It's Nice to Be Noticed...

I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately, as I've mentioned. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be ending any time soon. As Festival is only a month away, I will need to get started on some historical beads to sell on Market day, and a new project for the Arts & Sciences competition. So, hopefully that will get me started again at the torch. In the meantime, I wanted to reflect on my first publication... yep, I have some beads in print!

I was very excited to be included in the annual 'Women in Glass' edition of The Flow magazine, although I have to admit my enthusiasm waned slightly when I realised that all entries were accepted, if their photos were of good quality. I am still looking forward to seeing my work in print (hopefully my free copy is winging its way towards me as we speak) but obviously it means more to be individually selected. Which is the point of this post...

Last week one of my forum friends recognised the work of quite a few of my circle of friends in the new banner advertisement on Lampwork Etc for 'The Flow'. So even though I was one one of hundreds accepted for that edition of the magazine - from those hundreds they chose to use my beads for an advertisement. So, that gives me even more of a buzz than the magazine - Is that silly?

(Mine are the flame beads!)

My Funny Valentine's... Day

Thursday was an interesting day here. Actually, this whole week has been a little topsy turvy, especially at work. I've only had 2 normal days of school this week, due to interschool sports, industrial action and the school swimming carnival. So, Thursday was the Strike Day. I have recently rejoined the union, after returning to the classroom, so it's been a few years since I've been out on strike. And for some unfathomable reason, I've never been to the rally. I'm not sure why - it makes no sense to me now. Not much point losing a days pay if you don't get 'counted' per se - it's the media coverage of the rally that gets peoples attention.

Anyway, for whatever reason, it was my first strike rally (although not the first time I had marched on Parliament House - but that's another story). All I can say is Wow. The atmosphere at something like that is really amazing. The adrenalin must have given me energy - I was running all over Vodaphone arena catching up with colleagues from previous schools, and I didn't feel a thing (until the next day, when I could barely walk downstairs *gulp*). Anyway, 10,000 people together, with a common goal, is quite an amazing thing.

10,000 people - and another 600 in the foyer who couldn't fit in - amazing!

The rally ends on the steps of Parliament House...

After the rally, and some lunch, I took some time to wander around the city, as I havent been in town for years, and spent a frustrating hour in Allan's music choosing new audition material. *ugh*. Then it was time to head home on the train, via Museum station.

I just love this image of the shot tower under the glass roof....

That evening, Jason and I drove down to Mornington to watch the sunset on the beach, and have Fish & Chips for dinner. We used to do that years ago, when we were engaged. We weren't sure the weather was going to cooperate, but in the end it was lovely. My new 'go anywhere' digital camera (saves me lugging the SLR around everywhere) didn't cope terribly well with the darkness, so these are a little blurry, but the colours are lovely. What I wouldn't give to be able to get that gradient of colour on a bead...

Mmmm, fresh Fish and Chips on the beach.

The changing colours - a lovely end to a hectic day.

A Long Time Coming...

Today is an important day in Australian history - or I believe we will look back and see it as such. Today, in the first day of Parliament for the year, our government made an official apology to the 'Stolen Generations', Indigenous people who were taken from their families throughout the 20th Century. The broadcast can be viewed at the Live Broadcasting site and the report 'Bringing Them Home' is also available. Some personal Oral Histories of members of the Stolen Generation can be found at The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission site.

Hopefully, this day will mark a significant improvement in relations between Indigenous people and the rest of Australia, as long as it becomes more than just words, and that the statements and promises made today are fulfilled. The speeches were very moving, but will only be useful if they prove to me more than just words of political expediency.

Spring is in air...

...well, it's on its way in the US anyway. As most of my sales are online to customers in the United States, I usually try and use colours that match their upcoming season. That, and the inclusion of some lucsious pinks in my recent glass order, has had me on a bit of a pink fix this week. So, new auctions today are 'Strawberry Ice-cream' and 'Pink Petal Power'.

Bringing back memories...

This YouTube video was posted on one of the bead forums this morning. I found it highly entertaining - not just for the content, but because of the memories it evoked.

When I was in High School, at the end of my final year, my Drama class went on a tour of northern Victoria. We travelled to country schools, performing our play to the students, sleeping in the gym at night and cooking dinner in the Home Eco rooms. It was a fun week.

When we had free time, we tended to undertake similar activities to those on the video - although on a much smaller scale, of course. One day we froze in the entrance foyer windows of the local Swimming Pool, and another day we pretended to run a Tai Chi class in the park.

The funniest activity I recall, however, was at the laundromat. A group of us had agreed, that if another customer came into the laundromat that we were using, then the group would freeze, aprt from one person (in this case, me) who would ignore them. So, we are all involved in doing our laundry, and a young guy approached the laundromat. Instantly, everyone freezes, and I continue on my way, walking around them, putting more coins in their machines where necessary, but in no way engaging with my co-conspirators or the young man. He stood there in bewilderment for awhile, obviously expecting everyone to move eventually, but after several minutes of what must have appeared as eery stillness (we were really quite good at this) he ran outside to get his friend. Of course, when he returned, dragging the friend with him, everyone was moving as usual, and we found the ensuiing argument quite amusing. Teenagers do have an evil sense of humour :)

Anyway, I found that video great fun, and a reminder of a time when if someone in my vicinity yelled out 'Dead Ant', I would drop to my back on the floor, waving my arms and legs in the air, regardless of my location and (almost) oblivious to the stares of onlookers. Aaahhh, good times!

'Spearmint Pastille's'

Well, just to keep the momentum up, these sparklies are up for grabs on JB in the morning. 'Spearmint Pastilles' were made using one of my new cattwalk presses I won in the fundraising auction at the ISGB Gathering last year. Just click to go to the auction.

Getting back in the groove!

Well, I sat down at the torch to play with the fabric ideas last night. As I didn't go to bed till 4 am on saturday night, my torch session didn't last long, but at least I had some play time. I'll post some photos later in the week. I also started working on some Angels for a custom order I need to get done this week. I also spent a lot of time yesterday photographing beads, editing photos and posting auctions, ready for this week. So stay tuned for a range of new sets from me up on Just Beads this week. Starting up the week, two new sets - 'Red Frenzy' and 'Bonbon Delights'.