Yes usually this is a mushing blog, since mushing is the number one really addictive passion of my life! But today I share with you my new really addictive passion, this one is creative in a  different way. So be warned this is a totally rambling blog just so I can share some photos if my new projects with you, cause I am having so much fun being artsy, and am really excited about this, and Dan and Victoria need a break from talking about this, and so I am sharing with y’all our wonderful blog readers.

I have fallen in love with fusing glass. I love the colors, the way glass interplays with light, how the process is both very much art and science, and because of the firing process there is a part that is not 100% under your control.**  I am so very excited by the process, not just of fusing glass, but also of Learning to fuse glass.  A new challenge is always a good way to stretch some mental muscle and this one is allowing me to have fun being creative.  Not sure if this makes me a creative explorer or crafts-person, or outside artist; but I know it makes me happy.

**Actually as I type this out it dawns on me that those are some of the same things I love about Mushing: The way you get to see the world around you, one of my  favorite times to mush is dusk or dawn, when the colors of day and night are doing battle for the sky and the light evolves. And you are there traveling through this in a way that you can really absorb it. How running a team is dependent on both solid factual knowledge but also a ‘dog sense’ and experience developed over time. And anyone who has traveled by dog team for any period of time will have to agree with me that you may be responsible for your team, but never are you 100% in control of this vast wild wonderful world you travel through.  But wait, I said this wasn’t a mushing blog, back to glass…

Here are some of my first pieces, as this is a creative learning journey I welcome all feed-back and advice. Click the images to see full sized.  So many of the things I have created were inspired by Alaska. Miles and miles and miles by dog team has given me the opportunity to observe nature with enough exposure and at a pace that I can soak it all in. I have drawn on that so often as I explore this new craft. The night sky, and of course that time of day I love so much where night and day are in transition fascinate me as I attempt different ways of recreating them in glass. I am inspired to celebrate the flora and fauna, and the vibrancy of the sunnier seasons; and particularly enjoy the challenge of trying to create mini scenes that manage to capture that feeling of warm sun on your face, or the crisp sound of dead leaves crunching in fall. I am also fascinated with exploring the fluid nature of glass, how it morphs, shapes, and responds to the firing process.  Recycled bottles become fun funky spoon rests or small trays. Stacking and weaving, using layers and techniques.  It has become clear that this new outlet will add a creative journey – another new trail to explore.