Starlight Designs Lampwork Beads and Jewelry

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Hi all! OK, it's only been a week this time ~ more like it, right?

I have several new items available! I really love the new tropical flowers series I'm doing, (as shown at right). They are so fun, and I have to say, quite pretty to boot. These are inspired by Susan of Doodletart Glass, a very talented glass artist and a member of www.wetcanvas.com. I just love Susan's work! It was only a matter of time before I tried some of her techniques. The flowers remind me of the beautiful leis I saw in Hawaii back when I had the very fortunate pleasure of visiting the islands in 1997. I lived in Florida at the time, and I brought home a sampling of the Plumeria (aka Frangipani), literally a "stick in a bag" and stuck in a pot to see what would happen. It actually grew into a small tree! By the time we left Florida in 2000, it had bloomed several times. I miss that tree... The flowers smell like pure heaven, it is very much my all-time favorite scent on earth.

My hand is doing much better now, too! I received many emails from people wishing me well, and all those prayers must have worked, because after a treatment of Prednisone and wearing a splint, the hand feels as good as new. I feel really blessed.

Still, not one to tempt fate, I have to be careful with it. So, I received an Electric Mandrel Spinner (a gift from my very dear friend Lois) and have started to learn how to use it. For now, I am using it to make simple beads (like the inexpensive focals shown below right, under the funky bracelet and earrings), until I can figure out a way to use it for most of my work. It is definitely going to take a LOT of practice, but I am very grateful to have the tool. Thank you, Lois!!!

Yesterday, I had a student here, Mary, from Lawton, OK. It had been quite a while since I had a student here, and we had the best of fun! She seemed to be a natural to beadmaking and asked me to show her many different techniques. It was really a treat having her here!

In a few days, we'll be leaving for the Buffalo River for our annual camping trip. The drive is just barely an hour north of here, and we're going back to our favorite campgrounds, Steel Creek. We'll be there from Wednesday to Sunday. My SIL will be caring for "the boys" (our kitties) while we are away, that is, if Chelsea doesn't decide to opt out and stay home. She thinks she is getting a summer cold, so we'll see...

We plan to hike to Hemmed In Hollow (HOPEFULLY the waterfall will be running!!!) and we plan to innertube from Ponca to Steel Creek. Should be a lot of fun, and yes, you can expect photos upon my return!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Hi all! Yikes! It's been over a month since I logged on here. My apologies for my long absence!

...So, why have I been away so long, you ask? No, I did not fall off the face of the planet. No, aliens did not abduct me. No, I was not in a coma, nothing like that.

Actually, I've been doing less beadmaking and more graphic design work due to an injury to my left hand. Through the years, repeated abuse while lampworking has finally taken it's toll and I've had to cut back. WAY back. The only torching I've been doing in the last month or so has been for custom orders only, in an attempt to rest the hand.

I saw a doctor and they gave me a splint for the hand and prescribed Prednisone, which I am still taking. I have begun to see some improvement and I have ordered an electric mandrel spinner and that should be arriving this week. I fully expect to be making beads again soon, but I might have to pace myself. It took years to create the damage and I imagine it may take quite a long time before the hand has fully recovered.

Meanwhile, as I said, I've been doing some freelance work as a typesetter/graphic designer for Robert D. Reed Publishers and I am thrilled to have to work. The people I work with are absolutely the finest of people and I hope to keep working for them on a long term basis. I have just completed one book for them and am almost finished with another. More books are coming in to work on and I'll back at it soon. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to continue to work from home, even if it isn't making beads full-time, which I really miss.

Anyway, soon we'll be on vacation, going camping again up at the Buffalo River here in Arkansas. We'll be gone from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14. It'll be a short, but very sweet vacation, and I'm sure we'll enjoy it. Summer is definitely approaching fast here in Arkansas!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hi all! Just a quick note, as I forgot to post this earlier... I'll be at the pARTy in the Park arts and crafts festival in Russellville, AR this Saturday, so come see me, if you can! :) The event is 10 - 4 with free admission, and will be held at the Russellville City Park. Email me for directions.

Tuesday, April 22, 2009

Hi all! New Aurora's Illusion beads plus a couple new items on etsy (shown at right).

In other news: We just celebrated Chelsea's 18th birthday ~ can you believe it? Some of you will remember when she was just starting out making beads when she was 12 years old. My, how time flies! Chelsea will be graduating from high school on May 22, in just one month!

I've been keeping busy with making beads, and working on other projects. I have even applied for a job in town. For the time being, I need to scale back on my time making beads to shorter sessions due to an increasingly painful problem with my left hand. I need to purchase an electric mandrel spinner, but unfortunately, they are really expensive, so I'm thinking of doing some sort of raffle or something to raise the money.

I have also been given the opportunity to return to my roots in graphic design and am in the process of acquiring the correct software for that.

Rest assured, though, that I will never stop making beads and I will keep the "home fires burning" with my torch... I'm actually looking forward to spending more time being creative and less time on production. You're bound to see some new stuff from me in the process!

It's all good!

Hugs!!! ~Debby

Monday, April 13, 2009

Hi all! My new series seems to be a hit! I am really excited about these! I have four more to list and I made a couple more today, so keep checking back!