Be Creative

Wish I had room somewhere for this fine steed! Metal sculpture from FIND in Gowanus.

I found these cool stone beads from Ghana last week. I’m going to pair them with my glass beads in my new jewelry line. Coming soon!

These single-color transparent beads were made from recycled glass. My friend Ragnar Klenell uses recycled glass exclusively in his glassblowing furnace in Edsbjorke, Sweden. The last time I was there, we spent a few hours pulling rods of different colors that I took back to Brooklyn. 

Working on some small brooches. The beads have a layer of silver leaf, enamel powder, and a final light run through some baking soda. 

I love this bamboo vanity that Robert made for a client recently. Check out his site at balserawoodworks.com.

Looks like my begonias and basil really enjoyed yesterday’s rain.

Want to do something good for yourself? Visit www.bolawkungfu.com and sign up for an intro class. I did 11 years ago, and I’m very happy that I did. 

It’s always good to have some evil eye protection. I made these glass “eye” beads in the traditional style, and the red horn. The photo is the door of my grandfather’s house in Abruzzo. I think he’d approve.

Italy? No, Gowanus!

When I’m working on prototypes, I use the single-fuel Hot Head torch designed by Cindy Jenkins. After I work out my designs, I go to my gas/oxygen Minor Bench Burner for production, which burns hotter and a little cleaner. It’s great to have both.