Fish Display

Oh the joys of creative displays!  I saw this wooden stand at a second hand shop and thought it would be cool for display purposes.  (the end of the tail isn't shown, sorry.)  So we drilled some small holes that would fit mandrels and I made some fish to go on top of the fish display and hung beach style simple necklaces from it.  The mandrels keep the sections from slipping and helps keep them separated.  I can sell the lampwork fish on the top and just replace them as needed and meanwhile, it gets a lot of attention.  I love it when a $3. item works out.

If you are in the Atlanta area, my next show will be on Mothers Day weekend for the Dunwoody Art Festival.  Saturday 10-7 and Sunday, 11-6.  Hope to see you there!

New Spell Check

Zeus  is my new spell checker.  He thinks it's fun to lay across my arm, while typing.  I am looking forward to when he can actually do the typing for me.  No progress in that department so far.  He is good at stepping on the Cap key, but I think he is using a different language.

See you tomorrow!

Log On, Zen Out

I saw this photo on a garden page and wondered why I hadn't seen more of these garden logs?  I love the idea of nature nurturing these colorful plants and incorporating the organic with the organic.

And when our big maple tree met its demise a few years ago, how this would have been so cool.  Even used vertically kind of like pedestals, this could add some great interest in a landscape.

Have you seen this before or have some great ideas using other natural materials?  I'm always interested in hearing more.

Colorful Homes. Which Would You Choose?

I love the idea of colorful houses.  This one is in Russia.

And this one is in the North East.

The second one is more my speed.  I'd be awake at night worrying about how i'd get the top one repainted when it's time.

Yes, picking the bottom photo. What about you?

Singing Couch

This sofa stopped me in my tracks.  It is playful, modern and there's something about the turned up ends that either makes me want to smile, or stretch out on it.  

You could say, it sings to me.

I can not find the Etsy vinyl decal shop where I first saw it.  I apologize.  The sofa was not for sale, but the birds and telephone wires were. They must have sold.

But I still would love that couch.

Planning a Small Adventure

Have to admit, I'm attracted to the "quirky" and having passed this hostel many times, it's name, "Bon Paul & Sharky's Hostel" has always appealed to me.  It was named after the owner's gold fish from many years ago.

Now don't get me wrong, I love beautiful hotels, but this one is just down the street to Hot Times in Asheville and they had a single little cabin available.  I can walk to restaurants and if I am not hauling something heavy, even walk to the event.

So I'm going for it.  My first hostel which also  has bikes available, a hot tub, (ha ha, won't catch me in that one!) and perhaps a little bit of fun from what I can tell.  So maybe I'll be the oldest and definitely the one without tattoos, but since it has called, I'm answering...and ticking one more item off my "why not try it?" list.

What have you tried recently that has stretched your life?  I'd love to hear about it.

Definitely Needs Work!

Oh what a mess!  Not a great way to start out the week, but I bet you can imagine that will be remedied before I start torching today.  I was in a hurry last weekend to finish up a big project, and it just got away from me.

In order to get going, it needs to be at least tidied, for me to feel ready to torch.  How about you?  Do you need 100% clean, 75% or does your station look like this all the time.  This is way too much for me and although it's seldom super clean, I like some order and a semi-tidy table top.   How would you describe your style?

Keeping Life in Perspective

Etsy Direct Checkout

Etsy will be rolling out Direct Checkout within the next few months.  You can click here to see how it works.  Easy peasy, I must say.  Thanks Etsy.  This will make shopping better and I appreciate it.

Cat Scratch Fever

My cat Zeus would look so cute with this DJ Cat Scratching Pad available for $35 from Uncommon Goods.

The joke makes me laugh.  A lot.

Stares for Stairs

I am a fan of efficient storage options.   I saw both of these photos on (the ever fascinating time sucker), Pinterest. (lol!)

I thought they made so much sense.  My stairs are over other stairs, so it won't work for me, but just wanted to show you, so you too, could wish you had something this fun.

Acworth Art Festival, Part II

I had a great time at the Acworth Art Festival last weekend.  It was my first outdoor craft show and I sure learned a lot.  One of the things was hair styling tips from this cute girl.  I had never thought that pipe cleaners would make such a joyful addition to a hair style.   

Here is one angle view of my tent.  I knew I needed more color, so a Michael's Craft Store  frame had to do-  filled with some blow ups of my beads.  I found bright green tomato cages at Big Lots for $4 each which worked to display my miniature ornaments.  (note to self- Christmas stuff doesn't sell as well as I hoped in April...go figure!)

My friend, Amy Sims was so kind to come over beforehand, and give me advice on my tent's furnishings.  She told me to "add more color".  I was concerned that too much color would take away from the colorful beads.  I am so glad I listened and now am thinking about how I want to add even more color.  The other advice she gave me was to double the inventory that I had already.  Wow, it seemed like so much when I started, but again, she was right.  It still looked a little sparse, once I was there.  I had been worried about overcrowding, but I found that more is better and then I could edit.

Now that I have one show under my belt, I'm ready to hear more advice from you all, who have experience or know what works.  I could use it in packing and hauling tips, colors, displays, etc.  Later this week, I'll show you a few of my displays that I think worked pretty well.

See you tomorrow!

My First Outdoor Craft Show!

Ah, first show is over.  Feels great, except for being a bit tired.  I'll post tomorrow more about it and what I learned.  But for now, still am trying to organize and unpack.  See you Tuesday!

Quick Giggle

Here's a quick giggle... saw this tee shirt and it's somehow connected to Evian water.  I thought it was brilliant.  What a smile.  Hope this unlucky day is lucky for you!

Free App Alert

If you are on an IPhone or IPad, perhaps you might want to see a daily listing of the newest free apps available. Now please note, I am not suggesting you sign up for all of them, but once in a while, a free treat can be kind of fun. I've found all kinds of stuff on here and of course the price is right.

My thanks to my friend Gina Ventre who mentioned it to me.  I am signed up for the daily email that lets me know what's new.  (and just for the record, the only game I have is words with friends- but lots of photography apps have made their way, and organizational, and language translations and other stuff is on there now too.  Have fun and feel free to post some of your favorites that are free. I'd love to know.

Whimsical Pecking Order

I ran across this fun necklace on Etsy in the Strangely Yours shop last week.  It is a movable part, interactive necklace that shop owner Lorraine and her husband make.  (needless to say, I ordered it and it's in the mail!)  I love movement and the unexpected....this one fills the bill.  But what I also thought, (beadmakers and jewelry designers- what do you think?), is to add a little of my glass beads to make it into a little more.  I was thinking some transparent green glass leaves in soft colors and maybe some dark ivory with silver stringer (or not) beads.  I don't want to take away from the unique focal part of it, but a little something else, perhaps  might be fun too.  Visit Strangely Yours and look to see if they still have their sale going.  I got this at 20% off, which was nice extra benefit.

Right Number of Spacer Beads in a Set?

The other day a customer asked me for some spacer beads and two simple earring beads to go with a seashell I had recently sold her.

Making almost entirely focal beads, I was not sure how many to make.  She asked for 12 with the earring beads and we chatted about size and shape.

So "bead set artists", I have a question.  What is the typical number, size and shape of your most requested bead sets?  What do jewelry makers really want in regards to a necklace or bracelet?  Share with us, what you think is the best combination.

See you tomorrow, right here, www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com

From Flower to Jewelry

I just recently found out that I was accepted to the ISGB's 3 x 2 Exhibit.  The premise is that the glass artist submits a bead to a jury.  If accepted, then the beadmaker makes a total of three similar ones that get sent on to a Washington state metal jewelry artist  who will then make each of the three beads into jewelry.  One will go on exhibit for our Gathering in Bellevue WA this summer, and then each of the artists receive one of the final design.

I love this type of collaboration.  Usually I am making custom pieces or for myself, so I don't have to give up all control of the final item.  But you know, sometimes you find such wonderful combinations that you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

I tried to pick colors that would go well with a variety of metals.  I know that some are so expensive, so I wanted colors that could look luscious with ...oh maybe copper or something else.  The affordable kind.  And although the bee is sculptural (and yes, he does have two wings, but a funny angle of the photo makes it look otherwise.), he is protected with the petals that I made a little thicker than usual.

And I was careful to make a very flat bottom for this as well.  I am not experienced in setting beads, but I thought that between having a 1/16 hole as well as a flat bottom, the metal crafter had more options for attaching them.

If you make beads for bezels, what are some tricks that you don't mind passing along?  I just shared my thinking, but I bet there are more angles for attacking this than what I thought of.  Let us all know.  And hope you had a nice weekend...

Happy Easter

Buttons the Bunny joins me in wishing you a Happy Easter.  Buttons can be found here.  His ears look particularly delectable.  :)

Complete Painter's Handbook

I saw this on Interweave's site, and it really intrigues me.  You can find it HERE.  The ad says that it contains techniques, step by steps and all kinds of tips and tricks.  I like that.  Has anyone bought it yet?  I'm really thinking about it.  It looks good.

Etsy Shop Owners...Have You Done This Yet?

Hey Etsy Shop Owners....
Have you added the FB page like button and the Twitter follower buttons to your Etsy shop?  Go into Info and Appearance and you can click and add it there.  And please stop by and see me in my StudioMarcy Etsy shop, or visit my business page on Facebook, or even tweet with me (studiomarcy there too!)  Would love to see you and am adding more glass beads and sculptures each week.

Beaders...Caviar Manicures - New Trend

Wondering what to do with your extra beads?  Well looks like fashionistas will be embedding them in their nail polish.  Offered through Sephora,  Ciate has three different color choices.  But knowing all of you my friends, many of us have oodles of beads which will provide hours of entertainment as we place our favorites just into a coat of wet polish, and of course a bit of time for removed afterward.

Here's a shot of the black ones.  Although I'm not a fan of black polish for myself.  I kind of think that this is really cool and elegant looking.

Things Crafty April Challenge

So many of us enjoy craft.  We have different styles, techniques and mediums, but there's something about "making creative, fun stuff" that always is interesting.

I've recently joined "Things Crafty" website.  The two brains behind it, Ilysa and Kira really do a great job of running it.  And I found that we have a monthly challenge, with prizes! (Yay!)

So come on over and check it out.  This month's contest involves April Flowers.  Who doesn't love a fun flower?  Anyhow, you can draw, knit, build, craft, (make a glass flower) or something to do with a flower, surrounded by flowers, etc.  There are even 4 prizes.  So pop by.  You know you want to enjoy the fun!  See you there.

Who You Gonna Call?

Who you gonna call?  Ghostbusters!  The original photo can be found on Flickr here.  I think Stay Puffed has met his match.

Even chickens Need Love

I thought you might want to know that Practical Poultry Magazine's app is now free.  And that's no April Fools!