Pacified In Style

Meet the "Mustachifier" designed by Jason Feinberg and Alyssa Zeller.

It appeals to me because I am married to a guy who had a dark mustache pretty similar to this back in the day.  Now with 'staches' return, I'm thinking this is pretty darn cute!  Little hipster babies who entertain adults just by being themselves.  I am now looking for the hipster hats in miniature size to go with this look.

...you can find them HERE.

Daily Paintworks

I recently found the website, Daily Paintworks where 2-D artists can post and sell their work.  I love it.  It's so much fun to see the variety of styles and techniques.  If you are a glass person like me, there is plenty of inspiration through colors as well.

My favorite feature is their "What's New" category.  You can see what has been most recently posted.  My photo above is a sample of that.  But there are also art tutorials, auctions, challenges and you can track your favorite artists too.

I wish there was a similar one for flamework bead artists, where jewelry makers could pop by and see what has been recently posted in one place.  Where it has the price, about the artist and people could follow their favorites.  hmmm...

Foodie Heaven

Our friends, Bek and John were here in Atlanta Friday night and had made reservations for the four of us at The Spence, Richard Blais's newest restaurant. 

Although I love watching the chef and cooking shows, I'm not always the most adventurous when it comes to my meals.  I'll try new things but not "everything".  This restaurant had "everything".  And what I had was delicious, but watching the others and all their small plate samplers really had me smiling.

This is a photo of the oyster dish that everyone else shared.  (I'm not an oyster/lobster/mussels girl).  This was called oysters and pearls and the pearls were the newer style of food preparation- molecular gastronomy.  So to give you a better idea...remember Dippin Dots- the space ice cream little frozen ball things that you got at amusement parks?  The pearls in this dish were frozen horseradish sauce in little round balls that when my husband tasted it all together, looked like he had found bliss.  It was pretty cute.

I think the most different thing that I tried was sharing a delicious dessert.  It was panna cotta with parsnips.  Yep, you read it correctly.  When was the last time you had bits of veggies in your delicious custard?  It was amazing!

Well that's the end of my restaurant commentary. If you come to Atlanta, I'd be happy to give you some restaurant names.  See you tomorrow!

Dogs' Expressive Eyes

Just a quick laugh for you.  Apparently this is a new trend- although I don't see it having much staying power.  Human eyebrows for dogs- obviously for their owners' amusement.  Although I do think this dog used a bit too much eyeliner.

I have to admit, when I make Schnauzers as glass beads or sculptures, I do love accentuating their wonderful natural brows.  But if I had a dog, perhaps I would dress it in a funny costume once a year for a few minutes, but I personally wouldn't do the brows.  Heck, I have a hard enough time with my own.

Functional Jewelry

Look closely.  This bangle by designer Cynthia Rowley is also a flask.  When I checked, they were out of stock, but you can stalk them here.

Zeus and I Are Almost Famous PLUS Learn About Facebook's New Search Coming Soon

Tim Adam of Handmadeology recorded a video about the new Facebook Graph Search that will be debuting soon.  He showed some of the new search functions.

Well as I was watching to learn about it, I saw my cat Zeus and I  appear under one of the functions.  And there is another photo too.  So while you are learning about the new search (HERE), look for us starting at about 1:50 through 2:08 -ish.  Zeus is waiting for his big break as an internet sensation, but I told him that he has to do more than sleep and look good.  And he isn't up to learning any cool tricks.

Enjoy the video and see what's new for Facebook.  Thanks to Tim Adam and his wonderful sharing of information.

See you tomorrow!

Entertainment for the Entertainer

I saw this corkscrew in the Atlanta High Museum gift shop.  Museums are often a great place to find the out of the ordinary gifts.  This one is very reasonably priced, $28.  And you can find it here.

(Don't you just love how his boney arms rise for opening it?)  You might consider pairing it with THIS WINE.

See you tomorrow!

Pretzel Logic

I have to admit, if I had a pool, one of these would be in it.
Alexander Wang's pretzel inflatable is available through Urban Outfitters ($18-ish).

They have  a frosted donut float with sprinkles and a bite taken out of it too.  Love the whimsy.

Unicorn Hair...Chasing the Rainbow

I have to admit, the colorful dip dyed and pastel dyed hair has me intrigued.  I love the whimsy of the colors and combinations.

So when I learned that it is also called "unicorn hair", I had to pass it on.  Because well, most of you are closer to my age, and may not have someone filling you in on these important facts.

So if you were to do something like this to your hair, what color or colors would you choose?  I am pondering this.  It goes from an aqua/blue/purple combination to a pink/orange/purple style.  It's tempting.  Etsy has colorful hair extensions which would be the perfect way to try it out.  Just a few in colors to be convinced that I just might be too old for it, but it's fun to imagine.

See you tomorrow.

Get Toasted

Okay, I have to admit, I am easily entertained.  But this toaster could be kind of fun to have.  I mean, isn't there a saying about watching paint dry?  This is close- watching bread change color.

My first thought was that it looked like bread was in jail.  Doesn't it?  At least a bit?  And of course if I owned one, I'd be making small animals out of glass and photographing them so it looked like they were in a zoo.

Only problem is that the toaster is too pricey for my entertainment.  It is marked down from $350 to $210.  I think I'll just stick with my average performing 20 year old $30 model and imagine my glass animals instead.  See you Sunday!

Technicolor Quick Challenges

I was torching with a friend one day and we decided to have what we called a "Pier One Quick Challenge".  I had their holiday catalogue in my bag.  So we each picked one item for both of us to interpret in glass.  We just wanted the "theme" and not the specific item. So we had a quick peek and then shut the book.

This is "peacocks off mandrel"  and here is my interpretation.  I made his tail feathers primarily transparent, so he could sit on a window ledge and glow.  It worked.  this will be posted in my Etsy shop later today.  I'm thinking if I were to revisit this one, I'd of course spend more time planning, but also might acid etch the tail for a different look. 

My friend chose a Zen Turtle for the challenge.  I'll find it and post it another day.  It was a funny one too, because my turtle looked like it was part frog.  Amphibian- no need to quibble!  See you tomorrow.

Murrines with Calories

Monday, I was downtown with my friend, Heather visiting the Atlanta Gift Show. (More about it in another post). One of the companies was demonstrating their candy making,so we stopped to watch. It was just like glass murine making, except out of sugar!

We watched him form the core and roll the colored sugars on a heated "table marver". He would add layers of color, essentially encasing the previous addition. And then he rolled and stretched it- often by gravity to his desired circumference and chopped all the samples from those.

Yes-.murrines with calories.

Here are some photos from the demo and their display of antique candy machines really had me wishing that they would demo those too. And I already checked. Any other antique machines are hard to come by and very pricey. Darn it. I really thought it would be cool to try some with glass.

See you tomorrow!

Portlandia- She's Making Jewelry Now

If you aren't familiar with Portlandia, this is a clip that makes me laugh.  It's a gentle and funny poke at the handmade jewelry industry.  Of which, I am proud to be a part.

Just a few minutes long, check out this youtube clip.  Or search for it on youtube by key words, "portlandia- she's making jewelry now".

Front Door

Still the noise, but progress! This is Nick, one of the five members of the crew. Nice group, and great at what they do.

When Cupid Strikes

Well Cupid isn't striking me...but I am always in favor of a little extra love going around.

This cutie is now in my StudioMarcy Etsy shop.  He is a bead and can be made into a pendant if you are careful, but with having appendages coming out at a few angles, I think he'd be adorable as a little hanging love charm on a stand (I can make you one, if you need one), or hanging in a window.  He's typical bead size, under two inches-ish and is so very sweet with his bubble gum cheeks.  They get pink when he's flying and asserting himself.  So if you need or know someone who can use an adorable love charm, check him out here.

Crazy Noise

I don't know about you, but I do my best work when it is quiet and peaceful. Well, our house is getting some long overdue repairs, which seem like they multiply by the day. This started In early December and I am not sure when this phase will end, but the constant noise is pretty hard on focus and getting things done inside, when the walls are rattling. But in the end, I know we will be thrilled. And I really like my contractor, a young woman in her mid thirties who is top notch and the crew of really nice guys who look a bit like ZZ Top impersonators.

So if you see a bit less from me artistically, you know why. But meanwhile, the squirrels and woodpeckers won't be dining on this house any more! And that makes it worthwhile. See you tomorrow!

Valentine Season Already!

I am starting off the season with little animals, cupids and non traditional ways to say you care to people you love.  This little fellow will be listed today in my Studio Marcy Etsy shop.

Look for more fun ways to say you care, that will last through the ages and make your loved ones smile.

Remember, some bunny loves you.

I Can't Help It...

I apologize.  I know I should be talking about glass and art, but every time I see this photo from Buzzfeed, I laugh.  For 49 additional funny animal photos from 2012, click on the link.

Repurposing Into Jewelry Perhaps?

I saw this wonderful antique cast brass pull in Blind Peacock's shop on Etsy.  And I can't help wondering whether it might work as a focal in jewelry?  I love the patina and the design.  I grew up with antique French and Italian furniture, so I guess it hearkens back to that.  A little swirl, a little flourish and perhaps a tiny bit of crustiness and it will generally visually appeal to me, although I'm not sure what I would do with it.

What do you think?  Should we be looking to repurposing vintage and antique pulls into jewelry?  Is it too old fashioned?  I would love to hear your opinion.

Paris 100 Years Ago

I have two old photographs of Paris from about a hundred years ago, which have been colored. Old photos and paintings that show how something really was, are so interesting.  I love to see if my imagination has done a place or activity proper justice.

This top photo reminds me of the movie, Les Miserables.  Have you seen it yet?  If you aren't familiar with the story, suffice it to say, the title is very appropriate.  But some of the scenes (which took place prior to the photo), might give you the idea of this one.

This bottom photo makes me smile more.  I think of Toulouse Lautrec and his paintings.  Although the photos were taken a bit past his time, it still resonates on the slightly edgy respectability of its day.

Photos are from Musee Albert-Kahn.  See you tomorrow!

Resolutions? Maybe More Like Intentions

Ah, it's that time of the year.  Everyone talks about them, but how many are able to follow through and complete their resolutions?  I know I've got plenty of room for improvement.

I think it's semantics, but as of a few years ago, I started writing "Intentions".  I wanted a bigger picture focus, instead of a "to do" list.

So once again, I'm hitting the key concepts for this year.
• Be Kind and Express & Practice Appreciation More.  I do this pretty well, but I want to do more.  Some of it will be through Beads of Courage.  I can make a small difference in this world by helping them.
• Reduce- yeah of course myself plus some of the contents of my house.  This will give me more time for creative projects in the long run.
• Create Bigger - sounds funny with the above, but I want to go bigger with my art- concepts, size and details.
• Teach more.  I love sharing my knowledge and love seeing the smiles and happiness of my students.

So there you have it.  Have you written out your intentions or focus yet?  I'd love for you to post a link to your blog or where you've written them down.

Sometimes doing it publicly makes it more of a priority.  Other people have seen what you intend to do.  And honestly, not everyone can make it 12 months.  I know I lose focus, but aren't you better even if you do it for 3 months or 6 months, or whatever? It's not like you're hurting yourself by working on improvement.

2013 Trend...Hair Accessories

I often pop by Refinery 29's website to see what's new in fashion, hair and all that girl type stuff.  One of their articles is on trends for 2013 and this one caught my eye.  I love how a hair accessory that goes with the jewelry was added for this Chanel runway look.  (notice the lack of earrings with this huge necklace)  Just wish we could see it from the front a well.

Happy New Year.  Tomorrow will be the Resolutions post.  I just thought today everyone else would be doing it and you might want a little eye candy and something different.