Back in the studio again!!

Well, Don and Zora are back in Kodiak - especially grateful to be away from the heat and smog of Philadelphia and breathing the clean cold air of the Island Terrific in the North Pacific (I didn't make up that phrase, it's from the Visitor's Bureau) Both of them returned energized by the interaction with other lampworkers - lots of pics of people working at the torch, lots of compliments - Zora for developing her talent at such a young age, and Dad for being a good teacher and chaperone. Plans are for attendance at next year's Female Flame-off at Revere in California. I'll get some photos up in the next couple of days. In the meantime, here's Pete the Piebald Seahorse.
His eyes are Momka's antique beauty, body is silver sands with blue metal over it and the fins are turquesa.

Don made him for a Ocean Bead challenge on LampworkEtc.

Here's an example of Don's ornaments. He has been making them for over twenty years. It started out as just a Christmas item for the AAUW Bazaar - a big shopping event here in Kodiak. Now they are offered year round - I'm on my way to deliver some to The Next Page, Kodiak's independent bookstore. About 6" - 8" in length, each one is individually made of boro glass, annealed for strength and durability.

We have customers who buy one every year!

Whoops, something happened there!!! the link didn't show up... let's see about doing some fixing.... Search for Zora's hearts at http://www.ebay.com.. search for Fyrsmith in the listing title.well... I'll have to do some work to make it live :) Back to the manual!!

Look at this beautiful sample!!! The Fyrsmith and I are very proud of her!

Don the Fyrsmith and our daughter, the apprentice, are getting ready to head off to Philadelphia for a Female Flame-off at the Philly Glassworks. They have been working on techniques, picking out finished pieces for trading or selling to other participants, and packing tools and equipment to take with them. Zora, the apprentice, has a bunch of hearts for sale on eBay to help finance her trip. You can look at them by searching for seller ID fireworksglass or doing a search for "Fyrsmith" at