye opening! I am busy attempting the techniques he presented to us during the workshop but the one thing I came away with was a high regard not only for the execution of the craft but with the high quality of the final piece. Since taking the workshop I have been toiling in the studio to do justice to the forms that Lucio shared with us but it will be many hours and a great deal of glass before I feel comfortable sharing my meager pieces with the world outside my studio. On the other hand…I am saving my practice pieces and may even make an exhibition of the evolution involved in the creative learning process….meanwhile, I am gearing up for my open door in April….so check back to see what unfolds.


YouTube link of Lucio’s masterpiece

Higher Education

For some time now I have wanted to take a class with Lucio Bubacco. I thought I'd have to travel to Italy but, thanks to Miriam Steger of Facet Design I only have to drive 1 1/2 hours to the Netherlands to enjoy three days of his company and instruction. There is an added bonus....I get to meet up with other lampworkers. Some of my fellow workshop attendees are known friends of mine and others will be new acquaintances! This is the wonderful world of beadmakers! I have already packed my camera and I will have photos available on Flickr. Of course...as these things go...I will be riding on a high but exhausted by Sunday evening so do understand and have patience if the photos are not uploaded before Tuesday.

Spring has sprung...well almost.

Delana Loevbak

Back in the studio again and producing beads with lots of color and these little cuties. Question is...what to do with them. Suggestions.....??

Of course I've listed them on Etsy but I don't mind keeping them for myself. That's one of the joys of making things....you don't have to put a price on your creations if you don't want to.