You Know You're A Glass Artist If...

My friend Cyndy sent me an email with "you know you're an artist, if..." . So I amended it a bit for glass artists. Please add some more to it. I know you can think up good ones.

You Know You're A Glass Artist If..

You were more concerned about the color of your car than the fuel consumption. The highlights in your hair are from your glass palette. You are having lunch with the girls and you compare burn marks on your neck and arms. The only piece of new furniture you have in your home is new kiln furniture. You butter your toast with your fingers, just to feel its texture. You know what shade of green the lichen on the trees is. Your favorite home repair store refuses to work with you to repaint your den, because you rename all of their paint swatches and you get upset that they don't carry the exact nuance of raw umber you had in mind. There are dip 'n go blue fingerprints on your phone. You carry didys in your purse. You have beads in your pocket. You explain your deplorably bad housekeeping by saying, "it's a work-in-progress..." You know that art does not match your sofa. Dust bunnies are part of your mixed media. You know the difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell. You know more than 28 colors.

Serenity

I know we're in the middle of a crazy shopping season, but somehow, this glass seashell that I made, seems to make me feel serene. I can't figure it out exactly...the color, the form, or the wonderful memories I have of being on the beach and near the ocean.

So just trying to do my bit to help you chill out and relax. Take a moment. Remember that wonderful holiday at the beach...maybe even with a glass of wine or margarita (or more!).

...this message brought to you by, StudioMarcy, where not all beads are red & green this time of year. (but most of them are and they can be wired into ornaments too if you prefer.)

Arrrgh, Pirate Snowmen

I've noticed that pirate snowmen aren't too available these days, so I decided to offer up my secret stash of swarthy icy he-men. This one has his hook, parrot, and of course a dubloon hanging from his neck. You can find him in my Etsy shop, if he hasn't already been kidnapped by a pirate loving wench.

ps He would make a cool tree ornament as well. If you need help adding a wire loop, I'm happy to help you.

Wombats, Who Knew?

I imagine today you were expecting me to talk about "Black Friday" and shopping for hand crafted goods for the holiday this year.

No, I decided that Wombats would make a much better topic.

You see, I had never really seen one before my friend Jan started posting them on her facebook page.

Kind of cute little critters, aren't they? Actually they're Australian marsupials who dig burrows, (Check out their nails! No french manicures for them) And their marsupial pocket for their baby is backwards, so the dirt doesn't get in when they're digging. Growing to about 40" long, they are short, stout and herbivores.

So of course I've made my first Wombat lampwork glass bead, which I'll show you at another time. But first, wanted you to see these cute little creatures.

Oh, depending on what kind of wombat, they come in varying makes and models too. I like the name "hairy nosed wombat" personally.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep smiling and enjoy your holiday!

Thanks!

Wishing all my friends a day with friends and family, laughter, happiness and of course, someone else doing the dishes!

Happy Thanksgiving....and rest up, because tomorrow starts the shopping season.

Cheeseheads of the World, Trade!

I couldn't help it. When a fellow Etsier offered to trade me a cheese hat for my "Santa is a Cheesehead" bead, I couldn't resist. Well, guess what just came in the mail? My new hat.

I love a good trade. And although sports doesn't interest me too much, a large foam slice of cheese sure does. I know I'll get plenty of use out of it. (I mean, after all, I can even flip it upside down, put a bowl in the head divot and use it to serve hors d'oeurves).

One of my other favorite non-bead trades involved a bead for a computer printer. I had been thinking about one for a teaching trip, and this one came about at a Southern Flames meeting. It was a win/win, as far as I was concerned.

So tell me about trades that you've made for your artwork. I love hearing about them.

And if you live in the Atlanta area and are willing to trade housekeeping for beads, please contact me immediately. It could be a long, happy relationship. ;)

Hamsters....

Camillia is hanging around my Etsy shop and needs to be adopted. Know anyone who loves hammies? She is a little shy, but has a sweet personality. You can find her hanging out here.

Sparky's Continuing Adventure

My daughter Sparky won't be home for Thanksgiving again this year. For those who have followed my blog for years, you'll know that she's working in Antarctica for their summer season again.

Sparks called us last night using an iridium phone from Byrd Camp in the middle of the continent. She's living in a small tent and helping build the tent city for scientists and others who will be using it.

As with each call, I learn something new- she said the weather has been holding them back a bit with windchill making it close to -50 below at times, wind at 40 knots and about 20' visibility... yikes! She sleeps with her water bottle, so it doesn't totally freeze up. Makes me appreciate my warm, cozy house so much more.

One of the cool things about their environment right now are the "sun dogs" Have you heard of them? This is new to me. They're like halo reflections on each side of the sun. She said with the snow, (and 24 hour sunlight), the reflect even more and it looks like little rainbows all over the sky.

So as always, I miss her. But I'm really proud of her. She said it's a dream job for her and what parent doesn't want their kids to be that happy?

What Robin Learned

Two of my out of state friends, Beth and Robin came by my studio a few weeks ago, so Beth could have some private lessons and Robin joined in to keep both of us company. Beth had the torch time, but observant Robin apparently got a lot out of it too. I'm so glad. That was part of the plan.

Some come visit Robin's blog and see what she picked up from watching. And I'm sure there are posts about the bead series she's recently been doing, which I just love. Kind of a retro/graphic type vibe that are delightful.

I Love Etsy

I can't help it. I love Etsy. Where else do you find so many adorable photos like this? This elephant hat can be made in any size. I found it here.

And if you aren't familiar with the site, don't forget (it's an elephant thing), you can can click on "Alchemy" and request items. Etsy sellers will bid on your work. This includes graphics, and other types of things that you wouldn't think of. I know I've received plenty of custom orders through that venue.

Retractable Lights Studio Table

I saw this retractable lights studio table by Cypress based interior design firm Ais Studio. With a few modifications, doesn't it seem like a dream for glass and other art forms? The lights go out when the central doc is lowered and you can retract half or all of them. Stylish and fireproof would be so cool. I'd love one for teaching students.

Making Pets Into Glass Beads

Meet Jasmine the Hamster. She's a likable sort. Soft, fluffy, and this one doesn't escape, unless it's your idea.

Jasmine is a glass bead- oh about 1.5" long and a little more than half an inch tall. She's a great little focal bead for hamster lovers, but would also look delightful on a stand or sitting by a computer. I think she'd make a great ornament too.

Jasmine used to live in my Etsy shop, http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com along with a fun selection of other glass goodies. She's been adopted, but stop by and say hi to her friends.

Cooking in Your Kiln- Yes, You Read It Right

Earlier this month, I posted on facebook that I was curious how others had used their kiln besides for their art. I received a lovely assortment of responses...

Besides the typical form for heating drinks or keeping them warm, there were quite a few folks who make pizza in theirs.

But it was intriguing to read about some of the other creative answers...Gwynne has cooked a turkey in hers. Rashan has made beer can chicken and was so sweet to pass on this website which gives recipes for cooking a turkey and also for a New York Steak (pictured above). I can't wait to try them!

Of course other glass peeps mentioned that they use their torches for cooking too- hot dogs, s'mores, pop tarts and creme brullee. And one of my favorite responses, this one from Leah, mentioned that she had heard that an artist did a demo where she cast ladles of glass out of the furnace and then cooked pancakes on it. Oh, how I'd love to see that.

Now, one more thing...if you haven't friended me on facebook yet, I really wish you would. There's a great network of artists there and what fun it is to see what everyone is doing. Just click the link above.

Great View!

My buddy Jim Berry of Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks recently shared this photo of his friend's fence adjustment for "May" the Basset Hound.

How can you not smile when seeing this photo?

Pirate Festival- Arrrrgh! and a Schooner Too!

I saw this upcoming 3rd Annual St. Arrrgustine Pirate Festival coming up this weekend and smiled. Looks like a bunch of fun.

I guess it's a self named group of re-enactors, living historians and casual pirates who gather each year for a weekend in St. Augustine, Florida. All kinds of activities- from weapons demonstrations and a thieves' market, to stories, shanties and I'm guess some pretty crazy parties as well.

Here is the website in case you're in the area.

But what interests me even more, is finding out about the privateer wooden sailing ship the Lynx. This schooner was recently built to create a living history museum and modeled on the original historic tall ship the Lynx from the War of 1812. I see it will be in Florida until February and hope to get down there to see it in person. Sailing on a tall ship has been on my bucket list for a long time. While this isn't exactly the same, it might be as close as I can get.

Simply Shiny Blog

I really enjoy this blog and think that perhaps you might not have discovered it yet. Kristy writes about Artfire, Etsy and some of the technical things that we artists need to follow as well as her own jewelry that she makes (I really like it!) and a little about life.

Not staying up with the online selling details like I should, I seem to learn something new quite often.

So pop by and take a peek. Click here!

And I'd love for you to post links in the comment section of some of your favorite blogs. Tell us what you like about them. (And of course post your own with a big star!)

Chub...One of Santa's Helpers

Little Chub just adores Christmas. Each year he dresses up in his antlers and gets ready to daydream about the big day. He still wishes he could fly, but honestly, who doesn't?

Chub is waiting for adoption in my Etsy shop. Pop by and give him an "attaboy".

Day of the Dead Partying

So last Saturday night, we joined our good buddy Rick for a Day of the Dead party and a great little hidden restaurant in Atlanta. These are two of the decorations that are on the walls.

There was a surf-salsa band which kept us tapping our toes and the cute little kids dancing up a storm. Even the wait staff were dressed up.

But the best part was the food. I had something similar to Elote, which is Mexican corn on the cob done with a twist. So read the recipe below from www.allrecipes.com and just take the corn off the cob and add a good little sprinkling of chili powder for an extra kick. Yum!

Elote

Ingredients

• 4 ears corn, shucked
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup grated cotija cheese
• 4 wedges lime (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
2. Grill corn until hot and lightly charred all over, 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the temperature of the grill. Roll the ears in melted butter, then spread evenly with mayonnaise. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and serve with a lime wedge. (and add some chili powder too!)

I Didn't Forget Thanksgiving!

Just so you don't think that I've forgotten Thanksgiving, please meet "Punkin". She's one of my "sweetie pies". Perfect for any time, and available in my Etsy shop.

Don't forget, I love custom orders and now is the time to let me know, so your dream bead can be made in plenty of time for Christmas. I can make them into pendants if needed or ornaments too. And in case you're a Pandora bracelet type of person, I make sculptural big hold beads as well. Just contact me through my Etsy shop or email me at StudioMarcy@gmail.com.

Change De Clocks!

Hello. Did you remember? "Spring forward, fall back"....to sleep!

See you tomorrow when you're wide awake again.

Counting Windows.. Ties to Website?

I was reading one of my favorite business blogs the other day when the writer asked "how many windows does your house have?"

She then mentioned that most of us had gone through room by room to count them. Yep, that's what I did....mentally.

She then went on to point out that most brains are most comfortable in the visual mode. That's how most work. (I'm still raising my hand on that one)

There is a point, if you just hang on a minute longer...

All of this was to illustrate websites need to have photos on each page to hold the reader. It's not a sign of a lack of intelligence, but what interests and holds our brains. She said we can work on SEO and getting high in the google searches, but if we don't have photos, we'll lose the readers who do visit us.

So are you stalling on adding a photo to your CV page or bio? From her very valid and logical point, I say...go for it and add at least one. Add more. Keep the readers eyes traveling from one place to another.

That's my weekly passed on pearl of wisdom...If you grab enough, you'll be able to string a new necklace with your knowledge. And meanwhile...TGIF-

See you Sunday

ps I love this battered old house at the top. My hands ache to fix it up and make it beautiful again.

Glass Peeps..You HAVE to Watch This!

I have not laughed this hard in a long time...oh how true. I am waiting for the knock off in the other areas of glass. Beadmakers....you're next.

Click HERE for giggles.

I do not know who the originators of this are. If you do, please let me know. I'd love to thank them.

Still laughing...and see you tomorrow...

Our Beads in Space Exhibit is in the Pima Air & Space Museum

The Pima Air & Space Museum has teamed up with the national charity Beads of Courage to host the Beads in Space temporary exhibit. Beads of Courage hosted a international contest for bead makers to enter their artwork for consideration for the Beads in Space project. Out of 54 beads entered, 17 were selected to accompany NASA's STS-132 mission on shuttle Atlantis in May of 2010. The temporary exhibit will be located in the Dorothy Finley Space Gallery November 1, 2010 - April 30, 2011, with special Kids Activities on November 20 and 21, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

(the above info was taken directly from the Pima Air & Space website linked above)
and...I'm so proud of that poster. Two of my little beads are featured on the left side of it. Woot!

Today is the Last Day of my Impromptu Sale

It's the last day of my 25% off Halloween Beads SALE. Anything that reminds you somehow of Halloween is subject to the discount. You just go to my Etsy shop, choose what you'd like and check out. I will send you a paypal reimbursement for the 25% off. Easy Peasy! If you question your judgment, or think I will, just write me a note and tell me why it relates to Halloween. If it doesn't really, but you write a good line of B.S., you're in! Any way it's fun and you get a great price.

I've been working hard on my Christmas and holiday line which will start filling my shop soon. So you have until midnight Nov. 2nd to pillage. I'll be shipping on Wed.

Catch you later.. and don't forget to stop by my Etsy shop to see what's available..http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com

Time For Christmas Yet?

I guess I'm one of "those" who could skip Thanksgiving and go directly to Christmas. Yes, I'm thankful for so many things, and I do love turkey and apple pie, but I still love Christmas. I like giving gifts, and I love red and white and green together and best of all, I love the smiles that the holiday elicits.

So I know it's just November 1st and some of you will strongly disagree with me and discuss the commercialism of the holiday, etc. Point taken, agreed with and I understand completely.

I just wanted to say that I'm excited.