Friday, April 30, 2010

Three Beautiful Things This Week


Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.





1) Pixie is feeling so much more at home! Look how she's starting to test her limits. She's not allowed on the bed, but she snuck up there when I wasn't looking. I have to be top dog in the house. She is respecting that again.

2) I love my Thursday lunches with friends! We catch up on the weekly happenings in our lives, our kids, our hopes, our dreams. It's such a treat! It's not a long time, but it's sure a wonderfully, productive, interactive time! We have a great time!

3) All in all, this was a good week.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Patty Lakinsmith Handcrafts Beads in the Fire


You are in for a treat! Let's go to Patty Lakinsmith's Etsy store, Plays with Fire, to see a few of the fabulous items there! I'll let Patty tell us a little bit about herself as we visit her store.


First, look at this.---------------------------->

Sunny Yellow and Orange Lampwork and Gemstone Amulet


Isn't this amazing? Patty makes beautiful jewelry and beads!



I started out by reading Corina Tettinger’s “Passing the Flame” book from cover to cover, studiously practicing every lesson. I also found friendship and inspiration on the internet through groups such as Wet Canvas’s Technical Glass forum, and Lampwork Etc. (I think she's done really well, don't you?



Look at this!--------------------------->

This is amazing!

Magic Bullet Lampwork Glass Pendant with Trapped Flower and Fine Silver Bail.

Aren't you amazed to see the flower in the bead? Patty is amazing!


After many hours and many beads made at home, I finally felt like I was ready to venture out in public and take some classes at Arrow Springs, a supplier and studio a few hours from my home. I am thrilled to have been able to take classes with some incredible teachers like Jennifer Geldard, Andrea Guarino, Tink Martin, Michael Barley and Trey Cornette, and I’m always trying to expand my skills. And now, instead of feeling fearful, I melt glass to relax.





And look how Patty's work has evolved! These are Meanies. I was priveleged to be able to see them last year at the Bead and Button Show. Patty's meanies were exhibited at the show.

I am most excited about my recent collaboration with metal artist Cyndie Smith, whose organic themes in mixed metals offers the perfect setting for some of my beads, and whose unfettered ideas enable me to play with abandon. Our piece for last year’s ISGB and Bead and Button’s Convergence show was incredibly fun to do, and right now we’re working on a piece for this year’s exhibition.




This piece is called Romantic Floral Lampwork Glass Bead Pendant in Earthy Colors.

Isn't this piece of wearable art amazing!

This year I am experimenting with more “off the end of the mandrel” forms and focusing on making jewelry pieces in coordinated collections. I’m also hoping to write some articles for publication, and explore gallery venues for my work.


Thanks, Patty, for sharing your work with us! I am so impressed!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Look How I've Improved!



One of the best things that I've done this year is to go to Atlanta to meet Marcy Lamberson and take Caitlin Hyde's class with her. Now, Marcy is way ahead of me when it comes to sculptural work, but before I went, my sculptural pieces had psycho eyes and faces. The problem was little to no heat control. I was overheating every piece of glass I touched! Now, look at the difference.
----------------------------------------->
Meet Rapunzel.
She's a much improved sculptural figure, and she has no psycho eyes!





This figurine is a totally modern
Red Riding Hood. She wear jeans and a hoodie. Her eyes are good.
What a difference heat control makes. I needed to see the difference. By watching both Marcy and Caitlin, I learned what flame to use. It's much smaller than I had used before.


Isn't it great? Seeing is believing.
I learned a lot by seeing.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

How To Eat Your Breakfast/Supper Like Pixie Does-A Mini Tutorial

There are 4 easy steps in this tutorial.




Step 1:
Take your food out of your dish and take it to one of your favorite beds in the house. (Yes, I did say ONE of your...)









Step 2: Lay down and eat your food leaving a trail of crumbs from the time you step into the living room until you reach one of your favorite beds.









Step 3: When you are caught by the pack leader (that's supposed to be me), maintain your innocence by hiding behind your expensive toy that also has food in it that you ignore, and lay down with an innocent look on your face.









Step 4: When your toy is moved out of the way, continue to hold the innocent look on your face and sigh. How could anyone be annoyed with that face? I have to admit it's hard to be annoyed, but someone has to vacuum!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Featured Artist De from the Glass Zone on Etsy


The Glass Zone
- De

De is a lampwork artist in Arcadia. She works on a Hot Head Torch*, which makes me even more impressed with her skills, especially when she makes her murrini. I make simple cane murrini, but De makes things with her murrini. For example, look at this awesome orchid murrini! ---------------------->
I am so impressed! How does she do this?





De shares a secret or two in this wonderful tutorial on making her Citrus Slice Murrini.
------------------------------------------->
This tutorial is well written and full of wonderful photos! De is so talented!










De makes beads, too. This is a big hole bead that she has listed in her store. It used some of her very own murrini! Wow! I'm impressed! De calls this bead Purple Pansy and Wildflower Big Hole Bead. It's beautiful!
Be sure to visit The Glass Zone. You won't be disappointed!


*A Hot Head Torch is usually considered a beginner's torch because it is a single fuel torch and it doesn't get as hot as other torches. There are those amazing artists who do these wonderful things with their hot heads. De is one of them!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Church Suppers - It's the Season Again!


This time, we went to Hilltop United Methodist Church for their annual pork roast, and it didn't disappoint. It was delicious!!!!








Bob and Terry greeted us as we arrived at the church. They met us near the door with their smiling faces! (Bob, that is a good smile!)
Then they directed us to the delicious food! Are you ready? Let the feast begin!!!












You really can't see all the delicious food from this angle, but wait until you see my food!

















Doesn't this look absolutely delicious? Trust me, it was!!!!
























This is where you found your dessert! That was so good! Wow!
No wonder I love church suppers!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Pixie Finally Roos for the Camera!

She finally did with the camera running! Yes, I was helping her!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Three Beautiful Things This Week


Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.



1) Look! ------------------------------->
The crab apple tree is decked out in my favorite color! What a wonderful treat for the eye!

2) I took Pixie to the vet for an xray. I noticed she seemed to be limping a bit when we took our walks. I was concerned about a lot of different things going on in her leg. True, there seems to be a point of pain in her leg, but the xrays showed no bone degeneration, no bone problems, no cancer! I was thrilled! She appears to have some kind of soft tissue injury which means stretching before we walk and some massage by me. It might just take a while to heal. After all, she is a princess and a retired racer!

3) I had lunch today with a friend. We had a great time! It's always a treat to see my friends. I love the talk, the food, and knowing that my friends will stand by me through thick and thin.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Two New Esty Tools and One Stable Standby


I found two new tools to use on Etsy this week.

The first one is:
Search Local Etsy. Plug in the information and you can search by tags or by categories for local vendors on Etsy.



This one is really exciting for someone who likes to make treasuries like I do. It's in Beta form right now, and it's called:
Treasury East. When you make a treasury on Treasury East, you make can make one or many any time you would like. No more waiting for the treasuries to open. You can go there at 3 AM and make a treasury, if you like, or you can make 20+ treasuries. They all have the chance to make front page, too! Isn't that exciting?

Now, I'm going to see who reads this blog. If you would like to be featured in a treasury I make, convo me on Etsy and let me know. I'll feature an item from your store. It's easy.

One last thing, don't forget about craftopolis.
Here you can check to see if you are currently featured in any treasuries.
You can also check the treasury clock
to see, approximately, when a new
treasury will open. You can see in the photo that rosebud101 is not currently featured in any treasuries.
Oh, well, maybe at another time!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Some of my Favorite Things


These are a few of my favorite things.



Jenny or DD --------------------------------------------------------->










Nick or DS ------------------------------------------------------------->














Pixie Marie
---------------------------------->
She's a princess!








Melting Glass
Making Beads
Facebook
My Laptop
Beautiful Beads
The Bead and Button Show
The Gathering
Twitter
Dr. Phil
Oprah
Diet Coke
Candy
Etsy
Wet Canvas
Lampwork Etc.
Mexican Food
Torch Bugs
Email
Popcorn
Cell Phones
Fruit
Veggies
Stephanie Plum Novels
Biographies
And the list Goes on!

What are some of your favorite things?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Shameless Self Promotion TuesDay!


Free Shipping in my Etsy store until Mother's Day or around that time. It all depends on when I remember to change it back. The only items where I can't offer free shipping, and I wish I could, are on mandrels!




This-------------------------------->
is a new item in my store. It's a flower button. It's glass. It's lampwork, and it's beautiful! I can see this used on a felted purse! Wouldn't that be beautiful? In the winter, you could move the button to a scarf! I think that would be wonderful!











How about a skull-------------->
with a red hat?
Remember the red hatters of a couple of years ago? Could this be a red hatter who wanted to be buried with her hat? I think she'd be fun being worn as a pendant or added to a red hat!












Need some bright and colorful headpins? Here's a dozen brightly colored headpins. I made them using 20 gauge copper wire. The wires are about 4 inches long. They'd be great for earrings or small pendants. I have to make some with 18 gauge wire. Those would be ideal for your larger pendants.








I added this murrini recently. It's made with Magic glass by Reichenbach. It's their equivalent of raku glass in coe 104. Someone just convo'd me on Etsy suggesting that she would be interested in purchasing some murrini, if she could see some photos of the murrini being used! Yikes! I'm not good at applying and using murrini, but you can bet your buttons, I am going to do that now!







Well, enough for now! Enjoy your Tuesday. Free shipping ends after Mother's Day or as soon as I remember to change it!

Monday, April 19, 2010

I There is Such a Thing as Reincarnation, I want to Come Back as a







Weed! Why you ask? I'll tell you.

Some weeds, no matter what you do,
pull them out, dig them out, use weed killer, stomp them down, and this was done, unknown to me, to this wonderful rhubarb, by the man who was landscaping my yard, even though I told him to leave it alone, but he didn't like the rhubarb, so...
and it
CAME BACK! ----------------------->
Nothing can stop a weed!








Weeds can be some of the first flowers of the season and
others leave skeletons for harvest and enjoyment throughout the year.


















Weeds have evolved unique ways to propagate their species. These sticky the pods catch the fur of animals and the seeds are spread all over the country side.



















Weeds grow and thrive where they are planted, even if it's not the best place for any plant to grow. Not every plant can develop flowers when they are planted in weak soil.

















Some weeds are called Miracles. This Miracle Bulb will be the first bit of foliage to shoot through the ground. Some people might even mistake these shoots for daffodil leaves, and wonder why they don't bloom. The foliage will die and in a month shoot a flower up from the bulb. This flower stands alone. It's fragrance pierces the air with sweetness. That's a weed!













Weeds have their own defense system. Try grabbing this one with your hand to pull it out of the ground. OUCH! Use your gloves! OUCH!
Weeds are tough.


















Sometimes their lives are short, but their beauty captures your attention when they thrive. They come back year after year to bring you joy.



















The DNA of their strong ancestors continues long after the ancient ones have died. It's hard to bring down a weed!



















Hmmmm: Hard to kill. Strong defenses. Rises when others are killed. Blossoms where it is planted. Prickly.

Wait! Could it be? I think I am a weed!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Down Day and a Friend Made My Day


Isn't this just the sweetest little turtle you've ever seen? Can you imagine my surprise when I opened up an unexpected package and found this wonderful little guy in it? Wow! This really brought a smile to my face and lifted up my soul on a very down day! What a special treat! Not only that, I found a package of murrini from a much treasured stash by Lauren of Maybeads on Etsy!

Thank you, Lauren, you have no idea how much your sweet gift meant to me, and it came at a time when it was most needed.

Check out Lauren's shop for more great turtles and other wonderful critters and jewlery!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Storms - A New Etsy Treasury on Treasury West


This treasury turned out much better than I had anticipated it would. It's named Storms, and it's on Treasury West. I am amazed at how each artist interprets the theme.

1) Thunderstorms - Hand dyed Superwash Sock Yarn by Naturally Spun on Etsy

2) Big Hole Bead Storm II Necklace Bead by Giapet on Etsy

3) Storm Watch by Dave's Homemade Candles on Etsy

4) Multi assorted colors by Bead Addicts on Etsy

5) Storm Lampwork Shards by Purple Lily Designs on Etsy

6) Storms and Pearls by Monas Lampwork on Etsy

7) Thunderstorms are amazing button by bean forest on Etsy

8) Stormy Monday by TDruin on Etsy

9) Stormy Skies Hand Crochet Scarf by Gypsy that I was on Etsy

10) Magic Carpet Ride by AK Designs on Etsy

11) Springtime Thunderstorms by Ebrown2503

12) Bermuda Triangles by Toni Lutman on Etsy

Hats off to these fabulous artists, even in a storm!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Three Beautiful Things This Week


Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) I had to take my car in for repairs. That was most annoying, however, it was diagnosed honestly and was repaired perfectly by a business, Mankato Tire and Oil, that I trust will tell me the truth and treat me fairly when it comes to taking care of my car. They were also much less expensive than our local Toyota dealer.

2) I found the first spring flowers in my yard--Dandelions! They really let me know that spring is REALLY here!

3) Today is an absolutely beautiful day! As I write, the temperature is 70 degrees. To me, this is perfect. Wow! I just saw what looked like a butterfly fly by. Wow! How great is this?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Summer Elegance Etsy Treasury


Another treasury! I'm not sure it will be there when you would like to visit, but it's called Summer Elegance. I will post links to all the items. You will enjoy what you see in this mini version of this treasury.

1) Adriana White Silk Flower Hair Clip by Piper Riley

2) Ribbons of White by Silver River Glass Works

3) Sweet Summer Dreams in Beige by Eight Seasons

4) Noopy the Dog by May Beads

5) White Shimmer Romantic Rose by Bride Couture

6) White Balloonimal by Cindy Lynne Glass

7) White Unforgettable Ruffles Shrug by Reflections Byds

8) Treasure Beads Alice by Valley Creek Studios

9) Raw Silk Wrapped Cuff 3 by Designer 135

10) Glass Sea Shell by One Heart Art

11) Simply Elegant Star Gazer by Sound Bound Studio

12) Pretty White Kitty Cat by GirlFriday 1962

Take my word for this, you will enjoy visiting their stores. Each artist has a wonderful collection of items that show their amazing talents!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I can See a Bead Made Out of this!

It's a bit long for a video, but it really is sweet. I can see a lot of beads made out of this!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

It's a Thunderstorm!


No, it's not a snow storm! It's a beautiful, wonderful, thunderstorm churning outside today! The noise is a deep throated rumble that makes the chirping of the birds seem absolutely quiet. How wonderful! No snow. It's just a very noisy rain! I celebrate the day!

Monday, April 12, 2010

On Skulls and Such


I don't know why it is, but there are times in bead making when I get "stuck" making a certain bead. For a while it was spacers that I made, endless strings of spacers. Then, there were the discs. I made endless strings of discs. Next came the eyes. I made one eye bead after another. Well, now, it's skulls and murrini. You've seen my murrini, and soon, you will see my skulls. Today, I want to show you some amazing skulls. Believe me, mine are nowhere near this great. The skulls you will see come from Sharon Driscoll's Etsy Shop, Right Turn Art Werks. Sharon makes some amazing beads, and then there are her skulls! Let 's take a peek!

I Belong to the Skully Club!
---------------------------------->

This is a wonderful pendant full of beads and an emblem for the Skully Cub!


Now, I want you to notice all the detail on this tiny skull. Look at those teeth.
I made a skull today, and I remembered seeing a skull with teeth, somewhere! Guess what! Sharon makes skulls with teeth. Mine weren't as good! I will show mine later, much later.
This skull is called: Bitty Skull.
I love Sharon's use of color and detail in her skulls.

Sharon, I need some lessons, please!









Ah, the best for last!
Fancy Face Baby

Sharon makes fabulous use of color in this skull, too! She made roses, and used murrini for an eye. She added hearts. All I can say is:
AMAZING!


Take a closer look at Sharon's Etsy store. I want one of Dem Bones, but she didn't have any listed. Maybe at the Bead and Button Show? Bring some, Sharon. I just realized I don't have any of your beads. I'll bring some cash to the Bead and Button. You bring the beads!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Murrini and More


I've started to carry a new product in my Etsy store. For my non bead making friends, murrini is used for decoration on a bead.

Murrini can be made with many different designs. This ------------->
is a very simple cane. I used a silver glass called Elektra and intense black for the stripes. This murrini should blossom beautifully into flowers.












This murrini is made with intense black for stripes and Blue Chalcedony made by Gaffer.






















This murrini is made with chalcedony glass and intense black. Like Elektra and Blue Chalcedony, Chalcedony is a silver enriched glass.


















This murrini is called Crazy Quilt. It's a mixture of different murrinis that I made. Some are more complex than others, but they were fun to make!
















Anyway, if you are interested, check out my Etsy Store! I have a lot for you to see!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

I'm in Bead Unique Magazine!


I was surprised on Wednesday, and I was browsing through the new issue of Bead Unique Magazine.
Guess what I found?























This -------------------------------------------->
is page 54!



























This is me -------------------------------------->
on page 55.





















This is the real thing! Wow!
Talk about excited!!!!!!
These aren't even my colors!
I was going to throw the disc away!
I'm so glad I didn't!
It was an experiment in wire wrapping which I ended up liking.
Wow! Wow! Wow! Is all I can say!



Thank you Bead Unique!