So who does what?

That's another question we often get asked when people discover that we create together. Since I started metalsmithing some 22 years ago, it makes sense that I do most of that. Bill still has a full time job for about another year before he retires, so his time is limited. In the last 10 years or so that we have integrated glass into our work, Bill has concentrated on flame working and his developed some serious skills in that area. Check out those hollow blown black and white glass beads below. He is developing those designs while blowing and growing the size of the bead at the very end of a blowpipe. I made the chain on this one and put it together. 

I make the cabachons and solid beads, but recently we have been so busy, that Bill has taken over making lots of the small beads too. More and more I am combining glass, silver & some gemstone accents. As I have mentioned before, all elements are equally deserving of one another. A recent sample of 100 percent of my own work is below. I'm into metal hollow forms this year. 

Working with color is what we both find inspiring. But when it comes to displaying all that color in a show booth, I try to corral it into color ways in each of our lighted pedestal cases. There is usually a black & white and a red, and then the rest depends on the season or what we are finding interesting. I will often ask Bill when he's making glass to work in a particular color. At the end of every show I take photos of each case, which helps determine what we need to work on. 
I'm really looking forward to winter break. I have so many ideas for color combinations and designs that require a little time to tinker. Tinker time is in short supply at the moment. And for that we are grateful for all or our customers support!