Experimenting with Color via GlassTribal Whale & Stand

There are so many things that intrigue me.  Always on top of the list is color.  I've been making traditional whales and was looking at images and thinking about how color influences what we typically think.  So I picked up two complimentary colors and made a whale using a more tribal or tattoo type simple design.  It was fun experimenting with a different style.

Then I wanted to make a glass stand for it using the yellow and turquoise theme (layered turquoise transparent over the yellow for the green look.) and formed one side that was mostly deep turquoise and the other side primarily yellow, to see whether my assumption that I'd prefer the blue side with the contrast, over the yellow side.  My answer is "yes", but I like the yellow side more than I thought.  Surprised me a bit.

So now I'm asking your opinion.  Do you have a preference? Yellow or blue side? If you were picking two colors that aren't typical whale colors, what would you choose?

Rings...and More Rings

I have a full tray of handmade flamework glass flowers on adjustable metal rings waiting to be listed in my StudioMarcy.esty.com shop.

Most are "Statement Ring" size.  They really show up on your hands and are lively and fun.  I have some smaller ones as well, which are for the women who also love the handmade artisan style, but prefer to use their "inside voice " as my son says.  Both sizes also have some more geometric and also organic styles along with the whimsical garden flower variety.

Making a Chanel Ring - Video

I watched a Chanel promotional video on "The Making of the Soleil d'Automne ring on YouTube and thought you might enjoy it here. 

I watched it in two ways...the first was to watch the craftsmanship going into this beautiful ring and the second was as a craftsperson.  How they made this promotional video about something they are proud to be making by hand, and how they edited it to show a part of what they do that adds value.

Most of you are fellow artists or artisans and I'm thinking that we all should find a way to put ourselves on youtube, if we aren't already.  Searchable by potential customers, and to show what we do.

So tell me, have you made a video yet that has been posted to youtube?  What do you think?

Rub a Dub Dub, Let's Scrub

This handmade natural stone sink on Etsy appeals so much to me.  Stonemason is the shop's name and you can find it HERE.

Jewelry Design Dilemma

So you probably remember my post from Monday, where I showed you some of my new flowers in pastel colors.  I've been dithering over what I want to do with them still.  This is one of my options that I pulled out  I liked the silvery gray sparkle with the opaque flowers and some of the transparent bead in here.  I was thinking perhaps this one should be made into a bracelet?  What do you think?  Stringing ideas?  Change it up to something else?  What would you do?

Thanks!

Wishing all my friends a day with friends and family, laughter, happiness and of course, someone else doing the dishes!

Happy Thanksgiving....and rest up, because tomorrow starts the shopping season.

Wine Bottle Chandelier- Recycling At Its Best

I've always loved an excuse to do something that is fun, but not quite the best thing for you. Well, I just found another example.

Here is Pottery Barn's "Wine Bottle Chandelier".
And if you are like me, finding a way to make one is far more fun than actually buying it. That would be too easy.

So of course, besides finding and figuring out the framework for it, I'd need to have the components ready to go. And if my very poor math is correct, it looks like I'm going to need about 12 matching wine bottles. And I know that I'll want to do my part for recycling, instead of buying them at my local wine and beer making supply shop, so they will need to be consumed first.

(I think it would be less expensive to buy the chandelier at this point)

So perhaps the best thing to do is to have a Wine Tasting Chandelier Party with the actual construction done at least 24 hours after the party is over.

Have some ideas for this project? Please comment... favorite wine bottles, brands, and other tidbits of advice are welcome of course.

And who knows whether this is just a dream. Personally, I like the looks of Amaretto bottles, for a chunk rectangular light, but it sure would take me a long time to get the components for that one.

See you tomorrow at http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Branching Out ~ Chandelier Making

I've been working on building a chandelier for a few weeks now. It's a slow process when one is a bit indecisive. I'm not usually, but this really brings it out as it's my first light that I've made.

I bought a simple base at a local shop and decided to change out its decorations and embellish with my own lampwork and bead collection.

What a lot of fun! Because the base of it is so non traditional, I had a bit of a hard time getting started. The "theme" of it changed three times, until I finally settled into what I felt comfortable with. (oops, sorry about that dangling participle there).

I went from a colorful "over the top" style to a neutral, textural earthier kind of "spirit animal" theme. The amount of metal in the base and modern design needed a less-is-more type style than what I originally planned. (which was my more-is-more aesthetic)

So I gathered my supplies of creams, whites, grays, brown, metallics, crystals and various textures and shapes and sorted the beads and embellishments. It made it a lot easier to line things out and test string them to see if they were looking like I had imagined. I used my lampwork glass, bone, ceramic, coconut husk, wood, and other mediums to get the look I wanted. To keep the cost down, I didn't make it all lampwork, but the highlights include sculptural focal beads that I made just for it. Then it was time to get to work. And I'll show you the results of the finished chandelier either tomorrow or Thursday.

Because...well, as I'm writing this, I'm wondering if there's just one more thing that I want to do. Now I'm considering whether to alter the base metal color of the chandelier. Sure, it would be a lot of work, but I just have to ponder that scenario for a little while longer...darn, these aesthetic choices are tough. Darker or lighter? Burnished copper or burnished aluminum?

See you tomorrow at http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com. I'm not sure whether it will be the continuing sage of the chandelier or something different. We'll know first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks for stopping by.

Hob Knob Glass Now Open!

My good friend, Rebekah Higgins Husky has just opened her delicious handmade glass drawer pulls shop, Hob Knob Glass on Etsy.

Even if I wasn't already so partial, I would still love these yummy swirly knobs for dressers, chests, decorative boxes or whatever your brain can dream up. What a great way to add a burst of zing to any room.

I like the way they are made, because they install so easily. The knobs come with a screw and that's it! Just like all the others that you've used.

Of course I had to show you my favorite color Tide Pool, but she has so many other colors to choose from too. Stop by, check them out, heart them, and maybe pick up a few.

Bek told me that she will be selling them at The Gathering (International Society of Glass Beadmakers' Annual Conference in Miami) this year too. I know she has more designs that she will be adding as she goes.

See you tomorrow with more fun!

Christian Louboutin Marie Antoinette Shoes- Divine Inspiration

..... sigh. Have you seen the latest Christian Louboutin shoes? There are only 36 pairs made. Each retails for $6,295 USD. They were inspired by and named after Marie Antoinette.

Featuring ribbons, lace and embroidery, they come in yellow, pink and blue. Louboutin teamed up with famous embroider, Jean-Pierre Lesage of the House of Lesage in India.

Each pair has been numbered and comes with a specially designed box and a book that shows the collaboration process.

I'm still trying to figure out which designer I can collaborate with. I'm sure there's someone out there who needs a glass ninja wearing mouse ears bead to accent a red carpet gown, or a can of Spam for the next Coen Brothers movie. But until they discover me, I'll just dream about these shoes. The blue pair for me, please.

Historic Day - New President and New Web Presence on Art Fire

It's a big day today. We have a history making Presidential inauguration that so many people are excited about. I know I'll be catching a little of Barack Obama on the screen.

And in a far smaller way, but still historical for me, I've just signed up to sell on Art Fire. My web address there will be http://www.StudioMarcy.ArtFire.com. Or you can click here. I've just included a couple of items to test the views and see how it works. If I like it, I'll stay, and if not, I'll end my presence. I still love Etsy and will have most of my inventory there, but thought maybe I could catch a few new folks on the new forum. We'll see.

Anyone else on Art Fire? Tell me how you're doing. What do you like about it and what don't you like about it? Are you selling, or getting the views?

If you're on Art Fire, stop by and say hi. I'm going to sign up for google analytics, so that will help me test out some of those features too. And tomorrow, let's chat about making beads. I'm ready for it. Today will be a long day in the studio working on custom orders.

Glass Fire Breather Perfect for Valentines Day

This year, I wanted to design some different Valentines Day glass beads and sculptures. Yes, I'm sure the traditional hearts, flowers and chocolates will be good sellers, but as usual, I wanted to also offer something a little different.

Here is my first design. It's a Valentine Dragon. I'm going to make a variety of my little animals and creatures each with a heart. This one is sold already, but I've got another new dragon to list later today. She's periwinkle blue with green accents and a red heart. Rather cute, if I do say so myself. Look for other styles in the upcoming days. Nothing says "I love you" like a fire breather.

I saw these chocolate food charms with hearts on
another blog. (I wish I could remember where.) They didn't say who made them or where you could buy them, but they also seemed like a good inspiration for bead makers. They combine hearts and chocolates which has to be a good bet. It gives the holiday a little sweeter and they'd be cute year 'round too.

What are you offering for Valentines Day? I'd love to hear about it and feel free to add a link in your comment too.

Tomorrow, I should have some of my Key West photos downloaded and I'll tell you about my trip and some of the inspiration I found while there. It will be a chatty post, I'm sure. I'm still missing the warm, balmy weather since we returned to chilly Atlanta.

Gorgeous Glass Calendar

Do you collect calendars with gorgeous glass bead photos on them? I do. I just like drooling on the photos and well to be honest, I usually don't use them for what they're intended.

Marjorie Oxman from LampworkEtc has put together one and I must say, there are a lot of wonderful beads in it. And (ahem) I just happen to have my Snow Woman Bobblehead in there too. I think she's Miss December, but not sure. Because it's just hot of the press and available here, I haven't received mine yet.

I'll see you tomorrow...

Meet Guppy ~ From Plushie to Focal Bead

Meet Guppy. Guppy is the favorite stuffed animal of one of my customers' little girl. Apparently, Guppy isn't allowed to go everywhere the little girl goes, so her Mom decided to find her a stand in who could.

So she contacted me through my etsy shop and sent me a variety of photos of this beloved pink seal. I was touched. Obviously this is a well loved "friend" and as a fellow Mom, I have my memories of how attached my kids became to certain toys.

So let's talk about the process a little. How did I get from step A to step B?

I looked at the shape, the texture and the face on Guppy, to decide how to form this and where the hole needed to be.

Then I picked my colors, which you fellow glass artists know are limited, when it comes to pinks.
I used the Effetre pink and CIM's Gelly pink for the two shades.

My first two efforts, (not shown) were pretty scary. I had tried to give Guppy some texture, so she'd look more like a plushie, but she looked more like a seal wearing a lion costume, as I added fur around her little face. Needless to say, those two got scrapped, but they were helpful in figuring out the body shape and flippers.

On to a smoother and more refined Guppy. No textured fur. I built the body like a large donut shape at first. I wanted to get my height of the body with that. Then I started adding on to parallel sides. A little bit on the side where I would attach the head and face and a lot of glass onto the back side. It looked a little like an asymmetrical torpedo. I wasn't worried about the exact shape at first on the back flipper end, but wanted to get the mass of glass in place.

I added the head in the Effetre pink and flattened the part where the CIM pink face would go. Two dots where the eyes would be added and then the face. Just a bit of black stringer for the simple eyes and nose. I chose not to make the whiskers, because when they're fine lines, they tend not to look very good...at least when I make them.

I shaped the front flippers with a little bit of detail made with pliers and then heated the back flipper side and slightly pulled it out for the elongated shape. I added to large dots of CIM and gently mashed them for the back flippers. A little more plier work for details (and maybe a touch of razor blade for more definition and we were good to go. Guppy is on her way to be wrapped for Christmas. What a fun gift and an everlasting memory.

You can see more angles of Guppy in the sold section of my shop. Just click here to get to it.

Do you have family favorite items that can be translated into glass memories? Or have you done it already? This was my first custom order like this and I really enjoyed making it. I could easily imagine a little girl loving that pink seal.

Embellishing Other Crafts

This purse enchants me. I love the whimsy of it, the bright colors, (although I don't tend to wear them), and the pattern. But what I'd really like to do is have this purse, or one similar to it and embellish each of those wonderful dots with a cool lampwork bead. I'm still debating what I would put there. Perhaps some funky disks, or a pocket full of Tera Belinsky-Yoder's fabulous beads, or I'd even love to sprinkle some of my small seashells across it.

How would you embellish this handbag? I'd love to hear about it.
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Visit Me at Watch Me Create

I'm being featured on Watch Me Create where I talk about blending two techniques of lampwork and why encased florals really do go well with sculptural glass. (As illustrated by my little Lori La Rue the puppy) Stop by for a little encouragement and tell me which two techniques you'd like to combine and where you want to go with it.
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I have space for another online sculptural coaching session. If you're interested, you can contact me by posting here, or email me through my website, www.StudioMarcy.com
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Glass Tidbits, Crazy Stuff & SALE, Because I've Been Tagged Again!

Blind Melon Video "No Rain" 1991

You read it in the title. I've been tagged again. This time by Chatelaine Jewellery who is just the nicest person. I love her tiaras too!

Hang on just a minute and the connection to this music video will show up in my 7 facts about me. I'm trying to keep them glass related, because I bet you're tired of hearing my personal life info. Please post and let me know whether you want more glass related or Marcy related tagging facts, when I get tagged.

Here are the rules of tagging
1. Link to tagger and display these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself - some random, some WEIRD.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Random and Somewhat Weird Facts About Me and My Glass

1. I just set up a 20% SALE section in my Studio Marcy Etsy shop this morning. Read the shop announcements for the code. It's just being advertised here. Feel free to spread the word, as it's a quick one through Sunday night. Click on the right hand side of the page's SALE section .

2. This morning I received a request to make a bead that looks like the bee girl in this Blind Melon video. I can't wait to try her. She's adorable and her glasses will be quite a challenge.

3. Last night I received another request from a different customer to make a bee that is like a peppermint pink and white one. (I think that will be really fun and very cute) I am wondering whether this flying request phenomenon could be called "The Secret Life of Glass Bees" (saw the real movie and loved it.)

4. I have an International group of blog visitors who stop by regularly- USA, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Italy, etc. But yesterday ...within one hour, I had folks from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Turkey, Argentina and Poland visit. Curious. Anyone have any ideas what might have happened?

5. I'm currently working on a line of greyhound dogs as a custom order for a greyhound related shop. They're pretty hard to do, because they're such slim, elegant animals. I'll be blogging about them when I get the beads just the way my buyer wants.

6. I submitted my miniature bobblehead bead "Trick or Treat" entry for FlameTreeGlass's Halloween Bead Contest. You can go to their site and download photos all of the entries in two pdf.s. Mine are in the bead section. Cross your fingers for me. There are some wonderful entries.

7. And non glass related... I received a fun telephone call this week. It was one of my neighborhood and school buddies 4-7th grade from Stamford, Connecticut. They've been searching for friends and started a yahoo group. I grew up on a penninsula called Shippan Avenue and the ocean was in many of their backyards. You'll often see beach and ocean related items in my shop, and now know that they're there from my much loved childhood roots. And by the way, I moved away after 7th grade, so I haven't been in contact with them for ages!

Here are some of my EtsyBEAD Street Team members, who I've tagged. Enjoy their blogs!
http://www.hammijammijewelry.blogspot.com/
http://jewelrygenie.blogspot.com/
http://livngoodjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://juliesjewels.wordpress.com/
http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
http://grandiaroad.blogspot.com/
http://buttonmakersball.blogspot.com/

Lost In Translation? Alien Drinking Coffee

You might have read that I'm in an online glass creativity workshop that I love by Sylvie Lansdowne. This past week's assignment was to choose a picture from those offered and translate it into a bead.

I chose the one on the left, which is angular and complex. It was a very tough choice. I was amused by her coffee with the swirling steam, the bacon and eggs on her left, the clouds in her coffee, (think of the song, "You're So Vain"), the Starbucks logo and most of all, the angular lines and the off kilter shape and size of the face.

You can see two of my beady attempts of the art.
The top one was my first and the bottom two are the front and back side of my second bead.

As I want to teach you what NOT to do, as well as what TO do, here are some of my findings.

1. Don't worry if it doesn't turn out beautifully. If you don't stretch yourself and try, you'll never know. I think these are two of the funkiest looking beads I've made, but I'm so happy to have tried them.

2. Simplify as much as possible- patterns, designs and colors. If you have something that needs to be the focal of your focal bead, you need to give it a background so it shows up well. See my second bead to exemplify that.

3. What are the medium's traits?- glass likes to be round, so it's a great exercise in patience and heat control to get the angular lines.

4 .On my second attempt at the bead, I took some of the details and placed them on the backside of the bead to make it interesting and to carry out the interpretation of the original artwork .

5. Don't give up. Try it again to see whether your analysis improves your interpretation a second time around. I much prefer my second bead which is pictured in the bottom two photos.

6. Most importantly, learn from what you did. I know now what I would do differently in that kind of interpretive situation. But these concepts work more than on just Modern Art. If you are making a bead that will remind you of a favorite family photo, or a landscape or whatever you choose. Distill the important parts out and focus on them. Choose your colors wisely and because of size and glass characteristics simplify all of it.

Now I'm going to put both beads up in my Etsy shop. Because one other thing that I've learned over the years is that a bead might not be my favorite, but often times, it appeals to someone else. This will be one more experiment that I'm trying.
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I'm On "Watch Me Create"

Have you visited the blog, Watch Me Create?

It's the brain child of Lori Greenberg, which is a collaborative blog written by a variety of bead artists and jewelry makers who write about their creative processes.

I recently wrote a post about baking glass pie beads and how I came up with the changes in this slice of apple pie a la mode with caramel sauce. (mmm...)

I have to say, a major influence is one of my favorite current television shows, "Pushing Daisies". Their creativity and quick banter really hold my interest.

So what are your favorite pies and desserts? What would you like to see as beads? I love hearing your ideas.

Creativity Class Challenge

I'm in a fun creativity class that Sylvie Lansdowne has designed and is running. She is one of the most imaginative people I know. And her beads are stunning too. http://www.SylvieBeads.com

Sylvie gave us each a black and white botanical photo with three colors and we were to interpret it however we wanted. This was mine.

As those three colors are not exactly in my soft glass palette, I had some improvising to do

I loved the photo immediately and thought how hard it would be.
It was. Those arms are too fragile to make in soft glass, so I knew I had to round them up a bit, but still give it a similar look. I could use the three colors however I chose, and I could only make one bead as an interpretation. It reminds me of drawing classes where you do the 15 minute sketch that gives you an idea of the picture, but not the details that practice and more work would give you.

That pink color was a tough one. I tried all kinds of glass to get that original shade, and knew that I needed a different pink to show up against my orange. So I have CIM Gelly Sty Pink cased in their Berry Transparent, (can't remember the name.)

After we made the first bead, (which I call my Tropical Palm), we could make a second one that uses elements of the first, or if someone suggested an idea, we could do that. I saw those little sculptural pieces and they looked like pigtails to me. So I made a face. Having only three colors limits you on facial features, so I used one of my tools to show them. (She is already spoken for, but the first bead is listed here in my etsy shop.)

After looking at my first bead, it was suggested that I make some flamingos out of it. That's a wonderful idea and at some point I probably will.

Have you started in one direction and then changed course because it inspired you to go in a different direction? What did you do? I'd love to hear about it.

And please visit my Etsy Shop. I add a few new beads daily and love doing custom order for you too.