…making twisties. I tried a new way of making them: painting the colours right on the end of the rod rather than winding the glass on the end of the mandrel. Obviously my technique needs some work. It was hard to control the molten glass plus guesstimate how much mass i needed to pull a decent length twistie – as you can see some were more successful than others… I do like the simplicity of these though – they’re like little springs or ribbons and have a much more contemporary feel than other complex twisties i’ve made before – much more my style.
A “Twisty” is just a cute name for the miniaturized version of intricate Venetian glass canemaking with traditional names like reticello, ballotini, latticino, zanfirico. Glass blowers have used larger versions of these canes to decorate vases or sculptures for centuries. We glass beadmakers use similar techniques (on a much smaller scale of course) to decorate our beads and add a level of complexity.
They’re easy to make: just take a molten ball of glass, stripe on some contrasting colours, melt smooth and pull out while twisting. It does take time though, to develop enough skill to be able to make a nice long smooth cane – it’s a delicate balancing of the right amount of heat and gravity. 
I especially like the two at the bottom of this pic where i layered the colours to make a two toned twist. I’ll have to play with this idea some more… Can’t wait to try them on some beads…
One month old
And I woke up all teary-eyed pondering the significance of this particular birthday…
…it’s his last year to experience all the freedoms and luxuries of childhood.
…this may be the last year he lives full time with me (depending on where he decides to go to university) – and while i joke about the limited real estate, I’m really (really!) gonna miss him.
…he’s changed so MUCH in the last year! I’ve watched a child leave and a young man slowly appear in my home. I so rarely have to put on the “mommy hat” now that when i do he seems to find it hard to take me seriously.
…he’s just unbelievably smart, funny, confident, calm, cool and collected. I’m truly enjoying what little time he spends with me now and really looking forward to the coming adult years when i hope i’ll not only be his mom but also his friend.
…every day i think about how lucky and proud I am to have him as my son. He’s worth every single sacrifice and I’m still stunned he turned out OK (since for the most part i had to figure this parenting thing out by trial and error along the way).
…I’ll always miss waking up to hugs from chubby little arms, the wet kisses, a damp little hand wriggling its way into mine, the many gag-worthy mother’s day breakfasts, the bony prods and pokes from tween cuddles and being called mama, mommy, mummy. I’m now just “Mom”. But I think I can now at least? hopefully? retire my title as the “meanest mommy in the WHOLE world”.
I’ve now got my comfy viewing seat off to the side and i’m getting ready to watch him complete his journey into adulthood.
…and NOW is the time. CHANGE really has come to America…
…and the rest of the world is watching in complete fascination as
the United States takes this stunning and historic step
toward a different future.
Congratulations President Obama and best wishes from Canada!
Look! There’s my bead! In a real magazine! My green pregnant goddess (now residing in California) is on Page 22 in the winter 2008 issue of The Flow – a US magazine for flameworkers that is distributed worldwide. I’m one of the 150 artists featured in the annual Women in Glass Issue and it’s my first time being featured in print.
Now, I’ve known about this since last fall when I submitted my bead pics to the call for entry. Since I wasn’t 100% sure that any of my beads would be included, i blabbed to everyone i know personally but didn’t publish anything here. Now, finally the moment has arrived where i can insert “publications” into my glass resume.
I’ve been doing the happy dance all week…
Evelyn Duberry - Glass Artist 