Holding a Cat by the Tail

It's time to clean out my studio. This is not a chore I look forward to. It inevitably leads to more project ideas, more need for supplies, and more mess. It seems that the cleaner the studio gets, the more I want to work in it...go figure! But, it had to be done, and I discovered I gained more than just a longer list of to-dos and a cleaner workspace. I found a bit of affirmation, as well.

Deep in the back of a cabinet, I found my very first glass piece. Starting this journey about 1 1/2 years ago, I remember how proud I was of this first endeavor. I had researched the Internet, read books, and talked to other fusers before beginning, so I knew the learning curve was steep. To me, this red bowl was a true work of art. I showed it to my family and friends who oohed and ahhhed over it...Bless their hearts! I posted it on fused glass bulletin boards and the members there did little to burst my bubble, thank goodness. Little did I know how much more I would learn over the next year and a half.

"If you hold a cat by the tail, you learn things you cannot learn any other way."

--Mark Twain

HOW TRUE! There have been times during this journey that I have felt like I was holding the tail of a very unhappy cat....the hazy finishes, the gigantic bubbles, the cracked masterpiece... The list is long and I'm sure it will get much longer. The cat still gets upset, but I am beginning to learn how to protect myself when I grab its tail thanks to the many loved ones who have encouraged me, and my new friends in the Creative Glass Guild of Etsy and on the Fused Glass Source bulletin board. Look how far I've come! Three Peas in a Pod
Thank you all and ...Bless your hearts!