Dear Hungerford Building

 Miscellaneous  9 Responses »
Mar 292012
 

During my first meeting with The Hungerford Urban Artists, I volunteered to take care of the listings for First Friday. To make this run smoothly I have created a document that can be shared amongst the artists in the building. There is a page for all artisans in the building and a page for HUA members. I have also provided a page for events that occur outside the building. Just shoot an email to francesca@francescadecaire.com, I will adjust the settings so that you can edit/add your information.

Take a peek and see who will be open this coming First Friday, April 6 (6pm – 9pm) I will be posting in detail about the event in a few days. View the Artisan Directory for The Hungerford Building here.

 

Beads of Courage, Helping Kids With Serious Illness Tell Their Story

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Mar 252012
 

Every time I watch a video like this, my body becomes heavy and tears form in my eyes. This makes me want to get back to the torch. I haven’t had a good fucus lately, but now I remember a few of the reasons why I love what I do.

Visit my Artists Give shop here. Procedes go to children with serious illness.


Happy To Be a Part Of The Hungerford Urban Artisans

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Mar 232012
 

This morning I asked when my sign would be added to the Hungerford Urban Artisans directory. In less than an hour, this was accomplished, thanks to Artist, Nicole Scanlon. What a wonderful group to be a part of.

I’m thankful to have a network of amazing artists who graciously share their time to help others. My sign should be up by First Friday, April 6. Excited to see it up!

Be sure to like us on Facebook, Just click this link. This is a great way to stay up to date with the artists of the  Hungerford building.

A Bit of Today

 Miscellaneous  1 Response »
Mar 212012
 

As I parked in the garage at The Fairport Public Library  nostalgia overcame me. Over ten years ago a few friends of mine and I spent a little time here. I never devoured books like my old buddies Dave and Dan, but don’t let that fool you, we were all big time trouble makers. Gosh do I feel old.

Anyhow, why was I at the Library? To hear a lecture by a loud old guy named Ralph about small business and sales tax. One thing that was brought to my attention was how stupid it is that I have been to lazy to record my milage. Hopefully I am inspired enough from tonight to change that. Also, it was great to know I’m not the only person who sounds like a megaphone.

As the lecture ended I chatted with a fellow RNEST member, we quickly decided we’d both look for books while parting ways. I’ve been in need of some stress relief, so I went straight for The Dalai Lama. As I was checking out Open Heart, Practicing Compassion In Everyday Life, I was told that my card had expired. Long time no see library. After some debate about weather or not I was gonna get off the hook, I was finally approved to take the book. As I walked away I joked, “I really need this book, I might kill somebody“. WOW, did that freak them out, I guess it wasn’t funny at all. I need to stop trying so hard. I swear they were reaching for the phone.

Anyhow I’m gonna snuggle up with a nectarine, this book and call it a night. I can’t wait to leave behind the sound of the keyboard clacking and feel the texture of paper between my fingers. I hope this post was at least somewhat amusing. My apologies for the rambling. Soon I’ll be documenting some display improvements/changes. Having a love hate relationship with the progress of that right now. My studio is too big of a disaster for proper photos.

Sleep tight.

Making Owls in The Dark

 Miscellaneous  3 Responses »
Mar 112012
 

Last night was special. I had a strange desire to to turn off my intrusive fluorescent lights and make a few beads in total darkness. Alone with my torch, the view of the train yard and the Village Gate was a romantic scene. The glow of molten glass was hypnotic. It was becoming late and I had worked a long day. Making owls in the dark was best kept short and a fine way to end the night, I decided to head home.

While locking up my studio I heard a chorus resonating from the main entrance. Rather than leaving the usual way out door four, I walked toward the sounds coming from the main entrance. A crowd of elderly people were slowly and carefuly making their way down the stairs. The Space (performing arts center) must have just had an event. Sculptor, Stacey Mrva, entered the building, swiftly making her way past the slow group. I stopped her introducing myself, reminding her she may know of me from The Crown. She asked if I’d like to visit her space. Her work was impressive and immense, her personality was just as powerful.

I drove home with a huge smile upon my face. What a wonderful night.

Go Mahany! – Brooks Announces Mahany Welding Supply as Business of The Month

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Mar 082012
 

Mahany Welding Supply has been my one and only oxygen supplier from the very first day I melted glass. I’m not surprised that Maggie Brooks announced them business of the month. Congrats to all of you at Mahany! I know you deserve it, especially Dave and Jerry at the shop on Field Street! Those guys have been putting up with me for close to a decade.

Mahany has expanded the shop at 115 Fed Ex way into a new learning facility and I can’t wait to visit. When I saw Milon Towsend on the brochure for Mahany’s new Rochester Arc and Flame Center, I almost peed! Lisa Hamlin is also going to be teaching a bead class! During conversation at The Grass Roots Gallery two weekends ago, Lisa mentioned that she thinks I might be in her old suite from when she made beads in the Hungerford. If only she could have remembered the room number! She now has a space at Anderson Alley on N. Goodman Street.

Rochester Flame and Arc Center offers classes in welding, glass and blacksmithing. Boy, I can’t wait to visit and pick their brains. This is truly going to be a great addition to our artful community.

Read what Brooks had to say about Mahany at Monroecounty.gov. Below is a small quote from the article.

The Rochester Arc and Flame Center is the only facility of its kind in our region,” added Brooks. “The newly opened Center has already begun to attract visitors to our community for their top-notch recreational and professional training courses.

 

 

 

A Tidbit of Hungerford History – Royal Purple Grape Juice

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Mar 062012
 

The Manager of The Hungerford Building posted this neat-o Royal Purple Grape Juice ad on Facebook. He found it in Harper’s Magazine. I couldn’t find any good info to link to, but it looks like it dates back to 1915.

Glass Rod Storage System

 Miscellaneous, Tools and Supplies  1 Response »
Mar 042012
 

Jason ordered me 4 lengths of vinyl fence rail and cut them with a miter saw. They are absolutely perfect to store my glass rods for easy access.

Today I pulled my unorganized pile of glass rods from the shelves in this bookcase and organized them in the vinyl tubing. I’ll need to order two more lengths to be cut, which will give me 16 more sections. Each section has 3 slots. I’ll have 144 individual sections to store my color! They are the perfect size for me, I rarely order more than a pound of any one color at a time.

Henna Tattoo at Grass Roots Gallery – Cool Things Happen in The Hungerford

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Mar 032012
 

Tracy Gets A Henna Tattoo at Grass Roots Gallery

Last week at Rejuvinate, held by The Grass Roots Gallery, my best friend Tracy got a henna tattoo. The Henna artist works for a company called Henna Rising. Too bad I lost her card, I’d really like to mention her name, oh well.

Grass Roots is open today for Mary’s Birthday party (Click the link for info). It should be a fantastic time. I’m home with Lucas while Jason is brewing beer at a buddies, otherwise I’d be attending. The party is from 6pm – 11pm. They will be serving Caribbean pork sliders, Homemade Salsa, and other delicious goodies. Let me know how tasty the food was. Last week’s salsa was heaven.

Have fun!

Breathe

 Miscellaneous  2 Responses »
Feb 292012
 

I’ve never been one for a routine, who am I kidding. My thinking is all wrong from Friday’s post. I can’t stick to doing much in the same manner, at the same time or day – and that is OK. What I need to do  is relax. The day will unwind more efficiently or at least more enjoyably. I’m so nervous and overexcited that the whole day just turns to chaos. So it’s not a routine that I need, I need to breathe and maybe get rid of some of the clutter around my house.

This girl is in need for a Dalai Lama type book. The Art of Happiness was helpful to me as a teenager, perhaps I need to revisit for some life changing inspiration.

Simple, right?

It’s Personal, February Team Challenge – I Need Your Vote!

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Feb 242012
 

Just when I said I was taking a break from the blog, I remembered the team challenge, It’s Personal. I worked 12 hours at the studio today so I’m gonna keep this short. I need a relaxing bath and some candle light, if I don’t fall on my face first.

Two clicks and no sign up:

  1. Click here to leave my site and appear at the RNEST Team Challenge.
  2. In the upper right hand corner of the RNEST blog click Cremation Remains Memory Pendant by Francesca DeCaire. I’m at the very top of the list. (You may need to scroll over a bit)

That’s all it takes.

I can’t win without the help of my readers. I need your vote. Thank you, thank you, thank you and muah! Is the smooch going too far? If you’d like, please drop me a comment letting me know I gained your vote.

Read about my Cremation Remains Memory Pendant here.

A Routine is in Need

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Feb 232012
 

Lately (all my life) it has been extremely challenging for me to construct a solid routine. I’ve been such a strung out mess, with responsibility hanging over my head.

Somehow, someway, I’ll find a productive, consistent way to balance working in the studio, family time, chores, shows, paper work, (god, when is the last time I walked the dog?), blogging… The list goes on and on. I feel like one huge pile of dirty laundry. Man am I an impulsive space cadet.

Wish me luck, that dog needs a walk, Lucas needs to get outside and so do I!

Inspiring Letter Written By Teller of Penn and Teller, A Must Read For Anyone Trying To Make an Artistic Living

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Feb 212012
 

When we started we HAD no style, no understanding of ourselves or what we were doing.  We had feelings, vague ones, a sense of what we liked, maybe, but no unified point of view, not even a real way to express our partnership.  We fought constantly and expected to break up every other week.  But we did have a few things, things I think you might profit from knowing:

We loved what we did.  More than anything.  More than sex.  Absolutely.

We always felt as if every show was the most important thing in the world, but knew if we bombed, we’d live.

Read the full story here…

Short TV Spot For The Beads of Courage Program

 Miscellaneous  No Responses »
Feb 192012
 

Visit Beads of Courage to learn how you can help. There are several ways you can support this amazing program. They even have a comfy T-Shirt. I wear mine at most of my art shows. You may also shop for my beads at the Artists Give program, just click this link, proceeds go to the children.

 

Stress is On High

 Miscellaneous  3 Responses »
Feb 142012
 

Blurry crooked iPhone photo

Monday I spent a long day at the studio. I didn’t arrive home till 11:30pm. What did this accomplish? A blue wall, a lot of mess and a crippled hand. Painting crumbling bricks around a radiator is a pain. With no time to relax I showered and collapsed into bed. Now I have mixed feelings about my color choice and how I went about it – Too bad, I like it enough, there is no turning back. The entrance is next. A turquoise door and blue trim. I want to be bold, bright, and fun. I’ll paint the main walls white for good light reflection. I know I said I would wait to profit before I went ahead with studio improvements, but shows are going to eat up my time so I went for it.

Today I feel overwhelmed and excited, but mostly scared. After getting to know myself for about 30 years, I realize that this feeling will pass. Things tend to crash in on me when I don’t rest well, it can become difficult to see the big picture. Everything is riding on my project. Precisely why I invested every last penny of my savings into art show applications. This is my dream, this is my one life, no time for delay.

To do: (list updated 3/11)

  • Chain tanks to wall
  • Fire extinguisher inspection
  • Fire Permit
  • ventilation system
  • blinds or something to block out light
  • Insurance
  • Paint bricks blue
  • Paint studio entrance
  • Paint walls white
  • Storage system/glass rod organizer
  • Displays/Frames with bead photos/wall hanging bead and jewelry displays
  • File sales tax for current quarter
  • Income tax 2011
  • 25 feet of O2 hose
  • Fridge

 

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