New Year!

Well, a new year is upon us! That and a bunch of new snow. This is what you get on a regular basis when you live close to one of the Great Lakes, lake effect snow.


Wish I had taken a picture at 7 am this morning, it was absolutely beautiful, still on most of the trees at that hour. I jumped out on the deck at 3 pm instead. Spent the morning at the torch doing a couple of orders and goodies for the etsy shop. Would you believe they predict 50 degrees by next Monday, lol. I've started making more bead racks, those warmer days will be great for working out in the pole barn.

The following weekend I'm headed to Toledo, OH. to take a glass bead vessel workshop with Tink Martin. Looking forward to learning new techniques.

Ho Ho Ho BOGO SALE

That's right, we're having a buy one get one (of equal or lesser value) 1/2 OFF sale until Nov 30th! There are at least 24 of the Etsy Glass Artists participating. I've added about 35 new jewelry items to my shop yesterday and still have more ready to list. Click on the sale image for the list of glass artists to choose from.

Project Overload

When we married my husband had a coffee cup with a cute drawing of a beaver on it that said "Its just one damn project after another!" That sums it up pretty good around here except it seems that many of my projects start before the previous one is completed. I'm into a woodworking project now that I foolishly thought I could do over last weekend...lol. Hopefully another day or so and I'll post it here.

Been putting more up on Etsy every few days. There's one bead that the more I look at it, the more I really, really like it. It is simpler in design than most of what I make. The shape is a bit chunky too. Take a look...

Etsy Glass Artists Holiday Gift Guide

The Holidays are right around the corner! The EGA (etsy glass artists) we have put together a gift guide in the spirit of giving well-crafted handmade gifts this year. There are dozens of artists offering fantastic items!

Choosing a special handmade gift means so much more than grabbing a mass-produced item from the mall. You'll be buying American instead of from an overseas supplier. With the rash of lead tainted toys being sent to this country I'm afraid to buy my grandkids toys in the stores!

There is actually a movement going on here where you can pledge to buy handmade this Holiday Season and request that others do the same for you.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a simplier less commercial Holiday Season this year, sort of a back to basics? With the focus on the birth of Christ and spending quality time with family and friends.

I've Been Featured!

Jennifer from Laughing Rat Studio has featured my work in her weekly "Seen Around Etsy" article. She is both a fiber and paper artist who has an etsy shop here, http://laughingrat.etsy.com. She has the most beautifully dyed yarns!

Here is the article she wrote about my work. Thanks Jennifer!

Going in the shop tonight...

Adding to the glass shop.

A pretty quiet day today, bit on the chilly side however it is Fall and we've been spoiled by the record temps we've had this month. DH is working on his latest project (one of many, lol) fitting a meat smoker with stainless racks. I've been busy adding stock to the store.

I love these silvered river rock lentils!

Did a couples roses too!

The rest can be viewed here, giapet.etsy.com

Tonight we're taking my folks out for dinner. They spend the winters down south and will be leaving in a week or two. It's such a blessing that they are in good health and have the means to travel however it always saddens a little to see them go.

New Poll Added

Good morning! I just added a new poll to the sidebar on the right. Never know how many beads to put in a set. With ebay larger sets went better, then when I switched over to etsy the smaller sets of just 2 or 3 beads were the ones moving. I've noticed too that people are mixing up their jewelry creations with many other components and not strictly making a piece with several of the same beads in it. Or is it only because the smaller sets are less expensive? Hopefully getting some new input on the matter will help me better serve my customers needs.

I'm off to the torch! Its early so I'll probably being listing today too. Have a great Sunday!