Flame & Fortune

Eduardo

2008-07-11T07:52:00.003+10:00

Thought I'd share a piccy of Eddy "Elvis" Blackmore with you, taken a few weeks back.

Isn't he a cutie.

On the beady front, I've been working on custom orders for Pandora style beads (silver core) and have to say that these are addictive to make, which of course, is a good thing or else I'd be stir crazy by now.

I've been making sets of 8 for a friend who said she liked this one and that upon my first lot made. I've only completed two sets and have about 3-4 to go...who knows, maybe more if she sees my new styles lol.

Also too, I've been a little crazy purchasing the sterling silver and 14kt gold spacers to go with my own personal bracelet. There are soooooo many out there to choose from and I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed at what to get next. If you're a beady lover like myself, you'll know how this feels ;)

Anyhow, my plan of action for today is to finish off some sets I recently started, have some lunch with Mum, get back to the torch start on the next set of silver cored beads and being Friday, maybe have a drink or two or three or...this evening.

Have a great weekend!

Goodbye...

2008-06-28T10:32:00.002+10:00

My nana passed away on Wednesday. She was 89 years old.

What a fabulous life she's had and will be missed by all her family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Goodbye Nana...I love you

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Drool...

2008-05-27T19:31:00.001+10:00

More yummy glass
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

drool...drool...drool...drool...drool...drool...drool...drool

Too much of a good thing...

2008-05-27T19:13:00.002+10:00

My package from Frantz arrived last Friday with some great new Moretti "Cool" colours to play with. I've only just had a chance try it out as my studio was an absolute mess and I was busy transferring files from one computer to another.

I'm in love with a colour called Kiwi. From the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it's gorgeous variegated greens. Just divine!

Anyhow, talking of Kiwi's, I better get my hubby's dinner ready. A leg of lamb all to himself!

BBQ Blizzard...

2008-05-18T09:07:00.002+10:00

We're off to a BBQ today at Irene & John's place. These are friends of ours that we've reconnected with after 12 years or so.

Although the sun is out, it's pretty cold here in Sydney and it's predicted that we're gonna get some squally, cold winds and rain later on in the day. Yuk!!!

The company though, will be worth it and I KNOW their food will be scrumptious :)

Had my hair and nails done for Mother's Day. My nails are divine but my hair is disgusting. My long locks were cut to my shoulders. A good 7-8 inches taken off :( AND the base of my hair colour is orange/brown with an ash grey patch of streaks on the top of my head. I look like a clown that John West rejected LOL

Really though, I was almost in tears but have spoken with another hairdresser who is going to fix it for me. My original hairdresser said he would but I won't let him near my head!!! From now on, after I get it fixed, I'm going to stick to colouring and cutting myself because if it stuffs up, at least the only one I can blame is myself and I pretty much am successful at it anyways.

Anyhow, I hope you have a magnificent Sunday where ever you are.

Rental Rant

2008-05-03T11:19:00.002+10:00

OMG...this was one of the most stressful experiences I've ever had.
Where to start? From the beginning I guess?

We received a notice of eviction from our agent based on "no grounds" back in March.
We called our agent to ask why and what "no grounds" meant. We were told that the owner was moving back to Sydney and that we had to be out of the house by the 21st April.

It couldn't have come at a worse time for us in the sense that we were actually starting to save some money and that the whole process of moving would an expensive ordeal.

Anyhow, we finally accepted this and proceeded to browse the internet for new properties to lease.

All in all we probably had 8 weeks or so to find something (which didn't seem too bad) and within the second week, I had a list of properties to view based on our own requirements such as floorboards and not too much lawn (I'm allergic to dust mites and certain grasses), as well as pets being allowed.

So the phone calls began...

Looking within our existing area, most properties wouldn't allow pets so slowly my list was shrinking. By the time I called back (within a day or two), these properties were literally gone or applications already taken. Whoa! That was fast!!!

Ok...into the next week and the same thing happening. Large list down to next to nothing. Call for an appointment and either gone, applications taken, agent not in the office and will call back or an inconvenient appointment time.

About the 4th week I started to look at properties outside our municipality which meant my son Damien would either have to change schools or find a way to get there (as I don't have a vehicle and my husband leaves for work about 6.30am...way too early for Damo). As you can imagine, this is not something to take lightly. Firstly Damien is in high school and his elective studies already chosen for his future career, not to mention the friendships he's made too. Also without a car, I'm pretty much stuck in an area without anyone I know. Already suffering from agoraphobia, no social contact from family and friends would drive me even further into depression. Plenty of tears, frustration and anger reared at this time.

Decision made and not frivolously, with my list of properties in hand I made the phone calls, this time not even bothering to ask if pets were allowed (I thought I'd deal with that later so at least we could get a viewing of SOMETHING SOMEWHERE).
Same thing different area. Properties already gone, applications taken, agent will call back or an inconvenient appointment time.

Into the 5th week.
We had to try a different approach. Possibly drive around the different real estates, pop in and see what's available and organise an appointment there and then. With great difficulty leaving the house, my husband took a day off work and we visited our first agent.

Just a pause here....
5 weeks had passed and only then did I discover that unless you see the inside of the property by making the appointment time set out by the real estate agent, whether it be 10.30am on a Tuesday morning or 4.45pm on a Friday evening or whatever other time and day they choose, you cannot fill out an application for tenancy.

We found this out that day. We saw a property that interested us and we asked about it only to be told that viewing was on the 20th April. Huh? So long away? Can't we look at it now, fill out an application and be ready to move in by the 21st? No?

Ok...I'm catching on here!!! These agents are getting as many people interested in the same property as they can, knowing of the shortage of rental properties available and waiting to see who is willing to pay the highest.
Absolutely rotten!!!

6th week, we managed to make another couple of appointments in our existing area. Great but I have to remind you that my husband had to take the time off work to do so. He is self employed so if he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid.

One viewing stuck...
No word of a lie,12 applicants wanting to view this one property. Each applicant had at least another person with them so there were at least 24 people outside this property looking like sheep waiting to be slaughtered. And yes...we had to wait.

One by one we filed in only to find what was supposed to be an immaculate house, disgusting. Carpet absolutely filthy (and remember, I was looking for properties with floorboards because of my allergies but had to go for what was going). At $550 per week...are you kidding me?

Oh...also notice how the price is slowing bumping up. That's the way it goes. To pay what we were previously paying, we'd get absolute shit now!

Inside and loud enough for all these people to hear, I questioned the agent about how the house was supposed to be immaculate. Asked him if he was kidding. Asked him if his intentions were to get us all in the house and have a bidding war. He was by now, out of his comfort zone and feeling very uncomfortable with my questions.

Then the conversations between applicants started. You could here how these poor people were experiencing the same thing. Some had a day to go before they were being "kicked out". Some had already leased a property only to have the landlord reneg as they couldn't afford their investment repayments and had to move back in or sell.

One guy had already been accepted for this property and paid a deposit therefore putting the house on a hold so no further viewings could be made. A BIG boo boo on the real estate's part and unfortunate for this guy.

I'd had enough!!!

7th week...managed to get a couple of private viewings at last. Properties still not that nice but seriously considered taking them because time was running out.

One very promising property at Iliffe Street, filled out our application, was accepted, paid a two week deposit and dropped in to sign the lease agreement only to have the owner turn around and say that he was undecided whether to sell or lease out his property! F*** this!!! Are you joking? The agent promptly told the owner to go jump throwing all our chances of negotiating with him out the window.

8th week and the property we were accepted for was being released by another real estate agent. Great we thought so we had that initial agent by our consent, send over our details to the new agent who had to confirm our details with the owner. Everything was aok. The owner from Iliffe Street remembered us but had to get back to the agent on what date he could allow us to move in...we had to play the waiting game! What if this happened again?

To be safe, we kept on looking.

4 days to go and still nothing from Iliffe Street. Made an appointment to view a property just down the road from Damien's school. Was ok but didn't have a garage for Lee to store carpets but luckily this real estate had another property available at $600 p/w. It hadn't been listed on the market yet but she said she could show us and of course we said yes. Nice...when can we sign?

3 days to go, signed the lease and now we're here!!!

Three days later. Call from Iliffe street. We were accepted (second time). Call from Paul street accepted. Now they call!!!

The saga continues...more about our agent that gave us a "no grounds" eviction to come...

Arrggghhhh....

2008-03-12T10:03:00.003+11:00

I'm feeling so overwhelmed at the moment. We have to move house as the owners are moving back down to Sydney to live and I can't find anything around that I'm happy with.

Rent has increased substantially too and we're looking at spending over $500 for a place similar to what we have now. Sydney is way overpriced! It's crazy!!!

On a good note, I have been making beads which is very therapeutic for me except for when my muse goes awol and then it just becomes frustrating.

Anyhow, here's a picture of my cousin Nick in Sunday's paper. Thought I'd share.

A new addition...

2008-02-12T10:19:00.001+11:00

Eddy Blackmore
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

Meet Eddy "Elvis" Blackmore, our new addition to the Blackmore family.

Eddy is 8 months old and is Maltese x Shih-Tzu. His old family couldn't keep him as they had to move home and didn't have the room for him to play. They used to call him Elvis but we decided to change his name to Eddy.

We love our Eddy and he's settled in very well. Max is enjoying every minute with his new mate as they tear through the house playing chasing.

He's a real smoochy too and loves lots of cuddles.

"The Dreaming" inspired by...

2008-01-30T07:46:00.001+11:00

The Dreaming II
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

A customer of mine asked if I'd make some beads in red, black and yellow. She was interested in purchasing these for and on behalf of a group of Aboriginal women that will be learning how to make their own jewellery.

Red, black and yellow, colours of the Aboriginal flag. Red representing the earth, black for the people and yellow, representing the sun.

With the use of enamel, I also was able to mimic ochre often used in ceremonial gatherings.

I think I've done ok!

More to view on Flickr

Hello stranger!

2008-01-11T10:25:00.001+11:00

I love cuddles
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

I'm baaaaack!

Whoa! I've been so lazy these holidays but I'm ready now to start the new year with a bang!

I've been at the torch for the last couple of days and should have some new auctions to list by early next week plus my poor, neglected webstore should have a few new items to showcase as well.

I should mention though, besides spending umpteen hours playing srabble on Facebook, swimming, tanning and drinking loads of beer, I did play a little bit more with my silver colours, experimenting with the flame and trying to get the most out of this glass. I'm a happy chappy!

Anyhow, I thought I'd add this picture of Max, fast asleep and being cuddled by his favourite teddy called Maxine. Cute hey!

Tantalizing...

2007-11-18T09:39:00.000+11:00

Glass...

New colours to play with since I FINALLY purchased my oxy concentrator. I hired one out last year but it got too expensive so I had to revert back to my hothead but now (since Wednesday) I'm back on my Carlisle Mini CC and she's a hot one!!!

I'd been slowly purchasing all the new silver colours (including the US$100 lb glass from Double Helix) so now I've got a nice collection of new colours to play with that will actually develop nicely in my flame.

At the moment I'm just playing around to see what I can get and I have to say I'm very pleased with my results. Also too, that elusive Raku is finally smiling. I'm in heaven!!!

I'm still trying to find that sweet spot in my flame to properly work stringer without totally disintegrating to poor thing. It's almost like starting over again...almost!

Anyhow I'm off to the club today and I'm looking forward to sitting under the nice, cool air-conditioner with a coldie in hand, listening to some jazz and hamming it up with my mates.

Have a great weekend...

Lee's Birthday 11th Nov (2007)

2007-11-13T07:14:00.001+11:00

Lee's Birthday 11th Nov (2007)
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

I'll get some more piccies uploaded of my husband's Birthday but here is one of him and I...it was a very warm day as you can probably tell...

Glass glorious glass...

2007-10-23T08:42:00.001+10:00

Glass Goodies (2007)
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

The postie delivered this to me this morning...
new colours to play with and not in any particular order -

Vetrofond
Seashell Swirl, Pale Avocado, Gray Quartz, Honey Crunch, Avocado Marble, Strawberry Sweet and a mix of new colours that haven't been named yet...cool!!!

CiM (Creation is Messy)
Ginger Unique (dark), Butter Pecan

Double Helix
Kronos 2, Nyx and Psyche

I'm in heaven!!!!

New beadies...

2007-10-15T09:15:00.001+10:00

Venus (2007)
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

It's been a while but I have a couple of more focals on offer at the moment.

Limelicious and Venus (pictured). Take a peek!!!

PMC Play...

2007-10-02T09:03:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was another funtastic day creating little works of silver art with my friend Michele.

I managed to make a pendant that only now needs to be polished up. I hope it looks good once it's done but I may think about giving it an antique patina so I can get all the fabulous detail out of it.

It has a wavy frame with some bubbles, barnacles and what looks like an octopus tentacle. Very abstract and interesting.

School holidays here so Damo's travelled up to Gosford to stay at his best friend's place until about Saturday when they'll head on back here for his friend to stay another 3 nights. Better stock up on food...teenage boys!!!

Going to be another hot one today so I think I'll open up the windows to let some cool morning air in before it gets too warm.

Have a great one!

Birthday Boys...Dave & Nick

2007-09-27T07:50:00.001+10:00

Birthday Boys...(2007)
Originally uploaded by Chelle's Art Glass

It was both David & Nick's birthday on Monday so we had a party for them at my house. They both share the same birthdate (24th September) but are 11 years apart.

David came down from QLD that day so it was so cool to see him. We'd kept it a secret from mum so of course there were plenty of tears!!!

He's really enjoying the slower pace of Queensland and you can notice a difference in his attitude (and driving...which is a good thing). He's going home today and I'm gonna miss him BUT I guess we'll see him pretty soon.

Nick is finally up on the web with some of his work displayed. He's a celeb/fashion photographer and has only recently come back from Italy shooting Georgio Armani and his home. It was really cool for Nick because it was Armani himself who requested Nick to take the photo's. Anyhow...if you want to check out his site CLICK HERE
To view the different pages, just click on the bottom right hand corner and drag your mouse (like turning a page). Took me a while to work that one out lol!!!

Make not a bond of Love...

2007-09-21T08:39:00.000+10:00

It was our wedding anniversary yesterday...Lee & I have been married for 10 years. Of course we've been together for longer than that (15 years) but 10 years married as of 20th September 2007.

I thought I'd share with you a poem that was included in our little handouts at our ceremony...

Love one another, but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be as a moving sea
Between the shore of your inner selves
Fill each other's cup
But drink not from the same cup
Sing and dance together and be joyous
But let each of you be alone
Just as the string of a lute are alone
Though they quiver with the same music
give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts
And stand together, yet not too close together
For as pillars of a building stand apart
And the oak tree and the cypress do not grow in each other's shadow
So let there be space in your togetherness,
Let the winds of happiness remain between you
Love one another, but make not a bond of love.

Scooting past...

2007-09-12T11:00:00.000+10:00

Such a beautiful day here in Sydney. Spring is here at last!!!

Michele and I ended up chatting away half the afternoon (as we usually do), so Sunday wasn't very productive BUT we did order more PMC. When we do finally get to sit down and play, we'll have enough to make a few pieces each. Should be alot of fun!

It's great having a beading buddy. Even though Michele & I have known each other for 10 years, it's only recent she's been making jewellery and I know she's now got the bug. She loves it!

Anyhow, I've just listed another couple of auctions on eBay so if you're interested, please take a peek!

Cya.....

Element & Montego Bay...

2007-09-08T07:04:00.001+10:00

Well I'm off to lunch today. Not sure if we're going to have Yum Cha or if we'll be heading off to the club. Either way I know I'll be eating well ;) and tomorrow I have my girlfriend Michele coming around. We're going to be playing with some PMC and see what we come up with. If I make anything worthwhile showing, I'll do so but in the meantime I have two new auction listings to show you. Element & Montego Bay.

Element is a 20mm round focal bead featuring pure silver foil and R4 glass. I have left the centre dots raised a little for added depth.

Montego Bay is a 25x20mm focal featuring silver leaf and rubino which has been heavily encased with Lauscha clear and finished off with green "bezel" settings.

Element

Montego Bay

Have a great weekend!

Lunar Eclipse

2007-08-28T18:14:00.000+10:00

Will you be watching? We will!

Chinese Food Prank Call

2007-08-28T06:09:00.001+10:00

This one had me laughing so hard , I was crying :)

The Glitch (Starring Jason Biggs)

2007-08-27T14:10:00.001+10:00

Funny as...