Improving your blog

I was reading an article on ways to improve your blog.
There were many wonderful suggestions in the article.
One of them that stuck with me was to, on occasion, post a list of things.
The article emphasized that people like to read lists.
All right.
I want to improve my blog.
Here is my first list.
The title is:


MY FAVORITE


10,000 COLORS!

Now, get ready for this!
Are you ready to read!

Here goes!

A picture is often worth 10,000 words.

Thanks, Deb.

Foot Prints in the Snow

I saw them quietly
marking the spot
where someone
or
something walked
back and forth
forth and back
in the quiet of the snow.
I'm not really sure
whether
human
or
not.
It walked
in the snow
in the melting
snow
back and forth
forth and back
I wonder
why
I wonder
what
I wonder
who
Might have been human
So close to the house
I'm not really sure.
Frozen in time
Frozen in place
Until the air warmed up
and
Melted the prints
walking back and forth
and
forth and back
and
We will never know.

It's so interesting to look back at your work

As I was cleaning the other day, (Did I say the "c" word?), I happened across one of my very first vessels.
Now, if you know me, you know I love vessels and I love to use up my scraps and nubs of glass.
I was so surprised to find this vessel huddled in a corner,
covered by a book,
so that it wasn't visible unless you moved the book to c-l-e-a-n.


I have to admit, I was impressed with this vessel. It wasn't blown. I shaped it on the end of a big holed mandrel.
Best of all, this vessel is full of scraps. There is a partial twistie that didn't go all the way around the lip.

Creatively, I added dots that were supposed to be roses.
I was a real newbie when I made this vessel.

I took the rest of the cane, and swirled it around the vessel making "roses" and lines for decoration.
Here you can see that I even rolled the vessel in frit and tried to add a point at the end with a dot of clear.

I think I made this for an exchange but decided it wasn't good enough to send in.
Wow!
Now, I'm glad I kept it!
Any suggestions on how to wire wrap this vessel so that I can wear it?
I really like it!
What a wonderful memory to touch and hold.

1000 Markets A New Place to Visit

Yesterday, we visited some Artfire stores.
Today, our shopping trip will take us to 1000Markets and two stores in that selling venue.

The first store we will visit today is Island Top Glass Art.
Paula is the curator, artist, and owner of this fun shop!
(I'm only going to show you a couple of items from each of these stores, so when you finish reading this, do a bit of island hopping and visit 1000Markets to see some fabulous work from Paula and Sue.)

This beautiful necklace, and the beads in it, were made by Paula. Isn't it stunning! when I first saw this necklace, I thought of the ocean. I see the white sands and the soft, blue water of the sea!
Wow!
This necklace and earrings set is called Pretty and Pink. Paula has so many wonderful pieces of wearable art in her shop, that I really had a difficult time deciding which pieces to choose. My philosophy then is, when in doubt choose pink!
Beautiful!

Now, in this whirlwind tour of the two shops on 1000Markets that I like the best, we need to move on to Nine Dragons Sculpture Art owned, operated, and curated by Sue who is a multi talented artist.
Take a look at these two works of art.

This fabulous necklace is called Shimmer. Isn't it wonderful? You can see the shimmer of the beads in the necklace. Oh, my, it's right up my alley.
This is The Kiss.
Do I need to say more? I am struck by the beauty and the simplicity of this piece.
Wow!

So, it was a short and quick tour of these two stores. Be sure to head over to 1000Markets for a more complete show of what Paula and Sue have to offer.
I'll sneak this in.
When you are there,
You can visit my store, too!
You know me, random and eclectic to the end!
I hope you enjoyed your tour!

Artfire Stores of Great Value

There will be more later, but for now, here are some of my favorites!

Presenting some Artfire Stores.
AngelinaBeadalina

Deronda Designs

BeadTowne

Glass by GirlFriday 1962

Sun Daisy Glass

Be sure to visit! You won't be disappointed!

I logged into Etsy, and the treasury was there.

For those of you who are familiar with trying to "snag," "capture," "grab," or whatever term you choose to use for "getting" a treasury, you know that sometimes, it's difficult to do. Usually, I check the estimated time, then I wait. I do mean wait. Did I say wait?
I try to have my treasury entries ready. I keep a little note book to try and make sure that I get different people in each time.
I swore that my next treasury would be a non glass treasury since I am addicted to glass and the promotion of glass artists.
Well, this morning I was shocked to turn on my computer, log into Etsy to check and see if I was in any treasuries,
when a screen came up for a new treasury!
I was shocked.
I had thought, by my estimation, that the treasury would have opened up during the night while I was sleeping.
This was a little bit after 5 AM. I know, most people are sleeping at that hour. I rarely am. Anyway,
shock led to a quick title.
Okay, I was half asleep, so it wasn't very creative,
but the treasury was mine, mine, mine, I tell you, all mine!
Now, it's yours to enjoy.
Okay, most of the artists I featured, and the
artists who will probably be featured later,
on the side bar,
were people whose work I love!
Take a peek.
Click and comment if you can.
Maybe, it will make front page!
That would be awesome!

Silent Blog - How Many Ways Can Spike Sleep?

You tell me.

It's Fun to Do When You're Bored or Not!

I saw this activity on a new lampworking forum called Torch Bugs. The title of the thread was called "Kevan Always." Now, what you need to do to play this game is to google your name with the word always after it. Then you post the ten most interesting items you find.

I googled my name with the word always after it: Mallory always. Here are the results.

1. Whether it is folky, bluesy, jazzy, or lyrical, the quintessential Mallory always shines through like a beacon.
2. Mallory always has a best friend by her side.
3. Mallory is always writing about someone . (From Ang's blog.)
4. Mallory always has a sparkle in her eye and gives that silly little grin of hers. (They are talking about a dog.)
5. Mallory always handed the rent in on time.
6. Mallory's always hated gym.
7. Mallory always uses A-Weighting for their sound level measurements.
8. Mallory always saying the same four words.
9. Mallory's daughter has always said that Mallory carried a photograph of her husband on her person with the intention of leaving it on the summit.
10. Mallory always leave one person behind "to tell the tale.

Now, what are your ten " Your name + always" statements?

I'm a Shards Junkie!

Shards are broken pieces of glass. In lampworking terms, they are still broken pieces of glass, but more than that, they are thin, broken pieces of glass. In the last month, I have become a shards junkie. I love to use shards on my beads! If I could figure out a way to use them on discs, I would. I make my own shards. That process is so relaxing! I love making shards! I love using shards! Can you tell I like shards?
All of these beads are in my Artfire store. Take a look.

It's 5 PM

And it's still light outside! I think that spring might really be on the way!

Etsy Bloggers Treasury!

It's called Blog Me!
Please C & C!

Do you dot?

You might, but I don't know anyone who can dot like Tera Belinsky-Yoder of Beadygirl Beads on Etsy. I call Tera the Queen of Dots. If I could dot like her, I'd die a happy woman. Take a look at some of her fabulous beads!












This is one of my current favorites in Tera's store. It's called Alien in Cream. Look at all of those fabulous dots!
















This set of beads is called Tabazuma. This time, Tera melted her fabulous dots into the bead and didn't leave them raised. Look at Tera's use of color, too. She has combined colors that I didn't think would go together. Wow!















Tera calls these beads Tiny Triangles! And look at those dots! Look at her use of color with dots. Amazing!


















Look at the intricate use of dots in this bead. Zuma Single 3 is the name of this bead. I am amazed at how Tera's dots lead from one to another into the pattern. Isn't it beautiful?

This is only a preview of some of the beads in BeadyGirl's store. Make sure you visit this store. You won't regret it!

A Fabulous Mankato Artist - Laura Veenhuis

A small resturaunt opened in North Mankato a while back. The name of the resturaunt is Christie's. When you walk into Christie's, not only are you impressed with the ultimate cleanliness of the eating area, you are struck by the awesome works of art on the wall. These paintings, and other types of art, were created by two of the waitresses in the cafe. I will feature one of these fabulous young women today. Her name is Laura Veenhuis, and such a talented artist she is!






Now, let's look at some of the fabulous works of art that have come from the mind, heart, soul, and hand of this young woman. I almost forgot to add that you can view more of her work at MN Artists

















This image is titled "Tormented #5." I don't know who the model is for this masterpiece of artwork, but the artist truly has portrayed a woman in torment. Notice the details in the photo: the stitching on the shrug, the simple jewelry, the pensive look of the woman's face. All three of the paintings you will see, are hung together on one wall. The look of the wall is dramatic and astounding!


















The title of this masterpiece is "Tormented #1." Look at the aging woman. Her earrings and her glasses are reflective. The wrinkles on the woman's face show the struggles of her life. You can't see the cigarette in her hand, but she is smoking one. The nerves and anxiety of this woman cause the aging in her face. She is pensive and concerned. What a stunning work of art!



















This work of art is called "Tormented #2." Again, I'm looking at the details. This woman looks in a new direction. See the minute details of her person. Can you see the detailed pattern of her scarf, her earrings, and her hat? Look at the troubled face she is showing to the world. Why is she tormented? What has happened to this woman of color to cause the anguish in her face? Where is she going? What will happen to her next?

This was just quick tour of the art available at Christie's in North Mankato. Laura is one of the fabulous artists whose work you will see when you go in there. When you do go in for some of the fabulous food they serve, stick around a bit and talk to Laura. You'll not only get to see her art, but you'll get to know the artist, too.

She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

Type that 10 times quickly. If you try saying it, you know it's hard. Try typing it quickly. It doesn't work that well, at least, not for me. I'd rather make the sea shells. This one is in my etsy store right now.












I have another one to show you, too! Look at this one.


















This shell is in my artfire store.


















I don't have any shells in my 1000Markets store, but I do have coral. I love this piece of glass coral.

Well, enough of shells and coral. See if you can type it 10 times very quickly--She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

At last, THE CHALLENGE!

Let me first begin by apologizing. I lost (I guess I hit the quick delete button, AGAIN, or something) two of the photos that were sent to me. Not only that, I don't know who sent them. To you wonderful unknown artists, I'm sorry. I screwed up.

Now, to the challenge. About 3 weeks ago, I posted 2 pictures of my lava lamp. I love my lava lamp! Here's one of the photos. I'm only going to post one because both photos were the same with just a slight difference in color.
I then challenged anyone who chose to do so, to send me a photo of a work of art that they created using this photo as an inspiration. I assumed that the photos would be of glass works, but any thing could be sent. I did receive one drawing. I lost it. I'm sorry.

Here are two of the 4 responses I received. Again, I'm sorry to the unknown artists.













This photo is from Diane. She's ddbeader on Wet Canvas. I looked at the links from her signature there. Wow! I'm impressed! In addition to managing a web site, she has two other blogs, Diane's Watercolors and Diane's Water Color blog! They are amazing places to visit. But wait, she doesn't stop there, she also has an etsy store and an artfire store. I got tired just from visiting all these places! I don't know how she does it! Be sure to visit her blogs and stores. Wow! You won't be disappointed. Amazing!































These two images were submitted by Louise Ingram, another WC friend. She's also known as
Fire Seed glass. Louise is well known for her monkeys. Just remember, you want to monkey around, Louise is your gal for that! Check out her great stuff!

Louise is another artist who wears me out! She also has an artfire store and an etsy store. You've got to go and see her monkeys! They are just great! I am the proud owner of one of her two faced monkeys, and it's a fabulous addition to my collection! wow!

Thank you to everyone who sent me an entry! Next challenge, I'll make sure I'm much more organized. Have fun and enjoy these stores and websites!

A Valentine's Day Salute to Chocolate!

Remember this? Maybe you're too young, but I loved this!



Happy Valentine's Day!

Featured Etsy Store: May Beads Handmade Lampwork Beads

Need a smile? Want to smile? You need to visit May Beads on Etsy. Lauren Mazursky is the proprietor and chief bead maker for this shop. (I honestly think she's the ONLY bead maker for this shop!) Look at Blueberry! Blueberry is one of Lauren's newest items. Isn't she the most adorable cow you've ever seen? Look at those eyes! Now how cute is that?

What did I say about a smile? How could anyone resist Archie? He's an alien and isn't he cute? Lauren, I love your work!





















Like jewelry? How about these little turtles on your ears? Aren't they sweet?






Last, but not least, meet Skillet the Pig. Who could think of him on a skillet? Look at those sweet eyes. He's adorable!

I was trying to think of what I liked best about Lauren's work. I honestly think I love the personalities she gives to her little critters. Their eyes are wonderful!

Remember to stop and say hi when you visit Lauren's store. You will enjoy your visit.