RAW! Natural Born Artists

I was asked to join the RAW: Natural Born Artists “Provocations” show held in Reno last week, selling my dread beads, goddesses, pendants and other glass art. This is a great group, with shows held in over 54 cities nationwide and including a city in Australia! Here’s a blub from their site:

RAW: natural born artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists.
We’re a community made up of creative individuals across the nation.
Our mission is to provide independent artists within the first 10 years of their career with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity.
We welcome all genres of art including independent film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, hairstylists, makeup artists and more.
We encourage the creative success of the many visionaries and storytellers of our generation.
RAW currently operates in 54 cities across the United States & Australia and counting …

Pretty cool, huh? I thought so too.

I had just put 60 pieces (almost all of the stock I had ready and made!) into a great little shop in Midtown Reno: Twisted Minds, so I was scrambling to get enough glass goodies made in time for the show.  I had received some really large mandrels–3/4 inch Emiko mandrels–and I was eager to try them out for my dread beads.

These big hole mandrels have a bit of a learning curve, especially since I work on a Minor, which is a great torch, but may be just a bit underfed by my oxycon! There was just a whole lot of metal and glass to keep hot without going molten and drippy, or worse, cold and cracking! But I like the Dread Head Beads that came out so far–hope you do too–let me know!

Smiles, Sheri

PS–The response to these big hole beads was fun to watch; everyone kept thinking they were rings and trying them on their hands. While it is intriguing to consider, I just don’t think the soft glass I use would hold up to the smacking and banging a ring is generally subjected to.

Now once I get a proper Boro glass set up, well then I’ll be all over rings and stuff! Wooohooo!