Here are the lampwork critters from two nights ago.  There was a third dragon but alas he lost his head.  He is in the pile with the seahorse to be fixed – both are the pale blue of the large fish's fin.  Perhaps that glass is a bit more finicky than the others, as I did anneal them all (for those who don't know, that means put them into a kiln, take them up to a certain temperature, hold them there and then let them cool before taking them out).

I can say that making these critters is helping me get a better feel for both the borosilicate glass (the same thing as pyrex) and for my torch – how to get it hotter so it will work the boro faster.  Boro is much harder than regular lampwork glass and melts at hotter temperature points.  It isn't as droopy as regular lampwork glass so you can't use the natural droop as a part of designing, you have to pull and push the glass to get it where you want it.  All a part of learning the craft.  Experience is a great teacher!

Spent some time looking for more boro on-line, as my e-bay supplier is very limited in color offerings at the moment.  Found some great sites with reasonable prices for short rods – I'll probably have to join them together to use them or get adept at using pliers as holders.  All a part of learning the craft (and not going broke – boro is sold in sampler kits (affordable) and by the pound (less so)).

Here are some closer ups:

Fish 1 is 2 3/8" long x 1.5" wide

Fish 2 is   1 3/8" long by 7/8" wide

Black Dragon with clear wings is 1.5" tall x 3/4"w.

I didn't get a good picture of the 2nd dragon close up, but she is 1.5" tall x1 1/8" wide.

thought for the day:  The tree rises from the dark.  It circles around the "heart of darkness" from which it reaches towards the light.  A tree is a perfect presence.  It is somehow able to engage and integrate its own dissolution.  The tree is wise in knowing how to foster its own loss.  It does not become haunted by the loss nor addicted to it.  The tree shelters and minds the loss.  Out of this comes the quiet dignity and poise of a tree's presence.  Trees stand beautifully on the clay.  They stand with dignity.  A life that wishes to honour its own possibility has to learn too how to integrate the suffering of dark and bleak times into a dignity of presence…The tree can reach towards the light, endure wind, rain, and storm, precisely because it is rooted.  Each of its branches is ultimately anchored in a reliable depth of clay.  The wisdom of the tree balances the path inwards with the pathway outwards.  John O'Donohue, Eternal Echoes

[note: in praise of Typepad for a change.  My whole page just closed down for no reason I can ascertain except perhaps an overcrowded desk and something got bumped.  The new improved Typepad captured the post and saved it for me.  This makes me VERY happy!]