February 28, 2010 - Something new

Howdy. It's been too long I know. What can I say but it's winter and everything in me goes a bit slower. The temps are very slowly rising and although I have sympathy for those out east getting more white stuff they can handle I'm not missing it here in Wisconsin. But then I'm not a huge winter sports participant. There are many here who love to get on the slopes and the ice rink. Judging from the piles still out there I think they're pretty happy. With only one big storm in December it's been pretty normal here. The temps do seem to be lower than the average but next week there's hope of reaching almost 40. I hear birds singing and steady drip of melting snow. Music to the ears.

I've been making lamps for 5 years now. Didn't know a thing when I started. I know a little more now. I've pretty much kept to the same materials of wood and paper. This year I'm in the need for some new inspiration and ideas so it's a year of exploration. I'm not planning on doing any art fairs in 2010, sorry, unless of course something comes up out of the blue. I'm just not good at the outdoor art fair thing. It's hard to display lit lamps in bright sunlight and the weather is a never ending source of anxiety for me. My lamps are basically box kites when a big wind hits. Except their tendency is to crash rather than fly. So this year I'm in learning mode and the first is glass. It's taken me way to long to start exploring this very flexible medium.

I'm starting simple. The photo above is my first stained glass project against a rather stark winter background. It's pretty good for my first time. There's a few rough edges. I'm taking a class at The Vinery here in Madison and hope to take a few more. Fusing is next on the list. I have to say it went better than expected. But then I didn't push myself too hard with the first project in terms of difficulty. I just wanted to learn the basics. My next step is to start thinking about how glass might be used in some of my current lamp styles, the first and most simple being the Iotta box lamp. But down the road I'm hoping to find new and imaginative ways to integrate wood, paper, glass and any number of materials to create something unique. I'm definitely getting inspired.

My biggest challenges were: 1) Choosing the glass. There's a lot to choose from and I'm used to just flipping through paper swatches to find what I want. 2) Cutting the pieces to fit. I did pretty good but this is where practice and experience are really going to help. I was surprised at how little pressure is needed to score the glass. 3) Soldering is definitely a challenge. Getting a smooth rounded bead is not simple. But the good news is that you don't have to get it right the first time. You can re-melt the solder and strive for something better. Overall I'm pretty proud of my first project. I'll keep you abreast of my next project, in fact I'll be working on a pattern today.

Talk to you soon. Next posting will be about some cool products that use wood in some unconventional ways. m

February 19, 2010 - Well, it's unique

I like to bring you the latest in lamp design. Here's one that seems to be getting some attention. It's called the Less Lamp. It's designed by Jordi Canudas and when you bring it home it's a sealed egg of a lampshade. Only a little light escapes through a hole in the top. Your job is to use the specially designed pick hammer and chip away until you're happy with the result. You can poke a pattern into the shell or chop off a chunk. A truly interactive lamp design. Only $875. You better get it right the first time. m

February 14, 2010 - Happy Valentine's Day

February 2, 2010 - I love Retro Futurism

All images are reblogged from Dark Roasted Blend.

January 17, 2010 - Inspirations 1

Beautiful collages by Mark Wouters, an artist from the Netherlands. m

Januray 16, 2010 - Transitions

sometimes we stare too long

at the door that is closing,

that we don't see the one

that is opening.

What little of 2010 has passed has given me the feeling that this is a transition year for me. Actually the feeling has been building for awhile now. It's time to stop looking at the closing door and look for the one that's opening. So bear with me as over the next string of posts I explore, with the hope that it leads me to…well, something new. m

Januray 10, 2010 - For a friend

A very good friend of mine called early this morning to tell me her mother had died. It was quite sudden as her mom seemed to be in quite good health. What went through my mind are all the stories she's told me about her mom—how she often had to go because she needed to get her desk organized but it just never seemed to happen, how on a visit she was intensely determined to show her daughter that a little elbow grease could get that pesky commode absolutely clean and almost killed herself to make it so, how on a visit she and her grandson got along so very well, without any of that family angst that my friend felt on occasion. I wish my friend and her family much sympathy and also the hope that over the next week they will find and revel in all those wonderful memories of their mom and celebrate her life.

In honor of my friend here is a list from the Dalai Lama called Instructions for Life. Please take it to heart and take a minute to remember those you love. I'm sure many of you have seen this before but it never hurts to remind yourself.

1) Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2) When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3) Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, and taking Responsibility for all your actions.

4) Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5) Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6) Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7) When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8) Spend time alone everyday.

9) Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10) Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11) Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12) A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13) In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14) Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15) Be gentle with the earth.

16) Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17) Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18) Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19) Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

m