Glass Designs By Delana

Special Market in Woluwe St. Lambert

2011-11-29T01:48:00.001-08:00

Small is Beautiful Market
Saturday 3 December, 2011
11.00 - 18.00
Ave. E. Vanderveldlaan 90, 1200 Woluwe St. Lambert

I am very excited about this market!!! The thing that impresses me so about it is that the items on offer seem to be, not only high in quality, but different from the other markets I tend to participate in at this time of year. I've had a look at the floor layout sent to the vendors and I see stands selling: Japanese tea and tea leaves; Australian Bush flower essences, accessories from Copenhagen and Milan, Owa beer (got to try that!!). There are also handmade clothes for children and adults, pewter tableware (I've got some of this myself and I must say it IS lovely!!), wine charms and more....plus I'll be there with my beads ;-). The organizers are working VERY hard to make this a wonderful experience for one and all so please do drop by this Saturday for a little look. I like to chat so please don't hesitate to stop by my table and say hi. I enjoy sharing information about my work even if people don't buy from me so don't be shy....we're all there to enjoy ourselves and have a good time.

Visit the market Blog for more information.

Delana

Early Christmas Cheer!!!

2011-11-14T05:38:00.001-08:00

Well Well Well!! It is that time of year once again! I will say, once again, that I will be doing my best to keep this blog up to date and (hopefuly) interesting as the Holiday Season fast approaches. I think short but sweet will do for now since I need to be busy in the studio this coming week. For now I'd like to make sure you are all aware of an upcoming Christmas Market.

This weekend I will be happily participating in the 46th Annual AWCB Holiday Bazaar. This bazaar is a HUGE two day event and hosts vendors from all over Europe. You can find out more information by visiting The AWCB website

If you would like a rare look at photos of my recent efforts in my studio visit my Flickr photostream.

Wishing everybody a great week ahead!

Delana

'The Line-up'

2011-06-15T11:36:00.001-07:00

Things have been coming together slowly in the studio! I’m please but trying not to get too excited about it since I believe high expectations occasionally stifle the creative process. Sometimes creating something (anything) comes from sticking with what you know and what you feel comfortable with. As mentioned in earlier postings, I’m a bit homesick at the moment so beach themed beads are what I keep coming up with even though my mind may start out elsewhere when I first sit down to the torch. The beads in the line-up above are my latest pieces and even the one ‘garden’ bead would remind me of sea-grass on the Florida pan-handle beaches. Each of these beads were supposed to be sets when I picked the glass colors and lit the torch but you see what came of ‘planning’ That’s the lovely thing about working in the flame…..sometimes the glass just decides for you! ;-D

Etsy etc.

2011-06-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

I've been making a real attempt to keep my online shop up to date and active. I find that, while I really like having an online shop, it can be time consuming to keep it going. I guess I feel that the time I spend taking photos, editing photos, coming up with descriptive details, setting prices, and networking is time not spent in the studio creating. But.....I REALLY like Etsy! I love the look and ambiance of the whole site and the community feeling and the way it is constantly being updated to make it easier to post and get to know other shop owners. And it makes sense to invest some time in my little shop. I’m not doing a lot of markets right now so listing some of my works on Etsy means that they get to be seen. Instead of putting them away for markets this fall I’m giving ‘the right person’ a chance to find one of my beads. With this frame of mind I'm organizing my week into days focused in the studio and days spent tending to the on-line shop and also making a concentrated effort to keep my stock at home well stored, and the studio kept neat and tidy. One ‘goal’ for me was to get involved in some teams and I’m very happy that I have been accepted into the warm group that is The Etsy European Street Team. Another goal is to make a treasury and share it with others so with that in mind I’m going to leave you here and make my first Etsy Treasury. Thanks for reading….oh and more beads are on the way….I’m planning on making a new post later today or tomorrow.

Keep it Simple!

2011-06-01T06:11:00.001-07:00

Sigh....things just haven't been going well at the torch lately but the other day a thought struck me. Am I getting too focused on the production side of things? Am I expecting too much from myself by trying to make complicated designs? I promised myself several months ago that I was going to slow down this year. The plan was to focus on making beads etc. for the pure joy of it and not for the business side of things. Ok, I don't have to put food on the table with this but I do need to cover my 'costs' and if you like to take as many workshops as I do you will know that costs can be pretty high. (Plus I have a real love for tools and gadgets and this doesn't help to keep money in my account.) So....yesterday I decided to sit down at the torch and work with two colors and make a simple bead. I pulled a fairly thin stringer of intense black and grabbed a rod of ivory glass and lit the torch. As a result a couple of nice focals came out of the kiln this morning and I'm happy so maybe this is the end of the dry spell. The photo above is of the best bead from yesterday's session. More photos of some beads from last week can be seen on my flickr account.

Back from a break...(another break)

2011-04-14T08:34:00.001-07:00

Ah...having a Finnish Spitz is time consuming and tiring! Don’t get one of these dogs unless you have a great deal of time to spend on training them. Anyway…..I’ve been itching to get back in the studio lately but again…time and energy are not things I have in surplus these days so I have a plan….. Step one: Take care of all the commissioned work that I’ve been putting off. Step two: Start restocking the Etsy on-line shop. Step three: Get my act together and make an inventory of all my glass, beads, findings, finished works etc. Step four: Get the Facebook page and blog going again. Step five: Try to balance my time and energy better. Progress so far: Steps one, two and four are well underway. Step three….ummm…..I’m still procrastinating (sigh) Step five, hmmm…I’ll probably be working on this for the rest of my existence. Wish me luck and don’t give up on the blog. I do want to keep it going so check in from time to time and you might be rewarded with a new post.

Flame-On 2010

2010-10-25T05:07:00.001-07:00

Click here to see more photos on Flickr

I've been very quiet lately! That's uncharacteristic of me I know! But do believe me when I say I have been very busy! A new puppy is like having a baby so I have been torching when Amigo sleeps. I’m busy right now finishing things up for the Flame-On next weekend. I’m actually getting a bit nervous about this event and I sometimes wonder, ‘Why, oh why did I decide to display and sell my beads there again this year?!’ Like most creative people I am my own worst critic and I can have scary thoughts that maybe my work isn’t up to scratch so to speak. When these thoughts and doubts creep into my head I have to remind myself of a few things.

One: I will always find something to wrong if I look hard enough.

Two: Would I ever really consider myself ‘good enough’?

Three: I had a blast last year and everyone was so nice.

Four: It is not about sales! Yes I said it!

The main reason I want a table is so I can meet people. If I go alone or with a couple of friends and I’m milling about I might make a few new acquaintances but if I have a table there people will approach me and they’ll talk to me…..and…..well…..that’s what it’s all about really! A few years back I was so envious of lampworkers in other parts of the world. They had forums, gatherings, a good selection of suppliers, in short, they had a lampwork community. I felt frustrated and alone….these days, thanks to certain folks, (and I hope you know who you are) lampworkers in the Benelux have a growing community! HURRAY!!

So if you are coming to the Flame-On please stop by my table and say hi!

2010-07-29T01:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I have no bead news for the moment….summer holidays and all that…..but I just wanted to share some exciting family news.

I am just bouncing off the walls!!!! Soon we will have our newest family member home!!!! The puppies are now almost 4 weeks old and are starting to develop their very own little personalities! I get regular updates and photos from the breeder and almost feel a part of the process although the only things I have been able to do so far is shop and mend the fence. Erik and I went out and spent money on a kennel, toys, treats, a little collar and a lead. Yesterday we dug up 4 broken fence posts! I’m telling you it was true manual work! This is the only ‘training’ I have done since our return from Norway and it really feels good to get out and use my ‘muscles’.

We will bring our little ‘Amigo’ home 25 August! We have planned a family trip up and will stop for a couple of days in Windsor and London then spend a couple of days in Carmarthenshire Wales. Although we have neighbors looking after the house while we are gone I have booked our cat ‘Miss Marple’ a.k.a. Pookie in a five start cat hotel. I think it best we get Amigo home and let him settle in for a day before Pooks meets him. I know she will not be best pleased about our newest family member. She is calm after spending a few days in the cat hotel so I hope this will help her to have a more positive outlook on the whole puppy business. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

More puppy photos on my Flickr account.

Delana

A New Family Member

2010-07-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

The summer holidays are upon us and all should be quiet on the Blog for the next couple of months while I wind down and enjoy some family time and travels. I just thought I'd wish everyone a wonderful summer and post the latest news:

I have exciting news for those of you who have been following the puppy saga! The puppies arrived a day early on 2 July. Three boys and one girl were delivered by C-section. Mom and pups are doing well! Needless to say our family is very excited now and we just can’t wait until we can see our newest family member and finally bring him home! We hope to travel together to Wales to visit the breeder and meet mom and the puppies sometime in early August. We would like to combine this trip with a stop over in London to see the sights and have a small family holiday together. And, if we can make this early trip, we will choose one of the males then. Of course the breeder may have a puppy she suggests we take and if we can’t make it for an early visit we will trust her recommendation. Since most Finnish Spitz look alike the main consideration for us is temperament and all of these puppies should be of sound body and temperament since they come from very good stock. We have pretty much decided on the name. We will call him Amigo. And I am over the moon since this will be my companion and sidekick not to mention my in-studio mascot! We should be able to bring Amigo home the last weekend in August so watch this space for more photos and news about the newest member of our family.

Just incase you were interested I am enclosing a photo of mom and a link to the website with a photo of dad at http://www.kunniakas-finnish-spitz.co.uk/dogpage.php?dog_ID=1.

You can visit the website of Mom's kennel at http://www.finnishspitzonline.com/

Happy Summer Holidays to you all!!!

Delana

Finished Bracelets!!

2010-06-26T07:16:00.001-07:00

2010_06_24 001_01
Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

I have finally finished the bracelets I mentioned in my last post and have new photos on Flickr. I am so very happy with these beads and just over the moon that my client likes them and appreciates their worth. On the down side, I had planned to keep the bracelet she didn’t choose for myself but since she took both of them I guess I’ll just go without until I can get down in the studio and make another one for me.

2010-06-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

I'm walking on air! I had a commission to make a bracelet for a dress. I came up with two bracelets and asked my customer to come with her dress and let me know what she thought. I was a bit nervous since I had way underestimated the price and even more nervous when she brought her husband along. She tried both on for size and couldn’t make up her mind so she told her husband….’These are an investment. Let’s get both.’ I used to cringe when someone asked me for a bespoke piece....I think I'm changing my mind! I have really enjoyed coming up with something that matches her dress perfectly and the fact is that I know she will treasure these pieces for a long time. It really made me happy that she recognized my work as an investment. I have not yet finished the bracelets for her. I wanted to make sure she was happy with them and I wanted to fit them for her so they sit on her arm just right. The beads are on my flicker account under the bracelet set and I will certainly post photos of the finished bracelets before they leave my hands.

This is not my first commissioned work but I can tell you that the high I get when someone really loves something I make never fades….I hope to be able to work with glass for many years to come and I know every time someone falls in love with my work this feeling will be just as strong.

Meet another Lampwork artist

2010-06-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

What a lazy ‘blogger’ I’ve turned out to be! I guess I’ve been feeling kind of lonely here and I just haven’t had much to say. This is not at all like the ‘real’ me so I endeavour to do better!

I did have a very productive session in the studio yesterday and have a nice batch of beads to photograph later today. As soon as I get them up on Flickr I shall sound the trumpets!

My main reason for this post is to mention a fellow lampwork artist.

The woman behind Pegasus Lampwork is Beverley Edge. I met Beverley at the first Flame-On in the Netherlands in October 2009. Beverley and I were neighbours at this event and we had a lovely chat when we weren’t talking to people ogling our beads. I have long admired Bev’s work and I was just pleased to bits when she agreed to a bead swap with me! I plan on attending the upcoming Flame-On this year and I don’t know if Bev will be there or not but if she is I hope we are neighbours again. It would be lovely to have a chat with her! You can visit Beverley at: ‘Pegasus Lampwork’

2010-05-03T04:49:00.000-07:00

Spring has been very good this year here in Belgium! I'm a bit late with this but here is a photo of spring flowers in my garden. To view a few more flower photos feel free to visit my Flickr photostream via the link to the right of your screen. I hope that they will at least brighten your day and will give some of you creative inspiration.

ByDelana - Glass Designs - Home

2010-03-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

ByDelana - Glass Designs - Home

2010-03-02T01:19:00.001-08:00

In Memory

Vinny
26 June 1997 – 01 March 2010
We have lost a very much loved member of our family. Those who met Vinny know what he meant to us. To say that he was a good dog is a gross understatement. To say that he was the best possible dog for our family is only adequate.

He had no vices. He was a gentleman. He was a true ambassador for his species. He was never aggressive to people. He viewed every one he met as a potential friend and playmate. Everyone who met him instantly connected with him. He was even loved by people who were afraid of dogs.

I remember well a Halloween party we held for Emil and Erik years ago. A little ‘princess’ named Brooke was on the guest list and her parents were worried about Vinny since she was terrified of dogs. We assured them we would keep Vinny in his pen. When they came to pick her up she was sitting with Vinny inside his pen petting him. That’s the kind of dog he was. He was just easy to be around.

His many hobbies included running after the neighbour’s cats and chasing rabbits in the fields where we took our walks. He was too big and heavy to catch either so we indulged him.

He was trusting. Too trusting….A favourite game of mine was to point in a random direction while out walking in the fields and say, ‘Did you see that rabbit…there he goes…go get that rabbit!’ He fell for it every time, running off in my indicated direction at top speed until I called him back.

And he always came back. He always did exactly as he was told. People credit me with that since I spent the best part of two years with him in dog school. But I think it was more his nature than my firm hand that made him so reliably obedient.

He adored pancakes and would sit next to me in the kitchen as I cooked them with full knowledge that he was allowed one when we were finished at the table.

When he could still manage the stairs to my studio he constantly kept me company there. Sometimes just popping down to let me know that there was a cat in the garden that needed to be chased off, sometimes sleeping there while I worked, occasionally sitting right next to me with his head on my lap.

Someone once asked me why I wanted a Border Collie. ‘I want a dog that will play fetch with the boys until he drops or until they get tired of the game.’….I got exactly what I wanted and so much more. He was always ready to play…always eager to learn a new trick.

In the end he held on to life as he lived it, with gusto and determination. His spirit was not willing to go but his body just couldn’t keep up. He was gently put to sleep at home with his family around him.

I have lost my children’s guardian and best playmate, my running partner, my friend and my companion at home and in the studio. The house is a lonely place without him. For me there is a colossal chasm left in his absence.

Sometime this spring, when we are ready, his ashes will be scattered over the fields he loved to run in. Maybe he’ll finally catch his rabbit.

Curved mandrels and Royal Tombs

2010-01-23T08:45:00.001-08:00

First of all curved mandrels! Well Well!! I am really impressed with them! I ordered six (I rarely buy one of anything) from Zooziis ( www.zooziis.com )and could not wait to try them out when they arrived. Amy at Zooziis very kindly suggested a bead release to use on them so it was easy to remove the beads from the mandrels (something I was nervous about since I worked the beads in the flame for a LONG time)I will say that you will need to get used to working with them. I found that I get best results when turning them like I'm turning a crank (I do hope that makes sense)

Where does the Royal Tomb come in? Well the reason I ordered the mandrels in the first place was because I was inspired to make a curved bead from a photo I saw in a book, 'The History of Beads' by Lois Sherr Dublin. The book was a Christmas present from my son and the photo was of an agate bead found in a royal Mesopotamian tomb. Of course my bead looks much different from the 'original’. You can see more photos of this bead on my Flickr account.

Never underestimate the work of an artist!

2010-01-20T23:38:00.000-08:00

I’ve been getting ready for another open studio weekend and this old Chinese fable has been on my mind lately so I thought I’d share it. (The open studio will be in March and I always like to prepare way ahead.)

There was once an artist who specialized in drawing Roosters. He travelled from village to village with his work and everyone marvelled at the realistic qualities of his art.

One day a rich patron asked the artist to draw a tiger for him. ‘Oh, I have no experience drawing Tigers.’ said the artist. ‘When I come back next time I will do my best to draw you a Tiger.’

The patron was satisfied with this and told the artist to call on him the next time he passed through the village. The artist went away and for nearly a year he practiced drawing nothing but tigers. A year later, when he was happy with his work, the artist passed through the village and called on the rich patron. The artist knew this man was extremely particular about everything so the artist had waited until calling upon the man to draw for him. He wanted to make sure he drew the tiger exactly as his patron wanted. So, after listening to the man for a while and understanding precisely what he desired the artist quickly and efficiently drew a tiger. He handed the work over to the patron who was very happy and said, ‘Yes! This is wonderful! You have given me exactly what I want! I will buy this drawing! How much is it?’ The artist told the patron his price. ‘WHAT!?’ said the patron. ‘That is very expensive! I mean to say it only took you a couple of minutes to draw this for me.’

The moral of the story: Never underestimate the amount of effort, time, passion, thought, imagination and (last but certainly not least) soul that goes into art and hand crafted works!

The Woman behind the blog

2010-01-16T01:24:00.000-08:00

Some of you who are FB friends may have seen this already but I thought I'd post it here as well....A while back a high school friend sent me a request to list 25 Random things about me. At first I thought....this is silly, I don't have time for this an no one is really interested, but after a couple of days I found I did have little snippets of info I'd like to share with people. In a way this was a great way to reunite with old friends and intoduce my self to new friends so....Even if you've no time to read this maybe it will get you thinking about making your own list. And maybe you'll find a couple of surprises along the way.

25 Random things about Delana

1. I’m am and always have been a Florida girl down to the core! I love collecting shells on the beach! You know what they say: “You can take the girl away from the beach but you’ll never get all of the sand out of her pants….I mean shoes”

2. I spent a lot of hours in the 70’s and 80’s with my blow-dryer, curling iron and hot rollers trying to have hair like Farrah Faucet….I want those hours back!!

3. The only way for me to truly learn a foreign language is ‘on the pillow’. This explains why I only ever (almost) mastered Norwegian after nearly 20 years of living in Europe. It also means that if I ever master French or Netherlands Tom has a right to be suspicious!

4. I love to travel but when I’m not on holiday I’m a real ‘home body’. The best place for me to be in the evenings is at home with my family….oh, and DON’T mess with my evening routine!

5. My husband and two sons are gems!!! I could go on for pages but the main thing is I’m blissfully happy, consider myself extremely lucky and wouldn’t change a thing!

6. I feel landlocked in Belgium but other than that I’m happy here. (Yes Belgium has a coast but remember I’m a FLORIDA Girl !!)

7. I’m first and foremost a stay at home mom and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

8. I so enjoy teaching fitness classes and I'm lucky to have lovely clients!!

9. I get so much pleasure creating things from glass but still have a problem calling myself an artist.

10. I’m a ‘kitchen sink’ kind of gal…if I can get it in my bag it’s going with me!!

11. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was trekking in the Himalayas in June 2008 with my good friend Perina….the second hardest was boot camp! Childbirth was a breeze!

12. I managed to serve over 10 years in the U.S. Navy without ever being posted on something grey!! (For my sea duty I was posted to Antigua the Azores and SHAPE Belgium!! It was a tough life!)

13. My one regret is turning down a posting to Antarctica….how many people do you know who can tell you they’ve been on all 7 continents? I’ll save it for the next life!

14. My favorite chocolate is Neuhaus!

15. I LOVE to dance!!

16. BEADS....oh don't get me started! I LOVE making them! I LOVE meeting other people who make them! I LOVE meeting people who like them! I truely believe they bring people together! Glass is FANTASTIC!!

17. I’m emotionally high strung and after years of wishing I was different I’m learning to accept that this is just part of my 'charm'.

18. On 'days off' you're likely to find me in my studio creating away while still in my favorite jim-jams!

19. I’m a control freak…but I’m learning to deal with it!

20. I am proud that Tom and I made the effort to raise our boys with a rich understanding of their Norwegian and American backgrounds.

21. I believe that Tom and I were meant to be together and will be with each other always! (After all I’m terribly spoiled and have too many bad habits to live with anyone else!)

22. I don’t like to watch sports…except men’s rugby and men’s speed skating….It took Tom a long time to figure out I don’t care who is playing/competing or who wins! It is all about the legs!

23. My two favorite modern fictional characters are Captain Jack Sparrow and Sirius Black. I always was attracted to the guys who were most likely to get you into trouble!.....but I married a prince!

24. I like shoes and bags but not in a weird Imelda Marcos kind of way.

25. I never intend to ‘act my age’ or to let a number stop me from doing anything!

Maybe you can make your own list now....don't forget to tag me if we are friends on Facebook or if you are a 'Fan' of Bydelana on Facebook

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T06:14:00.001-08:00

2009_12_24 010_a
Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

2009 has been an excellent year! And this Christmas has been wonderful...we all enjoy being together as a family 97% of the time at least ;-) I count myself very lucky to have a lovely family, plenty of good friends and a growing number of people who appreciate my work. I wish everyone a Magical Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-- Charles Dickens

Beads with Personality

2009-12-19T00:00:00.001-08:00

Well....I haven’t posted in a while. I do hope you haven’t missed me ;-) Of course it’s a busy time now with Christmas right around the corner. I’ve had plenty to keep me occupied. Right….on to business!!

I’ve had the odd chance to wander around Etsy and some other websites and look at other people’s beads. Some of these people I know well thanks to the growing community of Lampwork artists here in the Benelux. Some people I don’t know at all….never even heard of them before I stumbled across them online. While intruding on these peoples private bit of cyber space I don’t just look at the beads but I notice the website and most important if there is a profile or bio page I always read it. The point I’m getting at here is that there is a personality that goes with the bead. How many bead-makers have you heard say that they put a part of themselves in their beads? Beads made by independent or self-representing artists have that extra edge….an extra facet to what they are. Every lampwork bead has a character of its own and the person who made it is reflected in the work.

Two recently viewed bios that stick in my mind are from two artists I don’t know personally…

Hagit Lahav from Israel http://www.etsy.com/shop/CelebrationOriginal

Ayako Hattori from Japan http://www13.ocn.ne.jp/~shiro-ya/indexenglish.html

I love their work and I like the short personal bios they share with their online visitors.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Never pass up an oportunity!

2009-12-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

My new motto!! Last night I went to a small market in Tervuren. I was a bit pressed for time and wanted to get in and out fairly quickly. Someone I knew told me that there was a jewelry designer there who might be interested in my beads. My first thought was 'I don't have time for networking tonight.' I almost left...then the thought occurred to me that I have not been in the habit lately of turning down opportunities to promote my work. Well I went back to the market and found the designer and we had a lovely chat. She was a really warm girl. We talked for a good time and she confessed she loved making finished pieces….I confessed that I just wanted to make beads and not too much jewelry (finished pieces)….she works with metals…I work with glass…we both feel that we can complement each other’s work. She was excited about the idea of coming to my studio for a visit and a demonstration…I was intrigued at the thought that we could work on a special piece together. New Contact…possibly a new friend….opportunity dually seized!

I’ve said it before, beads bring people together. So…whether you are a jewelry designer, lampwork artist, shop owner etc….Never pass up the chance to make a new acquaintance….you never know what kind of doors will open up to you! One more thing….competition is NOT a negative thing!! I really mean it! The work that other people do is different. Not better or worse. Make friends and take yourself lightly. Life is meant to be enjoyed. It shouldn’t be a slog.

O.k….I’m climbing off the ‘soap box’ now…sermon over ;-)

Good help is NOT hard to find.....

2009-12-03T23:46:00.001-08:00

mkt_mont_2009_19
Originally uploaded by Delana Loevbak

.....when you have a very nice family! My family is always willing to jump in and lend a hand when I need it. Emil (my oldest) came along to help pack everything away for the Montessori Market. He even lent a helping hand to some other market vendors. He's a really nice guy.

Thanks Emil!

2009-11-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

Well, my last market of this Christmas season was yesterday. I can say that I really do enjoy meeting people and getting to know what kind of home my beads are going to. I have plans to sell more online but I think I will miss chatting with people too much to sell online only! Feel free to view the latest market photos and more on my Flickr account

I'm wondering now if I shouldn't hold one more (small) open door before Christmas....I'll keep you posted

My Musings About Beads!! (and other nonsense)

2009-11-12T04:28:00.000-08:00

I'm busy preparing for markets this weekend and next so I'm posting a little letter I have available on my table at markets and shows. It is kind of a 'meet the artist' thing. I hope it lets you get to know me and my passion for beads a little better:

I’m quite chatty and I never miss the opportunity to rave about glass beads! So I thought I’d take this chance to ponder the mystery of beads with you.

For most lampwork artists (myself included) making glass beads is a passion. I’ve thought a great deal about this and I just marvel at the important role beads have played in human history. Beads have been used as currency, to assert social status, as talismans and to express personal and religious beliefs.

Throughout history various cultures have used beads to protect children, win lovers, and buy livestock. We have decorated ourselves, as well as our spears, bows, horses and homes with them. We’ve even buried our ancestors with them so that they can pass comfortably into the afterlife.

When I went to India in 2008 and 2009 I took a big bag of my ‘practice’ beads with me. It was truly amazing how they helped me connect with people. I actually traded them for souvenirs and trinkets! But the main thing they brought was human interaction! Magical!

What is it about a little piece of stone or bone (or glass for that matter) that you can string on a bit of…something…and wear? What is this connection? Whatever it is and whoever you are; fellow lampwork artist, jewelry designer, equipment supplier, or fellow human with a bead interest, I’m very happy to make your acquaintance.

For me making friends and building a network of like minded people is an important part of my work. So you can keep an eye on me (some would say I need watching) on Facebook, Blogger and Etsy. (links are available on my site www.bydelana.com.) You can also request to join my email list.

Wherever your interests in beads take you I wish you an enjoyable journey!

Delana

International Montessori School Christmas Market

2009-11-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

Savoorke, Bergestraat 24, 3080 Tervuren

Saturday 21 November, 2009 10.00 to 17.00

A Christmas market with the emphasis on beautifully handcrafted presents. Feel free to invite your friends or pass this information on to anyone you feel may be interested.

2009-11-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

I have uploaded a whole batch of photos on Flickr. Enjoy

2009-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing around with the new world of 'blogging' so I thought I'd post a link to my first ever interview..In the Brussels Bulletin

Also: In case you weren't aware, dear reader.....I also have an online shop and a facebook page.

By Delana on Etsy

By Delana on Facebook

2009-11-05T04:33:00.000-08:00

The muse is calling me but I have no time to get down to the studio because my dear mother-in-law is visiting....sigh....I just can't work when I have house guests! I have tried to think of it as 'going to the office' but just can't concentrate...I've made one bead since the Flame-On. That was this morning and I just can't get in the groove....I have all of these ideas floating around in my head but just can't sit at the torch.....GRRRR!

Rant over....back to enjoying the moment and looking forward to next week when I can get back to my usual routine!

2009-11-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

The Flame On was an absolute blast!!! It was great to meet fellow lampwork artists as well as jewelry designers, bead shop owners, glass suppliers etc. I will certainly do my best to be at the next one in 2010.

2009-10-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to 'My Blog'. To be quiet honest with you I'm still not sure (a) what a blog is and (b) how it is suppose to help me promote my glassy creations. However, if you're here and if you are interested enough to follow or at least have a peak in every once in a while don't forget to say Hi will you....Those of you who really know me know how gregarious (and chatty) I am ;-)

Now about what I am doing: Today is the last possible day for me to get myself ready for the Flame-On in The Netherlands. I still have a lot to do so I'll just end this first and somewhat unimpressive post by saying that I hope to see you there and if you can not make it I guess I'll post photos soon....after all that's what you're supposed to do with a blog....right?