Let's Try Again!

I tried to export this from ByHandMe yesterday. It didn't work exactly. There was no explanation other than some wonderful items, with links, that help to make summer more enjoyable.

The title of this Spotlight is Summer. If you go there, then you can click on each link to learn more about each product.

While you are at ByHandMe, take a look around. Their motto is: Put the Personal Back in Handmade. There's a lot to see and enjoy. You do see the person behind the craft.

Fat Cow Mini Moo

I've finally got a web page! Take a look at this and tell me what you think. I opted to use a site called Fat Cow. Fat Cow is a web site that offers inexpensive web site hosting. I decided that I am not ready for a full blown web site, so I opted for their Mini Moo. A Mini Moo is only $5 a year and consists of one page which you can use for contact information. The only other expense that I had was $20 for a domain name. All of that was very reasonable to me.

When Jenny was home for Memorial Day weekend, I asked her to help me with my mini moo. I honestly tried to develop it myself, but I wasn't familiar with the tools that Fat Cow provides. For Jenny, it was no problem. She put together this page for me, but Jenny has told me that she plans to change it later because she wasn't happy with what she did. Well, I liked it, but we'll see what she does next.

So, today, is the great unveiling! Drum roll, please. tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Presenting Rosebud's Lampwork Beads! My domain name is: rosebud101.

So, what do you think?

Referals on ArtFire

I love Shameless Self Promotion! Take a look at this blog! It's written by Rosemarie Hanus! The title is : Artfire Referral Program, Shameless Bribe. In case I messed up the link, the date of the blog is: May 28, 2009.

Here's the bribe! Isn't that a beautiful bead!!!!!!! Sign up with Artfire and refer Rosemarie, and you might have a chance to win this bead! Go, Rosie!

Thank you very much!

To Etch or Not To Etch

The debate rages on: Do you etch your beads or not? Some people feel that every bead they make should be etched, at least, given a light etch so that the bead can be photographed without a glare. Others feel that not a single bead should be etched. Some feel that the only reason to etch a bead is to save it.

For our non glassy readers, to etch a bead means to put that bead in a solution or rub it with a cream to take the shine off of the bead.

I used to be a person who felt that no bead needed to be etched until...I had a bead that might be saved if it was etched. I did, and it was beautiful!

Now, there are times when I do like to etch a bead. Organic beads, I feel, look good etched. See the little orange and ivory nugget on the top right and bottom left. I do like the look of the organic etched. See the two beads where the white is encased in a transparent color? I think that etching makes the bead appear to glow from the inside. I like that look. See the blue bead? That little nugget seems to have an inner glow. I like the look better than the unetched beads on the upper right.

What do you think? To etch or not?

Relay for Life 2009 in Mapleton, Minnesota

Relay for Life
A celebration of survivors
and
a Memorial to those who have gone before us.















They walked all night to celebrate life. This event was sponsored by the Seniors from Mapelton High School of 2009.













Then came the release of balloons and doves.



















Even a heavy rain didn't stop the celebration or the teams who walked the night away.




















More memorials and reasons for celebration.




















Relay for Life brought to you by teenagers, the Class of 2009 in Mapleton, Minnesota!

The Fish That Didn't Get Away

This photo doesn't do this fish justice! It's really one of my favorite fish ever! It's a base of white encased in transparent green accented with teal, sky blue, and medium transparent purple.

I was getting ready to list this fish. I had wire wrapped it, added pearls, and a bit of sparkly glass crystal. A steel choker turned the pendant into a necklace.










Then I saw it! The reason why this fish is the one that didn't get away.
















See the crack that runs from his lips to his tail?

I know, he just didn't want to leave home! When you're pooping pearls, you have to be happy!

Happy Birthday, Spike!

Today is the Day!
You're 12 years old!
That's old in human years!
I still remember the puppy that was called Chubs
Who
Became
Spike when he came home!
Happy Birthday!

Memorial Day 2009

We will not forget your sacrifices.
Thank you!
Peace!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider--NOT!

So, what do you think? Only a face a mother could love? Itsy, bitsy? NOT!

I normally appreciate spiders in my house since they eat so many other nuisance bugs, but I do have two rules that apply to them.

1) Spiders may remain in my house as long as they do not get near me.
(I think that's very reasonable.)

2) Spiders are not allowed to get big. Note the size of the spider compared to the dime. That's one BIG spider.

In this case, this spider violated rule #2. It is way bigger than the dime. However, there was an exception to this rule for this spider because s/he was dead when I found it, therefore, rule #2 does not apply.

Now, does anyone see a bead in this deceased arachnid? If you do, I'd love to see it, but please do not violate rule #2. Thank you very much!

When I Wore My Jewelry Today

I decided that I was going to treat myself to Perkins pancakes today, so, I also decided to wear a couple of pieces of jewelry that I am going to wear to the Bead and Button Show this year.
Now, there I know, I might get looks, but I also know that people will laugh and enjoy.

I think that's what might have happened at Perkins today, though. I had 4 different waitresses, which is odd, because Perkins, like a Denny's, usually only gives you one waitress at a time.

One seated me. One took my order. One brought me my tea. One brought me my pancakes. Each one managed to take a good look at my necklace and eye ring. I sure hope they enjoyed it. I know I did. The experience even gave me a blog topic.

Now, how did you find humor in your day?

Storms

Really?
This blog is about storms?
What happened to the beads?
The beads will return soon.
I just wanted to tell you about
2
remarkable books
I am reading and have read.
The book I just finished is called
Lucky Man
by Michael J. Fox.
No, this isn't a book report.
I would encourage you to read this awesome story of a man and his life journey
which includes
an incurable disease called
Parkinson's.
This is a story of storms and struggles,
love and family,
secrets and truth,
depression and optimism.
It's absolutely Amazing!
Enough said.
The book I am reading was written by
Elizabeth Edwards.
It's called
Resilience.
This is the story of storms and struggles,
the crash of the ideal,
the fight against
cancer and the infidelity of her beloved husband.
This is the story of depression and optimism,
love and family,
sickness and death,
secrets and truth.
Do you see a pattern here?
I recommend both books
to help with all the storms in life we face.
These are stories of courage in the storm.
Lucky Man
Resilience.

Flowers and Fruits

I took the time to breathe.
These were all in my yard.
It was cool, almost cold.
I have a treasure.
I am blessed.
Early.
Early, but sweet.
Oregano, a bit early.
Always and forever.
My favorite color.
First Fruits.

A Dog's Life

This isn't so bad.
The sun is warm.
The sky is blue.
The carpet is comfortable.
I love my T-Shirt.
I may be old.
I'll be 12 in a few days.
I'm a good puppy.

Now, I'm just playing!

I didn't realize how fun it would be to make collages using Picassa!
Here are a couple more for your viewing pleasure?

Now, here's one made of copper.
Now, how fun is that?
I learned something new,
and,
I'm excited!

For Where Your Treasure Is, There is Your Heart!

I saw a mosaic when reading another blog.
The mosaic I saw was peaceful and beautiful.
The writer encouraged others to try this.
I did.
Now, is this cool or what?
They truly are my treasures!

My Summer Line: I'm the Queen of Discs!

I love making discs!
I'm the Queen of Discs!
Huh?
Well, maybe not the queen,
but
I honestly love making
lampwork glass discs.
Discs and spacers will be the focus of my summer line!
Orange discs!
Multicolored discs!
Blue discs!
Transparent discs!
Apricot Discs!
Seashell Colored Discs!
Softened Discs!

Need to see more discs?
Be sure to visit my
Etsy Store,
my
Artfire Store.
For finished products,
be sure to visit my
1000Markets Store.

CREATEaTHOUGHT Etsy Bloggers' Featured Artist

I belong to an Etsy street team called Etsy Bloggers Street Team. Each month a different artist is featured. This month, we paid a visit to CREATaTHOUGHT on Etsy. When you visit CREATEaTHOUGHT's store on etsy, you will find many one of a kind items for recording your thoughts. In her profile, CREATaTHOUGHT says:

Everyday you are creating thoughts. Thoughts that are interesting and beautiful, profound and deep, silly and funny. Whatever your thought style is, they should be recorded.

CREATEaTHOUGHT's mission is to help you do just that. I provide items that fit your personal writing and recording style.

Here's a perfect example of a one of a kind journal provided for recording your thoughts.














Isn't that journal fun and funky?

Not only do you find journals, but you find other great items that are truly unique and impressive.












What a fun and funky ring this is! It's in CREATaTHOUGHT'S store.
















Love coffee? How about these resin coffee bean magnets? Guess where you can find these unique magnets.















Last, but not least, it's a mini magnet frame. Wouldn't that look great on your refrigerator! If you want to see more and enjoy a fun tour, be sure to visit CREATEaTHOUGHT on Etsy!

What I've Been Doing With the Economy Being So Bad

There's a lot of advice out there about what to do when sales are poor. With the economy being so bad, my sales are poor. Here's what I've been doing. I have been promoting and promoting my work. In the meantime, I've been learning new skills. (All of this has been good advice.) I love copper! I've been working with copper wire to learn new wire working techniques.

I started out by coiling wire in reverse coils to make this bracelet.







How about this ring? (Luckily, I don't turn green from wearing copper!) It's coiled, too!

















This lead up to a pattern I love!
Egyptian Coils!
Did you know that this pattern is over 4,000 years old. Jewlery made using this design has been found with mummies in ancient Egypt.


















Since I needed new jewelry for the Bead and Button Show, I decided to make a necklace to match the bracelet!

















I'm one happy camper!

What do You buy when You Buy a Lampwork Bead

Let's talk about lampwork beads and their cost.
This is a set of spacer beads that I currently have listed in my Artfire store. I call them Outrageous Orange Spacers. I priced these spacers at $18.
There are 12 beads in this set. All of these beads are handmade.











Where does the cost come from. What are you buying when you buy this set of beads?

Cost:
1. My first class cost me $110 for two hours. I have since learned that there are better beginner classes for less money.

2. I have taken 2 other classes taught by professional bead makers at $200 and $400 each. I am scheduled to take two more classes in 3 weeks at $285 each.

3. My first torch was a Hot Head, which I loved, but I have since upgraded to a mini cc which had been used in a class. The Hot Head cost me $40 and the mini cost me $225.

















In order to run my mini cc, I need, not only propane, but a source for oxygen. When I bought my mini I also bought an oxygen concentrator. I have since added a second one because I mini does work better with 2 oxycons than with one.

I got a good deal on the oxycons. I paid around $280 for each one. That did include the shipping costs.














I also had to buy the hoses and the regulator for my propane and oxygen. That cost was an additional $70.

A small, but good addition, is my holding tank. I paid about $25 for that. I should actually upgrade to a bigger holding tank because of the extra oxycon, but I haven't done that yet.


















I also bought a used kiln. That cost me $450. I love my digital kiln, and it's clearly needed, but it's an additional cost.

















Whew! All right, what else do you need?


















Now, you need mandrels and bead release. I save money on mandrels by purchasing tig rods from the welding store. If I could make my own bead release, I would. I do buy the bead release in bulk, so that saves on expense. Without bead release, a person would never be able to take their beads off of the mandrels.


















Lastly, you need tools and glass. Glass can cost as little as $3.75 for a quarter pound to $22 for a quarter pound. Depending on which tools you need, they can range in price from $7 to $80 per tool. And don't forget the electricity you need for the oxycons, the light switch, the kiln, and the IPod. (I do need to listen to music when I work.) There are also books and tutorials that help a beadmaker develop new skills and techniques.

I'm afraid to add all of this up, and, please remember, I didn't buy all of these items all at once. I bought them over time. That helps with the cost. So, when you buy a lampwork bead or a glass sculpture, think of what you are buying. It's a lot more than the cost of the beads.