Today's torch session brought to you by...

I was working on a new kind of bead (for me) today and in doing so started to consider how many artist's influence was present in that tiny bead. It's based on a teapot I've loved and I'm hoping I've managed to capture it properly.

The bead is in the kiln but I'll list the artists here and thank each for their contributions. I've taken a total of 3 classes with 2 different artists locally. I work a full time job and have six children so my time at the torch is limited to say the least. The rest of what I've learned has been from pouring over forums and artist websites, tutorials and blogs. I've tried to remain a sponge and not close my eyes even once for fear that I'd miss something important.

In no particular order, my thanks today go to:

Samantha Alspaugh - your laughter and character will always make me smile each time I start to add eyes to one of my beads. Without your dvds it would have taken me so much longer to learn how to do sculptural critter beads.

Maria Grimes - I learned how to do the eyes today after literally years of watching yours and wondering how exactly you made it look so simple. Your beads make me believe that there is a world of wonder just over the next rise and if we listen close enough, we might be able to hear their whispers.

Maria (whimzicalities) - Maria, without your wonderful brass poker, I would never have figured out the way to make a little mouth that just makes me want to go awwww every time I see it.

Cynthia Tilker - I have your keeper tutorial and have read through it dozens of time yet never made a single one of them. I found a picture of a teapot with an adorable face on it and as I puzzled out how I'd do it in glass I realized your tutorial had already shown me how. You're another artist that I'm convinced has fairies that sit on your shoulder as you create and whisper to you the things that they dream of.

Corina Tettinger - Your magic wand has been ever at my side as I've torched and today was no different. It's the perfect tool to push and flatten the glass just where you need it.

Karen Leonardo - I had to wait a while to purchase your petal pullers but I want you to know I use them both all the time. I don't make a lot of flowers but they're perfect for making wings, small leaves, and even a chicken's comb. I love them and can't imagine what I'd use to replace them.

So many times when I sit at the torch and puzzle out how to do something, there are dozens of artists there behind me who've poured out their knowledge and experience either in a technical discussion, a tutorial or dvd and sometimes in the middle of a heated discussion. Each and every one of you helps me to continue to grow doing something I absolutely love. Thanks for that.

~Wendy