Pressing Away

I love this time of year! Not so much because of the Holidays (even though they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside) but because fall and winter allow me the time to do what I want to do.

My husband is a hunter, his dad was a hunter, his grandpa was a hunter. It is an activity that has been passed down in his family for generations. They start getting "ready" to hunt late summer, by fixing what needs to fixed, scouting out new areas, building new shacks to keep them warm and dry. They are now into muzzle loading season which will be followed by the last 2 weeks of bow season. It all ends on Dec. 31st.

I'll miss it.

Falling asleep on the couch with the TV on watching "my shows", making beads till 5am, waking up at 10am. Spending hours on the computer both at work and play. Picking up the house in 10 minutes, finding things where I left them. The feeling that I'm actually getting things accomplished business wise with good sales, new supplies on order, organizing for efficiency, connecting with old friends and new customers.

I'll miss it.



I have rediscovered my crystal presses, seems like ages since they have been in my hand. An interesting shape with all the facets, makes one dream of the design possibilities. There are so ideas floating around in my head, things I want to try. I'm just going to keep pressing away! ;-)

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge

The Fire Divas are hosting an Introductory Jewelry Challenge! This challenge will be for jewelry designers who use artisan lampwork in their pieces. The winner of the Challenge will receive a beautiful group of Fire Divas' work. This is a wonderful chance for jewelry designers to show off their talents and get exposure!

Now for the details:
This first challenge will allow lampwork from any artisan. We require information about the artisan who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

The challenges to follow will only allow Fire Divas' lampwork.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than January 1, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

Ok, the boring stuff is over - go have fun creating!

Cyber Monday Holiday Sale!

Next Monday is the Cyber Monday Holiday Sale. I'll be promoting it this weekend, starts Sunday night at Midnight! Don't worry about which time zone, not going to fuss over it. Will be 20% EVERYTHING in my etsy shop. Your 20% discount will be refunded through paypal prior to shipping. Don't miss out on this one!

Heading down to the studio in just a few minutes to start making new beads, snowmen, pendants, and whatever else comes to mind. Oh, and those orders I have to do this weekend. We had a bit of snow today, don't even care since the studio is toasty warm once I get it fired up. Have a fantastic weekend!

Winner of November's Free Drawing!

A winner was picked for this set of 3 beads yesterday.


The initials of the lucky winner are J. W.

Remember, all you have to do for a chance to win some of my glass art is sign up for the "Glassbits Newsletter" using the box in the right hand column. Your name will be in every drawing I post on this blog. Each winner is notified using the newsletter format to prevent the message from getting snagged by a spam filter.

If for some reason I don't receive a mailing address from the winner within 2 weeks, a new winner will be drawn.

Coming up next....stayed tuned for details on the Cyber Monday Holiday Sale!

November's Bead of the Month

Here it is, the bead for my November drawing. I'm going to add a couple small spacers beads with it. Wouldn't it make just the wettest bracelet!

Now if you want a chance to win this beauty along with the matching spacers all you have to do is fill in the box on the right with your email addy, first and last name. The winner is drawn from my newsletter's mailing list. I don't send it out very often, usually just to announce a sale or special event.

The only reason I ask for names is to be able to weed out the spam bots that auto sign up. They have weird email addresses and even stranger names. Awhile back it was Viagra Viagra...plz give me a break , lol. Don't worry I never share your info with anyone.

I'll update the picture after I make the spacers beads, should be tomorrow.
The drawing will be on Turkey Day! So get yourself signed up soon!

Something New

My etsy shop has several new items in it, especially the pandora and troll style beads.


Been playing with copper sheet lately and made up a bunch of bead caps. Took awhile to find copper tubing thin enough to use with it. My first try was with tubing that was too thick, picture a bead with wings instead of caps, lol. Also sorry I've been such a slacker with my blog lately. Spending way too much time with twitter, (my twitter) add me if you please.

Today I'll be making the item for my November giveaway, you have to sign up for a chance to win. Use the box in the upper right column. Don't worry, you won't get bombarded with daily emails (I hate that too), heck I'm lucky to send it out bi-monthly. I'll post a picture of the prize later this week.

And don't forget that winter will be upon us very soon. How about a cool (and silly) fleece hat for that silly person in your life.

Put "blog hat special" in notes to seller and I'll pay the shipping on it too (hats only).

BOO, are you going for scared or scary looking?

Remembering the fun we had dressing up going to Halloween parties. Haven't done that for years now. There's a place not too far from here doing a huge scary maze with semi trailers buried in the field. Heard it was pretty good this year.

Can't believe I have posted anything new here for 2 months now, geesh, what a slug. And people say I'm organized... boy have I got them fooled. I try but feels like I'm back pedaling all the time.

The cabin is looking great. I posted the latest photos on my flickr page One more roman shade to make and the windows are done. One of his (DH's) friends liked them so much he hired me to make him some. His cabin is bigger, has more windows, 10 or 12 I think. Something to do while we're snowed in this winter.

Sitting on my desk here is a bowl about half full of beads. Most of what I made this summer when camping. I was all gang-ho on getting them listed till my Canon camera took a dump. Since then its been a struggle to get the settings right and get good bead pictures with my Olympus. Does fine for your normal picture taking of family and vacations. Sure the problem is more me than the camera. I put the Canon away so I could send it back to the factory and get a repair estimate... then I forgot where the heck I put it. So much for organizing. I'm stalking a couple on ebay right now, probably cheaper to gamble on a used one than repair mine, that is if I could find it.

Plan to chain myself to my torches this weekend, wish me luck that life doesn't get in the way. Here's some eye candy, drooling allowed.


Raku Vessel


Sea Shell

Cabin in the Woods

My husband and I spent the week working on the new cabin. Much to my delight the place is looking more like a small log house than a "hunting camp". DH is doing a fantastic job on it and already has bigger plans in the works. What was originally a super small bedroom with room for just a bunk bed and small dresser (for hunters or grandkids) is now roughed in for a bathroom. Along with that he plans on adding a bigger bedroom off the side of the cabin.

What we did this week was put hardwood flooring in the kitchen, tile the back splash and counter top, move the pile of junk wood from a torn down old woodshed, paint the kitchen and livingroom, make coat racks, hang shelves in the 2 main bedrooms, and hook up the kitchen sink drain. We also brought the small couch up with us. I hope to get some more pictures of the inside up soon.



Our son moved the shower to the porch of the old small cabin that will be a sauna someday. We were taking showers out the back door last time but he and his wife were there with another couple and decided to move it for more privacy. It's kind-of cute the way he did it, Petticoat Junction style,. That's DH taking a shower, I took the picture from the driveway. We see a couple cars or atv's go by when we're in it but I doubt they can see us, lol.

Congratulations to the Winner!

Congrats to the winner of my 1,000 sale giveaway! I just listed 15 new items before heading out to spend the week with my folks. My 20% OFF sale is active until I return! Shipping resumes next Monday. Here's a sample of the new items listed this morning.





I'm outta here.........................poof!

Mystery Giveaway!

I decided to do an extra giveaway! I'm a few sales away from hitting the 1,000 mark so I'm going to make the person who purchases and pays for the 1,000th item a mystery gift! And they get to request what colors they want for their gift. The item will about a $20-$25 value, choices are heart, shell, rose, goddess, or a set of 4-5 lentil or nugget beads.

I'm also going to extend my Christmas in July sale until the 20th of July. I'll be spending time with my parents when the sale is suppose to end so I'm extending it till I get back. Mom plays the lap dulcimer and we've gone to the ODPC Funfest together for the last 13 yrs. My folks are in their 80's now and I enjoy the week we spend together more each year. I'll be taking a torch, kiln and oxygen concentrator with me so I can make beads while hanging around the campsite. It's just me and Sadie (my dog) in our little 5th wheel, the rest of the family stays home.

The last day I can ship before leaving is the morning of Monday, the 13th. I'll catch up on the 20th. Not sure if the local library has the net, I forgot to call them today and find out. If so I'll be able to check in and maybe blog a bit.

Christmas in July Sale!

The Etsy Glass Artists are having a Christmas in July Sale from July 8th through July 15th. See each shop's Announcement and the list below for their particular offerings! Please use the code "CIJ" in your notes to buyer upon checking out so you can get the sale price. This is a great time to start Christmas shopping (you know it’s going to be the season before you know it!) or a little treat for yourself.

I'm doing 20% off everything in my shop except the oak bead displays. The 20% off will be refunded from paypal so you can checkout as normal. I'm working on getting pictures taken of new items and will be adding these over the next few days. I'm also going to extend the sale for my shop until the 20th of July. Now is a good time to stock up on beads for your jewelry creations, the fall shows will be here before you know it!
http://www.giapet.etsy.com

This silver bracelet bead will up soon!

Other Participating Members:

MyCabinCreations
http://www.MyCabinCreations.etsy.com
20% off Everything

Jewelry by Natsuko
http://www.jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com
20% off everything

RWillisglassartist
http://www.rwillisglassartist.etsy.com
20% off glass items only

tekaandzoe
http://www.tekaandzoe.etsy.com
20% off

Paulasstressart
http://www.Paulasstressart.etsy.com
20% off everything

Susan Sheehan
http://www.susansheehan.etsy.com
20% off all glass

Glass Circus
http://www.glasscircus.etsy.com
20% off everything

Color Shoppe Studio
http://www.colorshoppestudio.etsy.com
10% off all Stained Glass Jewelry

Glasscat
http://www.glasscat.etsy.com
20% off fused and dichroic jewelry; 15% off any stained glass items.

41design
http://www.41design.etsy.com
20% off

Congrats Jan T,. You've Won

The winner of July's Drawing is Jan T. of Hawaii. Congrats Jan!
She was quite surprised she had won since she didn't remember entering. However, as a long time subscriber to my newsletter "Glassbits" she was in the drawing automatically. To top it off she says it is the first time she has ever one anything! I love it!

And just because we all love eye candy here's a picture of some recent work. This one's going in the etsy shop soon.

Win A Freebie for July

I'll be picking a winner for this lampwork vessel bead around the first of July. The "catch" is you have to sign up for my newsletter "Glassbits" to be in the drawing. I only send it out every month or two to let customers know about upcoming events or sales in my etsy shop.

So if want a chance to win this vessel or a future freebie drawing go ahead and sign up using the form in the right column. You know you want too.

On another note I've been playing with making copper findings for my work and might be offering them up in the etsy shop in the future. Stay tuned on that one.

The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

These stained glass hummingbird feeders are fantastic! I have 3 around our house and birds are very territorial over them. I have listed a couple in my etsy shop just in time for Mother's Day. Shipped Priority with insurance to get there in 2-3 days.

People who have gave these as gifts often tell me years later that it is still their mom's or grandmother's favorite gift. How wonderful is that!

BOGO SALE

Its SALE TIME again! For the next week I'm having a BOGO Sale along with other members of the EGA team on etsy. Don't miss out of this great Spring Bling Sale!

Etsy Glass Artists "Spring Bling" Sale
April 18th through April 24th

The Etsy Glass Artists (EGA) is having a "Spring Bling" Sale from April 18th through the 24th. See each shop's Announcement and the list below for their particular offerings! Please use the code "BLING" in your notes to buyer upon checking out so you can get the sale price. This is a great time to purchase that perfect gift for Mother's Day or a little treasure for yourself.

Participating Members:
http://giapet.etsy.com - BOGO 1/2 Off
http://glasscat.etsy.com - Dichroic and Fused Glass BOGO 1/2 off, All stained glass 10% off
http://groovyglassgirl.etsy.com - Free Shipping
http://susansheehan.etsy.com - Glass 10 to 25% off as marked in sale section of store
http://chickadeebeads.etsy.com - BOGO 1/2 Off
http://jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com - BOGO 1/2 off
http://MyCabinCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything
http://rwillisglassartist.etsy.com - 20% off all glass items
http://Paulasstressart.etsy.com - 20% off entire purchase
http://colorshoppestudio.etsy.com - 20% off all stained glass jewelry
http://glasscircus.etsy.com - 20% off on all my glass


*BOGO = Buy One Get One 1/2 off

Come check out our new EGA website http://www.etsyglass.com.

Use the word egateam in the search box on the Etsy front page to find a listing of all of our members creations.

Thanks so much for your past business and support of our shops!

February Drawing Winner!

Just picked a winner for the vessel!
Want a chance to win something shiny from me? Sign up for my newsletter then!


I started making oak bead displays again. Have almost 9 of them done now. Shipping out the first 4 in the morning. Feels good to get them almost done!

OWOH WINNER!

The winner for the OWOH giveaway is #105, Tamerie Shriver! She won the red heart glass pendant.

Congrats to her and thanks to all who entered.

On Saturday or Sunday I'll be drawing a winner from my mailing list subscribers for the vessel too! You have to subscribe to my newsletter for a chance to win the vessel which is a totally separate drawing than the OWOH event.

Win this Vessel Pendant!

This vessel is my freebie for February. A winner is drawn from subscribers to my newsletter "Glassbits". You still have time to subscribe using the box on the right for a chance to win this vessel and future prizes too! I'll be picking a random winner next weekend. This picture is linked to etsy shop if you want to view more of my work.

EGA Spring Fling BOGO Sale

The Etsy Glass Artists (EGA) is having a "February Fling" Sale from February 1st through the 7th. See each shop's Announcement and the list below for their particular offerings! Please use the code "FEBFLING" in your notes to buyer upon checking out so you can get the sale price. A great deal and a great time to put a little sparkle into your day.

Etsy Glass Artists "February Fling" Sale
February 1st - February 7th
Participating Members:

http://glasscat.etsy.com/ BOGO on fused and dichroic jewelry
http://groovyglassgirl.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://mycabincreations.etsy.com/ 20% off
http://msotherdenartglass.etsy.com/ 10% off
http://jewelrybynatsuko.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://susanlambert.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://rwillisglassartist.etsy.com/ 20% off Shop
http://westernartglass.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://paulasstressart.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://vickileigh.etsy.com/ 25% off everything
http://creationsbykris.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://leahpellegrini.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://www.studiomarcy.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://prizmatic.etsy.com/ BOGO
http://popko.etsy.com/ Free Shipping
http://colorshoppestudio.etsy.com/ 20% off Stained Glass Jewelry
http://giapet.etsy.com/ BOGO

*BOGO - Buy One Get One 1/2 off

Come check out our new EGA website www.etsyglass.com.

Stop by our new blog for a chance to win some beautiful glass. www.etsyglass.blogspot.com. Just leave a comment on the One World ~ One Heart post with your contact information to be entered to win.

Use the word egateam in the search box on the Etsy front page to find a listing of all of our members creations.

In Honor of our new President!

Like many I have hope for a new beginning and real change (in the right direction) for our country in the coming years. We all need to stick together and support out new President at this time.

I created this Etsy Treasury to honor this day in history and the hope we all share today!

One World One Heart

Giveaway is now CLOSED, stay tuned for winner!

One World One Heart is an annual event created by Lisa "oceandreamer" Swifka to bring people together from all parts of the world through blogging.

It's simple, someone will win this red glass heart pendant by leaving a comment on this post.

This giveaway closes on Feb.12th. and is open to anyone who comments on this particular post. A winner will be drawn from all who post here on Feb. 13th.

It is very important that you put a way to contact you when you post your comment since I'll need to get a shipping address from the winner.

Let's share some love and peace around the world!

Red Heart Pendant with swarovski crystals and sterling silver.
Size in mm: 25 x 60

Click on the world logo above to open Lisa's blog if you want to learn more about the history of this event.

What would you like to see for the next drawing?

Thought I'd start off the new year by asking what my readers would like to see for the next drawing. Should it be a critter bead, small bead set, flower, goddess, or what? Take a look at my shop here, find a style you like then either post a comment here or send a convo message through etsy and tell me what you'd like to see as for next free drawing.

A bit of eye candy to show you too.