Animoto and Piazzo San Marco - Fun Combination

I just tried out a video making site, called Animoto. It was a blast. You can make 30 second videos for free and for a small price, you can go more complex. Being a non technical type, it was great to be able to upload the photos easily, add some of their music (legally) and add a little text. I was using the "free" option, but I think there are a lot more things you can do, if you join.

So for my example are just a few of the photos I took when I visited Piazza San Marco in Venice Italy last spring. The architecture, the history and the size were jaw dropping. I might just head back there soon and try some of my collection of other photos from my trip or even my glass art.

And now it's your turn to create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Bridging the Gap

While strolling around the island of Murano, our group happened to notice the roman numerals dating one of the bridges over the canal.

Trying to hearken back to our old elementary school days, (for me, back in the days of dinosaurs), we couldn't be exactly sure of the date.

So the next easiest thing to do, is to snap a quick photo and the double check our guesses.

But let's make this one step easier.

Ah the joy of the internet. I went to http://www.novaroma.org/via_romana/numbers.html where it did the conversion for me.

This bridge was built in 1858. The roman numerals, in case you can't read them are: MDCCCLVIII.

It is a bit awesome, in the truest sense of the word, to contemplate who else has walked across the same little bridge. When being on a small island with so much history in my chosen glass art form, I have to stop and think about it. Who has gone before and who will travel across it after.

I hope my friends, if you haven't yet had the opportunity that some day you too will get the chance. And when you cross it and see the date, please pause for a second, remember this post and contemplate the same thing. How such a big world has become smaller with time and options- and remember those who have traveled before us and will come after too.

My Sculptural Bead Packaging of Choice...Baby Socks!

I just need to clarify, no adorable chubby baby feet have been left to get chilly due to this quirky packaging idea of mine.

When you're needing to transport your sculptural glass beads, it gets quite time consuming and unwieldy, wrapping them in layers of bubble wrap and tissue to protect the protruding pieces from being bumped.

My solution is to use thick baby socks. Yes, you read this correctly. I buy them from our local Dollar Store. They come three pairs for $1.00, which means I can protect a minimum of six beads or more. I can re-use them, and just pop them in the washing machine when they get dirty. They fold and contour to each bead. Then I place them in a padded 6 pack beverage container which easily zips up. (I find those at the Dollar Store too!) It's lightweight and easy to transport. Now you have it, my quick, easy and inexpensive (as well as good for the environment) re-usable packaging and transportation system. Do you have a method that is a little offbeat too? Post it and let us know. I've included a photo of my glass lampwork Christmas ornaments all protected in baby socks.