Moving

Hi all....
I am moving, not physically, but virtually.  I will be moving all of my blogs, website, and every other thing I can think of over to wordPress.  It just seems like the smart thing to do.  so, if you are following me on this blog, please jump over to my website, and click on the blog tab, and you will be redirected to my new blog site.  Once there, please click on 'follow'... and we will never be separated!!!

thanks.
-Bronwen

Cinco de Mayo.

I am celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Redondo Beach, California, with my friend Donna at The Mandrel.  She owns this wonderful Flameworking studio and supply company, and is hosting my workshop...  Surface Painted Beads... "Dia de los Muertos" style.    Yes, I know Day of the Dead has nothing to do with Cinco de Mayo, but we thought it might just be fun!!  I never need an excuse to make skullies, and making them with a bunch of people over the weekend of May 5 and 6 ... can't get better than that.

At the time of my writing, there is only one seat left in this workshop.  So, bone up (pun) and come play with me @ The Mandrel... (Click here to find out more information) .

(I am very proud of that pun....)

Artfulsuccess

I am currently taking a workshop from Tonya Davidson called: The Artful Success Program .. Connect, Collaborate, and Create.  This workshop is all about connecting with yourself, and how to do what you love to do, and that is to make art, and to make a living at it.  Yes, I know, I am already make a living at it, but I am always needing help with time management.  Or as Tonya says : "Self Management"  because you can't manage time, but you can manage yourself.    The first step is to eliminate.  (as the Dolics say from Dr. Who)  Eliminate, Eliminate......    Once you start making room , more things will come to you... in abundance.
Check out Artful success at http://www.tonyadavidson.com/artfulsuccess

My website up and running!!!

Yes!!!  I am very excited.  

News today,   There is still room in my Feb. 5 workshop at Best Bead Show.  (Just found out last night that there are still some seats, so I am pushing it to fill up!)  :).  Yes, I know... You are probably being bombarded by lots of emails about the Tucson Gem Show.    But, if you are only going to do one fun thing this Feb. at the Tucson Gem show,... TAKE MY CLASS!!!!   :0

We will be learning how to easily and safely cut bottles, how to test different colors of bottles for compatibility, and how to flamework this stiff glass.

... Here is a link to sign up! 

having huge problem with my website...

Yes,  My website... a nightmare.....
But, my blog!!!  cool!   So,
My next class will be during the gem show at the Best Bead Show
click here to sign up 

I will be showing my work at The Best Bead Show...   Feb. 1 - Feb. 5

Kino Veterans Memorial Community Center                                  2805 E Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713-6217                                  (Intersection of E. Ajo Way & Forgeus Ave./                                  Across from University Physicians Hospital) I will also be at the 'To Bead True Blue' show

                                             Doubletree Tucson Reid Park
                                             445 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ

See you there!

Happy Holidays

Crazy!!!  I am sitting in my living room at 2:19 in the morning, not being able to sleep.  So I thought I would enter a little bit on my blog.  Working on new pieces in the studio.  My rain series is filling my head with lots of Ideas.

I am also working on making some family presents, and glass flowers for an architect in Phoenix, Az.

Of course, I am working on beads, Beads, BEads, BEAds, BEADs, BEADS!!!   I will post some of my new ones soon on Facebook... or here, or there.

-Bronwen

cross things off your list

I love lists!!!  I love the act of writing them in pen or pencil onto a sheet of paper. 
I love the act of crossing off items as I finish them.
lists keep me focused on what I need to get done, and what time frame I have to do them in.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, try making lists.  it really helps

new website look  .....  check
San Diego show .... check
small one day vacaton .... check (very relaxing!!!)
the International Society of Glass Beadmakers gathering.... check  (I did a talk, AND taught a class!!!!!  all very fun!!!)

now,...  ship some orders and get ready for Bead Fest in PA.  
Hope to see you all there!!!


This month is only 1/2 over, and my list is looking pretty good.  

I was away, but now I am back!

Hello everyone!!!
WOW!!!  Happy July 1!
I was in the middle of getting my website up and running, and completely spaced about keeping up with my blog.  I even forgot to put a link to here from there!!!  Boy, Sometimes you can get so tunnel visioned that you miss the obvious.
Lists.... Lists... Lists. 
This is the only way I can remember to do things, on time, every time!!!  I am the type of person who learns from my eye and hands.  If I don't see my hands do it, (or see your hands doing it) I don't remember it....  ie,   I have to write down the lists.  Typing the lists doesn't always work.... but writing long hand always seems to.  ie.,  making a bead using a new technique, I will learn the technique.  Read about the technique, I can understand how it is done, but I have not learned the technique until my hands actually do the technique. 
Classes... That is why classes are so popular.  I don't think I am alone in this!  You can read all day long about a technique, but just won't "get it" until you touch it!
Enjoy taking classes.
-Bron

website is coming!!!!

I have been working very hard on getting a site up and running for everyone to enjoy.  I am adding a catalog, so that you can buy beads directly from me.  This is very exciting, and yet taking tons of pictures is very exhausting.  I can't wait for it to be done.!!!  Stay tuned!  Probably in about 3 weeks.  Here is a sneak preview:

She is called "The Queen"

And, this is "Flame Girl"

These are what I call "stretchy bracelets"  They are made out of bottle glass, bicycle inner tubes and  used 22 shells that I pick up from the Arizona desert.

very, very comfortable!!!

The bracelets I call "study in shapes".  Which is exactly what they are!!!

I can't wait until everything is up and running. But, YOU don't have to wait.  If you see anything on this page that you love, just email me,  and receive 20% off   (offer is only good until Wednesday 4.21.10.  Because after that, I am on the road to Denver for the Denver Bead Society Show.

Hope to see you all down the road.!

New Logo

Take a moment to check out my new logo.

This image signifies and reminds me to think out side the box... to think in the future, beyond the now!  To grab onto something in the air and make it real.
I try to do this with every aspect of my life, and I hope some of this rubs off on everyone I touch.

Cheers,
Bronwen

Christmas 2009

Christmas, 2009.

We had my family over to the house, plus friends and friends of friends. This is a photo that my brother Jon took with his iphone using a pano app. Very cool. That is me on the far left sitting on the couch with a beehive hairdo. David (not pictured) made another wonderful Christmas dinner. It changes every year, this time we had Sour Brat en. Very nice and tangy. It was great. A lot of good conversation was had by all. Later that night, we skipped out and saw Sherlock Holmes. Was a fun movie. I can’t wait to see more!

What will my New Year resolution be this year? Will I keep it through out the year? Will I even make a resolution? Either way, I will lift my glass, and toast to the end of 2009, and to the beginning of 2010. To a new decade, a new beginning. May we all become wealthy beyond our wildest expectations with love, joy and happiness. May we all have a clear direction of where we want to be and what we want to accomplish. May we all reach our goals. And, may everyone be nice, not just to your neighbors, but to everyone you see and meet.

This last year was good, This coming year WILL BE GREAT!..

Class in my studio was AWESOME

This past weekend, I taught a class at my studio. It was so fun. There was a street fair going on right outside of my studio, so at lunch, we would head out there, eat some vendor food, and cruse the show. We talked with a few glass fusers, and also Josh Mazet and his dad Dave was there. We talked to both of them about marbles. We were very stoked and inspired to go back to our torches.

Here are the pieces we made. It was such a blast!!!

It was so much fun to teach at my studio. I was a bit worried, but I LOVED IT!!! My students were Great!!!! We got out the Thompson Enamels and played with background enameling to go with our painted pieces. We pulled stringers to apply on top. It was very, very fun!

If you would like to be put on my mail list for classes, send me an email at bron.heilman@msn.com.

I am teaching this December in my studio.... Email me if you are interested, or would like more information.

Learn Bronwen Heilman’s Vitreous Enamel Techniques.
Dec. 12 and 13, 2009
bron.heilman@gmail.com

Bronwen Heilman’s
Painting Class - painting beads using vitreous enamels.

This is an intermediate class focusing on how to work
with wet enamels and how to apply them. We will be
focusing on applying a wet enamel on a flat surface,
then after it is fired, we will roll it onto our core
bead.

Day 1: We will be creating our own, one of a
kind small glass paintings. We will learn how
different brushes create different effects, and
how to sign your name on your work.

Day 2: We will be lighting the torch, and
rolling up our sleeves, as well as our paintings,
to create beautiful pieces of art. We
will practice this and get comfortable
with the amount of heat we need to apply
the tile painting.

Where:547 N. 3rd. ave. Tucson, Az. 85705 (one block from many restaurants and coffee shops. Hotels and Bed and Breakfast’s within walking distance.)

Times: 9:30 - 5:00

Other: Fees: $375 includes 2-days of instruction and materials. Materials will include your own set of enamels to take home, as well as all the glass and other supplies needed in class. Class limited to 6 students (4 minimum).

All fees must be received by Nov. 16 to secure your spot in this class. If the class cancels, due
to the class not filling or other unforeseen issues, 100% of your class fees will be refunded.
Please email me with ANY questions.

my view

I am sitting in my studio, at my desk looking out onto my house. It is a very sweet set-up. Not many windows at my studio, but the view from my desk is great. Late at night, if I am working at the computer, I can see the flickering light of the electric fireplace shine through the windows. A warmth comes across my heart knowing that everyone is home safe and sound. I just got back from the post office, and now I am about to light my torch, so that the beautiful flickering light of the torch will warm up my face. I love this view, I know it is silly to like looking at this building, but my family lives in there, and I do love them so.

Ebay anyone?

I have decided to try Ebay once again. I am still in Denver and enjoying the fantastic warm weather here. I am all bundled in a 2 shirts, a bra, a wool sweater and a sweatshirt, plus a scarf, jeans, knee socks and boots, just to stay warm in the convention center. Outside it is a lovely 77 degrees. Last night, I took pictures of a few tiki's but only had time to get one up on ebay. Please check it out, I didn't have a ruler to measure the piece, so I a timely method of measurement by money size. I didn't have a quarter (the normal method of measurement) so I chose a dime. Enjoy
the link is
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250501178565&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Trip to Denver. My view through coffee stained eyes.

Yep, I am on the road once again. This time to Denver. One exciting thing about Denver, is that you never know what the weather will be like. It can be hot (1 mile up, closer to the sun), or freezing in feet of snow. This trip has been wet




and cold


and fun. Here are a few of the stops I made along the way. Enjoy!





Ft. Craig, NM

















Raton, NM








Trinidad, Co.









Near Pueblo Co.









And the Convention Center in Denver.

Outside my window

This morning I saw this beautiful helicopter just outside my window. I was snapping pictures while in just my underware. I could see the guys inside the cab very well. I am now guessing they could also see me. …

I am on the 9th floor

Road trip day 3

A bit late posting, sorry folks
L. A. …… People know how to drive here. They are pretty friendly on the road. The highway was slo-go for awhile, but not bad. Once out of L. A. It is a different story. CRAZY ! Ah-Yes, freeway driving is always an experience. One might say, an out-of-body one. But, stay alert... You never know what might happen. Waaaaaa! ( I am sounding like the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland....the happest place on earth)

Road trip … day 2

Disneyland … wow!!! ! We went on California screamin 5 times!!! How crazy! Who thought that I love roller coasters! Crazy!

Road trip

We just started our yearly road trip up to Portland, or. Us in our Jett tdi (diesel