Recovering Self

The past month has been particularly challenging since the theft of all of my lampworking tools from a storage shed in Spanish Fork.  Oddly, they targeted mostly my personal business things...35 mm cameras, glass rod, brand new kiln, 2 huge buckets old vintage glass that I had found during a 10 year period in California and Nevada, my glassworking cabinet and tools, all my shells, stones and sand from Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo...and a few other things.  It is difficult not to get really, really angry and bitter, but I have done it through focusing on the future and some new techniques while I have some moments between packing.  

The move to our permanent mountain home is this weekend.  Members of our ward are helping us get our things up there from Spanish Fork.  I can't wait!!!  This house in town has become cumbersome...dark and energy-sucking.  Keeping myself sane has been interesting in itself...so in a fit or desperation I started playing with wooden beads, glass paints, acrylics and gold leaf.  What I have come up with is a faux glass bead that mimics lampwork.  (Photos coming soon)

I will be slowly replacing my lampworking tools and getting my studio up.  

Hey, thieves...my expensive glass beads were never in the storage shed!  You didn't get the good stuff in those 400 pounds you stole!  That was the India cheap glass.   I was smart enough to keep the good stuff with me.  So you didn't completely destroy my livelihood...you just postponed me a little with some things.  Yeah, you got me a little depressed, but...Since then...I HAVE GOTTEN NEW IDEAS.  

Don't you know...you can't KILL AN ARTISTS SPIRIT!  We are strong...we are creative, innovative and imaginative.  You, obviously, are not.  Real artists, Real Creative People DO NOT STEAL OTHER ARTIST'S STUFF!  IDIOTS!!!

Ahhh, that's better.  I have needed that scream for awhile.  :)

I have some ideas for polymer clay that I want to try when I get "home."  So next week I will be alternating between going through all our stuff, tallying up what I need to replace and playing with art.  I want to try some cane work and introducing different textures from various types of sands, bark and other objects from the area.  We'll see.