It's an Online Life and Yet...so Real.

Who would have thought when I decided to sell beads online that I would get so much more than a market?   I sold my first bead online in December of 2007.  I've sold more beads since then, but even better is the friendships that have been created.  These people encourage, inspire, challenge, listen, advise and sometimes even push or scold each other when necessary.  They check on you when you go missing for a day or two and if for some reason you just blow up and embarrass yourself, they shrug it off and welcome you back with open arms.

I think one of my "oldest" online friends is Deb.  Although younger than me, she was the one that told me my pictures were awful.  But with that also came the offer of help and beginning of a friendship that I think will stand the test of time and distance between here and Hong Kong.

Mexican Fire Opal

She's generous with her knowledge and skills and has some of the yummiest gems and even more gorgeous pieces of jewelry.   Right now she has a sale going on in her gems shop  CrysallisGems  but you should also wander into her CrysallisCreations  shop and see what she does with gems and wire and pretty pieces of glass.




Haven't done any beads lately, but have to admit this set in my Etsy shop are some of my favorites...

Bronze with circles  Handmade SRA Lampwork Bead Set 1288

New Studio Looks

I have a cool studio to work in, but let's be honest. It started life as a building that did nothing but collect all the junk that didn't have any other place to go. When it became apparent that glass was going to be permanent part of our life, the building began it's transformation and it's still changing. I've gotten the primer on the outside and once the rain stops will be adding the topcoat. I still have a lot of inside work to do as well, but it's getting there.

And along with the glass studio getting a facelift, Artfire is also rolling out the Fusion Studios. I've only begun to scratch the surface with what I can do with my Artfire shop, but I'm having fun so far. I love that I will be able to add a gallery there. You know that I am more into pictures than words so this is exciting for me. And I'm sure that over the next few weeks, my Artfire studio will be undergoing many changes as I explore the possibilities of what I can do to make it a reflection of me.

Taking Care of Business

Are you like me? I love the creating part, but can quickly get sidetracked when working on photographing, listing, paper work. Any excuse will work if it means I can put off editing pics or trying to write descriptions.

And eventually, it all catches up and I have to get things done. So I've taken pictures, edited, done some listings and cleared off the top of my desk. Now I can get back to the fun stuff without feeling guilty.
















There is such a difference in feeling. The flowers are beads, but these dark and brooding ones are cabachons that I want to use in cuffs. I have gotten so addicted to making the cuffs. I'll get some pictures of a couple more posted soon.

Brrr....

They say a winter storm is coming tomorrow. Brrr...blizzards are just not fun. We went to the grocery store and stocked up on all the necessary things like dry roasted peanuts and butter mints. Let it snow...I am ready!

Now that winter is truly here, it seems like all I can think about is flowers. Every time I sit down at the torch lately it's been flowers and not even normal(for me) flowers. It's all part of the process....I see something in my head and then have to figure out how to make the glass do what I see.
These are the first and don't quite make it. They are too abstract, way too top heavy and even the colors are just "off" from what is in my mind. But I do like the etching and I like the color changes on the bases.



This bead still sits in the "to list" drawer. I pull it out with every intention of listing it for sale and then for some reason, I just don't. First, it's been impossible to get a really true picture of the colors and metallic stringer. Secondly, I just don't know...so I set it aside and try again to get a good picture and it goes back into the "to list" drawer.