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?

Watch Out Mr. Whipple

This kind of dreamy, drape-y art installation art, Trans-Layers was made by Sakir Gokcebag who used toilet paper rolls to form it.  He is based in Hamburg, Germany.  If you click here, you can see a lot more of his work, which I think is pretty awesome.

Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show- Woot!

I am so excited because today is the opening of the Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show.  I go each year with some of my good friends to enjoy the show and lunch afterward.

One of the reasons I love it so much, is that Carolyn Morris Bach will be there.  There is something about her work that I totally adore.  There is always a group at her booth salivating (and buying).  I tend to be one of them.  Perhaps it's her love of owls and birds on her pieces that make us a small bit kindred spirits.  I always love to see nature incorporated in jewelry.

Another favorite is Ricky Frank who creates lovely contemporary enamel pieces.  My good friends and I are going to take one of his classes next year.  It is an art form, I would love to explore.  I think it's his use of gorgeous colors that entrances me as well as his color blending.  I seem to go back to my roots of watercolors often where the blending and colors play such an important role.

So as you're reading this, I'm probably thinking about how the various 28 jewelry artists have inspired me somehow.  And look for some of that inspiration to leak out after the first of the year when I have a chance to have a bit of a breather after the holiday season.  Who knows what  that will bring.

Meanwhile, check out the links above and do a little dreaming yourself.

My Favorite Costume from Halloween

Meet Danielle wearing her Halloween costume which is a strand of Beads of Courage beads.  What a wonderful costume!

 I had the joy of meeting and then making Danielle's Beads of Courage Dream Bead in person with her at FlameTree Glass in Roswell, GA.  It was so much fun sitting with her in person and having her choose the exact color of glass that she wanted for her bead.  Danielle is one courageous girl whose sparkling personality lights up the room and her costume says it all.

And of course a quick reminder...if you have some spare lampwork beads that can be donated to the program, they are always needing more.  3/32 clean holes in them and no sharp edges or metals used on the exterior of the glass.  From what I've seen, kids like everything.  So if you aren't sure they will, send it any way.  I watched a boy look through hundreds of beads and then pick out a plain blue one that was exactly what he was hoping for.  His favorite color and he thought it was perfect.  So send them all in, please.  Here is the Donation Information.

See you tomorrow.