Art Resource

I just discovered a website which offers royalty free artwork.  Are you familiar with Vintage Printable?

They have a lot of interesting artwork that you probably haven't been searching for, but enjoy seeing and can find some use for, if you use your imagination.  (case in point, this blog post)  I have always loved illuminated letters.

So pop by and check them out.  Lots of easily searchable categories and you're sure to find something that you can either use, or will make you smile.

See you tomorrow

Currently Fascinated With...

NUDIBRANCHS!

These are awesome!  Have you ever googled nudibranchs?  I love their colors, shapes and patterns.  Look for a new series coming out soon that mimics some that I've found.

Glass friends...see the opal yellow, periwinkle, white, ivory, ink blue...yeah, me too.  What would you use for the interior color- the one on the top layer in the middle..kind of a warm, golden brown that probably needs to be hand-mixed?  Suggestions?  That color seems to have pinkier tones in some places and grayer in others.

Okay, just thought I'd show you.  I think they could make some gorgeous oceanic organic shaped jewelry.  Better get my kiln up and running.  This will be a busy day.

Happy Friday to you!

And Away They Go Until Next Season

I'm sorting through my show inventory and putting away my Christmas beads until next year.  That's  a wonderful thing about this seasonal part...they don't go bad, and I smile when I see them the following year.

And it sure is nice to have a few glass beads and ornaments ready to sell while I'm working on the new designs.

So, enjoy your rest little beadlets.  See you in about 10 months.

ISGB's Renaissance Deadline Soon

The International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) has a call to member artists to design a "Renaissance" bead.  I have to admit, this one has me thinking.

What would "Renaissance" look like in a bead?  I guess one answer might be ornate and gorgeous- I can think of a variety of beadmakers who do that so well and each one looks like a little treasure that you want to hold in your hand and examine over and over.

Or would one design a bead that has to do with Murano glass during the Renaissance?  Or perhaps, thinking re-birth, would that relate to nature or flames perhaps.  There are so many ways to interpret it.

I have my own ideas.  I am not sure whether I will be submitting an entry, but depending on my decision, I'll either show or tell you about it in a few days.

Happy day after....wishing you a little rest and relaxation...see you tomorrow.

Chilly Greetings to Far Away

I miss my daughter Sparky who is working in the carpentry shop in Antarctica again this year.  Holidays aren't the same, but I am thankful she is doing what she loves and is happy & healthy.  I just miss her, as Moms tend to do, when their kids aren't home.

These are my kids on a gondola many years ago - probably at Steamboat Springs where we would go skiing regularly. (Thanks Page!)  I think her early lifestyle and love of outdoors brought her to this job which she really enjoys.

To everyone out there, who is missing someone, I understand. Okay, I'm done with my personal Mom moments.  Thanks for listening.  I know in my head that this is right for her, but at special times, my heart needs a few extra minutes to catch up.

Wishing you wonderful holidays, and back to glass and creativity in just a few days.

Bangle Bracelets from Class

I took a 4 hour metal bangle bracelet class at Spruill Art Center a little while back and wanted to show you what I made.  Lots of bracelets!  Loved my teachers, Kristin and Joann.  None of the starting wire was fancy.  But it was perfect to learn the techniques.  I enjoyed the hammering more than I thought I would and quite a few of these bracelets ended up being gifts for my friends.  Nothing like handmade, I always say!

Hope your holiday is shaping up.  I think I'm headed off to go read a paperback for awhile. It's been quite a while, since I've taken time to do so.    See you tomorrow!

Our Tree Is Decorated With My Blown Glass Ornaments

Well last night we finally got our tree up.  I had enough remaining ornaments from my holiday shows, to  decorate it, so it is all my handmade work.

We took a shortcut and used our faux tree.  Back in the day when the kids were little, we used to hike up in the mountains and chop one down.  Times have changed.  With the kids living other places and with my busy season being at Christmas, we opted to use this one.  My son Grant helped us put it up and he dubbed the faux snow as "feta cheese".  So this is now the feta cheese tree.  He is kind of right.  I sure hadn't looked at it like that.  I still like the tree and am happy to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Red Shoes!

These shoes just make me smile.  They remind me of some of the Italian and French antiques that were in our home growing up.  Like someone repurposed a piece that they just had enough with.

I do not know who makes these, so if any of you readers know, please post!

The question is, would you (or is it "wood you") wear these?  And whether you like them?

Let me know.  I am curious.

Honestly, I've always been partial to red shoes.  Might be from watching Dorothy a few too many times as a child.

Santa, Could You Bring Me A Cute Robot?

Saw this painting last weekend at Gallery 1526. I love it. Maybe Santa will bring it. Got my fingers crossed.

Rocks, Paper, Scissors...Come Visit

I will be volunteering at the Spruill Art Gallery tomorrow, (Tuesday) from 10 am - 2 pm.  We'll have all kinds of wonderful artisan holiday gift ideas for you.  This one caught my eye when I was volunteering last week.  I think it would be fun to have the three little rocks, paper, scissors dishes.

And of course my blown ornaments and flameworked whimsical figurine ornaments are there too, through Christmas.  These are especially good if you have a small tree.  They are smaller sized.

The address is: 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA.
(770) 394-4019
Pop by and visit.  (great other shopping in the Periment area as well.)

Atlanta Handmade Gift Fair.. Come See Me!

Doesn't this look like fun??  This will be my first year selling here and I am excited to see all the different items as well.  They look awesome.  Come see me and meet my new friends.  11-6 Saturday.

Flameworking Icons

It's not often that you see two glass icons working in the same room, while you're in class.  We were lucky to have Hans Godo Frabel stop by FlameTree Glass during our Loren Stump class.

He was showing owner, Lance McRorie how he makes his gorgeous large holiday ornaments (I so wish I had gotten a photo of it, so beautiful).  And Loren hadn't had a chance to see him work before either. I snapped a quick picture from across the room.  I didn't want to bother them.  But to see two flameworking icons sitting together and chatting, was pretty special.

Creative Shirt Design

It's not too often that little people's T shirts catch my attention.  I mean I've been out of the loop for a long time and no sign of my kids settling down.  I just haven't been in the market to buy them.

This T shirt is one that made me stop and look.  I remember lots of little boys loving dinosaurs, and this one captures one's' imagination right away.  You can show what you like, and act it out.

So what I don't understand, is why don't they make these for adults?  Dog lovers everywhere could rejoice.  Car lovers could have the hood of their car open and you can see inside.  Dentists can show you exactly where you need to get a filling, just by imitating that "YO!" stance.

Personally, I think a venus flytrap could be pretty awesome on one of these too.

You can find this Dinosaur shirt at the Smithsonian gift shop right here.

Snow White From My Loren Class

I wanted to show you a couple of photos from my Loren Stump 'Toon class.  He made this Snow White  during class.  It started out when I naively asked, "can you show me how you would make a simple small and sweet princess face?  I get asked to do them for Beads of Courage sometimes."

I thought it would be a 10-15 minute response, but obviously, it wasn't.

We got to see her from start to finish.  Looking at my little kids' Disney book for reference.  Choosing the rods colors.  (he is a fan of Creation is Messy's glass for skin colors).  Making the face murrine as shown in the background. And even Maureen McRorie heating up masses of rods for the yellow skirt.  Wish I had gotten a photo of that.  She had both hands full of rods over the biggest flame melting them as quickly as possible.  It was a delight to see him work like that and this Snow White is now living at FlameTree Glass.

And yes, the top half had to be garaged for part of it.  And she had to be reworked a bit with some of the crown popping off.  We learned how to fix things and what started out as just a "head" being done to show me, turned into a full person.  And one of the things I really noticed is how hard it is to keep those arms from moving around while the rest is being done.  I should have asked him why they weren't put on last.

I have one more photo from class that deserves its own post.  So you'll see that in the future.  Have a happy day.

Japanese Water Roller Coaster

I recently read that Yokohama, Japan has this awesome Vanish rollercoaster ride at Cosmo Land.  Look at the steep drop, into what appears to be water, but is a clear tunnel.

I know this one would have me screaming, but it does look like a lot of fun.

Let me know what fun excitement you've recently had in your life...
See you tomorrow with some glass chat.

Simba to Snow Globes

I'm sorry!  I haven't been on every day.  The Loren Stump Toon Class is keeping me really busy.  This is a late night photo of one of the beads we are making in class.  Loren's Simba.  I started making mine at 10 last night, so I know that mine didn't look at all like this one!  The kiln will tell when I get in there this morning,

Today is the last day of class and we're making miniature snow globes. I'm really looking forward to that.

Our Loren Stump class is going great at FlameTree Glass.  On our first day, we worked on line placement and started making components for our first murrine....  Jack's mouth.

We'll get to that today as well as more line placement.  How to be specific in what we're doing.  Simple concepts that aren't easily achieved.

So wish me luck, and a bit of stamina, lol.  I love this class though and recommend Loren's Toons Class to all- but especially sculptural soft glass folks.

Hope to see you tomorrow.  If I'm not sleeping in a bit.

Class Starts Today

Besides teaching glass, I love taking glass classes.  This week, I'm taking a Loren Stump class called "Toons".  I think it will be time to channel our inner Disney.  The Disney I always liked was Cinderella and their wonderful movies when I was growing up.  But sometimes we get requests from Beads of Courage, that definitely call for other Disney skills.  I'm hoping to learn from one of the best and to learn other skills that will apply to my other work that I do.  I know the class will be great fun and it's a my local glass shop, FlameTree Glass.  They are great folks.

So my blog posts might be a bit intermittent over the next few days. But I will show you what we make and chat about what I'm learning.

See you sometime soon

Oh What A View!

This past weekend it was fun setting up shop at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Holiday Market.  The staff and public were great to be around.  But I wanted to show you the view from behind my booth.  I had this huge window right behind me.  And although it was a bit toasty when the sun was coming straight through, I really loved the view of the Nature Center grounds and out to the river and the deck just on the other side of the window.

If you are in the Atlanta area, my next show (and final one of this year)  will be The Handmade Gift Fair at Gallery 1526 -  Saturday, Dec. 15th from 11am to 6pm.  Address:  1526 Dekalb Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA  (Pretty close to the Edgewood/ Candler Park MARTA Station.)  This is my first year with them and it looks like a fun group.  Acoustic guitar, free henna tattoos, face painting for kids, free admission and 25 artisans.

Come See Me At the Chattahoochee Nature Center

If you are in the Metro Atlanta Area today, I will be at the Roswell Chattahoochee Nature Center's Holiday Market today, 10-4pm.  (I'm in the Discovery Center building, near the gift shop)  Free admission too!

I love this venue.  It's full of people who care about what is living around us and their children's and adult programs are wonderful.  such a pretty setting too! When you're done, you can walk along the river and enjoy the views.  Or bring bread to feed the ducks.

I will have small handmade glass ornaments, like this bird loving St. Nick, and so many more items.  From housewares, to jewelry to snowglobes!  Come by and see me.  (and if you are hungry, their French cafe food service is delicious!

9135 Willeo Rd. Roswell, GA 30075.  (not too far from Flametree Glass!) www.chattnaturecenter.org/holiday-market.  770-992-2055.

Giving Boxers for Christmas

Did you think I was referring to something else?  This is one of my custom orders for a friend's Christmas tree.  Such a cute ornament of a loved fur baby.

Need a Hug?

Before you get too excited, this is just a prototype by designer Si Chan.  It's apparently for people who feel unloved.  (Personally, I suggest getting a pet instead).

So, before you write this one off-  I have an idea. Wouldn't it make a great display for bracelets and rings at a craft show? Think of all the product you could wear at once and stay warm at the same time.  (okay, maybe not a good idea, but at least is it is an idea.

Now post your ideas.  Who should buy this?  What are some great ways to use it?  Be creative (and not too mean.)

Rosie

I love this time of year.  It is filled with lots of custom orders and fun sculptural beads, ornaments and jewelry to make.

I wanted to show you Rosie, which is my first Havanese breed wearing a tutu.  And in the photo her owner sent me, she was wearing one.  You can't help but smile at this one.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be showing you some of my other custom orders that I've completed.  Lots of dogs- some are wearing outfits - Christmas and otherwise, while others are au natural.  I love them both ways.  I am making other animals, birds, characters, and you'd be surprised at some of the requests.  I'll show you leading up to Christmas.

See you tomorrow!

Happy Cyber Monday

Sorry I missed my usual blog time.  Things are hopping around here!  I will do better tomorrow!

Three Dog Day?

I have been having so much fun with custom dog orders recently.  Some people want them in Christmas outfits to use as ornaments and some folks want them as miniatures for a special place in their house.

These three little white dogs are a selection for one customer who needed options.  (the rest of the litter will go in my Etsy shop.)

I love making them and what a way to keep smiling through a busy season.

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday.  See you tomorrow!

Black Friday or Slack Friday?

I know a lot of folks enjoy the hunt and the deal.  Black Friday fits a lot of those needs.  And obviously, retailers understand how it all works.

I guess I just don't fit that mold.  Give me peace, quiet and a comfy studio chair and I can be quite happy.

So I am proposing a different name for the day after Thanksgiving...
Slack Friday. It's a day of hanging around and doing relaxing things with friends, family or by yourself.  It's for putting your feet up and perhaps reading a book, watching tv or just relaxing with a glass of wine on a well deserved break.

So who wants to join my movement?  I say, Slack Friday for the rest of us who don't like crowds, long lines or feeling anxious when shopping.  Join now. You still have the rest of the day to celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with thoughts of gratitude, people you love, and of course...pie.

Happy Habits

This morning I was reading an article about 10 Happy Habits we should have.  It's by a couple- Marc & Angel and I subscribe to their posts.  They seem to have a realistic way of looking at life, and sometimes the simple reminders are a good brain jog.

So as a quick reminder to you too- (and do check out their blog for the whole story.  It's well done, )
Here are their 10 key points...

Nurture your inner child
Let loose and be a little silly (I do this with glass and it's so much fun being at the torch and smiling)
Mind Your Own Business (I love this one and had to put it in caps!)
Stop the comparisons
Focus on making the best of the present
Count your blessings one by one
Help others find happiness  (this one works really well for me- go out and do something for others)
Think about how far you've come
Visualize your ideal path (I need practice on this one)
Invest your time in the things you love

Okay, now are you ready for the crazy holiday season?  Stay happy.  It's up to you, and no one else.  See you tomorrow!

Beads of Courage Charms on Ebay- Hurry!

Just another day or so of bidding time available for the art charms offered by our exchange, which will benefit Beads of Courage.

This is my little space robot who has been wire wrapped in sterling and technically is a charm, but he would make a good small pendant.  What a deal!  Please come bid here.

There are lots of other fun charms too.  We were given the topic, "Laughter" and told go out and create.  So we did.  And 100% of the earnings go to Beads of Courage.  Can't beat that.

Pop over today.  The auctions end soon.  I'm really hoping my little "minion" will go to a good home.  See you tomorrow.  I will have a lot to tell you about our family's early Thanksgiving this weekend with 16 Lambersons in Atlanta. I will need a few days to catch up on my sleep.

Futuristic Watch

This cool watch doesn't have any numbers.  It has LED lights that light up when the watch is touched.  Twelve lights for the hours and twelve lights for 5 minute increments for the time.

You can read more about it here.  It is called a Second Skin watch.  I think it's really cool, don't you?

Southern Flames & Sara Beach Demo

My friend Sara Beach did the demo at Southern Flames last night.  She was blowing sweet little pendant sized bottles from borosilicate tubing.   And what a great demo it was too.  She brought lots of examples and made three little bottles.  One sign of a successful demo is that it makes the viewer want to try it.  I'll do it.

I love the ease of these local, regionalized meetings.  You see your friends, you chat about glass and then get to watch someone melt glass and show you what they love to do.

But I am sad that our membership is fading.  What used to be a vibrant, energized group, has shrunken down to quite small and now they are not sure how they will maintain their meetings, pay for the space and what direction they should go.

Is anyone else in a group like this?  The energy seems to be waning and yet the volunteers are still working hard to bring you a monthly program that is interesting and relevant. Let me know what you are doing to keep the spark going.

Polarized Lens

A photographer accidentally dropped his Canon Camera into a Polar Bear exhibit at his zoo.  The bear thought it might be edible and proceeded to attempt to eat it.

...and that gives new meaning to a polarized lens.

bada bing!  (cool pics though, aren't they?)

Peace 'N Love Dove

There is something about what this bird and branch symbolizes that touches me somewhere inside. Perhaps it's because there is so much strife in our lives and in the much bigger picture, this world.  The dove and olive branch together go back to at least the 4th Century.  (How's that for Old School?)

So I made a classic piece about peace and I put a bird on it.  

You can find the dove and olive branch in my Etsy shop.  It can be worn as a pendant or used as an ornament.  If you need help wire wrapping to hang it, I can do that.  Find it here.

Charmed by the Minions, I'm Sure

I am participating in the Art Charm Exchange and Blog Hop today and what is most important, (besides admiring my Minion Charms) and visiting everyone's blogs, is that there is also a Beads of Courage auction with a set of charms - information later in this post.

Our theme for the charms is laughter and we were to make something that reminded us of the word, or makes us laugh.  I chose the latter.

I love little brightly colored robot space guys. Yes, a non techie, who does. I think it goes back to the 60's wind up ones that I always thought was cool.  So thinking that folks attached to Beads of Courage might be bidding on the auction, I designed a charm that might appeal to their child, or their inner child which might make them smile too.

And I have this air stream like small planter that seemed to fit with the scene.  Of course they would always look cute on root growing sweet potatoes, but I've done that already.  It was time for a different photo.

Now, here is the info on the Beads of Courage Auction....The url is:  http://myworld.ebay.com/glassaddictions and it should be up some time today, we hope. If not, check back soon.

And don't forget to visit my fellow charm loving and making teammates.  I know you'll get a kick out them too.

Alenka Obid http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchage-reveal.html

Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-auction.html   

Babette Cox http://babettecox.com/blog.htm

Carol Watson http://www.carolwatsonartglass.blogspot.com

Carolyn Chenault  http://carolynchenault.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage-auction/ 

Cassi Paslick http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal.html

Charlene Jacka http://clay-space.com/2012/11/early-christmas/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-participate-in-charm-swap-you-must.html

Cheryl McCloud http://cherylmccloud.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-beads-of.html

Deb Kauzlarich http://debkauzlarich.blogspot.com  

Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com  

Emma Todd  http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-in-aid-of-boc.html

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-laugh.html

Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-2012.html

Inge vonRoos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Jean Peter http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/ http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-charm-swap.html

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage/

Jennifer Cameron http://wp.me/p1xIa0-wn

Kia Dallons http://kiadallonsstudio.blogspot.jp/2012/11/laughter-is-best-medicine.html

Kimberly Roberts http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap.html

Kristi Bowman  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-hop.html 

Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-beads-of-courage-art-charm-swap.html

Leslie Schenkel http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/?p=171

Linda Florian http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com/

Lori Greenberg http://lorigreenberg.com/blog

Lynnea Bennett http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com  

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-time-has-come-art-charm-blog-reveal.html

Marcy Lamberson http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-by-minions-im-sure.html

Marsha Neal Studio http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-exchange-and-beads-of-courage.html

Maureen Connolly http://mrsbeadsley.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-reveal.html 

Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-blog-hop.html

Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-im-sure.html

Natalie McKenna http://www.grubbi.co.uk/ 

Perri Jackson  http://shaktipajdesigns.com/11/blog/reveal-the-laughter-art-charms/

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-auction-and-reveal.html

Robin Koza http://www.robinkoza.com  

Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-hop.html

Shannon Hicks  http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal.html   

Shelley Graham Turner http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/2012/11/reveal-2012-charm-swap.html

Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-art-charm-reveal.html

Stephanie Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/laughter-art-bead-charm-swap-auction.html

Susan Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal-and.html

Toltec Jewels http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/11/BOCArtCharmRevealBlogHop.html

Vanessa Gilkes http://culturezine.com/blog/

Elegant Elf Show- Visit Today

In case you're near the Atlanta metro area, today is my final day at the Elegant Elf show in Sandy Springs from 9 - 5 today.  I really am enjoying the other vendors there as well.  I am across the aisle from Susan McDuffie, whose work is lovely.  She has a wrap that keeps beckoning me as I look out across the aisle.

And then there is character extraordinaire, Jake of 2 Jakes Knives, who makes gorgeous handmade knives.  Many with antler handles.  We don't have a need for that, but they really are gorgeous and he has a wonderful sense of humor.

So pop by, if you can.  I've made other friends there too, and of course in the artisan way, I have traded with others, and gotten a little holiday shopping done.  I love that aspect.  It is win/win for all of us.

See you Monday.  I'm taking tomorrow off to put my feet up.

Happy Movember!

Happy Movember!  You know what that is, don't you?  It's when manly men grow their facial hair for mens health awareness and fundraising for it.

I'm a big fan of Movember (Moustache + November).  I love mustaches.  When I met my hubby he had an awesome one and so did his brothers.  If you are old like I am, he looked a lot like Father Guido Sarducci on Saturday Night Live.   I've been trying to get him to grow it back for awhile, but for some strange reason, it has a lot of grey in it now and he doesn't like it as much.

And by the way, if you like mustache items, this necklace can be found here.  But I really enjoy heading over to www.etsy.com and doing a search for them.  I even found mustache cookie cutters there.

Hoofing It

Montreal designer Maskull Lasserre has made amazing shoes that leave animal footprints when they are used on the right kind of surface.  Think snowy sidewalks, and that kind of situation.  They were tested in New York and Canada.  Can you imagine walking down the city street and noticing deer hoot prints in front of you? That would be pretty amusing and amazing.  For more info, you can click here.

I'm just trying to decide which kind of prints I would want on the bottom of my shoes. Probably something that would look like Big Foot or bear tracks would be cool too...I don't know.  What would you want?