One of my favorite things I have done in the Blog world was to sign up for Lori's Bead Soup. I was just new to blogging and wanted to meet new bloggers and make some new friends. It really was one of the best things I could have done. I was lucky that Lori already knew my beads and knew who I was. It was like meeting an old friend.By chance we were matched up and we had a blast.
I met some great and talented artists I got to see some beautiful work and been inspired to try new things.
Sign ups start soon Jan 7-9 2012.
So if you are wanting to sign up hit the link and get the details.
Every year I always seem behind at Christmas time. I haven't made any cookies, I am behind of gifts, the house is a mess, and I am scrambling last minute.But this year I got this.
I made Christmas cookies with my daughter, I super cleaned the house, I wrapped all the gifts, and I am in the Christmas mood.
I have my whole family with us this year. We also spent Thanksgiving together and it was wonderful. Lots of laughs and love. Now we will all be together Christmas. It won't happen that often so I made sure to carve out time for getting ready. I think it will be lovely.
I hope that each and everyone of you have a wonderful Christmas, wither it is with family, or just a few friends.
So working in a glass studio is very cool. I am surrounded by glass and glass artists everyday. What others would kill to have the opportunity to do I take for granted. Our hotshop is one of the best in the country. It's very cool.
Today I was hanging out in the hot shop talking to the blowers and asked one of our artist if I could help him out making ornaments. So I watched him take small gathers of glass out of the furnace to add to the ornament to make the loop on top. Easy enough...not. But I had a blast.
Dang it is HOT and I was just doing simple easy stuff. There are so many things to remember but really its the same thing in beadmaking. It's a lot of stuff to remember.
So long story short, maybe, just maybe I will take a class. Maybe.
I remember growing up with joyous memories of Christmas. Every Christmas Eve the neighborhood had a Christmas caroling party and all the Dads took the kids out (Moms had to stay home so we could sing to someone)and we would sing our hearts out. To this day I know the words by heart to many Christmas carols. Oh Holy Night, We Three Kings, Away in the Manger. The Dads used to say they saw Santa in the sky and we would try as hard as we could to see the red nose on Rudolf.
We would all meet at the Watt's house and have Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, candy, food and fun! Every year we got older and some moved away but we always made it back to the Watt's.
Later it was just our family and it grew as we got married and had kids. Those were wonderful times too. My Dad (Papa Lou) would write a scavenger hunt for each one of the grandkids and they would race around the house looking for their presents. We also had a glass Pickle ornament ( and old German tradition) something my kids still remember.
I am lucky I get that. Lately our Christmas's have changed. My Mom and Sister are no longer with us. New people have entered our lives, things change. But guess what we are forming new traditions, forming new relationships and choosing to work at making Christmas special. I want it to be good, so I will make it good.
By no means is my family perfect. We have had our problems, conflicts, fights, but we want it to work, so it does.
Self fulfilling prophecy's do exist.
I hear so many people say "I hate Christmas". They tire at putting up decorations, being alone, not having family near, having dysfunctional families, making it impossible to enjoy the season, and waiting for it to be done.
May I make some suggestions? Get involved, volunteer, find someone who feels the same, join a church group, in other words make your own joy. Seek it out. Make it work.
I am excited and joyous about Christmas. I was the year after my Mom died, the year after I lost my sister to cancer, the year we had little to no money, the year it was just us, the year it was all of us.
Like I need another thing to do. I was out shopping yesterday for last minute gifts and saw these cute blankets at Pier One. They were $65
and I thought hummm, I think I could make those myself.
So now I have blankets, gloves, and hats. Luckily I already have tons of felting material so stay tuned.
I think this is going to get fun. Why do I do this to myself......
I got some cool stuff to show you! First are these stinken cute Red Roof Tile Podlets. They are plump and the color is rich and beautiful. I love making these beads. They are so much fun to handle. Lots of depth and texture. Just listed these guys.
Next is my attempt at cute. I don't do "cute" too often but I had so much fun making this guy I think I have to make more. I made a bunch for work and they all sold so I made some more. This little guy is on my Etsy store. He will have a bail so you can just slip him on a chain or ribbon.
Some of you know that I contributed a bead for Kerry Bogart's Totally Twisted book. Last week I had a call from a customer in LA asking if I could send her a bead similar to the one in the book so she could make the necklace. I can't believe I don't have any listed on my Etsy so I have listed a couple at really good prices.
Next I listed some more of my bead sets. Each bead is super cute and the whole set will make a fantastic bracelet. I love these bead sets. They pop with color and I also lowered the price from $35.00 to $30.00.
Sometimes it's hard to keep pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and tell yourself that you and your work are worthy. Everyday lately I feel like I need to justify my artistic existence or worth. I know that I am worthy and my art is worthy, it's just tiring to keep having to justify it to others. When money is involved it gets even harder.
Why is it that if you make more money it means that your work is more important. To me it means that you have good work, but also you have great skills at promotion, been in the right place at the right time, and have been just plain lucky.
Gosh I know so many artists who should be selling the crap out of their stuff because it rocks, but because they are not good at self promotion, or haven't been recognized by the "right' people, or a ton of other things, they just fall in the cracks.
Sometimes I feel like I am in a crack... so I am going to take the day to finish decorating the house for Christmas, make some beads, take pictures of my super cute snowman and load some stuff on my Etsy store.
At work we are putting out tons of work for the Christmas rush. I have my work plus I am putting out "cutsie" work for a fast and easy sale. I have a friend who was making the cutest mittens and I wanted to try them out myself. So I called her and asked permission to make some. She was gracious and said of course, but to try and make them unique to my style and not exactly like hers.
So I played around with it came up with a style totally my own.
If she had said no I would have been OK with that, but because she asked me to push myself and make them unique I was able to create without feeling like I had stolen her idea.
There are times when you want to hold onto an idea and that is fine. I have not taught my Pod bead yet. I wanted to take time with it and explore all the possibilities of it. But now I am ready to start teaching it. I have a feeling that other artists will take my idea and come up with something totally unique to them.
There have been plenty of times when I have asked permission from artists to play with an idea of theirs. Everyone has been gracious and said "go for it". Eventually I would change and adapt that idea and make it my own. When I had achieved the final look I asked permission once again. Then I felt I could sell it and show it to others.
As an artist it is always best to ask permission first. Many times the artist will be fine with it, but if you don't ask first it's not cool.
I think ideas are not possessions. There are many times where two artist have come up with the same idea purely on their own, not knowing the other had the same idea. Can one really lay claim to it? Not really. It is better to continue your idea and just move forward.
It is when you have knowingly seen an idea and copied it without giving credit to the artist or asked permission that causes hard feelings. Always thinking of the artist first is usually the best way to go. The old saying "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" really is true.
I am having so much fun making
them. I told you where you can find the Sari Silk but the tutorial
by Shannon of Missfickle was not
available at the time. Well guess
what, she has it on her website!
Run don't walk to get it. The bracelets will make great stocking stuffers, teachers gifts, gifts for teens and gifts for your BFF.
I cannot thank you all enough for purchasing from my Etsy store during my Cyber Sale. I don't get a lot of comments so I am not sure if anyone is reading, but I guess you are. So thanks for that. Truly, supporting those who choose to make their living though art is a good thing. I am off to make more bracelets!
The Etsy sale is still going on. The coupon code is: cybermon2011.
Everything is 10% off. Don't miss it!
There are still tons of my favorite beads left. I can't believe that this pretty pod is still there! I have some Silver Dew Drops left too!
I am having a sale! Yep that's right my first sale. I am offering 10% off everything in my Etsy store. Just enter in the coupon code:cybermon2011.There are some killer beads in there.
Like these Melon beads. These guys are super cute and need a home. I also have these Clio melon beads.
I also have some great Copper Green Podlets too! This set is one of my favorites yet. Each on is packed with color and depth.
I will be adding more stuff each day and the sale ends Wed Nov. 30th at 7:00 PM.
Off to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Everyone have a great holiday and safe travels.
Just one more and I will have 200 followers! So if you are a regular reader or just discovering my blog, go ahead click. Make my day.
I made some more Podlets. I think I am officially back in love with them. The shapes, textures, colors and depth really are so cool. These are off for a special project that I hope will work out. I am super excited about it. I just have to wait to see if it really is going to happen. I promise to make a bunch for my Etsy site. I will have sets and pairs just give me a couple of days.
I am spending the day in my "comfy" clothes. I have tons of findings, beads, sari silk, wire, tools, just waiting for me to make some stuff. I am headed off to Chicago and will take some things up for a shop to consign.
I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving. Tons of family and lots of laughs. We are a fun bunch. Off to make some goodies.
Well I got my Sari Silk Ribbon from Designtalentedone. Her ribbons are great and so many colors to choose from. I because obsessed with this style of bracelet and of course made a bunch up. I am taking them into work and see how they go. Yummy.
Ok I LOADED up my Etsy shop with lots of cool new stuff. Really great prices so make sure you stop by and look. It takes such a long time to load stuff on. I still have tons more to put on so stop by this weekend to!
Ok and guess what, got my postcards. They turned out great and i am so excited I have a new card to include in all my Etsy sales. They were a lot of work. I made numerous calls to customer service and gave up a couple of times, but I stuck it out. They really are fun. This is the front of the card.
What the heck happened to November? It was just Oct. I mean fricken Thanksgiving is next week. Do you know what that means, Christmas is just right around the corner. ARGGGGG.
Really I need to get myself together. We are traveling to Chicago to have Thanksgiving with my sister. We have a whopping 30 people for dinner.
My family has dwindled down to just 3. We lost my Mom 9 years ago and my sister 4. So holidays can be tough. Not a lot of family left and with my sister in Chicago it's just my family and my Dad. It's a big change from Big holiday celebrations to small ones. Not a change It gets kind-of lonely. So this Thanksgiving will be joyous and so much fun.
Off to spend the whole day on the torch. Got tons of beads to make.
I have finally run out of postcards. This is the front of my new card. I love it. It's one of my favorite photos. I like to include a card with a note in each transaction.
It took forever to get them ordered. I used Overnight Prints and I wish I could tell you it was easy, but it wasn't. Files had to be adjusted, several calls to customer service had to be made, but finally I got it done. I am not sure if I got a good deal but several people have used them and they said the quality was good. Keep you fingers crossed.
Now I need new cute tissue, cute organza bags etc. Anyone have a good source for this stuff?
When Lori of Pretty Things has her Bead Soup people show the cutest packages that they receive. I got to step up my game. When I was at Meet the Teachers at Bead & Button I thought "If I sell just a little bit I will be happy" You know the mind set. Underestimate so you won't be disappointed. Well everyone was so wonderful and I had a great show, BUT ran out of everything. By the end I was packing beads in sad little plastic bags with sad tissue. I promised myself not to do that again. I want to give everyone a cute little package with their purchase. My customers deserve it!
If anyone has a great place to order from please leave a comment.
I found the best Recycled Sari fiber from a great Etsy store called
Designtalentedone. I am in love with these Sari Bracelets that I saw on
Shannon LeVart's Etsy site. She is taking a little break from her shop so hopefully when she gets back you can purchase her tutorial on how to make these beautiful bracelets.
Of course I have some other ideas on how to change these up and use my lampwork beads. I am hoping to use those cute little drops I posted a couple of days ago. Plus I made a bunch of big hole beads to slip on instead of stones.
Ok so I am not waiting patiently, I am waiting very eagerly!
I have some cool stuff coming down the pipe. I really need to put my head down and work on the torch. I have new glass, ideas and probably some new obsession to work out.
I have a friend who is struggling with finding inspiration and ideas. Sometimes its good to just step away from the glass and just relax. I think when you force work it shows.
I have some new Clio melons that I am listing. The other Melon beads on my Etsy have TONS of views and everyone likes them but they are just sitting there. Sometimes Etsy just confuses the heck out of me.
I spent the weekend trying to figure out how to use the new Dew Drops that I have been making like a fiend. It took a while but I am happy with the first attempt. I have some other ideas. This idea was a nice simple one. I used those new copper rings I got at the show a couple weekends ago.
I of course made some more...go figure...but these are all Clio glass and they are so pretty in person. Have them up on my Etsy site so take a look.
Ok so the first set went really fast! (thanks Alice!) so I finally got around to listing three more sets.
I am playing around with how I want to use these bad boys. So I am doing a trial and error just seeing how they lay. I will make sure to post my attempts.
I am going to list a BUNCH of stuff on my Etsy site this weekend so stay tuned. I have tons of cute stuff at really great prices so make sure you give it a look.
I had a great day at a local bead show last week. I went with two of my friends and we had a nice lunch before and then hit the show. I was on the look out for some nice chain but couldn't find what I really wanted.
My first stop was Silk Road Treasure to get this great heat treated copper. These large copper
rings are so great. I see so many things I can do with them. Then I got my favorite spacers. I use the heck out of these things. They look great with my Clio beads.
Then I got some small little spacers to use on earrings. Next I was on to some stones. I usually get more earthy style but I did find one strand of some faceted beads.
I love the color and couldn't resist. Then some really cool coin agate beads, and then some beautiful green pleated beads. I had made some copper green pleated beads and I thought they would look great together. But I decided to put 7 of these beautiful beads on my Etsy site for sale so grab them. I think they are so cool. I love how they have such depth and texture.
I do love a good bead show. This one was OK, but once you have been to Tucson and Bead and Button everything pales in comparison.
I can't wait until Bead and Button. A bunch of friends got into the show so it's going to be even better than last year!
I was looking around on LE (it's a forum for beadmakers). There was a questions about how to make a certain type of drop bead. Well I decided to make a couple and then it started.
I now make as many as I can when I sit down at the torch. They are colorful, cute and easy as pie to make. Plus I can sell them for a good price. So I get to use the expensive silver glass and see all the colors come out. I hope you
guys like them as much as me.
I know a lot of us have been waiting for this show. It's kind of right up our alley. I was wondering how it was going to be. Would it work? Well it sure does. I love to see the artists work though a project and how they come up with ideas. It's going to be nice to listen to the judges and see how they think.
I think it's good to push the limits of your abilities. Do you have the chops in the real world?
Ahh fall. I love it. It is my favorite time of year. Always has been. I got married in the fall. I really can't for the life of me understand how anyone can live where there are not four defined and distinctive seasons. I love to see the desert and I love the beach but not everyday. Although you could take St. Louis summers. I would love to summer in Wisconsin or Michigan, then come back home about mid Sept. A girl can dream.
I am playing around in the studio.
Just kind-of sitting down and not really having a bead in mind, just doing what ever comes to mind. I made this bead in class with Brad Pearson and really like it so I am making more. I find that taking time to just play leads to finding new ideas. I think everyone should do it.
Lots of fun news. I have been asked to submit some beads to a project. I will let you know if it works out.
Ok so I was bummed that the Chicago thing didn't work out, but good news, all three of my glass beadmaking classes were accepted for Bead and Button 2012. I am super excited and how that each one will fill.
Bead and Button is such a great show. Lots of really great classes with teachers that are so good and talented. If you haven't been you should make the effort.
Milwaukee is a beautiful city and the weather is heaven. It has been super hot and then other times just sunny and 80. Great restaurants, fun classes and the retail show has tons of great vendors.
Hope to see you there.
I was all set to go the Chicago for a really cool art walk in a downtown neighborhood. I had tons of jewelry ready to go and then...my dreaded hives popped up fast and furious. For the first time my tongue and throat got hives. It was just on one side but it was super scary. Long story I decided to stay home and be on the safe side.
On a good note I have tons of stuff to put in my Etsy store. I am slowly but surely getting it on there. A little bit each day.
More stuff tomorrow!
Oh and guess what...yep The Walking Dead premiers tonight. Zombies watch out!
Ha. I have seen all the beautiful spaces a lot of my fellow bead artist have. Beautifully appointed rooms where little treasures are artfully displayed, and projects carefully laid out.
Someday I will carve out my space, but that's not today.
My Bead Table is my family room coffee table. All my stuff is scattered around the room with half done projects, and ideas of designs set to the side. I somehow like to work this way. It is better to have too much out than to little. Ideas come streaming into my head and I remember I have a spacer that would work perfect for this project, now I just have to find it.
I will carve out my space, cause my husband is going to shoot me if I don't. It will probably take weeks to organize but it will happen. Once I get organized I stay that way, it's just getting there that is the battle.
Off to Chicago this weekend for my show!
Sometimes I am floored by how lucky I am. I had Brad Pearson teaching at my studio Third Degree Glass this weekend. The students were all at the stage where they could understand what Brad was teaching and then apply it to their work. Really great when a class just hits all the right notes and everything just works.
I am excited to start making jewelry for my show in Chicago coming up soon. I am getting lots of great ideas. I will make sure to take pictures and share them with you all.
