Look Both Ways: Illustrated Essays on the Intersection of Life and Design by Debbie Millman was featured recently. Here's a taste...

If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love, and don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can, imagine immensities, don’t compromise, and don’t waste time. Start now. Not 20 years from now, not two weeks from now. Now.

It used to be one of my favourite pastimes to walk into a bookstore or library and open books at random to see what jumped out, so to speak. It never ceased to amaze me how often the particular phrase or paragraph would seem almost as if it had been waiting for me, so directly relevant and helpful or encouraging it would be to my situation.

interesting stuff. I've subscribed to the weekly newsletter so that the best of the week comes straight to my inbox, and love the many book reviews and articles on creativity.

Hi Folks, it's that time of year again when we can coax Bernie off the island and up to the mainland to impart some glassy goodness. There are two workshops to choose from although you can of course do both, one is in soft glass and one is in boro.

Monday 14th July - Wednesday 16th July
Soft glass sculpture
Soft glass is perfect for making sensuous and expressive figures. Learn how to control the flow and create women with attitude.
As well as the basic torso Bernie will teach how to make a full figure and how to create a stand for mounting the finished piece.

Friday 18th - Sunday 20th July
"A continuation of the exploration of the possibilities of the borosilicate bubble"
This year we will be working on the vessel form - so many possibilities - bud vases, pots, jars, perfume bottles.
Bernie will teach how to start on a point as well as how to coil to produce a coloured vessel, how to add handles, lips, lids and stoppers and how to make legs and a blown foot.

Workshops are held here at the studio in Elanora Heights, Sydney.
All tools and materials are provided, all you need to bring is your lunch.
Cost per workshop is $750.
For bookings or more information
please contact Penel at firebirdbeads@gmail.com or on
0422 437 812.

Want to make a fish murrini? First start with your sketchbook! It's much easier to work out the shape and colour details on paper than in glass...