... today

... but before I start I want to tell you about yesterday. I woke to find that I received not 1 but 2 sunshine awards from some very special people I know. Thank you Margie and Sandee - what a fabulous way to start the day. I was busy! It didn't start off like that but before I knew it, I had managed to get thru a heap of paperwork, (create a lot more in the process) sort more orders and make my way over to the gallery to check on my work. Have you managed to have a look yet? The exhibition continues to the end of the month ... catch it if you can !

... today I'm off with a friend to attend a morning tea where Nikki Tervo is the guest speaker. Nikki is an expert button maker and I am thrilled to meeting another artisan who uses buttons in her craft. These are some of my art~glass buttons I have been working on! Ciao for now - Liz x

... getting ready

... for the BrisStyle Designer Markets, that is! Only less than 2 weeks away but enough time to send me into a mad panic! I know, you've read it before. I always try to plan ahead but my calendar already has way too much stuff on it!

Enough already! I wanted to show you some new work - funky chunky wearable art glass neck wear! Big and bold and very purple. Purple is my all time favorite colour and I'm so pleased that the fashion God's have deemed it to be "in" this season.

New purple work from me sees a change in "look" for this season - big, bold hand made glass beads, surface decorated with contrasting colours and stung on silver clasped leather lengths - just luscious and perfect for wearing over long sleeve T's or light weight jumpers!

I'm also getting ready from my felted bead workshops "Variations on a theme" being held at Mad Monnies over a series of nights during the month of March. Need more info? Feel free to drop me a line.

make this.....

from materials like these!

The workshop held over a 2 week period, will focus on making felt beads and decorating them using embroidery techniques or applying delicas and small seed beads. Small handmade art-glass bead kits (in complementing colour schemes) will be available for purchase if you wish to create work similar to this. Talk soon - Liz x

... tres cool

functional and funky

... it's been a very frustrating week! Last week I misplaced my usual protective eye wear I use to make my glass beads. The glasses are made with a special protective lenses that protect the eye from harsh light made when the torch melts the glass.

I took them upstairs (mistake #1) and left them on the kitchen table (mistake #2) and then asked one of my boys to set the table for dinner (mistake #3) ... the rest is history!

So ... the glasses are "missing in action" but soon to be replaced with these groovy numbers. Aren't they fabulous? I can't wait for them to arrive and hope the postie brings them today! Ciao for now - Liz x

... ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

... love is all around

... did you feel it today? I certainly did! We had a very relaxing day today - the perfect way to end an incredibly hectic week. After brekky we hit the Portside Markets and were home by mid afternoon.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the spa - and this what I saw when I look up at the fence! Amazing don't you think? Well - I thought it was too cool!

Friday night's opening of the Women of Substance II exhibition was a huge success! So many people and wayyyyyyyyyyy too much champagne. Running late (as always) we arrived to a sea of faithfull followers spilling out from the gallery doors onto the pavement outside. It was wonderful to see so many fans, family and friends attending.

The Courier Mail today published and article about the exhibition - you can read the highlights here. No work to show on this electronic link but lots of lovely works written. Thanks again to all my faithful followers, all of whom continue to make my journey a "roller coaster ride" .... and thats the way I like it! Baci - Liz x

... colour inspired

beautiful silver sage, greens and greys

deep burgundy, fuchsia and crimson

My beads this week were inspired by the gorgeous merino wool roving that arrived on Tuesday for the Felted Bead workshop. The colours are amazing and had me scrambling down to the studio to find shades of glass colours that "compliment" the beautiful intense colours within the wool. The choices were easy - deep purple reds and gold pinks - Yum!

I will have these little lovelies on display at Mad Monnie's this week, along with design ideas for jewellery and fashion accessories. Pop down and have a look.

This week, my brand new "homeware" line of Art-glass Objects d'Art were delivered to Eclectic - a new concept store in Bowral that showcases interior decorating ideas, fine art and unique collectables. Thank you Shirley and Jim for your continued support of my work. If you are in the area, make sure you drop in and have look - would love to have your feedback! Talk soon - Liz

... wet and gray

hot pink love beads
hot spacers beads - in pink!

... made a few weeks ago but not photographed till the weekend - and a complete colour contrast to the weekend that just was. Wet weather days (which I just love) are perfect for getting all those "other" jobs done. You know the stuff - sorting, shuffling, surfing the net .....

I did manage to list new items in my shop, finish off some important paperwork (which was now very overdue) and pack and post some gallery items.

A walk in the rain on Sunday along the city's river walk was the perfect way to spend time with my boys - puddles, umbrellas and a cafe brunch. Fantastic! Talk soon - Liz

... paris dreaming

this is where my head is at the moment....

and here.....

... and really, a million miles from where it should be!

I know this is because my sister has just come back from a weekend in France. It's been on my mind now for the past week or so. It made me ache inside to want to be with her. Paris is beautiful and it was Emilia's first visit. I wish I'd been there to show off all my favourite places ....

You know, the places that you always visit again and again even though you've been there before, and the big gallery on the riverbank, and that wonderful cafe with the patisserie on the corner ...... *sigh*

Well there! It's off my chest now but I don't know if it will make me feel any better. I will struggle today to get thru my "other" to-do list. Wish me luck - au revoir.

** We took these photos the time before last - but they are still some of my favourites. Night time photography can be a bit tricky but I reallly like the tower image.