The lump of coal was very simple, but to transform it into a work of art was the interesting part. I did not know the person who commissioned the job. I only knew that she already had one of my shipwreck pieces from the SS Republic and the card that came with the necklace! It was cool that she contacted me for the new piece. I guess she trusted me as an Artist. I get that a lot actually. One of my strengths is to translate another person’s vision into jewelry or some kind of gift. Haha, the gift of the gift-maker. I guess I am back to my “Gift Guru” post from last time. I really do love what I do. I create on a very personal level. A little FYI, by the time I delivered the Titanic piece, I had learned so much about another shipwreck, made a new friend, found a new pathway to creating, and really made someone happy. THAT is a good days work!

The making of the Gift Guru

Custom work is my specialty. You tell me what you want and I deliver. Really, it is that simple. It has been this evolution for me from making what I want to create, to really honing in on people’s desires for that perfect gift, pet tribute,  or family memorial. It actually smacked me in the head this week. I have been very busy (thankfully) dreaming up my next project, working on my list of “to do’s”, and jumping through flaming hoops. Knowing how I LOVE fire, you would not think that the  flaming hoops would pose any kind of threat, and they don’t . They just represent a sense of urgency that I am not accustomed to these days. Anyway, I love evolving into a Gift Guru of sorts, because I have to translate a vision from an e-mail or a phone conversation into a real thing. Sometimes it involves sketches, maybe more sketches, another clarifying e-mail  and then we wait for the Gumball Theory to magically activate! (input data, sleep on it, wait for image of completed project to appear) That takes some doing on a daily basis, but it is do-able for me. I adore it. I welcome the challenge. So, come challenge me…what can I create for you? Something special I’d bet.

The Evolution of Creativity and The Crud

These past few weeks, I have been working steadily on some beautiful and need-driven projects. But I am in it for the fun too,  so my path took a wide swerve to the weird side. Trust me , that is not too far from my ordinary day, but I DO try to keep my wacky cat in the bag!
Packing a science degree, know that I spent many years peeking into the magical world of microbes. They are an insidious lot, but astoundingly interesting. I have re-created in glass, a bevy of diseases for the delight of science people everywhere. In my recent travels, I came across a new disease that people contract at the largest musical merchant trade show of the year, NAMM. Apparently, from shaking so many hands and so much international human contact, the attendees leave the forum with none other than NAMM-thraxx! In my mind, the bacteria would mock the “flying V” body style of an electric guitar. It just made sense. Get your NAMM-thraxx here! Next year, try a little hand sanitizer. What kind of special crud may I create for you?

Undeadly diseases in glass

You may be asking yourself, what do these two elements have in common? Well, as a self-employed person, I am responsible for finding new work all of the time. No resting on my laurels. (wait, I HAVE laurels??) My workload ebbs and flows with no particular pattern. In between the “ebb” and “flow”, I have to think up new ways to entertain myself and YOU. It is one of my goals in the grand trifecta of goal setting..enlighten, inform and/or entertain. Got it? So, a few years ago while exploring a new technique, I accidentally (well, I don’t believe in accidents, but ok) made this thing that looked like the Ebola virus under a microscope. I turned it into a paperweight, wrote something funny about love and Ebola and how they both eventually make you bleed from your eyes,  and sold it to a researcher whose thesis was, you guessed it, Ebola.  So my friend shows me a cool pic of Gonorrhea under the microscope and I ran with it and created some bacteria and virus paperweights. How better to say you care  than to give a friend a dreaded disease? Only the non-lethal/contagious variety of course is acceptable for actually maintaining said friendship. Right? Show someone you care, send them some viral love!

Creativity and Longevity, Together 4ever!

This past year, Purple Cloud Studio became incorporated and the entity is MP2, Inc. Sounds like I sold out, right? Not so much, I am stepping up my business prowess. It seems that if you are in the Art business, short of owning an upscale gallery, people assume things about you. For example, maybe she will get a job one day, you know how “flighty” Artists are, what is her “real” job, oh, one of those “here today, bored and gone tomorrow” things….well, I am none of the above. I started my business 19 years ago and have had ups and downs like everyone, but I am still here doing what I love. (FYI, I have no plans of jumping ship either) This is about stability in an unstable world. I work every day and am always taking on new projects trying to attract more business. My skill set is broad and my drive  to create  is deep.  For some, running a business is a daunting task, you wear all of the hats and take no prisoners, but I enjoy both sides of the proverbial coin. I am lucky like that. Fearlessness  and confidence are my friends. My generation will never retire, we will expire face down in our soup. Long into my golden years, I will still be creating with glass, metal, and leather and weaving words…believe me. I am here for the long haul.

Something beautiful created from something cast aside...the ultimate in recycling!

In paging through my body of work, my all time favorite group of team members hail from Odyssey Marine Exploration. A Tampa based operation of shipwreck salvors who work in harmony with the environment while rescuing and preserving artifacts from the sea floor. They are progressive thinkers, gave me lots of Artistic elbow room, held interesting events and are all around fun lovers! What more could I ask for?? They are great! My first project was to create a line of jewelry from broken bottles recovered from a Post Civil War era side paddle steamer, the S.S. Republic. Wow, what a challenge. I DO love a good  challenge! As a Glass Artist and a Jewelry Designer, I had vision and had to use the found, rough materials and my vast skill set to create items that were interesting, beautiful and purchase-worthy. It was a real life “trash to treasure, trash again and back to treasure” story and the ultimate in recycling.  You may find some of the pieces available at http://shipwreckstore.com/cart/categories/Shipwreck-Jewelry/ have a look around and contemplate…what can I make for YOU?

Cremation Keepsake Touchstone in Dazzling Purple

This year, I had several requests (and I DO accept all kinds of special requests) to create touchstones. I loved the outcome…smooth to the touch and visually brilliant. I stuck with purple glass because, really, purple is the greatest! My customers really loved them. I know my one customer keeps hers under her pillow. There is great comfort in having the idea of keeping someone close to you and that tactile reminder of their presence. The Touchstone can be created in an array of colors. If you look at my bowls, then you see I have pretty much every color of the rainbow at my disposal. Please contact me for your Touchstone or any special request really. I love working for you. Bringing comfort is what I do.

With open arms, I welcome the new year. Bring it I say! Let’s make cool Art for people who request it. Set designers are welcome here. I’d like to see my work in the background of  movies or a new TV series. I am already visualizing it and it is beautiful!! This is going to be a great year. Consider this the open door of opportunity. The Official Invitation!

A little side note…my fused glass mini-dishes , I found, are perfect for salt pans. I keep this one on my table with a small spoon. It is day two of better photos for me.
Contact me for interesting projects. I deliver!

Lesson in Layers

I have been told that I think too much, but somehow, they may be undershooting the issue. Every day, with great intent, I seek to learn something new. That is a good thing. (right?) If you only go on surface appeal, whether it is fruit bred for eye appeal or people taught to look good, then you tend to miss a lot of cool stuff. Life is flawed and, to coin my own term, “woogly”. But it is the wooglienss that keeps everything interesting. This bowl that I took from my kiln this morning is stunningly beautiful. It has a rainbow iridized surface, a swirl of activity in the blue glass, undulating edges…and a ridge where the iridized glass repelled itself. It left a scar of sorts, a reminder of a previous event in the making of this bowl.  It has a classic Michele-vision woogle. I like that. I am not perfect, nor do I aspire to perfection. Know that I am looking past your surface and appreciating the woogle in life! I hope you do the same.