lajewelrydesigns

Bead Soup is Here!

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Lookie what came in the mail today....a lovely package from my Bead Soup Blog partner, Kristie Roeder. She makes lovely pendants out of artisan clay, hence her shop name. Ready to see what she sent?

When I opened the gift box, I found this baggie with all sorts of fun wood beads mixed in with beautiful seafoam glass beads. At least I think they're glass, not quite sure. They might be Amazonite. So, what's behind the 3 bright pink wrappers?

She sent not 1, but THREE focals for me to choose from and a darling silver clasp. Now to think of something special to make with these lovely beads so I do them justice.

And here's a pic I took of the beads I sent her way. I feel OK about sharing since I know she's received them already. I'm sorry for the crappy pic. I took this at night before quickly packing them up to send them on their way to her. Hopefully she took a better picture than I did. I sent her a lampwork glass focal and 4 matching rounds (made,by me :-) ) a strand of beautiful purple freshwater pearl drops, some copper beads and a matching Tierra Cast copper toggle clasp, 1 of my favorites. This being my 1st Bead Soup Blog Party, I hope I did OK and she likes what I've sent her.

Sneak Peak!

2012-01-28T11:50:00.001-05:00

I'm so proud of myself! Proud and lucky too that the weather cooperated this week. Had a few warm days so had time to torch & make some pretties for my Bead Soup Blog Party partner, Kristie Roeder or Artisan Clay. I took a photo of the beads yesterday. Wanna see??

What's wrong? Can't see the beads?? You didn't really think I was going to post the REAL photo before I send the beads on their way, now did you?? lol!

Bead Soup Blog Party!

2012-01-22T12:18:00.002-05:00

YAY me! I finally remembered to apply to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party this time around run by Lori Anderson. It's a fun event where artisans are assigned random partners. Each person then selects a focal bead, a special clasp & a collection of other fun beads to send, from which each person will then create a fun necklace, bracelet or anything else their creative minds can come up with.

My bead soup partner is Kristie of Artisan Clay on Etsy. She's a potter & creates such fun designs! I love her work & can't wait to see what she sends. And, no, the beads in the bowl are not what I'm sending. That remains a secret until they're out the door. :-)

Perfect Timing!

2012-01-12T13:23:00.000-05:00

My day just got brighter! I took in the mail, only to find this wonderful lap blanket from Amy Dutsch of Mama's Little Monkeys. I completely forgot that I had won it. It's in beautiful blues & greens, that I just happen to LOVE & has a nice warm fleece backing in lime green. Perfect timing! Off to snuggle under it with a warm glass of tea!

Check out her wonderful handmade sewn designs at Mama's Little Monkeys, such as this cute little pin cushion in another fun color combo! Isn't handmade so much better than mass produced??

Thanks so much Amy! I will think of you whenever I use it.

Curiosity's Piqued Featured Artisan

2012-01-11T23:16:00.002-05:00

This week's Featured Artisan is Lori Guenter - Curiosity's Piqued. Unique crocheted goodies!

You can find Curiosity's Piqued on:

Etsy

Artfire

Facebook

Blog

You can grab the code for your blog HERE

Happy 2012!!!

2011-12-31T17:33:00.000-05:00

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2011 go. There were some good things that happened this year and I certainly don't want to wish my life away, but am really looking forward to the year ahead. Lots of weddings coming up, including my own son to his beautiful fiance and those of my close friends' children, who I've known since they were born. Plus I feel SO fortunate to be in a much better place health-wise than I was in last year. So, while I don't want to rush through the years, I will say that I am SO looking forward to this coming year with lots of joyous events to celebrate. May each & every one of you have a happy and healthy New Year with lots of wonderful celebrations and most of all, good health!

Spilling the Beans...

2011-12-23T12:35:00.000-05:00

Guess now that I've received my advance copy of The Flow, I can tell you all that I have a set of beads in this month's Women of Glass issue! How very exciting it is for me to be in the company of so many HUGELY talented women, many of whom I have admired and had the pleasure of calling a friend! Please pick up a copy & ogle the glassy goodness in this month's issue!

Here's a sneak peak of the set they chose from my collection. It's on page 8, #6:

Curious About Lampwork?

2011-12-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

But don't know where to start? Louise Mehaffey's book, "Glass Beads" is a wonderful beginner book on lampworking. The book starts out with the history of beads, which is very interesting from a glass maker's perspective. It's nice to know where our craft started with some examples of primitive glass beads. Interesting read!

Pros:

~ The book covers the basics needed to set up a studio
~ Basic instructions on melting glass and making beads
~ Making stringers and twisties
~ Fun projects for beginner beads

Cons:

~ Not really a con, just an observation...this book is geared with the beginner in mind. If you're a more advanced beadmaker, this book is not for you.
~ I was surprised that the author didn't address ventilation, which is imperative IMO when using fuel to melt glass.

Show Time!

2011-12-09T23:45:00.000-05:00

It’s been quite some time since I had done a craft show so when a friend approached me about one at her local synagogue, I was hesitant at first. However there was no entrance fee. Only a percentage donation to the temple and a raffle prize so I basically had nothing to lose.

I started out making jewelry over 14 years ago & moved over into making lampwork beads several years ago, which is where my focus lies these days, but I thought I’d give it a try since there was really very little to lose and the funds were going to a good cause. I e-mailed the person running the event several times trying to get an idea of the number of jewelry vendors and whether they were all handcrafted items or were mass produced items allowed as well. She never responded to me. I suppose I should’ve had an inkling then that there might be a problem but I’m not one to back out once I commit to something.

Though there were not a disproportionate number of jewelry vendors I was the only one selling handmade jewelry. It’s impossible to compete with mass produced items. It also was a short show so not enough time to try and educate people about the differences. While the show was disappointing, I did manage to make some sales. I commend those artisans that sell at shows on a regular basis. I was wiped out afterwards!

Here’s photo of my table set up. And I thought I wasn’t going to have enough stock. lol!

1000 Fan Giveaway Contest!!

2011-12-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

I've been running a contest over on my facebook fan page to celebrate my 1000 fans! Today is the last day to enter so head on over to my fan page to enter. The winner will win the set of beads in the photo. You MUST be a fan to enter. Here's the link to the contest:

1000 Facebook Fans Celebration Giveaway!

Customer Appreciation!!

2011-12-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

It's not often I get to see my beads in a finished piece of jewelry, but it's always a thrill when I do! A customer shared this lovely necklace that she made with one of my focal beads. A perfect example of less is more! Love this piece by Tali Bomani of talicreations on ArtFire!

Featured Artisan Jardin De Lillian

2011-11-20T14:10:00.000-05:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Kalyene Sue Bacon - Jardin de Lillian. Truly unique

jewelry designs! You can find Jardin de Lillian on:

Blog

Etsy

Facebook

Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery

2011-11-16T23:54:00.001-05:00

Sherry Serafini's latest book is a true work of art! It looks and reads more like an art book, than a pattern book. So beautiful in fact, that it would make a lovely coffee table book. The numerous project photos are simply breathtaking!

It is set up differently from most other pattern books in that it has a chapter at the beginning that delves into the various bead embroidery stitches, color theory, design, tips, etc. Then, for each subsequent project, Sherry gives a supplies list and then verbally describes the steps for each project. If you're a visual person, you might find this a bit more challenging since there are no step by step photos. However, bead embroidery is essentially a freeform art form and she does have the specific stitch descriptions in the front of the book.

Here's a bracelet I made inspired by Sherry's work, similar in design to her Fade to Gray Cuff. I'm pretty happy with it. What do you think?

Featured Artisan - Breitwerk

2011-11-13T13:02:00.000-05:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Deni - Breitwerk accessories & Gifts.

Deni has delightful creations in her shop. There is something for everyone!

You can find Breitwerk on:

Zibbet

Blog

Facebook

TADA!!!!!

2011-11-06T20:33:00.000-05:00

I've been admiring (OK...LUSTING OVER!) Katwise's gorgeous sweater coats for some time now. She creates fabulous coats out of recycled sweaters. Each one is a true work of art. She recently put up a tutorial in her etsy shop for a nominal fee. I snatched 1 up right away! I'm not a lover of the sewing machine, but her sweaters are made on a serger. Did I mention that I didn't have a serger at the time?? That didn't stop me though! My friend Michelle had one she wasn't using so we traded, a serger for beads! Isn't that how the Dutch bought Manhattan from the Indians? lol!

While getting up the courage to make my 1st sweater, I started collecting any old sweaters I could find, mostly from Goodwill & the Salvation Army thrift stores. The sweaters naturally had to be washed really well and then it was time to cut! Very scarey!

Then it was Serging Time! I was inspired by one of her sold coats that was done up in black and purple. Here's a photo of the back view. I even managed to make thumbholes! I'm so proud of myself!

I made it on the short side....because, well, I'm short! ;-) I also decided against making a hood for it. I'm undecided how to finish off the collar. Am debating between fraggles as Kat calls them, which is a fringey type look or some sort of ruffly collar. Will have to play with it some, but am pleased as can be! Thanks Kat!

Finding Charm - Featured Artisan

2011-11-05T23:06:00.000-04:00

This week's Featured Artisan is Sarah - Finding Charm! Sarah has

beautiful creations in a wide variety of styles and colors! You can

find Finding Charm on:

Closing In On a Thousand!!

2011-10-25T16:46:00.001-04:00

I just looked at my facebook fan page and I'm at 900 fans! I'm tickled pink, but of course, I wish it was more! I have almost double that number of friends somehow. I know! I know! I'm a very popular girl. lol!

So.....when it gets to 1,000, I plan on a big giveaway, but to my fans only, so you MUST go to my fan page and select 'like' in order to be entered. And invite your friends! Share the link of facebook! Here's the direct link:

LA Jewelry Designs on Facebook

As an added incentive, check my facebook page later today for a special sale announced to my fan page only! Happy shopping!

Want to Play With Fire???

2011-10-18T17:51:00.001-04:00

I have the pleasure of writing for Things Crafty. With their permission I've copied my review of Jeri Warhaftig's new book, Creating Glass Beads, below:

Now that I have your attention...... :-)
I recently had the opportunity to read and review a book by a fellow lampwork artist, Jeri Warhaftig. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeri some time ago. She's immensely talented and very eager to share her knowledge. I've read her 1st book, Glass Bead Workshop, and now, Creating Glass Beads.
While the book's purpose is to take beaders beyond the basics, the intro covers all the basics; from tools, glass and torches to annealing and ventilation. Safety is something that can't be stressed enough when dealing with hot glass and a torch.
Rather than chapters, Jeri has designed the book with Sessions, each one devoted to a different bead style. She 1st gives instructions on how to make the specific bead, with step by step photos and then includes photos from her various testers of beads they've made using those techniques. I loved seeing some of the bead variations that her testers came up with. Great eye candy!
Overall I'd give this book two thumbs up!
Her book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

2011-09-30T18:20:00.000-04:00

In The Scheme of Things....

I had some wonderful news to share, which in the scheme of things seems SO inconsequential! My friend, Michelle Plumb's niece, Leiryn, a little girl with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, underwent scans this week to see how/if her cancer is progressing. Her parents received the most wonderful news. There has been NO GROWTH in the cancer in the last 18 months! She is completely stable, and the doctors are baffled!

I am overwhelmed with joy for this little girl who I have never met, yet feel a connection to that I cannot explain. I'm overjoyed for the family and for this precious little girl.

To those that may be curious as to my personal news, I had a set of lampwork glass beads that were in Artfire's Daily Collection today & they sold! I'm happy, but it doesn't compare to the news about Leiryn! THAT'S what it's all about!

Why We Need To Support Our Local Artists and Small Businesses

2011-09-16T23:53:00.000-04:00

With the holiday season fast approaching I'd like to share this sentiment that I found on a friend's wall on Facebook:

When you buy from a local artist or a small business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a parent put food on the table, a little girl finally gets those dance lessons or helping a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders - and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting artists and small businesses!

Are you up for a challenge??

2011-08-25T11:58:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan and admirer of the ladies that make up the Bead Mavens. I've never met a more talented group of seed bead artists! They each have a unique style, which makes for an interesting challenge they've put forth. Their new challenge, called the Maven Meld, asks that you submit a finished piece that melds or incorporates at least 2 of their tutorials. Clever, huh?

I love working with seedbeads myself and am so appreciative of these ladies' hard work in putting forth truly remarkable designs. I've purchased several tutorials myself and so I've decided to donate a $25 gift certificate to my Artfire shop to one of the winners. Please go to their website for details on how to enter and check out the other fabulous prizes on the Bead Maven blog. I can't wait to see all the fabulous creations!

Here are a few inspiration photos from the Bead Mavens themselves.

Mikki Ferrugiaro

Nancy Dale

Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting......Tap! Tap! Tap!

2011-08-16T12:55:00.001-04:00

I've been having a blast making these ring tops for interchangeable rings & pendants. No matter what I'm working on in a particular session, I try to make a few of these too. So fun! I've sold out all my rings and waiting for a new supply to come in.

There's just one person in the US that carries the rings that I know of so I ordered from the UK this time around. She had a snafu with her mail, but they're now on their way! I sit & stalk the mailman every day! :-) Meanwhile, these are a few ring tops from my most recent torch sessions.

What do beaders and those with dreadlocks have in common??

2011-08-03T17:15:00.000-04:00

Give up????

They all love using spirals! Here are some spirals I've been working on recently. My friend, Mikki Ferrugiaro, is working on a book with a very unique spiral pattern that I got a sneak peak of (it's gorgeous!). The pattern uses spirals for the focal piece. She makes poly clay spirals as well. They're so beautiful that I had a hard time telling them apart from the glass. It's great to be able to have options. Change out the focal for a new look to coordinate with any outfit.

I sold some recently to people wanting to decorate their dreads. Here's a photo of one of my beautiful customers with a spiral in her hair. I love it!

Interchangeable Rings!

2011-07-06T15:00:00.000-04:00

So excited about this new ring system I'm working on! The band is stainless steel and the tops are interchangeable! They just screw on & off so you can switch them up to match whatever you're wearing. & they come in different sizes, both the rings and the tops. How cool is that??

This is the 1st one that I made for myself, but will definitely be ordering more rings & supplies if anyone is interested.

Nothing better!

2011-07-05T22:43:00.000-04:00

Nothing better than making beads! Well, there is 1 thing! It's seeing them used in creations by talented jewelry artisans such as Ileana Munteanu. I'm truly honored to see my beads used in such a work of beauty!

What says summer like fishies??

2011-06-07T10:00:00.001-04:00

I'm so bad about designing beads ahead of the seasons for some reason. Probably because I often just make whatever the mood calls for in a particular session. I recently got some peacock stringer from Avenue Beads and decided to see what it would do in a fishie bead. And, boy, am I glad I did! The colorful stripes on the body of the bead comes from the stringer. It has that great webbing thing that it does. The coloring is even more vibrant in person.

I learned this technique from Deb Crowley a couple of years ago at Glass Stock. Sadly I was unable to attend this past year due to health issues and will miss this year as well due to a friend's wedding. Don't anyone invite me to anything next Labor Day! I am going to Glass Stock, come hell or high water! hehe!

I don't usually make them in the winter because my studio is too cold and it's much harder to keep the entire bead heated at all times. I was constantly wafting it in and out of the flame to avoid any cracking and am really pleased with what came out of the kiln today.

This fish is pretty big and took me the better part of an hour to make. It's about 2" in length. I was so excited to share it, I didn't even take it off the mandrel. You get to see it in all it's glory, bead poop and all. ;-)

Kiln goodies!

2011-06-04T16:30:00.000-04:00

I had some custom orders I worked on this past week & then got to play with some new frit and glass I was testing. Here's what came out of the kiln today.....well, truth be told, it was yesterday, but just didn't get to clean them up right away.

Never Forget!

2011-04-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

This Monday is Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's a day for us all to remember those that perished in the Holocaust, Jews & Christians alike. The more time that goes by, there are fewer survivors left on this earth to prove to the world that the atrocities did in fact occur. It saddens me to think that there are still people that don't believe it ever happened. I can't fathom how they can deny it still. Never mind those that were killed in the camps, but did the survivors tattoo themselves with numbers??

As the day approaches I think of my grandparents that I never knew, my parents' brothers and sisters that were killed, my father's 1st wife and 8 year old son. With all the horrific atrocities that occurred, I smile when I think of my mother (a survivor) who is alive and well and who will be celebrating her 90th birthday in 2 weeks. And of my father (survivor) who lived to the age of 91 when he succumbed to leukemia. And of my uncle (survivor), my father's older brother, who passed away a month shy of his 100th birthday. Take that Hitler! :-)

Aloha!

2011-04-13T14:36:00.000-04:00

No, sadly I am not going to Hawaii. But some of my beads are. It's amazing to me that for just a little bit of postage, my beads get to travel and see the world. If only it were as simple as that for me!

And of course some vinyl tubing to keep them all in place.

I love my customers!

2011-04-04T22:43:00.000-04:00

I love making lampwork glass beads, but it's not often that I get to see them in finished pieces of jewelry. Today, however, 2 of my customers posted photos of their finished pieces. Nothing makes me smile more!

This first one is a fun necklace made by Michelle Plumb using beads from several glass artists. I'm honored to have mine included. The white with black spots (ermine) bead at the base of the heart focal is mine as are the 4 cards.

This lovely bracelet was made by my friend, Mary Alexander of Dreamweaver Designs. It's a beaded kumihimo bracelet using Unicorne glass beads which complement the lampwork focal (mine) just perfectly.

Can You Smell the Roses?

2011-03-25T16:07:00.000-04:00

Cabbage Roses, that is.....

1st of all, is it really a month since I posted?? Part of me often wonders if people are even interested in what I have to say. Plus, quite honestly I've been spending more time on the torch recently. Not being able to torch for about 3-4 months made me miss it terribly & I itch to light up the torch @ any opportunity. And boy, did I have fun making over 50 (I always make extra, just in case) of these sweet little floral beads. Here they sit getting their final bath before heading out the door.

OK, so now that that's out of the way, I recently finished a custom order for someone. Had so much fun making these & when I look at them now in their colorful splendor they just put a smile on my face. OK, so we had a dusting of snow earlier this week, but can spring be far behind?

3 for 3!!!

2011-02-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

I'm honored to have my beads included in the following beautiful treasuries and collection on Etsy and ArtFire:

Seafoam Reflections curated by PatchworkMountain on ArtFire.com

Here's one of my favorite items from PatchworkMountain's ArtFire shop:

A Touch of Rose and Pink
by JCStrong:

'A Touch of Rose and Pink' by jcstrong

Try a little rose & pink this spring...These are just a few of the selections within the Art Walk Etsy Team.

2PCS 38mm Honeysuck... ZARDENIA $3.45	The Farmer's Da... buckscountyfra... $30.00	Lightening Strikes ... RicksWoodArt $150.00	Lampwork Glass Foca... LAJewelryDesig... $14.00
The Contessa wednesdaywande... $12.00	Contemporary Fiber ... sarahsquiltsnc... $49.95	Sweet Pea Shining H... ColorOfDawnCre... $2.75	Minky Dot TRAVEL Pi... mypillowcasepl... $15.00
Original Watercolor... SharonFosterAr... $20.00	13cm x 1yard pink s... gbsupplies $3.00	blank cards, Teddy ... DJsArt $7.50	Freshwater Potato P... OneHeartArt $7.95
Strawberry Shortcak... craftsbycarer $15.00	Small Duffel Bag - ... ponderosaquilt... $40.00	SAVE 70%-Pink Fresh... jenergydesigns $16.00	Red, White and Pink... BlackberryPrai... $14.50

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

And last but not least is Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly by RoughMagicCreations

'Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly' by RoughMagicCreations

Vintage Silver Plat... ogdenarthaus $15.00	Asian Woman Pendant... RockStoneTreas... $24.00	These make you feel... asuhan $25.00	Porcelain ring with... magartstudio $30.00
Lavender Blue Vinta... Jewelrybynala $21.00	Lampwork Boro Glass... LAJewelryDesig... $24.00	Seeds in the Wind I... SunnyLeeStudio $70.00	2 Reversable Cloth ... whatshername $2.50
Vintage eco friendl... DotStitch $12.50	Delicious Blackberr... AnnaPereira $4.25	Vintage Metal Pictu... Joyousworld $24.00	Breathe... sterlin... CleopatraKerck... $189.00
ACEO Card - Study i... ChansonTrinity $8.00	Shabby Chic White a... JiltedCoquette $10.00	white bird mobile w... RedorGrayArt $16.00	Hand Knit Rolled Br... KnitzyBlonde $30.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Her artwork is beautiful and vibrant. I can practically smell the ocean in this one.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

2011-02-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

I posted this recipe to my facebook friends, but it's 1 of my all time favorites and thought that others might enjoy it too. It's a great recipe for those following a gluten-free diet that want a delicious treat. I also make it at Passover time since there's no flour. This is a rich decadent cake. Enjoy! My personal notes are below the recipe.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

8 tbsp (1 stick) butter or margarine
18 oz. semisweet chocolate, divided
3/4 cup cream or nondairy creamer, divided
3/4 cup sugar
6 large eggs

1. Melt the butter or margarine & add 12 oz. of chocolate in double boiler. Whisk in 1/2 cup cream, sugar, then eggs. Pour into greased 9" springform pan or high-sided cake pan. Bake @ 350 degrees (~ 1 hour) with a pan of water on rack below until a tester comes out with wet (not liquidy) crumbs.

2. Remove carefully from oven & cool. Melt 6 oz. chocolate in double boiler; whisk in 1/4 cup cream. Invert cake & cover with ganache. Makes 10-12 servings.

Note:

1. I prefer to use butter, not margarine.
2. I've only used a springform pan & would think it difficult to invert the cake from a cake pan.

3. If you want a small treat now & then, I've made these in cupcake forms for my friend's husband, who's gluten-free. He freezes them & then takes out 1 at a time. To do this, I use cupcake liners, which I spray with Pam. You can frost them with the ganache too.
4. Disclaimer: Photo is a stock photo I found on the internet, though mine looks very similar....it DOES!

Etsy Treasury!

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-05:00

I am honored to be included in this beautiful treasury created by Mikki Ferrugiaro of MFDBeadworkOriginals on Etsy. Am honored to be included amongst these super talented beadmakers.

International Shipping

2011-02-05T13:33:00.001-05:00

I know that some balk at sending out their beads to those in other countries, but I have to say, that it always puts a smile on my face when I send orders out overseas, especially Europe.

I've been there before (to a few countries at least) and I loved every minute of my travels. So, if I can't go there personally, at least my beads get to travel and I get to live vicariously through them.

Here are a few of my bead creations on their way to new faraway homes:

Bead Trends

2011-02-03T16:24:00.000-05:00

I kept waiting for February to announce that one of my wine bottle stoppers is featured in Bead Trend Magazine. Of course I took out the magazine just now so I could post the page and see that it was the January edition. SHEESH! Guess I'm a tad late. ;-)

Not sure if it's still on the newstands, but take a look if you get a chance. It's on page 46.

Another MRI??

2011-01-31T22:45:00.000-05:00

To say I'm bummed is putting it mildly. My neck is finally starting to feel better, but still achy & stiff so I went for a series of trigger point injections today. While there, I mentioned to my neurologist that I've been having sharp burning pain in my left knee & numbness around the knee cap.

He examined it & doesn't feel it's arthritis. He thinks it's related to my lower back & ordered an MRI & EMG. I have an appointment for the EMG this Thursday. Now just need to wait for approval from my insurance company for the MRI. Funny thing is that my lower back doesn't really hurt me. Not sure which way to root....lower back or arthritis? I guess neither is too wonderful. I just want to live pain free! Is that so much to ask??

3rd Month Free With New ArtFire Pro Account!!

2011-01-27T06:37:00.001-05:00

ArtFire has done it again! They've rolled out a new program. Go pro for $9.95/month and get your 3rd month free!

For just $9.95 per month you'll get unlimited free listings, zero sales commission, automatic product feeds, industry leading optimization, a full suite of management and promotional tools, a customizable store, and more!

There are no contracts. You can cancel at any time with no cancellation fee or penalty. Read the Sellers Choice 2011 publication to see how ArtFire has surpassed Etsy overall this past year.

Become an ArtFire Pro with this link and get your 3rd month free!

Beads of Courage

2011-01-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Let me just say that I've only been back on the torch recently after a 3 month hiatus following spine surgery. And, living in NY and it being WINTER, we've been hit by lots of snow and cold weather....not the ideal torching weather when your studio is in the garage as mine is.

When temps hit 40 the other day I decided to turn on the space heater and brave the cold. I turned on the kiln, lit the torch, but somehow it just was not my day. The kiln fairies must have been visiting someone else that day because it sure wasn't me. So instead of forcing things I decided to work on some butterflies for Beads of Courage (BOC)

For those unfamiliar with BOC, it's an amazing program for children coping with serious illnesses. If you want to see what it's all about and some of the children it's helping, watch this recent video broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning.

They collect all sorts of beads, but 2 in particular have special meaning. Purple hearts, which indicate the end of treatment and butterfly beads, which are given to parents who have lost a child.

Now back to beads....I have never made butterflies before, but decided it was time to test my creative skills in this area. Nothing else was working that day so I thought it would be a good day to attempt some butterflies. I am fairly pleased with my 1st attempt and will be sending these off to BOC (once they're cleaned of bead poop of course) along with some orphan beads that the kids might like.

Fire Divas Monthly Challenge - True Love

2011-01-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

With Valentines Day around the corner, love is in the air! Let's see what the incredibly talented Divas came up with for our True Love Challenge this month. After you fall in love with your favorite, don't forget to vote on the right side of the Fire Diva's blog!

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Thanks for voting! Results will be posted in one week!

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge - That Special Bead

2011-01-10T23:17:00.000-05:00

This ought to prove to be a fun challenge! February is a time for romance and love. It's also the time to get your jewelry into our Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge! The theme is That Special Bead. It is entirely open to your own interpretation and we hope you have fun with it! For some inspiration, head over to our Flickr page. You can win some fantastic prizes; see them below!

Winged heart bead like this one by Lori from http://www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com/

$20 Gift Certificate to janeldudleybeads.etsy.com

$40 Gift Certificate to hollysfolly.com

$15 Gift Certificate to teasebeads.com or teasebeads.artfire.com

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.arensea.etsy.com/ or http://www.arensea.artfire.com/

A bead donated by Lara from www.lutrick.etsy.com and www.lutrick.artfire.com

A fish like this one by Laurie from www.glassbead.etsy.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

$20 Gift Certificate to www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads

This set of beads from RiversEdgeGlass

Now the boring stuff:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

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 February 10, 2011. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

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.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

2011-01-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

Saw this on a friend's facebook page earlier and just had to share it here where it will be a permanent reminder of what life is all about.

I'm the Diva of the Month!

2011-01-08T12:30:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled to be a member of the Fire Divas for the past several years. What a great group it is. Every month we spotlight one of our members and this month I'm happy to say that it's me. Not sure I posted the 1st part, but here's Part 2:

Welcome to Part Two of our Diva of the Month feature. Our January Diva is Lea Avroch of LA Jewelry Designs. This portion of the interview is "Ten Things Glass"...

1. Attraction to Glass - Lea and her hubby had collected sculpted glass pieces to decorate their home over the years. Then, she watched a demo many years ago and was awestruck. "It was after that experience that I found a lampwork class in a local art league. I fell in love immediately and went out and set out to set up a studio of my own."

2. Training in Other Artistic Areas - Although she was not formally trained, Lea has always enjoyed working with her hands, whether it was painting, crocheting, or (more recently) knitting. "I started making jewelry 13 years ago when I had to quit working following my 1st spine surgery. It kept me busy and I loved seeing friend's reactions to my creations. The natural progression was for me to make my own beads, which I could then use in my jewelry. Truth be told, I enjoy making beads much more than making jewelry so it's worked out great."

3. First Beads - We asked Lea about the first beads she ever made, or if she could describe the first beads she was really proud of. "Oh gee! Who remembers??" she exclaims. "I lost most of my older images when my computer crashed, but I do have some. It's a style of bead that I came up with early on that I really love & am very proud of the 1st one that I made. I made a bead crochet rope to hang it from & it was featured in the June 2007 Bead and Button magazine, my 1st published piece."

4. Inspiration - Lea tells us that she gets her inspiration from everything around her. From nature ("I'm very into the ocean, sand, etc.") to inspiration photos, to simply the glass itself. "Those are the most fun days for me," she says, "when I just let the glass decide the direction."

5. Ideas and Planning - Lea sometimes has a plan in mind when making beads, but often she doesn't. "When I plan ahead, which is not all that often, I will make a list of certain colors I'd like to work with or materials, such as silver foil or wire" she tells us. "Or when I'm at a loss, I will look back at photos of my beads & see which ones I want to replicate. That usually starts the creative juices flowing."

6. Photography - We asked Lea about her photo set up. She recently upgraded her camera to a Canon Rebel XSI after spending many frustrating days with an older Canon.
"I'm pretty happy with the newer photos," she says, "but I find photographing beads to be quite challenging and am always looking at ways I can improve."

7. Money - What would Lea make if the question of "would it sell?" were out of the picture? She says, "I mostly enjoy making focal beads. It's like having a large canvas to work on, large being a relative term of course."

8. Personal Style - We asked Lea about the type of jewelry she enjoys wearing, every day vs. out on the town. "I love all kinds of jewelry," she says. "I actually started out making jewelry before I went into making beads so I have quite a large selection to choose from, from beautiful gemstone necklaces to intricate seedbead pieces."

9. Skills - The one skill Lea wishes came easier to her is stringer control. She says, "My hands shake sometimes so getting those perfectly fine stringer details in a bead is often challenging."

10. Marketing - We asked Lea what she enjoys about marketing herself, and what she finds the most challenging. "What I love the most is being associated with the Fire Divas," she says. "Though most of us have never met in person, I couldn't think of a better group of friends to share ideas with. The hardest part is just making the time to keep up with everything. Fortunately we have several members that are very knowledgeable and keep us on track."

And that concludes this week's portion. Please tune in next week and check out Lea's links below in the mean time!

LA Jewelry Designs on Artfire ~

LA Jewelry Designs on Etsy ~

Lea's Blogspot ~

Follow Lea on Twitter

Skeleton Key Beads Anyone?

2011-01-03T19:12:00.000-05:00

So, I've only been back on the torch a couple of times since my surgery. I had a session or 2 of soft glass and then most recently I made some skeleton key beads that were tons of fun to make. A customer requested some for a necklace for herself. Once I got started I had such a good time that I just kept making more. :)

What do you think? Have a favorite? Maybe I'll make some more necklaces up too to sell once she selects her favorite. Oh and sorry for all the bead poop in the photo. All the keys are cleaned out nicely now. :)

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

I've decided NOT to make any New Years resolutions this year. I always start out with good intentions, but after just a few short weeks or months (on those years when I'm particularly ambitious, I fall off the wagon. I'm not necessarily talking about dieting either, though that seems to be one of my most often used resolutions.

Rather than set myself up for failure &/or disappointment, I've decided instead to list some of the many things I'm grateful for from the past year. It was a trying year for me, having gone through some medical issues and major spine surgery that knocked me out of commission for over 3 months. However, I am to the point where I feel that I'm over the hump and well on my way to recovery. I see a light at the end of the tunnel and it is beautiful and bright.

So, here is my gratitude list:

1. First and foremost, I have regained my health.
2. I have a wonderful husband and a very dear friend (you know who you are!) who got me through the past several months following my surgery. I am eternally grateful to you both.
3. I have a wonderful family and am fortunate to have my 89 year old mother in my life.
4. I have a sweet father-in-law that's always there for us.
5. I will have a daughter soon as my son and his beautiful girlfriend just got engaged.
6. I am grateful to my many customers who have purchased from me, allowing me to continue practicing my art.
7. I have 'met' and become friends with so many wonderful people across the globe thanks to the internet that I would not have met otherwise. Several of those have become close friends.
8. I'm fortunate to have a working studio, albeit small, where I can melt glass to my heart's content.
9. I have a roof over my head & food on the table.
10. I'm grateful for a new year ahead!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T14:46:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy & Healthy New Year with only good things for the coming year! Enjoy this special time with your families and loved ones. Stay safe and warm.

I'm back!!!

2010-12-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

After 3 months I finally got back on the torch last night. These beads are the result.Only 1 casualty and another that took a bath. Not too bad all things considered.

As you may or may not know, I had spine surgery back in September and have been unable to torch as a result. The Dr. gave me the go ahead to give it a try at my 1 month follow up, but something told me he didn't really understand what was involved. I was still wearing a cervical collar at that point, which kept my head and neck from moving at all, so the thought of trying to torch while hot glass could go flying didn't seem like the best idea since I couldn't move much.

Now that I don't have to wear a cervical collar any more, I decided to give it a try. Boy, was it FUN! I felt like a little kid. I made some of my "usual" beads (won't call them signature because I don't consider myself that accomplished yet) and then tried out some new techniques and an awesome new tool I had purchased. Life is good.

Bead Trends

2010-12-04T09:06:00.002-05:00

OMG! I have been so bad about blogging, but had to share my good news. One of my skeleton key bead necklaces made it into the December issue of Bead Trends magazine. I've been reading this wonderful magazine since it's inception. I'm in love with their photography and am thrilled and honored that they chose to feature this piece.

I've been holding off saying anything until the issue was published, but I got my necklace back in the mail this week with 2 copies of the magazine so can now share the good news. Pick up a copy and let me know what you think.

Fire Divas Black Friday / Cyber Monday Promo

2010-11-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

Here's your chance to purchase some artisan lampwork glass beads at unbeatable prices! Several of the Fire Divas are offering special promotions this weekend. See the list below for details.

1) Holly - 20% off my shop http://Hollysfolly.com/ or Artfire shop http://www.artfire.com/users/HollysFollyGlass or my Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/HollysFollyGlass - use coupon code THANKFUL upon check out. Addition savings for fans.

2) Lori - 10% off my Etsy http://www.ashlyndesign.etsy.com/ and ArtFire http://www.artfire.com/users/AshlynDesign shops from Friday to Monday

3) Kathleen -10% off http://www.etsy.com/shop/UglyDucklingBeads

4.)Sonja-10% off http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverRiverGlassWork and http://www.artfire.com/users/SilverRiverGlassWorks

5) - Lara - 10% off at Artfire and Etsy + free shipping
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&%3Bseller_id=22129
and http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lutrick

6) Janel 20% off at Etsy from Friday to Monday http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

7) Patrice - 20% off my ArtFire shop: http://www.artfire.com/users/shepherdcreations : Use coupon "FIREDIVASTHANKSGIVING2010"

8)Barb - 15% off on my AF shop from Friday-monday http://www.artfire.com/users/riversedgeglass

9) Melanie - 20% off on ArtFire http://arensea.artfire.com/ or Etsy http://arensea.etsy.com/

10)Amy 20% off on ArtFire shop coupon code TURKEY: http://www.artfire.com/users/AmySimsDesigns

11) Theresa - Free shipping on all items in my Artfire shop until Monday:http://www.artfire.com/users/teasebeads

12) Lea - 20% off my Artfire http://www.artfire.com/users/LAJewelryDesignsand Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/LAJewelryDesigns from Friday to Monday - use coupon code HAPPYTHANKSGIVING upon check out.

13) Karen - Friday - Monday, 10% off in both shops, http://www.etsy.com/shop/giapet and http://www.artfire.com/users/Fire-n-Sand

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale!

2010-11-25T20:57:00.000-05:00

Looking for a bargain? You don't need to leave the comfort of your home. From Friday, November 26 through Monday, November 29, 2010 I am having a 20% off sale in my ArtFire and Etsy shops. Use coupon code HAPPYTHANKSGIVING. If making multiple purchases from both shops, just message me and I'll combine shipping for you too. Happy shopping!

Fire Divas Monthly Challenge - Christmas / Hannukah

2010-11-17T20:56:00.000-05:00

It's that time again, time for another Fire Divas Bead challenge! This month's theme is Christmas / Hanukkah. We have many incredible glass bead entries! You can browse them all below, then vote for your favorite over on the Fire Divas Blog - right side of the page!

Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Entry 4
Entry 5
Entry 6
Entry 7
Entry 8
Entry 9

Fire Divas Donate Beads For the Cure

2010-11-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

The passionate and talented Fire Divas banded together last month and donated a portion of their earnings for Breast Cancer Awareness. During the month of October the Fire Divas helped raise over $130 from bead sales for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The organizations that will receive the donations are Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Look below to see the list of the Fire Divas that participated and to check out some pink eye candy!

HollysFollyGlass - 20% to Susan G Komen for the Cure http://hollysfolly.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/HollysFollyGlass

UglyDucklingBeads - 25% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/UglyDucklingBeads

Teasebeads - 15% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.teasebeads.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/teasebeads

JanelDudleyBeads - All proceeds of pink beads to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

AshlynDesign -20% from all ArtFire sales donated to Susan G. Komen http://www.artfire.com/users/AshlynDesign

LAJewelryDesigns - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/LAJewelryDesigns

ahouston - 25% will be donated to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for any pink bead sales and goddess beads (everything in the "PINK" section of my shop) http://www.etsy.com/shop/ahouston

spawnofflame - Everything in PINK section of Artfire shop. 25% to Living Beyond Breast Cancer http://spawnofflame.artfire.com/

IcarusBeads - From Artfire Shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/IcarusBeads

EmaKaye - Any pink beads in the Etsy shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://emakaye.etsy.com/

Lutrick 20% of all ArtFire sales to National Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.artfire.com/users/Lutrick

SilverRiverGlassWorks - 20% off pink beads to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/SilverRiverGlassWorks

Shepherd Creations - 20% of Artfire and BOD to Komen for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/shepherdcreations

Giapet - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/giapet

spawnofflame

SilverRiverGlassWork

emakaye

The Fire Divas would like to thank those that made all of this possible!

Breast Cancer Donation

2010-11-04T21:54:00.000-04:00

October kind of snuck up on me and I didn't get a chance to make any breast cancer awareness beads, but these are pink, so they count. I ran a campaign to promote a portion of my ArtFire sales this past month to benefit the Susan G Komen Foundation. My husband and I also donated to Race for the Cure in memory of our son's girlfriend's mom, who lost her battle to breast cancer at a young age.

Well, I wish it could've been more, but sales were really down for me this past month. Here's a copy of my receipt though I had to delete my personal info so couldn't copy and paste it verbatim.

November 4, 2010

Mrs. Lea Avroch

Dear Mrs. Avroch,

Thank you so much for your generous contribution of $5.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Your support is hard at work bringing us closer to our promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

With nearly $1.5 billion invested to date, we are the world's single largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to confronting breast cancer at every stage. In fact, since we started in 1982, practically every advance in the fight against breast cancer has been touched in some way by a Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant.

With friends like you, along with survivors, activists, and supporters in more than 120 U.S. locations and a growing number of international cities and countries, we are literally making an impact and helping save millions of lives around the world.

Again thank you for your generous donation and for your commitment to our steadfast promise to end breast cancer forever.

Sincerely,

Amb. Nancy G. Brinker

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

komen.org | privacy policy
For breast health or breast cancer information call:
1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
© 2010 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Lampwork Studio Set Up

2010-11-01T16:40:00.000-04:00

Thinking of getting into melting glass?? It's SO fun! A friend had asked me to put together a list of supplies he might need so thought that others might benefit as well. This is a very rudimentary list, but feel free to contact me if you have specific questions or want me to expound on any of this.

1. ventilation

2. kiln

3. torch

4. hoses

5. propane

6. oxygen tank or oxygen concentrator

7. regulators

8. flashback arrestors

9. ceramic tiles or stainless steel sheet to cover your workspace

10. ***fire extinguisher*** should've been #1, but I didn't want to redo the list. LOL!

11. basic shaping tools, but you can often find things around the house that you already have such as a butter knife, tweezers, a poker of some sort or you can ask your dentist for any old tools they no longer use.

12. mandrels

13. bead release

14. rod rest

15. graphite pad &/or paddle

16. glass rods

Check out my new banners!!!

2010-10-08T16:31:00.000-04:00

I am SO challenged when it comes to banners, but thanks to a good friend, Scott Bjorge, an amazing graphic designer and jewelry artist, I finally have banners for my Etsy shop, my ArtFire bead shop and my ArtFire Destash shop. I won't bore you with them all here, but feel free to click on my links to see his work.

Scott was amazing to work with. I gave him a general idea of what I wanted and he was able to hone in on the look that I was going for. Actually his banners give such a professional look to my shops that I'm not sure my beads will live to them. And did I mention that he also designed new business cards for me??

You can contact Scott on Facebook or message me here, on Facebook or any of my shops if you want more info.

Scott, thank you, thank you, thank you! You're an amazing artist and friend!

Artisan Glass Beads For a Cure

2010-10-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

The Fire Divas are doing our part in trying to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Awareness!

Keep your eyes open Monday-Friday as our Glass Bead of the Day will be featuring lots of pink beads - our way of reminding you to think pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Viking Knit w/ Pink Batik Bead by EmaKaye

The Fire Divas listed below have chosen to donate portions of our bead and jewelry sales to help out.. Each shop has discounts noted since some of us may have taken a step further and are donating a percentage from ALL sales.

With your help, we can raise awareness and funds through lampwork beads!

*Note.. previous Bead of the Day discounts will not apply unless otherwise noted in shop announcements or listings.

Pink Playthings / HollysFollyGlass

HollysFollyGlass - 20% to Susan G Komen for the Cure http://hollysfolly.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/HollysFollyGlass

UglyDucklingBeads - 25% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/UglyDucklingBeads

Teasebeads - 15% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.teasebeads.com/ and http://www.artfire.com/users/teasebeads

JanelDudleyBeads - All proceeds of pink beads to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

AshlynDesign - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for any pink bead sales http://www.artfire.com/users/AshlynDesign

LAJewelryDesigns - 20% to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/LAJewelryDesigns

ahouston - 25% will be donated to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure for any pink bead sales and goddess beads (everything in the "PINK" section of my shop) http://www.etsy.com/shop/ahouston

spawnofflame - Everything in PINK section of Artfire shop. 25% to Living Beyond Breast Cancer http://spawnofflame.artfire.com/

IcarusBeads - From Artfire Shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://www.artfire.com/users/IcarusBeads

Lutrick 20% of all ArtFire sales to National Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.artfire.com/users/Lutrick

EmaKaye - Any pink beads in the Etsy shop - 20 % to Susan G Komen Race for the Cure http://emakaye.etsy.com/

We will link to this post from a logo on the right for you to refer back to during the month. Thank you for helping us fight this disease!

Pink Leopard by Ashlyn Design

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-05T21:24:00.000-04:00

I am donating 20% of all sales from my ArtFire shop this month to Susan G. Komen For the Cure. This is a charity that is near and dear to my heart and I'll be adding new listings as the month goes on.

My son, Justin and his girlfriend, Sara are also participating in Making Strides in memory of Sara's mother Gail. Please visit Team Gail's page to read all about Gail Finkelstein, a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and teacher lost her life to breast cancer.

I Don't know How It Happened!!

2010-10-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

I started out making jewelry innocently over 10 years ago. My love of all things sparkly soon took over and before long my "jewelry studio" looked like this.....

This USED to be my desk.

The dresser is filled with more beads. The bottom drawer, that's now broken, is filled to the brim with pearls. The rest is miscellaneous. Gotta love miscellaneous. hehe!

These bins are filled with gemstones, sterling, gold-filled, etc. (LOTS of etc.!)

See, the thinking behind all this "stuff" is that you never know when you might need something. The trouble is that I stopped being able to find anything long ago and so just kept buying MORE! And, these days, though I still love making jewelry, my focus is on making beads. Where to put all the beads???

As much as I'd love nothing more than to open a bead shop, hubby doesn't care for the idea of getting further into debt, so sadly I must part with some of them. I've therefore opened up a 2nd ArtFire shop, LAJewelryDesingsDestash for destashing some of my beads and findings. I'm slowly stocking it so please bookmark it and keep checking back. I'll be uploading new listings to my facebook page so please friend me if you haven't already done so.

Calling All Jewelry Artists!!!

2010-09-21T17:44:00.000-04:00

The Fire Divas are hosting their quarterly jewelry challenge. The theme for this one is The Holiday Season so really anything goes. And we want to help you celebrate. Some of our members have donated very generous prizes, approximately $250 in artisan lampwork beads! Gotta love this group!

Check out the Diva Blog for details. Entries are due no later than 10/15/10 so don't delay! Here's a sneak peak of the fabulous prizes:

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://www.arensea.etsy.com

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com
or http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com

http://www.hollysfolly.com

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com

http://www.emakaye.etsy.com

http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com

Go Pro With ArtFire for $5.95!!!

2010-09-19T18:28:00.000-04:00

ArtFire is about to exit from their beta status & is offering $5.95 per month memberships to the 1st 20,000 people that sign up. I already have an AF shop, but I've elected to sign up for another one so that I can have 1 be Certified Handmade Artisan, which means that everything in that shop, LAJewelryDesigns, will get the recognition that 100% of the items in that shop is made by hand by me!

The new shop which I just opened, LAJewelryDesignsDestash, will be reserved for destash items from my jewelry making days. One look in my basement will tell you that there's LOTS of destash items coming! But don't delay! Once those 20,000 spots are filled, that's it! ArtFire only announced this new pricing opportunity a few days ago and over 4,000 of them are gone already. Check out their Group Deal for the specifics and to sign up!

Some More CIM Color Testing

2010-09-18T20:20:00.000-04:00

Jsut 2 more test beads to share today. This is one of my favorite beads to come out of the testing process so far...DH Psyche over Stone Ground Unique.

It seems to have just as much of a reaction as DH Psyche over Canyon De Chelly:

Glass Color Testing

2010-09-08T23:01:00.000-04:00

I did some color testing for CIM (Creation Is Messy) this week. Love the name of this glass! Makes me giggle! & I love the glass! It melts so smoothly, not runny like a lot of the other 104 COE glass. I was sent a bunch of different glass rods to test. With my upcoming surgery, I only had time to test a few but here are my results so far. Click on the links below to view beads made by other testers as well.

Unique Mermaid - Mermaid Unique base w/stripes of adamantium, over which I layed down psyche & gaia & then swirled them. It seems that the psyche spread out over the admentium completely covering it as it's hardly visible at all. & I was unable to get the DH colors to strike much. I also was a bit surprised to see the red in there on the left. I may have over heated it a bit. I also wanted to note that I really love this color, but it did boil a bit when 1st heated. Then if you heat it a bit more, it all melts in smoothly.

Unique Adamantium - adamantium unique w/DSP shards. I was dissappointed that the silk like quality was lost when melted. Then again, I also melted the shards in all the way so difficult to see the contrast. Adamantium just looks like a med. gray under the shards.

Unique Sepia - Sepia Unique w/DSP shards. It's interesting that the sepia on it's own as a base remained very close to the rod color, maybe a bit more gray whereas in the 2nd bead where it was used over stoneground, it took on more of a pale brown tone.

Unique Butter Pecan - the base I used was butter pecan unique with psyche & gaia over it. it was very hard to get the colors to strike so just looks kind of muddy. I tried to add a swipe of color to the top because it needed more glass there, but I picked up the adamentium by mistake which is why you see the gray, while the rest of the base looks more ivory.

Do All Artists suffer from ADD??

2010-08-30T22:18:00.000-04:00

Today I had a plan. As soon as the temps went below 90, I would go outside and work on testing for CIM (Creation Is Messy). CIM, for non-glass folks is a glass company that produces fabulous glass rods in 104 COE (coefficient of expansion) in dozens and dozens of yummy colors, many of which are not available from other glass companies.

My testing glass, all 2.5 lbs. of it, arrived earlier today so I was gung ho on getting on the torch to play. Well, by the time the temps were low enough to torch I had thought of some other things I wanted to work on. I had wanted to make something special for a dear friend. Then I eyed my leaf press & decided with fall around the corner, wouldn't it be fun to make a nice set of leaves? And truthfully, I no longer remember what else is in there, except that I did manage play a bit with the CIM glass (oh so beautiful!) & hopefully tomorrow morning when I open the kiln I will be rewarded with some lovely beads!

First Beads Made On My New Torch!

2010-08-22T20:46:00.000-04:00

I have to say that I am loving my new torch! I hadn't torched in several weeks so when I finally got it hooked up, I sat there & couldn't think of what to make so I played around a bit with some fabulous murrini I got from Janel Dudley. They are so realistic, don't you think? I mean the murrini, not the beads necessarily. ;-) then I made several of my 'signature' beads since there's no thinking for me on those any more. And this is what came out of the kiln earlier today.

My second batch is in there soaking right now. Hope the kiln fairies are good to me tomorrow morning. :-)

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge ~ The Holiday Season

2010-08-20T12:53:00.000-04:00

The Fire Divas are hosting another Jewelry Challenge! For this challenge, the theme is "The Holiday Season." There are several holidays coming up, and we want to celebrate them! You can see holiday-inspired Fire Diva creations in our Flickr. By entering this challenge, you have the chance to win:

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://www.arensea.etsy.com/

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com/
or http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com/

http://www.hollysfolly.com/

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com/

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com/

http://www.emakaye.etsy.com/

http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com/

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

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 October 15, 2010. No Flickr account? No problem. You can also email your submissions to firedivas @ gmail . com (no spaces). Please include, in the comments section or in your email, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

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.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Fire Divas Monthly Bead Challenge

2010-08-17T19:15:00.000-04:00

Please come and see the Fire Diva's "Joyous" entries! See them below and then go to the Fire Diva's blog to vote for your favorite. ->

Entry 1:

Entry 2:

Entry 3:

Entry 4:

Entry 5:

Voting ends in one week!

Torch Envy

2010-08-17T09:38:00.000-04:00

Every lampworker and glass blower out there understands this phenomenon. Well, I got an e-mail today to say that my brand new torch has shipped! A Scorpion! YAY!! This is the newest torch made by GTT. It has the standard 5 inner jets of the Cricket and an additional 8 outer jets and is supposed to work great on concentrators. I can't wait to fire it up!

Here's a photo of the torch I started on, a Nortel Minor. I was so excited (and a wee bit scared) when I got it after taking a lampwork class. I was so afraid to fire it up, but boy how I loved it! Sorry for the stock photo, but I no longer have a photo of it.

I then advanced to a Knight Bullet Burner, which I bought after taking a boro class. I thoroughly enjoyed the class & seeing all the color variations I can get from the various glass rods, those wonderful hazy, smoky yet bright colors & knew that my minor would take forever trying to melt the glass.

Please excuse the messy workspace, but that's how it normally looks, actually not too bad. ;-) I've loved the heat & power of this "Big Girl Torch", but have been somewhat frustrated at times that I haven't been able to attain the beautiful colors out of boro at times that I feel I should. Mainly because instead of using tanked oxygen I use 2 concentrators. But that's supposed to be the Scorpion's forte. So I will be stalking the mailman till that torch gets here. Stay tuned for (hopefully) some wonderful boro beads from me. :-)

I NEED Airconditioning!!!

2010-07-23T23:15:00.000-04:00

Not really,,,but the heat just got to me this week.

The other day, as some of you know, my car battery died just when I was leaving Marshall's. The all too familiar tick, tick tick when turning on the ignition alerted me to a problem. I called hubby to come get me, which he soon did with jumper cables in hand. We then proceeded to search for the battery under his hood, which was hiding for some reason. He has an old Jaguar. I kid you not! Neither of us were able to find it.

So off we went, back home (cause I didn't want to stay by myself in a dark parking lot after hours) to get my son's SUV and back to give my car a boost. We managed to get the car started that time.

Yesterday I decided to take a mental health day. I decided it was too nice a day to spend it at the garage so I torched instead. I had the best time & will post pics in a day or 2 of the new beads I made. A fellow lampworker generously posted a wonderful tutorial which I had lots of fun playing with.

So, today, hubby took me for a new battery, but of course the car needed some other things so we wound up leaving it there. Upon my return I called to make an appointment for some scans for my mom. Lo & behold, they had an opening today! Which was good & bad! Good, because I had a free day. Bad, because the only car at my disposal was my son's SUV & the airconditioning isn't working in that car. :-(

With temps nearing 90, high humidity and a BLACK truck no less, I headed out to get my mother. Just as we got there, we hit a downpour. I then realized that my mom's handicap sticker was in my car at the garage. Thankfully a volunteer was dropping someone off when we pulled up & she let me use it for my mother.

Several hours later, with the scans all done, I drove my mom home & then came home to collapse. I took the longest shower I could before the hot water ran out. I feel ALMOST human. I NEED airconditioning!

EtsyTwitter Shop of the Week - Crochetgal

2010-07-19T21:22:00.000-04:00

ETT's shop of the week is crochetgal who offers crocheted wearable art and specialty yarns, as well as display mannequins. Valerie, the crochet talent and proprietor, also sells handcrafted soap dishes made in her family's woodshop!

Valerie is the sole designer and creator of crochetgal's crocheted offerings. She crochets each item with meticulous detail and is equally committed to customer service. She is inspired by "almost anything" she says, "from an interesting piece of material to a shape to a color". Valerie loves the flexibility and change possible with her craft as she explores various methods in detail. She says, "Right now I'm in my 'exploded lace' period with the crochet and have been there for about 3 years, but I see that direction changing within the next 2 years."

Valerie takes her business very seriously by setting both short and long-term goals. Initially, she defined a 5-year plan to make the business 'work' and provide an income. Her next 2-year plan was to double the size of the business. Her current 2-year plan is to double the volume of each year's business over the previous year. "It's ambitious, but without a goal in mind, a business cannot flourish."

A great deal of energy is spent during the Winter shows. She spends her summer planning her strategy...and relaxing while she can! In her spare moments she likes to tweet. Her emphasis is to interact with other people using Twitter, rather than posting continuous links.

crochetgal is celebrating
Christmas in July with
20% off all shawls
20% off a wide range of yarns,
(some yarns are net 65% off reg retail price!)
~~~~~~~
Etsy shop - crochetgal.etsy.com
Confessions of a Yarnaholic Blog - crochetgals.blogspot.com
Twitter - twitter.com/crochetgal

Voting is Up for the Fire Divas Summer Challenge!

2010-07-16T14:49:00.000-04:00

Check out the yummy entries for the Diva's summer challenge! You can see the entries below and when you are done, you can vote on the right for your favorite. Link to the poll is below. Voting ends in one week (July 23).

Entry 1

Information about the beads: by Amy Hall
Description of the piece: Silver wire, chain, lampworked beads
Inspiration for the piece: The square tiles by Amy inspired something different, and the demi-necklace was born!

Entry 2

Necklace designed with Lampwork beads by Sonja of SilverRiverGlassWork and Copper. On a bright sunny summer day the sun hovers over the water, sending rays up through the clouds with rippled reflections in the rushing water below.

Entry 3

I commissioned Maybeads - www.etsy.com/shop/maybeads to create a set of turtle beads for me to make into a bracelet.
I think this turtle must be from Tahiti, just look at her lovely lavender shell topped with a pink flower that has a lavender heart at it's center! I call her Tita, which in Tahitian means "The Fruit of the Sun". Her gorgeous green eyes, which match her head, legs and tail, will look happily up at you throughout the day. Believe me, I know from experience, you can't help smiling when you look down and see that little turtle looking up at you! Two matching lampwork beads accompany her, each bead has a pink flower on one side and a pink heart on the other, with green dots between the two sides.

The other beads on the bracelet are Swarovski crystal and glass. The bracelet is 7" long, and Tita the Turtle is about 1/4 wide and 1/2 inch long

Entry 4

This necklace was inspired by the fabulous focal bead made by Tera of Beadygirl Beads. I made some beaded beads (peace signs, and cellini spirals) in some of the same colors, and strung it all with swarovski crystals and sterling silver findings.

To vote: The poll is on the right side of the Fire Divas Blog

2010-07-14T21:23:00.000-04:00

EtsyTwitter Shop of the Week: SmutopiaI

2010-07-14T00:18:00.000-04:00

I had a great time perusing "Smu's" Etsy shop today. I love her beach themed jewelry in particular. Check out Jessica Smutek's etsy shop for more beautiful one of a kind creations. She likes to trade and take custom orders & she's offering a Super Summer free shipping sale! Good to know! :-)

Fire Divas Summer Challenge Inspiration Pieces - Part II

2010-07-10T14:32:00.000-04:00

Come and see more fabulous inspiration pieces from the Fire Divas! We are exempt from entering the challenge, but have shared some of our own creations. We hope you're inspired to make something great before July 15th!

Don't these earrings from Lara Lutrick make you think of summer fun???

The cool copper wire really sets off the neutral florals and vintage pewter in this necklace by TeaseBeads.

This pendant from EmaK Designs captures the feel of the ocean:

Flowers are the theme captured in glass and wire in this pendant from HollysFollyGlass.

Pendants, Rings, Bracelets, Necklaces, Anklets, Lariats... all are welcome in the Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge. Just get them in soon! Deadline 7/15/10.

Rules and Contest Info are HERE.

Are You Feeling Lucky?

2010-07-06T20:14:00.000-04:00

I am! I just joined a new etsy team (new for me that is), EtsyTwitter and am very excited! It's a big, fun group made up of many talented etsyans. This week's Shop of the Week is SalonDArte. It's their 1 year anniversary and they are celebrating by offering Christmas in July specials all month long.

2010-07-06T15:23:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's Treasures - Lune Artisan Jewelry

2010-06-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

This week I'm featuring a fabulous jewelry artisan, Keirsten Giles. Keirsten has some beautiful pieces for sale in her shops on etsy and artfire including these:

Let's get to know Keirsten better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?
Well, of course there isn't just one thing, but what pops into my mind right away today is that I usually "march to my own drummer", i.e., I pay the most attention to my own "inner voice" (or I try to) for every decision I make, and this is becoming more and more the case as I get older. If something doesn't feel right, or I think it will divert me from a direction I am wanting to go, I don't do it. (Or at least I don't do it for very long!) Oddly enough this has always been something I've had to work at; my inner voice is often kind of quiet and hard to distinguish from other influences.

2. What role does your family play in your art?
My boyfriend is my best cheerleader--he lets me know regularly that he's proud of my work and what I'm doing to market and sell it, and he's willing to help with whatever I need. My mom is one of my best customers, and she and my stepdad let me know all the time that they believe in me and love my work. It's a great confidence booster to know they're behind me. They even bought me my first Dremel!

3. Where do you live and what is it like?
I live in a small resort town in northwest Montana called Whitefish; it's surrounded by towering mountains, glacial lakes and endless green. The lifestyle is pretty laid back, and most people come here for the lifestyle and scenery. Our summer playground is Flathead Lake, which is about an hour south of Whitefish by car. We try to spend as many weekends there on our boat as we can. We live extremely simply, in a very small house that keeps us from accumulating a bunch of useless crap, and we like that. I love small houses.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?
Couple years ago I was frustrated that I couldn't find the kind of jewelry I wanted to wear. It seemed that everything I found was characterless and mass produced. I started making some pieces for myself and quickly realized I didn't know what I was doing. I signed up for Tammy Powley's email "Crash Course" in jewelry making on about.com, and started practicing those techniques. I found other instructions here and there online too. I found I really liked it, and had a lot of ideas. Too many ideas for just me to wear, so I decided to give it a go selling it and took the plunge in December of 2008, designing a little collection of pieces and opening shops on Etsy and ArtFire. Every technique I use I have learned either from online instructions, looking at other people's jewelry, or occasionally video tutorials.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?
Well, I'd been dabbling in jewelry making for about a year before I decided to get serious at the end of 2008. So I guess it's been about two and-a-half years.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?
Oh, everywhere. Nature of course--that's really plentiful around here. But sometimes I'll see somebody wearing an outfit and I'll love the color palette; or a plateful of colorful food will inspire me; or a building, or an oily puddle, or a photograph, or even a feeling I want to capture. I once designed a necklace around the carpet at the gym where I work out.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?
Well, I'm kind of a practical sort with an analytical bent, so my advice would be to research the crap out of the practical aspects of whatever you want to do. If you are hoping to make money at it, or at least practice your art without it being a financial drain, figure out how you're going to make it work. Is there a market for your art? Where is it? How much does your art cost to make? Can you get your money back out of it? How long will that take? Do you have the cash to invest in it? Can you afford to spend that cash right now? How much time can you give it right now (not just the creating part, but the selling/business part too) based on your other commitments? Scale it appropriately to where you are in life; starting small is OK--just get your bearings, and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Treat it as reconnaissance! A little intelligence gathering sortie--and if it snowballs into a full-fledged business, well, right on!! Talk to other artists, find out what this kind of commitment entails. Choose a selling venue that suits your personality, and when you're confident with that, start pushing your boundaries. "Follow your heart" and all that is fine advice, definitely do that, but frankly your heart is going to need help with things like pricing, marketing and record keeping.

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Tools.

Check out Keirsten's work at the links below:

ArtFire

Etsy

Blog

Summer Jewelry Challenge Prizes!

2010-06-26T15:16:00.000-04:00

How exciting! The prizes for the Fire Divas Summer Jewelry Challenge have been announced! All the details can be found here. Now you can see what incredible prizes are up for grabs!!

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com/ or http://www.lajewlerydesigns.etsy.com/

http://hollysfolly.com/ or http://www.artfire.com/users/hollysfollyglass

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://arensea.etsy.com/ or http://arensea.artfire.com/

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/ or http://www.teasebeads.etsy.com/

http://ahouston.etsy.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

Good luck to all who enter!!

Tuesday's Treasures - Maybeads

2010-06-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

This week's feature is Lauren Mazursky. Lauren creates adorable critters out of glass. Here work is amazingly life-like & adorable at the same time. Her critters put a smile on my face every time! :-) I mean, who wouldn't smile when looking at these:

Let's get to know Lauren better.....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

In terms of my beads - probably "kid-like".

2. What role does your family play in your art?

My kids will give me bead ideas and critiques (they go pretty easy on me, although once my daughter picked up a cat focal I'd made and she made it talk and say "hello, my face is too small for my head."). My girls are all to happy to give the "rejects" homes in their bead collections, though. My younger daughter is a bit of a promoter for me, too - she wears the chokers I make with my beads on them. She also gives them as gifts. In terms of the business part of my art, my husband is my photo sizer and business card maker, so he plays a large role. He's a printer, so he does the graphics for my cards and prints them.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

I live in a northwest suburb of Chicago. It's a pretty typical suburb. My kids walk to school. We have great neighbors. It's just right for us.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?

I learned lampworking in a beginner class at TLD Design Center in Westmont, IL, about 40 minutes from my house. I have since taken one more class that involved incorporating new things onto beads, like silvered ivory, murrini, copper and wire mesh. My critters are mostly self-taught. I learned a couple from tutorials (penguins and cows), and the rest I just kind of made up on my own. They're always evolving, though.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

About 2 1/2 years.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

Lately I'm inspired by dogs. I'll see someone walking their dog and I just want to get to my torch to see if I could make it into a bead.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Keep on practicing your art, and find something that makes it unique. But be sure it's also something you enjoy doing.

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Wow - I'd love to invest in the set-up for an actual studio. My torching area is pretty basic, and I stand up to torch. I'd love to work it so I can sit and have a larger supply of gas and have everything more organized. And I'd also buy some more exotic types of glass.

You can see more of Lauren's work at:

Etsy

Blog

Flowers On My Mind

2010-06-16T17:43:00.000-04:00

So I didn't get my mother's green thumb and a gardener I'll never be :-( but I'm lucky to have great natural lighting in my house or my indoor plants would die as well. ;-)

What I can do though is make GLASS flowers! And they last a lifetime without watering!

Here are 2 sets I just uploaded to my Etsy and ArtFire shops. Tell me what you think.

Tuesday's Treasures - Andrea Designs

2010-06-15T23:03:00.000-04:00

Andrea Wagner is an accomplished knitter and crocheter. I love her use of color and texture in her designs!

Let's get to know Andrea better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

Being positive.

2. What role does your family play in your art?

My husband is really supportive of what I do. Sometimes he could be the hardest critique. That helps me to really put my feet on the ground. But he lets me be. We just moved to Indiana. This is a new house and it has a basement the size of the house( 3 bed, 2 bath) minus the 2 car garage. The whole thing is my studio, that I am preparing, including the floor and walls, to my liking.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

A month ago we moved from El Paso, Texas to Batesville, Indiana. Love the place. It's a small town with about 6,000 people (El Paso is about 600,000 inhabitants) 60 miles away from Indianapolis ( El Paso was to the East 800 miles about 8-10 hours driving to Dallas, driving to the West about 4 hours to Albuquerque, NM, and about 5 hours to Phoenix, AZ), and 50 miles away from Cincinnati, OH. It is a lot of green. Across our cul-de-sac is the woods. I am in love with the place.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?

I learned to knit in High School using two needles and crochet. When I was in my first year of college my cousin gave me classes on the knitting machine. I started making a sweater. From the basics I was able to self teach how to make skirts, dresses, pants. Later on I got a job as a Singer machine instructor. I was trained to use the different tools the knitting machine has and how to use them when preparing a garment. I provide that information to my students for them to create sweaters, baby dresses etc.

When I got married and came to the States, my husband got for me as a wedding present, a knitting machine. The thing was so simple. I could not work with it. That was 22 years ago. During the time I did not work I still crocheted some dollies, but I was missing my knitting machine until I got a new one like I used to have. I was already working in my daily job as a Call Center supervisor, and I was dreaming to have a small business to run from home using my knitting machine to create shawls, baby clothing, and scarves. The first scarf I made using the knitting machine I did not like at all. I was looking for a product that will be good looking and soft to the touch. I bought several yarns in the internet that I liked, but they were not to be used in my knitting machine. Then I started to use my two needles again and I was able to create amazing scarves and ponchos for my customers. Unfortunately I never took a photo of them. Now I am able to dare to try new thing like painting, love to making greeting and business cards, jewelry, and always open to learn new things.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

More than 10 years.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

I receive my inspiration from everything that is around me, nature, people, situations, places, the nature in general.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Never give up. The first time you fail doing or creating something, keep trying. That is not a failure, that’s called experience, if we learn from it.

I have three step I always follow if I don’t get things right the first time:

1. 5 minutes of feeling sorry for myself or probably getting upset

2.Thinking what I could change. If not possible, look for new alternatives

3. Chin up and continue working in the new project

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Yarn, Yarn and more Yarn, some beads, probably another knitting machine, I have already two, and more yarn…

Here are some links where you can find Andrea's wonderful products:

Fire Divas June Summer Challenge!

2010-06-14T14:33:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's our monthly bead challenge time again. This month the Divas made glass beads with summer in mind. You can vote on the right side of the Fire Divas blog for the next seven days. Now, let's take a peek at this month's entries:

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Tuesday's Treasures - the Fire Divas - Part II

2010-06-08T12:28:00.000-04:00

To reiterate from last week.....

The Fire Diva s were created by a group of friends with a passion for creating lampwork beads. The Fire Divas' main objective is to work together to promote each other individually and as a Team on this big world wide web. Our members have shops on etsy, artfire &/or 1000 markets.

So, now that you've met some of my friends and teammates, let's meet the rest! :-)

Karen Klomparens:

Lara Lutrick:
(Her shop is on vacation so I've shared a sold listing of hers)

Sonja McClung:

Susan Lambert:

Susanne Folin:

Tera Belinksy-Yoder:

Theresa Ehlers:

Hope you enjoyed the eye candy! Search for Fire Divas Team on etsy and artfire for more glassy goodness from us all!

2010-06-01T14:20:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's Treasures - Essensu

2010-05-25T23:06:00.000-04:00

I first 'met' (virtually, that is) Tami Abiuso of Essensu on Plurk. She has great insight and has an amazing skin care product line! You can practically smell the luscious scents through the monitor! My mouth is watering from that second photo!

Let's get to know Tami better......

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

What a great question and not so easy to answer I might add. I'm not sure how those who know me would answer this, but for myself, what defines me, is my inner desire and search for the inspiration available to us in each new day. Making sure I'm being attentive and grateful for everything in my life. Everyday, I'm grateful to be able to share in the splendor of Mother Nature's abundance, which in turn, drives me to live passionately. Perhaps, living passionately is what defines me.

2. What role does your family play in your art?

They certainly enjoy being able to test my new skin care formulas before they hit the market, and are always eager to give their feedback. However, I'm also a writer and they encourage me to continue to write and make time for it.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

Actually, I live in a town voted as one of the Top 100 best places to live! Indeed it is. My home itself is on the woods, which is filled with wild turkeys, deer, bunnies, red fox, owls, a rare woodpecker and all the other small animals common to wood areas. We have a chipmunk family living in the step on our deck. I enjoy watching them flit about and they come up to the windows to say hi.

Our town itself was settled along a canal and we have a wonderful bike trail connecting our town to all the surrounding towns. I enjoy taking long bike rides and running along it. The area is bustling in the summertime, with plenty of eateries and ice cream parlor right on the canal. The town sponsors many activities like outdoor jazz nights, car "shows" with cookouts, craft weekends, etc. all back-dropped by our scenic canal.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?

I've been an herbalist for over 25 years, and enjoy dong medical research. These two passions combined when I became aware of skin and body care products having unfriendly ingredients for our skin and our environment. As I looked for an herbal solution for bug bites for instance, I learned what essential oils to include in a skin cream to help alleviate the itching. Deciding to create a natural skincare line was a natural progression for me. I do often consult with industry professionals when deciding on a particular formula, and all are rigorously tested before being introduced to the line.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

I began my actual skincare line in 2003.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

Nature of course. Even with my writing, nature always inspires me. I'm awed by the magnificence of its perfection and power.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Follow your heart or gut feeling. When you get that "ah ha" feeling, you know you have something. But the process getting there should be enjoyed as well. I believe if you follow your passions, whatever they are, you won't spend much time on the wrong path. Our inner guide is our inspiration. Get inspired, and be inspired. Then share your inspiration.

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

I'm drawn to bottles and jars and lids and caps for my products. I love thinking about new packaging and the look of my line. I also have a personal desire to help battered woman and their children. We have a woman's shelter which is always in need of shampoo and soap, etc. I'd be inclined to use the money to fund as many bottles as I could fill with product, to donate to them. It wouldn't fill the need for supplies indefinitely, but it would provide a positive contribution to a very real need in the community, if even short term.

What an inspiration! Here are some links where you can find Tami's wonderful products:

500 Facebook Fans!!!

2010-05-24T18:52:00.000-04:00

WOOHOO!!!! 500 fans! Cause for a celebration! With every purchase from either my etsy or AF shop for the next week, you can select a similar or lesser value item for 50% off! Sale ends a week from today, on Memorial Day, May 31st!!!

Must include "500 fans" in the notes in order to get the discount! Will refund the difference thru paypal!

LA Jewelry Designs on ArtFire
LA Jewelry Designs on Etsy

2010-05-20T21:00:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's Treasures - Beadlady5

2010-05-18T15:31:00.000-04:00

Margo is the guildmaster for the AJDJSS guild on ArtFire. Besides spending much of her time promoting our members, she's a very talented jewelry designer. Many of her designs have a lovely vintage feel to them.

Let's get to know Margo a little better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

I think my strong sense of humor combined with my positive attitude is what defines me more than anything else as a human being. These 2 attributes have been my strongest survival skills and have helped me to continue to be pro active in everyday life.

2. What role does your family play in your art?

My family is quite supportive of my creative endeavors. They give me their honest feedback about my creations. My husband and younger son help me with my craft fairs by assisting me to set up, by bringing me breakfast, then lunch, and they also help with the clean up.

My husband is in charge of having my orders shipped properly. It is a comfort to have their help.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

I live in Staten Island, NYC for over 30 years now. Recently, we moved into a 2 family home so my mother could live in the apartment to be closer to me.

I love living here because we have Manhattan close by with all the wonderful things it offers--yet, we also have the peacefulness of a suburban haven.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?

I am self taught. I come from a family of creative "genes" and am lucky that these genes have been passed onto me. I have been a crafter all my life--from knitting, crocheting, needle work, macrame, quilling, faux painting, and more.

I became interested in the art of jewelry design and creation when I needed a necklace for a dress I bought for a wedding. Couldn't find anything that I liked and prices were a bit outrageous for the necklaces. After looking over how a few necklaces were made I felt that I could make my own necklace. Off to Barnes and Nobles I went to check out the books on jewelry design and creation and this is how my wonderful creative journey began.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

It is almost 7 years now and I find it quite amazing that I still have so much more to learn and so much more to create.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

My inspiration comes from:

1. The beads, cabochons, filigrees, and jewelry supplies in general. When I see beads or other supplies that I like I start creating immediately in my mind.

2. The pieces of jewelry worn by people in my everyday activites, T.V., movies, and magazines. I like to take a design that I have admired and recreate it in my "style" and

3. Repurposing old jewelry pieces.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Enjoy your process of creation. Try very hard not to allow others opinions deter you from doing what you love to do. Remember the saying "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"--it is true for you!

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful thought! I would so love shop for vintage beads, cabochons, stones, cameos, filigrees, etc.--I guess you can see that I am now in "A Vintage State of Mind"!

ArtFire

Etsy

Zibbet

Fire Divas May Flowers Challenge!

2010-05-16T21:11:00.000-04:00

This month's bead challenge theme is May Flowers. We got lots of entries this time around! Take a look below at all the incredible flower themed beads, then go to the Fire Divas blog & place your vote for your favorite on the right side of the page.

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5
Entry 6

Entry 7

Entry 8

Entry 9

Entry 10

Entry 11

Entry 12

Entry 13

Thanks for voting!!!