A New Lease On Life!



I've Got A New Lease on Life!

I’ve been MIA for a while. I've been on the mend, I’m finally back on the torch, and it sure feels good! (Here is a picture of one of the latest beads)

I am posting this for awareness purposes:

After almost seven years of a “mystery” illness, I was finally diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). I traveled almost 1,000 miles to The Norman Parathyroid Center in Tampa, Florida for surgery. They are the experts with the most experience, and since this is not very common, I wanted to go to the best! They removed a tumor and one of my parathyroid glands, and the restoration of my health has been remarkable! I am so grateful to Dr. Politz and Dr. Norman for giving me a new lease on life. I feel AMAZING!

Best Source of Information: http://www.parathyroid.com/

Parathyroids have nothing to do with the thyroid. Hyperparathyroidism is not very common, and therefore, often goes undiagnosed and/or misdiagnosed. Most doctors know about HPT, but do not know it well.

From the Norman Website: The ONLY purpose of the parathyroid glands is to regulate the calcium level in our bodies within a very narrow range so that the nervous and muscular systems can function properly. This is all they do. They measure the amount of calcium in the blood every minute of every day... and if the calcium levels go down a little bit, the parathyroid glands recognize it and make parathyroid hormone (PTH) which goes to the bones and takes some calcium out (makes a withdrawal from the calcium vault) and puts it into the blood. When the calcium in the blood is high enough, then the parathyroids shut down and stop making PTH.

Hyperparathyroidism occurs when one (or more) of the four parathyroid glands grows into a tumor and behaves inappropriately by constantly making excess parathyroid hormone regardless of the level of calcium. In other words, one of the parathyroid glands has lost its control mechanism and continues to make large amounts of parathyroid hormone without paying attention to how high the blood calcium is. Thus, even when the calcium level is high--when the parathyroids should not be making any hormone at all--one of the glands keeps making hormone. Why? Because one of the parathyroid glands developed a benign tumor and lost its inhibitions and controls.

Inappropriate blood calcium levels can make you sick and very symptomatic. For the past six years (especially the last two), I had many of the symptoms. In October, my body lost the ability to regulate my blood pressure. My BP was very erratic, spiking to 222/116 and dropping to 95/55. These swings often made me feel like I was going to pass out. This is what took me back to the doctor.

Once the lab results were in, I again heard high calcium, and again it was dismissed. I did some research on my own, and found Dr. Norman’s website. It is so informative, and I became educated. I could not believe what I was reading… only EVERYTHING I had been telling my doctor for years! I emailed my labs to Dr. Norman, and they confirmed that my numbers warranted pursuing PHPT as a possible diagnosis. I then did a self referral, had a consultation with Dr. Politz and surgery was scheduled.

Again, I am sharing this for awareness purposes. It is a shame that this went undiagnosed for so many years. Not only does this disease make you feel sick, it MAKES you sick. It causes kidney stones (which I had almost two weeks after surgery), will cause osteoperosis 100% of the time as it leaches the calcium from your bones, has been linked to breast and prostrate cancer, decreases your life expectancy by years, and many other things...

A bit of advice: If you are having ongoing, unresolved issues, do your own research! You need to take an active part, along with your doctor, in your healthcare.

Anne, This One Is For You!






Here is a special order...Anne, I hope you like it!

Winter Whites

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Here are a few Winter Whites fresh out of the kiln.

Today's Kiln Harvest


Two views of the same bead




NFS - In line to be electroformed
Here are a few beads from this weekend's torch session.  Thanks for looking!

Gearing Up For Fall

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I am so ready for Fall...my favorite time of the year! I torched this weekend, and am prepping more leaf beads, like pictured above.


I hope you have a great weekend! Thanks for looking!

Lapidary Class - September 24th & 25th

LAMPWORKING AND LAPIDARY
September 24th & 25th (Saturday and Sunday)
from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
at Indy Flame Art
$275.00

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Day One: We will make beads suitable for the lapidary process on day two. We will concentrate on design, shaping, floral cane, using silver glass, goldstone and encasing.

Day Two: We will review equipment, lap beads from day one, and I will do a demo taking the bead back in the flame for surface decoration.

I hope you can join us!
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Life has been a bit crazy lately, with little time to torch. We are working on getting information together and exploring the possibility of adding on to the back of the house. It has taken most of my spare time and energy. I did get a few in the kiln yesterday, one of which is pictured above.

We are also busy at the studio planning for the upcoming classes: Dan Grumbling, Nancy Tobey and Claudia Pagel. Visit Indy Flame Art and check out the guest instructor page for more details.


Also, I have a Lapidary class scheduled for September 24th & 25th. Let me know if you would like to join us!

A Few For The Gathering

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Here are a few beads I made this weekend to go to The Gathering. I will be torching like crazy the new few weeks to make inventory. I will be listing some in the Etsy store.

I hope you have a great week, and thanks for looking!

New Beads For The Etsy Store

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Above are a few beads that will be listed over the next week. Have a great week, and thanks for looking!

New Colorful Focal

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Here is a new focal from this weekend. I mixed two silver glasses together and got some really pretty colors, from bold blues to pastels. The rest of the beads are in line to be electroformed. I had a lot of fun torching with my buddy Samma! I hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend!

Indy Flame Art Wall by the Fab Crew



Here is a good shot of the Indy Flame Art mural wall, compliments of the artists, the Fab Crew.

Playing Catch Up

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Bead and Button was a lot of fun, a lot of work and a great show! Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success! I quickly snapped pictures of some of the beads that made the trip with me, and have just now had time to post them. I spent a lot of time making electroformed leaf beads, my favorite design to create. I really like how different and unique each one turns out...Mother Nature planned it that way! I have played with the patina process long enough that I can now get the desired colors. Above are a few examples of color range with just LOS. As always, I really appreciate you visiting my blog!

Bead and Button ~ Booth 1222

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I will be sharing a booth at Bead and Button with my buddy Samma Parcels, and I have been working like crazy on inventory for the show. Here are just a few that I finished up this weekend. So far, I have 105 focals and a few bead sets ready to go, and will be posting more pictures over the next few weeks.If you make the show, please be sure to stop by booth 1222 and say hi! We would love to meet you! Have a great week, and as always, thanks for peeking!

Happy Mother's Day

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It has been a wonderful Mother's Day! The day started with Brittney showing up this morning with trays of beautiful shade-loving flowers that she planted in the front yard and at the back door. What a wonderful gift, and one I will enjoy all summer long! Thanks Brittney, being your Mom has been the most rewarding role in my life.



While out in the yard "helping", the Fed Ex man delivered a box of roses and chocolates...and a very special card that warmed my heart so much. They were from a young man that I worked with years ago, and we kind of adopted each other....he called me his Indy-Mom. He is now serving our great country in Afghanistan. Thanks Dan, your kindness means so much, and you will never know how proud I am of you!



Steve bought dinner tonight, a perfect finish to a perfect day. I feel blessed beyond belief, and thankful for all the love in my life.



While trying to get over this flu-bug the past two weeks, I have managed to torch a bit. I'm trying to get enough inventory for Bead and Button (Booth 1222). This is my first year to do this show, so I have no idea what to expect. So far, I have about ninety focals, and a few bead sets. With only four more weeks to torch, I need to get it in gear! Above is a focal from this weekend.



Happy Mother's Day!!! I wish you all a great week, and thanks for peeking!

A Few New Beads







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I've been a bit under the weather, but working on inventory for Bead and Button as much as possible. I hope you are enjoying your weekend, and thanks for peeking!

First Friday Art Walk at Indy Flame Art


I hope you will join us for First Friday at Indy Flame Art next Friday, May 6th from 6 - 9 PM.
Indy Flame Art has a new entrance. You will need to use the red double doors just to the right of the original single door entrance. You can't miss it....just follow the flames of the torch on our new mural!

We are so fortunate that the FAB Crew agreed to paint a mural for us on the outside wall of the studio. FAB stands for Fabulous Aeresol Brothers, and they are absolutely just that! These two artists have some amazing skills, and are talented beyond compare!

I have long admired street art and graffiti art. When we decided to paint our wall, we all agreed that a graffiti style wall would be perfect. We then met the FAB Crew, and after seeing their work, hoped they would agree to do their magic for us. And, it was magical!! Watching them work was priceless, and nothing less than amazing. I will let the pictures above speak for themselves.

THANKS to the FAB Crew for sharing your art with us!! You and your talents are so respected and appreciated! Check out their website and blog to see more of their work.

First Friday Focals





Above are a few demo focals from First Friday. We had a really great turn out! Thanks to everyone who braved the rainy weather to attend. It was great to see old friends, and meet new friends! (Great to see you Miss Marty - the middle bead is the one you watched me make)

I hope you are not tired of seeing the lapped butterfly focals, as I'm still having a lot of fun making them. I am trying to build inventory for the Bead and Button show.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

New Focals and Class Pictures

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The weekends sure go fast! Friday I did some cleaning and torching at the studio, Saturday cleaned the house and did laundry, and today I taught a class at Indy Flame Art. I'm one tired girl! I hope you all had a great and productive weekend, and have a wonderful upcoming week! (Above are pictures of a few focals from Friday and the beginners class today)

IGAA Hot Glass Infusion Weekend - Indianapolis


Mark your calendars for the IGAA Hot Glass Infusion Weekend!
Saturday, April 2nd from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday, April 3rd from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM

at GRT Glass Studios
6400 Brookville Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46219
317-357-9006
Directions

FREE ADMISSION
SATURDAY ARTISTS SCHEDULE
Hot Shop
11am -1pm David Lotton
1pm - 3pm Lisa Pelo
3pm - 5pm Arlon Bayliss Live Auction starts at 4pm
5pm - 7pm Matt Kenyon Live Auction starts at 6pm
6pm - 8pm Yuri Okamoto Live Auction start at 7pm

Flameworking Station
11am -1pm Sharon Owens
1pm - 2:30pm Lisa Atchison
2:30pm - 4pm Sama Parcels
4pm - 6pm Steve Sizelove Live Auction start at 5pm6pm - 8pm TBD


SUNDAY ARTISTS SCHEDULE
Hot Shop
12pm -1:30pm Mark Oberting
1:30 pm - 3pm Jon Zimmerman Creates a Kid's Glass Idea!
3pm - 5pm Mike Hernandez Creates a Kid's Glass Idea!

Flameworking Station
12pm -2:30pm Chicquila Elbert-Velazoo
2:30pm - 5:00pm Sallie Gurth

We hope to see you there!

Works from the Weekend

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Wow, what a great weekend, but it sure went fast. I'm working on inventory for Bead and Button, so Friday and Saturday were spent at the Indy Flame Art studio, torching with Sallie and Samma. This will be my first year to sell at B&B, and I will be sharing a booth with Samma Parcels. I love spending time in my home studio, but the creative energy at IFA is wonderful, especially when torching with friends! I leave my Hellcat torch at IFA, and that combined with liquid oxygen, makes it my favorite place to torch.


I spent today at the home studio, torching and lapping the beads from yesterday, of which a few are pictured above.



I'm certainly having fun with the lapped florals, as each one is so different. You really never know exactly what you will get after grinding away the surface.



I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and as always, thanks for visiting!