Fontemplating...The Art of Contemplating a New Font

I've been looking at fonts for my new website.  I want a nice one for my name.  I'm changing the StudioMarcy title to my name, Marcy Lamberson and perhaps adding "glass artist" below it.

And after pouring through hundreds of fonts, these are some of my favorites. I want one that is easy to read, and has a little style at the same time.  And although a lot of my work is whimsical, I don't want all the curlicues and cute stuff for my name.  I would like versatility and a more stylized font as my art changes over the years. I think that would represent me better in the direction I want to go.

So if you have a favorite, please let me know.  Or comments, if you think I'm off base. I'm open to hear your thoughts.  See you soon as  I'm going through this process of a new website, I think you might enjoy hearing what I'm learning along the way.

2 New Jewelry Micro Trends

Micro trend #1- Mid Finger rings.  What do you think, thumbs up or down on it? And please wear mid finger rings on those thumbs while voting.  This is good for our handmade artisan friends, so I vote thumbs up.

Micro Trend #2- Statement Earrings.  I will ask for a vote in a minute, but just wanted to make a quick comment...  This could be awesome, but if you are making statement earrings, think of how heavy they are. I know when I make glass earrings, I can get more show from a larger piece if it is flattened and the light can hit it. Keep 'em lightweight, and they get a thumbs up from me.  What do you think?

All 50 Completed!

I did it!  All 50 auction "lots" for our Tophatter Spring Auction tomorrow are uploaded.  What a lot of work, but I know it will be fun to try.  I bet you can pick out which ones are my beads and which ones are Jenelle & Dan's.

This is just a sample of what will be available tomorrow.  Sat. 1-3 Eastern Time. It's done in real time. Over 100 offerings. The auctions go quickly and there is online chat for asking questions or saying hi to your friends.  Find us here: http://tophatter.com/auctions/15406  (and you can find my other work at http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com.

Madly Listing

Thank goodness I'm not a boat with that blog title!  Actually, I'm working on my 50 listings for this Saturday's Tophatter live auction.  I am experimenting with this, so please come join me and the fun.  1pm EST on Saturday, Feb. 23rd.  This Saturday!

This is how it works.  I am partnering with Jenelle Aubade and her beads which are lovely sets, pairs and very jewelry design oriented. I'm bringing my sculptural pieces so they all complement each other.  The buyers join Tophatter and each piece is offered, one at a time and you bid in real time.  I am there to answer any questions.  And we each have our own little avatar person.  So sometimes you get great deals and sometimes the bidding goes high.  It looks like fun.

Here is the link:  http://tophatter.com/auctions/15406

Please come to see us!

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.

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.

Art Resource

I just discovered a website which offers royalty free artwork.  Are you familiar with Vintage Printable?

They have a lot of interesting artwork that you probably haven't been searching for, but enjoy seeing and can find some use for, if you use your imagination.  (case in point, this blog post)  I have always loved illuminated letters.

So pop by and check them out.  Lots of easily searchable categories and you're sure to find something that you can either use, or will make you smile.

See you tomorrow

Our Tree Is Decorated With My Blown Glass Ornaments

Well last night we finally got our tree up.  I had enough remaining ornaments from my holiday shows, to  decorate it, so it is all my handmade work.

We took a shortcut and used our faux tree.  Back in the day when the kids were little, we used to hike up in the mountains and chop one down.  Times have changed.  With the kids living other places and with my busy season being at Christmas, we opted to use this one.  My son Grant helped us put it up and he dubbed the faux snow as "feta cheese".  So this is now the feta cheese tree.  He is kind of right.  I sure hadn't looked at it like that.  I still like the tree and am happy to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Oh What A View!

This past weekend it was fun setting up shop at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Holiday Market.  The staff and public were great to be around.  But I wanted to show you the view from behind my booth.  I had this huge window right behind me.  And although it was a bit toasty when the sun was coming straight through, I really loved the view of the Nature Center grounds and out to the river and the deck just on the other side of the window.

If you are in the Atlanta area, my next show (and final one of this year)  will be The Handmade Gift Fair at Gallery 1526 -  Saturday, Dec. 15th from 11am to 6pm.  Address:  1526 Dekalb Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA  (Pretty close to the Edgewood/ Candler Park MARTA Station.)  This is my first year with them and it looks like a fun group.  Acoustic guitar, free henna tattoos, face painting for kids, free admission and 25 artisans.

Come See Me At the Chattahoochee Nature Center

If you are in the Metro Atlanta Area today, I will be at the Roswell Chattahoochee Nature Center's Holiday Market today, 10-4pm.  (I'm in the Discovery Center building, near the gift shop)  Free admission too!

I love this venue.  It's full of people who care about what is living around us and their children's and adult programs are wonderful.  such a pretty setting too! When you're done, you can walk along the river and enjoy the views.  Or bring bread to feed the ducks.

I will have small handmade glass ornaments, like this bird loving St. Nick, and so many more items.  From housewares, to jewelry to snowglobes!  Come by and see me.  (and if you are hungry, their French cafe food service is delicious!

9135 Willeo Rd. Roswell, GA 30075.  (not too far from Flametree Glass!) www.chattnaturecenter.org/holiday-market.  770-992-2055.

Santa Is In The House

You'd better watch out...oh wait, a little early for that.  But I am working on my holiday inventory for shows and my Etsy shop.   It's a crazy year this year, and I need any head start I can get.

So I popped this fun loving, striped trouser with suspenders hipster wannabe Santa into my etsy shop, in case you too, are trying to stay ahead.

You can find him here.  He would make a great miniature ornament or pendant, and he particularly enjoys hanging out near you on a desk or other flat surface to make sure you are behaving yourself.

Here's a hint:  I just turn him towards the wall, when I want to misbehave.  It works!

See you tomorrow. I'll be in New Jersey getting ready for Glass Stock East at Carlisle Machinery.  Can't wait to use their wonderful burners...(Santa, I'd really love a Lucio Burner for Christmas!)

Fall Winter Trends..This One Could Be For Some of Us

So the Accessories website said that "Haute Craft" is one of the trends for this Fall and Winter season.  They described it as, "The comforts of home are brought on the road as she adapts homespun elements to her exploration of ethnic cultures, natural wonders and unknown destinations. She embraces imperfection, and although she is drawn to rough textures, experimental clashes of materials and colors, artisanal raw unpolished finishes are unrefined aesthetics; her appreciation for well-crafted design should not be overshadowed. She carefully layers and pieces her eccentric mixes of elements together like patchwork-couture craft at its finest."

I liked the part about "couture craft".  It has a nice ring to it.  I kind of see some organic lampwork beads in this mix.  Probably mixed with metals and looking at this montage, I could also see felting, or some woven craft mixed into the jewelry too.  What do you think?  What would you do?

Frankie in Soda Lime Times

If you are a flameworking beadmaker, and haven't subscribed yet to Diane Woodall's Soda Lime Times, you are missing a great deal.

This month has the Halloween issue and I have a tutorial for Frankie, (pictured above) in it.  But within the 52 pages, (yes, that much!)  there is tons of content in her monthly subscribtion e-zine.  It is so worthwhile.  I have been beadmaking for about 12 years, and each issue teaches me something new.

Southern Staple...18 Years Late

Okay I admit I was a bit chicken to try boiled peanuts.  I have always heard that they can be a bit slimy.  Well, after living in the South 18 years now, I have finally tried them and understand why some people love them.

They came to our table nice and warm and the peanuts had a softened, but still chewy texture to them.  And as a non meat protein source, I get it.  Now, if someone offers me some, I'll have a few.  And in the future, maybe I'll be a bit more adventurous.

Well, maybe....

Still Loving Sea Shells

I love making seashells in glass.  I think most artists have their "go-to" pieces.  Whether it's just to relax for a few minutes or something that isn't so frustrating and always makes them smile.  Well shells fit that bill for me.

Here is one of my favorites.  I have etched it so it has the well worn, velvety feel, as if it has washed up on the beach recently. And I can assure you that there is no living organism inside. ;)

See you tomorrow!

Rooster Beads

I just had a request for a glass rooster lampwork focal bead.  I wanted to show you how Google is such a big help as I design what I want to create.

For this one, I chose a face close up, to get the eyes and those hanging things (ha ha, I am such a technical person), as well as a good look at a the comb.  (I got one of the terms correct!)

And then I chose two real roosters as much for their coloring as well as their profile.  I love how the shape reminds me a bit of a heart.  And the final two pictures include two that aren't real.  I like to see how other artists capture the essence of what they see as important to the bird.

What I don't do, is look at other glass artists' renditions of roosters.  Even though this is a special request from Beads of Courage, I don't want to even accidentally take on any characteristics of their work.  I want to keep it my own.  If I happen to end up with a similar style that has been done, I always know in my mind that there wasn't an influence from my glass friends.

Is this the way you work too?  Would love to hear about it.  (or if you know what those hangy down thingys are called.)

Now I'm off to make one or two and get them in the kiln.  I'll show you the results in a day or two.

I'm So Happy To Be Home

I heart being home!

Okay, so I admit that I wasn't posting as much as I'd like over the last three week, but I was busy!  While at the Gathering, I taught a 2 day class, co-taught a teaching the teacher class, was filmed and then spoke for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers conference, and participated in all the activities.  Then before the first conference was over, I joined a second conference also in Washington where I taught three classes and participated in that group's activities as well.  (Plus I got a little sightseeing!)  Then I came home and my daughter arrived for her visit prior to leaving for Antarctica next week.  You know how when you want to get in every available minute with someone how you kind of give up on sleeping the amount you should?  Yes, that's me.

I can very easily admit...I'm kind of tired.

So this weekend will be a bit slower.  I'm still unpacking, cleaning, and reassuring my wonderful cat Zeus, that I'm home for a bit.

 I am also teaching a "Beach" class at Flametree Glass tomorrow from 12-2, in case you want a quick sculpture class (www.flametreeglass.com)  I know there's still a little room, in case you'd like to join us.

I'll post more later this week to fill you in on my prior weeks' adventures and some of my purchases.  (making sure the economy stays strong, you know?)  Glad to be back.  See you Sunday.

Now You See Me, Or Maybe You Won't!

I have decided to change my blog for the next couple of weeks, while I am on the West Coast.

Instead of regularly scheduled daily blogs, I will shoot a quick photo of something going on, and post it with a short blurb.  Please do not expect it early in the morning as usual.  And perhaps you won't see one every day. (I always take Saturdays off anyhow.)  So let's give this a try and I think if you still like creativity and what's going on the glass world, this could be a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, my Pets Class begins.  Hopefully I can show you something going on that's fun.  And wish me luck.  Tonight my Gathering Presentation is filmed.  Send me good wishes because this dog bead is pretty big and and has some rather interesting appendages that can get chilly quickly.  No explosions, please!

And Happy Birthday to my super duper Mom.  I think you're the very best!  Lots of Love!

Catch you tomorrow from the classroom, (or bar, who knows?)

Lampwork Etc. Exchange

I just received my box of goodies from the most recent LE Exchange, "You Pick 8".  It is a delightful group of beadmakers who each can pick an inspiration picture and then the members make a bead that relates to it.

You can see some of my inspiration picture in the top right corner of this photo.  I was careful to include colors that could be found, a variety of the design- from complicated to easier, and which could be translated in many ways.  By looking at the photo, you can see that design was interpreted in many different ways and each was a treat.

If you like a challenge that keeps you on your toes, this is a good one.  Each participant chooses something that is interesting to them.  And boy do we get a variety!

I am looking forward to seeing what I make with my new loot.  Each one is in colors I love, so that will be a pleasure.

See you Sunday!

What a Fox!

I am working on a new project and decided that I might need a fox for it.  So here is my first effort.

My second one will look closer to this photo, which I should have printed prior to melting the glass..but oh well, I have plenty of glass left to make more.  I must be making too many dogs, because the muzzle looks more like a police dog, than the fox.  But in fairness, the bead is small, about the size of the first joint in my thumb.  (who needs rulers when we have thumbs to measure with? Ha, ha!)

So I look forward to showing you my next iteration of a fox.  I love making the face only beads and those come out well, but making tiny full body ones, will take another try.  The second one will have a different snout, slimmer tail, possibly longer legs, but honestly there's a trade off between what should be and what works better for strength, and there will be a bit more white around the face and other parts of the body.

Wondering why I'm showing you my not quite successful one?  Because seldom do we do super well on our first try.  And it's good to see that even with this many years of melting glass, each new attempt is a learning opportunity.

See you tomorrow!