The Sisterhood

There were two incidents that inspired this piece. One was being present as my daughter gave birth to my granddaughter. The attending doctor and nurses were all women. There was a time-stood-still moment as the baby emerged where I was very much aware of the fabric of time, of all the women in my family before me, and all those to come.

The other was when my dad was terminally ill. Four generations of women were there to make sure he was as comfortable as we could make him.

The women in my family are all different, but each a thread in the fabric. I love them all.

Rantin' and Raven

The raven is all done. I'm pretty happy with it, although as I stand back, I can see that it might benefit from some glass framing. Maybe next time.

I tried dipping my solder into flux as I went this time. It made the soldering go much faster, and smoother too.

Soldering is still a skill-in-progress and practice makes perfect, so I guess I'd better choose the next project.

The Raven Has Hatched

The train to Arkansas took off yesterday in the mail. My brother should get it just in time for his birthday.

Since the snow is still everywhere, the kids are gone, and Ed won't be home until tonight, I started the Raven Steals The Sun. The pattern was already set on the board and traced on the fasson paper, so I started cutting glass yesterday. Six hours yesterday and five hours today..my eyes are a little buggy, and my hip is barking at me, but I'm really happy with the results so far. The center of the sun and the inside of the raven's beak is a deep garnet red..almost a black. I'm going to use a hematite bead for his eye. Most of the colors don't show true when the piece is flat..those that look kind of orange will be much brighter red with the sun through them.

This of course, is prior to foiling. I should get that done by Monday, and soldered on Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to putting it in the light. The raven will be more transparent, and the seeded streaky Weissmach should be spectacular. I'm hoping the garnet will make his beak look like it's glowing with the heat of the sun.

This piece will probably be my first consignment piece to go in the local craft store, Made In Wahkiakum, I'll probably take in the MacKintosh Roses, and an abstract piece with a geode in the center.