Size Does Matter

Yesterday I received a convo, (that's Etsy talk for conversation or private email), from a customer who had seen this bracelet in Bead Dreams Magazine January 2009 issue and wanted to make her own version of it.

Could I make her a mermaid and a seahorse that are .5" tall? That's just under 13mm. I measured the mermaids on this bracelet and they are about .7" or 18mm and remembered how hard it was to make the wee complicated beads.

She explained that she wanted a more delicate bracelet and the smaller charms would better fit into her design.
Needless to say, the seashells, sea glass and other less detailed and rounder beads would be so much easier to reduce and she did choose a starfish and palm tree in the diminutive size too. So today, part of my studio schedule includes attempting a half inch mermaid.

Charm sized beads are a great way to use up stringer and other little bits that are hanging around your bench. I love making sculptural miniatures which make great charms, earrings or dangles. I keep a small section, (ha, ha) in my Etsy shop.

If anyone else wants to join me in trying this, I'd love to see your efforts. The colors of her hair and tail have been left up to me. I'm smiling thinking that yellow could be interesting. That way I could make her wearing an itsy bitsy teensy weensy yellow polka dot bikini, that she wore for the first time today. (Please note, the last line is only amusing if you are about my age and know this song. But if you do, it will probably be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. My apologies.)

Early Morning Musings- I'm In Bead Trends magazine

Early mornings are one of my favorite times. I'll lay in bed and think about what I'm doing that day and if there are issues to contemplate, that's a good time for it too. Then I hop out of bed and come down to my computer to write my daily blog.

I thought I'd show you my one page of fame for the month. I'm in Bead Trends Magazine - Dec. 2008 issue. Have you seen it? I thought perhaps not. It's a lovely magazine. The photos and how to's are very attractive and it's thick without too many advertisers. Next time you're in your local bead shop or book store, peek around and see if you see it. It's published by the group that does some of the paper and scrapbooking magazines too.

The magazine chose a lampwork glass flower ring that I make, sell and trade. The bright red Russian glass petals with the Italian glass turquoise blue center add a little international bling for your finger. Some of you may have similar ones from the Gathering. This has been my "trade" item for the last two years. (Don't worry, I'll come up with something new for this year in Miami.

And now you know my source for photos too. I have a photobooth on my Mac computer. It makes early morning photos quick and easy. (even if I didn't flip around the magazine photo) and you see me in my early morning attire- sweatshirt, unbrushed hair and no make up. But we're glass lovers and beadmakers, so I know you'll laugh with me at these early morning photos.

Hope your day is wonderful.