Halloween Goodies

I couldn't let Halloween pass without showing you some fun products.

But first, a quick word from our sponsor...me. If you haven't taken a minute to vote for the glass art piece of choice, (got my fingers crossed that you like mine- the third from the top "Spooky Night", please pop over to here. It will just take a minute and means so very much to me. Voting ends today.

And now on to our main program...
OUCH Skulls and Bones Bandaids
I know there are some folks who go for traditional (a little boring) tan bandaids and then there are those trendy folks who think that they need bacon slice or pirate bandaids. I say, show your dangerous side with these cute Skulls & Bones bandaids. Neutral colors and bada#$ pattern.

Or...look at what else I found. It's like a Nightmare Before Christmas one sided chia pet.

Skeleton Nyokkis are Japanese ceramic egg shapes filled with soil medium and rye grass. You can change its hair by snipping it or even adding a barrette or paperclip.

It's amazing how something so simple can bring a smile to my face so easily. Like a little touch of cute macabre in an eggshell.

Meanwhile, with Halloween on a Saturday night, I hope that all of you and yours stay safe and have a great time. I'm still debating what kind of candy to pass out. If you have a favorite, I'd love to know. I think kids should get tasty stuff that they really want to eat, not just the cheap stuff.

See you on Sunday. Don't forget the time change, if you live in the States.

Space Left for Andrea's Class in Austin

Hey gang-
My buddy at Blue Moon Glassworks in Austin, TX - Jim Berry told me that he still has two spaces left in Andrea's revealing the unexpected lampwork class November 5th & 6th.

Here's the link to the class

Andrea Guarino @ Blue Moon Glassworks

If you haven't taken a class from her, you're in for a real treat. Not only do her beads rock, but she's a delightful teacher as well. Students love their high success rate in her class.

Fuming with gold and silver, dichro, complex twisted canes and all kinds of fun stuff is planned for the class.

And, there are some cool bed & breakfasts as well as great restaurants near the facility. What a fun location to hold a class!

Wish it were me heading down there for the class. But I think with those two spaces, what a great way for you and a friend to pop down to that funky Texas city and have a great time.

ps when you sign up, tell them Marcy sent you!

See you tomorrow, http://wwwstudiomarcy.blogspot.com

Spooky Night ~ Need Your Vote, Please!

It's that time of the year when goblins and skulls are in abundance at FlameTree Glass. It's their annual Halloween Glass Contest and I need you to vote here for my entry, please. If it's not your choice, how about voting for the one you like best. (But psssst, I'm the third one down just in case you want to find me easily.)

My entry is "Spooky Night" and (okay, so I know it's not too spooky, but at least the owl has a bit of an attitude) I'm afraid that really scary...well, scares me. My mind freezes, I break out in goosebumps and I have bad dreams. We don't want that, do we?

But there are some super-duper torches that those generous guys at GTT have donated as prizes and I would dearly love to win one.

And if I win, I'll show you the inner workings on how I put this together and the thought that went behind it complete with photos and perhaps just a touch of interesting commentary about it. My first "Glass-amentary". Scary thought in itself.

Thanks so much for helping me. I promise to make some cool bigger stuff if I win one of the bigger torches. (I'm hoping for second place with the Scorpion that would work on my concentrator, fingers and eyes crossed and knocking on wood.) Here's the voting place again.

See you tomorrow for more glass and creativity chat here at http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Grey or Gray- It's Important However You Spell It

This past weekend in class, we were discussing the importance of the color gray. I know, it has the tendency to fade into the background, but for me, that's what makes it so important.

If you're familiar with my glass art, you'll know that I tend to use the brighter, more colorful options. But I truly feel that there is a big place for this color.

You see, with gray being such a great neutral, it gives one's eyes a resting place between the brighter colors. It recedes a bit and allows the others to "pop".

You can see that in both of the two photos that I snitched from National Geographic's website. (oh I love looking there!)

The top photo is a bit more muted, but the trees and reflections really show up against it and this photo of the dock below, is allowed to be exquisite because of its neutral background.

So how would you use the color gray in 104 COE glass? Many different ways. It makes a lovely background. Depending on the color that you want to show up against it, you can choose from the pearl gray, (almost white), the darker gray opaque or the wonderful transparent that is available. Choose contrast- darks against lights, and vice versa. Add a touch where you want the other colors to really show up.

I used to think that gray was not necessary in my palette, but I had the luck to take classes from Deanna Griffin Dove, who changed my opinion by showing me the difference. And now, I wanted to pass on her wisdom and would love to see what you come up with. Post a comment with a link please or tell me what you think.

See you tomorrow with more glass chat. Right here- http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Barbie Grows Up with Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler has brought Barbie into the modern age in a grown up, and very funny way.

Known for his creative and whimsical way of looking at things, (oh I love his style), here are four canisters from his Barbie line that crack me up. Each one is available separately.

And of course, there are his other containers that I have loved for years. He says they're for those, "beyond denial. stash in style"....including jars for "Uppers, Downers, Quaaludes, Dolls & Prozac". (and a brief disclaimer...I don't take any of them, but find the concept hilarious.)

See you tomorrow for more fun, glass and entertainment! http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Delightful Glass Art On Sale Now

I belong to a great group of glass artisans who sell on Etsy. We are the Etsy Glass Artists, also known as the EGA.

You can find us by going to www.Etsy.com and typing in the term, egateam in the search and our listings will pop up.

One of the things I like most about this group, (besides the sharing of info), is that we are all different. Not only are there fellow lampworkers, but we have stained glass, fusing, enamels and other forms of glass being made. It's nice to learn a bit about all of the aspects and share ideas about tools, designs and general knowledge.

Here are the members who are participating in the current Fall Sale which ends on Monday, Oct. 26th. Please click and visit their shops to find great buys and lovely items. I know I'll be doing some of my shopping there too!

http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com (Marcy Lamberson- that's me!) -- buy one get one 1/2 off
http://www.mycabincreations.etsy.com -- 20% off everything
http://www.Giapet.etsy.com -- buy one get one 1/2 off
http://www.GlassCat.etsy.com -- Fused and Dichroic Jewelry 20% off
http://www.jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com -- 10 - 30
http://www.41Design.etsy.com -- 25% off everything
http://www.RWillisglassartist.etsy.com -- 20% off all fused glass items
http://www.LeahPellegrini.etsy.com -- 20%off everything
http://www.susansheehan.etsy.com -- 20% off all glass items

Not Mistletoe Already!

Every year I debate whether to bring out my Christmas beads before Halloween. It's a tough call, but some folks are early birds.

It's not that I'm out for the worms, but I do know that holiday craft shows are coming up and it's nice to have your inventory ready in advance. Or at least I prefer to operate that way.

So I'm slowly stocking my shop with holiday items. This year, once I rev up, there will be lots of new styles to choose from. I've got my drawings completed and now I just need enough time to execute them.

So if you are looking for the holiday sculptural beads, keep checking out my Etsy lampwork bead shop. I'll be adding at least a few each week as we gain momentum towards Christmas. And of course, please don't forget my BOGO 1/2 OFF SALE (buy one, get one half price sale) that continues until Oct. 26th. You can be both the early bird and get a great deal on worms, too!

See you on Sunday for more glass and creativity chat...http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com