The 2010 Handbook

I have been furiously working on new projects. Earlier experiments did not turn out as I had hoped. However, I do have a new series I'm calling Sky-Scapes and I'm anxious to complete the first in the series to share. Until then, I wanted to share this with all of you as I just received it from a dear friend. I hope you enjoy.
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2010 Handbook

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...

4. Live with the 3 E’s -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games.

7. Read more books than you did in 2009.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don’t compare your life to others, you have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13. Don’t overdo. Keep your limits.

14. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need...

18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything...

28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is it will change...

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

37. The best is yet to come...

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not least:

40. Please share this with everyone you care about.

Artists' People's Choice Award

People's Choice Glass Artist for 2010

This Award arrived in today's mail. I think I'm still in a bit of shock. At the opening reception for Glass Magic, this past Saturday, ballots were handed out. I never dreamed in a million years that out of all the wonderful glass artists represented at this exhibition, I would be chosen as the People's Choice! Wow, what a way to start 2010.

I'm honored and humbled by this. And I am grateful to those who voted for me...my work. Thank you.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

Experimenting

I don't have any pictures to post yet. I just want to document my thoughts on my next venture. When I started blogging, almost 2 years ago, I viewed this as a way to journal my thoughts, processes, and artistic growth. It has become so much more than that and I am delighted beyond my wildest dreams that it has. Thank you, all of my artistic/blogging friends, for giving me that gift.

Last night I started work on a new design. I have several that have been 'floating' around in my head and knew I needed to get to work on them.

As I was talking with Dan this morning, we were laughing about my expectation that things should turn out perfect on my first attempts. The logical part of me knows that is unrealistic. And when experimenting with new ideas, I know I'm going to have failures until I figure out how things should be done. In spite of that knowledge, I still have this unrealistic expectation that it should just turn out right the first time. And this has become a source of humor in the Krucoff household, because that is just not how it works.

During the course of my experiments last night I had about 5 failures. Each one kept me thinking about how I could approach this. Since nothing was permanent yet, because I hadn't fused anything, I could wash off my glass and start over. I like that. And with each attempt, I was learning something. That's good, right? I finally reached the point where I needed to stop, back away from the glass, and leave the studio. Frustration was growing and I hit that point where I wasn't making any progress. I'm happy I realize that about myself and it does pay off to just leave the area and go do something else. That relaxes my brain and frees it with a diversion. Subconsciously my mind is working on the solution and it will bubble up to the surface.

The way my mind processes information, this morning as I got up, I think the solution came to me. It's a much easier approach than the ones I was trying last night, which is great! So I will try again tonight with my morning revelation. If successful, I'll have several 'experiments' to put in the kiln and see if these new designs are as nice as I envision them to be.

So what exactly am I working on? A few new things. One involves some graceful lines created with a combination of mica and frit. Another involves more of an arts & crafts look (I'm such a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright). And one of the last ones for this go round came from our Fall trip to Rocky Mountain National Park....of course, there are Aspen leaves involved with this one.

My question for each of you is, how realistic are you about your expected outcomes as you try something new? Do you find it takes a number of iterations before you get things the way you want? I think I know how some of you will answer. Yet, it helps me to grow as you generously share your thoughts about your process. Thanks!

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

Glass Magic ~ The Opening Reception

There were so many beautiful pieces in this exhibition that I think I should just let the pictures speak for themselves. It was a fun evening and we had a good turn out. I enjoyed a variety of lively conversations with friends, family, and fellow glass artists.

I think this pictures, which I took (except the very last one), will demonstrate what a great venue Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is. I hope you enjoy.















A girl and her glass! Yours truly with my work, along with others.....

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person.

First Exhibit of 2010

Arrow In the Forest ~ Winter ~ Growing Love

Photography credits ~~ Daniel Krucoff

Glass Magic Exhibition

Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts

304 Highway 105

Palmer Lake, CO

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 5:00 - 7:30 PM

My first Reflections of a Glass Artist post in 2010, the new year, the new decade! Hi everyone and Happy New Year. I look forward to this year and decade being filled with new events, discoveries, and of course, new learning experiences.

I'm happy to announce that the three pieces pictured above are part of the Glass Magic Exhibition that opened Tuesday, January 5, 2010 and will run through Saturday, January 23, 2010. The venue for this exhibition is the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts and I have had my work there for a number of shows over the past few years. I really like the venue and they have quite a loyal following of locals and those from the surrounding areas.

The opening reception will be this Saturday. The Krucoffs will be in attendance; Dan, Mary & yours truly. It should be a fun evening and if you are in the area, please stop by and say "Hi"! I would love to meet you.

One of the reasons I'm so excited about this first show is it is all glass. The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts wants to increase public awareness and appreciation of all the beautiful aspects of glass art. While this isn't a juried show, I find it wonderful that there are so many local glass enthusiasts and this show provides an opportunity for glass artists at all levels to display their works. I'm looking forward to posting some pictures of the opening reception here with an update of how the evening's festivities went.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person....you know I am!

My Discoveries in 2009

During this year, I have discovered many things that have truly changed my life forever. Those of you who follow my blog know what an impact Lexi Erickson has had on my life both personally and artistically.

I follow a lot of blogs and have had an opportunity to get to know some of my fellow artists and bloggers through their works, their words, and even their Facebook pages. I want you to know that I value the friendships that we have established. I have learned so much from your generosity; sharing your artistic journeys, your growth, your trials and tribulations. I thank all of you for helping me to grow as a person and an artist. Those of you, who have left comments about my work and my artistic journey, I want you to know that you have helped me more than you may realize. Thank you.

As 2009 comes to a close, I thought I would share one of my discoveries. Another blogger, Christine Kane, has what I feel are tremendous insights. Her writing speaks to me and I hope it will speak to you too. She has such a positive way at looking at life's challenges. In 2007, she wrote about the Resolutions Revolution. She described a different approach to making positive changes in your life in the coming year. I would encourage you to visit her post on Resolutions Revolution and I hope that you will find her take on the subject of New Year's Resolutions beneficial. I have.

After you read Christine's post on New Year's Resolutions, this will make more sense, however I want to share that my touchstone word for 2010 is Aspire. I've already started to use it and I can tell you it works!

May 2010 hold wonderful opportunities and successes for all of you.

Until next time, aspire to be more as an artist and a person. I am.

Six Things

A fellow blogger and friend, Shay Stone, posted this on her blog and I thought I would share here.

How it works: I will answer the below very random questions - then you can answer the questions as a comment. Feel free to post to your blog and carry it on.

1. Today I feel... Happy. It's Friday & I'm looking forward to the weekend. Dan & I will be heading to Coyote Creek in Fairplay for a fun Holiday Event tomorrow!

2. This week... I had a lesson with Lexi and learned the "marriage of metals" technique. The project isn't finished; I'm hoping it will turn out as the idea is really cool.

3. Last night...I worked on earrings and web design revisions for a client.

4. Lately the song stuck in my head is... one of Paul Taylor's from his current CD; it's jazz so it's all good.

5. My favorite pet memory is ...my German Shorthair, Taylor, looking out the window, waiting for me to come home from work and recognizing the car as I drove past...he knew it was me & I was home. One smart boy.

6. What is currently at the top of your Christmas wish list?...Fretz mini forming stakes.