Sara at On Simplicity wrote:

what three non-essential things would you save in an emergency? Your family, friends, pets, and any medical needs are considered essential for this question, so we’ll assume you’ve already got those.

As I think about my own answer to this, it really brings home how little I really need in terms of material possessions!  It also makes me realize that I don’t have a current backup of my data on my computer, because an external hard drive or flash drive containing that would probably be at the top of my list.  Perhaps I should do something about this???

Let’s say that number 1 is my hypothetical external data backup.  Number 2 might well be my rolling case containing my bead inventory.  A couple of thousand dollars of inventory would do quite a bit to help me restock my studio, or give me an opportunity to recognize the generosity of anyone helping me out in that emergency.  Number 3?  Hmmm.  I think I might have to quickly grab my little metal lunchbox containing my journal and journaling supplies.  I would probably need to work through a lot of angst as we rebuilt our life, and I’ve always found journaling a good tool for that.

So I would say that’s my final answer:

1. A backup copy of my computer data on external/flash drive
2. My bead inventory case
3. My journal box

How about you?  What three things would YOU save?

Okay, I admit it. I’ve been a slacker for a couple of weeks. My bad! First it was exams for summer term, then a week off when I was a total slug, then a week of meeting and advisement hell. So I am way, way behind on BotW, because people HAVE been posting good stuff!

• Mincot expanded on Rachel’s posting from last time about the costs behind artist-made lampwork beads.
• Lydia Muell shares a bit of the work behind the development of her first-ever lampwork tutorial. Look at the beads, then click over and get the tutorial itself — I highly recommend it!
• Need a quickie guide to the different types of lampworking glass?
• Michelle’s exploring mandalas in lampwork, and the results are fabulous!
• Want pink? Not sure how to get it? Lori Greenberg tells you the pros and cons of all the “pink” soft glass out there. Now if she’d just help me create a true pink in boro…
• Lori is also going back in time for a re-look at her creative process over at Watch Me Create.
• Cindy Gimbrone’s out there singing “I like big wire and I cannot lie…“
• Susan Sheehan recently discovered that doing a bead show isn’t as dreadful as she thought — in fact, it’s a pretty positive experience!
• For those of us who couldn’t make it to The Gathering, Andrea Guarino-Slemmons shares some pictures of Vittorio Constantini’s class.
• A lot of us lampworkers are introverted souls. We’d like to think we can torch all the time, but that’s really not feasible. So what can we do for fun without spending a lot of money OR dealing with those hated crowds of people? The Simple Dollar to the rescue!

It must be too hot to play with glass in many locales, because the blog posting has picked up. After all, it IS usually cooler sitting in front of a computer screen than in front of a torch!

The Carter Seibels feature article in Belle Armoire Jewelry’s Summer issue continues to generate reaction among the lampworkers:

• Susan Lambert takes offense at the characterization of middle-aged lampworkers and points out that the article was a put down of a very significant demographic among BAJ’s readership;
• Andrea’s scholarly analysis shows the flaws in the reasoning behind the ageist comments;
• I’m grumbling that it’s the hands, not the tools, that make the artist.

In other postings:

• Lori Greenberg has not only been busy interviewing Sarah Moran of Z-Beads, she’s been conducting more experiments of her own for Watch Me Create.
• Rachel of Inferno Glass Beads jumps into the blogosphere to try and explain the cost of artist-made lampwork beads to the rest of the world.
• Luann Udell is also blogging about the rise in prices of art along with everything else.
• At the Art Bead Scene, Jennifer Stumpf introduces us to Canary Islands artist Lina Khan.
• An anonymous Etsy Bitch reader shares why, in his opinion, having a sale in your Etsy shop is a Bad Idea (gasp!).
• Even complete flakes need to get things done. Sonia Simone has some ideas on how to make it happen for you.

Perhaps it’s just the Dog Days of Summer, but the lampworking blogosphere has been a little, well, cranky this week. It’s made for some interesting reading, that’s for certain!

• Before we start getting to the cranky stuff, Cindy Gimbrone gives a brief lesson on borosilicate glass beads, with examples, at Art Bead Scene.
• If you’ve been hearing about Mountain Honey and wondering if it’s a new bluegrass group, let Otter educate you about this new color of glass and its possibilities.
• Megan Potter, one of the staff at Just Be Connected, says that it’s not just sleep deficits, it’s creativity deficits as well, that we need to deal with in our lives.
• Now for the crankiness, and yes, it’s all lampwork-related! Andrea’s still contemplating the copying issue,
• I’m annoyed about ageism on Etsy and in print,
• Jelveh’s nailed it on the nose when it comes to new names for old stuff,
• and Andrea’s also miffed about misconceptions on the use of tools in lampworking (yep, she’s on a roll this week — maybe it’s a good thing she’s leaving on vacation next weekend ).

During the lazy days of summer, sometimes it’s good to just take a break from that hot torch, and sit back with a nice cold glass of tea and read what’s going on in the lampworking world!

• The copying discussion continues — Mincot continues her ponderings while mixed-media artist (and sister of my lampworker friend Ellen) Nina Bagley shares her frustrations with the imitation of her own work. Incidentally, if you don’t read Nina’s blog, Ornamental, you should subscribe — I am always inspired by Nina’s words and pictures!
• Laura Sparling has been trying to make “cloud beads” for some time. Watch as she persists, and succeeds!
• That Karolen! She’s at it again, working her magic with the Triton!
• Sarah Hornik’s back from her Australia trip, sharing her memories of birds and beads from Down Under.

Stay cool and hydrated, y’all!