New Tools!

ZOOZII'S BUBBLE PRESS

I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Society of Glass Beadmakers Gathering this year.  It was an amazing experience!  I learned so much and met so many great people.  And of course, I also did a LOT of shopping! Thankfully Dusty went with me and not only carried everything, but even encouraged me!  

One of the purchases I made was the Zoozii's Bubble Press. 

I was a little intimidated because it looks so difficult to use, but it made such fun beads I couldn't resist! Amy even showed me how to use it during one of the open torch sessions,

I've made about 15 of these so far, but I already only have these few left at the house.  

I swear the only thing happier than bubbles is bubbly beads!

More of these will be turning up in my Etsy shop in the days to come and of course you can always find them locally at The Sun Dog Bead Co.

Happy Beading!!

Just for fun ~ here's a little music that always makes me feel bubbly!

Richie Spice - Yap Yap

Bead Inspiration ~ Tropics

Once again, I am dreaming of some tropical location and wishing I lived under a palm tree!  I think this week I will focus on all things tropical ~ palm trees, the ocean, sea creatures ~ you name it, I'll be trying it on a bead!

Here are a couple of things I'm going to use for inspiration this week:

And I think I have a really interesting idea for this:

This week I'll start posting pictures of what I made based on the inspiration.  I promise I'll share the good, the bad, and the ugly ~ as long as you understand there will probably be more ugly than anything!

Since it's on my mind again ~

Two Tickets to Paradise by Eddie Money



Have a productive week!

Motivation Monday - Chinese Character Beads

Things that inspire me, color combinations I love, the music that rocks my studio and 

anything else that makes me want to jump up and make a bead!

The first Monday of 2012!  I'll be in the studio all day today and I'll be working on Chinese character beads since I have a special order and I need to replace some in my shop (plus, they're fun!).  

Here's one I already made:  Friend

Here's the special order character I'll try today: Unity

Whew, this one looks hard!

And I feel like rocking 2012 ~ so I think I'll crank a little Nickleback!

Thanks for stopping by and stay motivated!

Featured Friday

Featured Friday

Cool Handmade Stuff From Artists I Admire

Happy Friday!  There are now 16 shopping days til Christmas ~ and just a week left to make sure online orders reach you in time!   

I know I always have at least one guy on my list who is really hard to find a gift for ~ I think I just found an awesome solution!  Bath products from PlunkSoap.  Pair this great bar of stud soap with a bacon flavored lip balm for a perfect guy gift.  Bacon lip balm, I'm still laughing!

Need something special for anyone in the office?  Boss, secretary?  I love the stained glass business card holders from MoreThanColors!

 I hope we are all shopping at small, local and/or artisan businesses this year.  Big box stores will not care if you spend $100.00 with them, but that same $100.00 could mean everything to a small business. And you get the benefit of better customer service and more meaningful gifts!

Thanks for taking a peak at these great shops ~ and check back next Friday for more fun handmade finds!

Featured Friday

Featured Friday

Cool Handmade Stuff From Artists I admire

Because we have officially hit the single biggest Holiday shopping day of the year, I thought I would take a more relaxed approach and share some beautiful ornaments I've found.  Fabulous gifts for even the most difficult to buy for person on your list or something you will treasure year after year as you decorate your tree.

These beautiful snowflake ornaments are from TimberGreenWoods on Etsy.  Not only are these gorgeous little works of art, but this business goes to amazing lengths to be environmentally friendly.  From sustainable farming, to recycled packaging - they do it all! 

This ornament from WolfArtGlass on Etsy is stunning and elegant!  Made from recycled glass with a retro design, I can see this being a cherished addition to any one's Holiday decorations! This shop also uses environmentally friendly packaging, renewable wind energy and recycled glass. 

Thanks for checking out these great shops with me today!  Come back next Friday for more fun, handmade finds!  

Today's Featured Friday also happens to be Black Friday ~ so I would just like to say, whether you choose to shop on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, or any other day between now and Christmas (or any other day of the year); please consider the importance of shopping at small, locally owned and artisan businesses.  These are your friends and neighbors and the people who put their heart and soul into making your treasures. They are also the businesses that volunteer in the local community, donate to local charities and youth groups, and let you put your signs in their windows and your donation cans on their counters.  These businesses are run by people instead of corporations, they focus on customers more than bottom lines, and they care about the environment.  You just don't get that kind of heart from the big box stores.  Happy Holidays!

Featured Friday

FEATURED FRIDAY

Cool handmade stuff from artists I admire

Maybeads

My friend Maybeads makes the most adorable critters!  Every one of them makes me smile :) They sell out quick though, so if you see one you like don't hesitate!!

Metamorphosi

                                                                

I love this piece by Metamorphosi!  Partly because it's glass of course ~ but it's also up cycled and beautiful and just looking at it makes me really, really want to hear how it sounds in a gentle breeze!

Thanks for taking a peak ~ and check back next Friday for more great handmade finds!

Featured Friday

I decided my blog needed a little more structure. Or maybe I need a little more structure so I quit neglecting my blog!  So on Friday's I will be sharing cool handmade products from great artists that I've found. I hope you find things you'll love too!

First ~ A little something from my friend Rachel of Inferno Glass Beads  I love her big hole lampwork charm beads!  Doesn't this one just glow? Check out her Etsy page for more great lampwork!

I also love the metal work from Christopher Crooks Metal Art  I have one of his geckos and it's beautiful!  Actually, I intended to hang it out on my deck but it's so great I hung it in my living room so I could enjoy it year round. Take a peek at his Etsy shop and I'm sure you'll find something you love too! Here's one of my current favorites ~

Check back next Friday for more great handmade finds!

Spoon Bracelets

As a continuation of my previous posts about collaboration:  I thought I should share the finished product ~ I'm super excited about these! Thanks to my master spoon bender, I have over 20 more prepped for me. I just need to figure out what kind of special beads to make for them. :)

This is the first one that made it to "ready to list" status!

It's available here:  VedasBeads Lampwork Spoon Bracelet

I have to get cracking on those beads!  Thanks again to the incredible man I'm fortunate enough to call my husband!

Designer Showcase - Splashings

Featured Designer Karen Cedrone-Harris of Splashings is a talented designer that makes fantastic jewelry using handmade lampwork beads by a variety of artists!

Karen began making jewelry 5 years ago when she became a stay at home mom in search of a challenge that would keep her busy. She started making jewelry for herself, and then friends and family and eventually selling her jewelry to the friends and co-workers of those that wore the pieces she made.

Karen says: " As I tried new things, I discovered lampwork glass which I love. I never get tired of looking at it and am truely amazed by what glass artists can do. I love blues and greens and anything that makes you think of warm sunny places and the beach. I have fun trying to find new ways to use beads or trying to figure out a new technique I saw in a magazine, it's like a puzzle."

Karen started selling on Ebay and switched to Etsy last year. She also sells at shows and festivals in the MA and CT area. Her Etsy shop announcement always has a current list of upcomming events. You can also find her work at:

~Closet Collections - 409 Columbia Rd., Hanover, MA~

~HOME Wellness Center - 1028 Poquonnock Rd., Groton, CT~

Don't forget to check out Splashings Etsy shop for your next One Of A Kind jewelry purchase!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6220155