Mothers Day Auction with Handmadeology

So, I got this in my email, to submit items for a Mothers day auction on a site called Tophatter. Its a Mothers day auction by handmadeology and they will pick 40 items from shops submitted. I submitted my shop but who knows. It would be nice to be picked but I'm certainly going to check out this site and might even try a few things. I've been slowly hearing more and more mentioned about it. SO, have you tried the site? Do you like it? I will post back at a later time and let you know how it went for me. If you happen to stop over there, look for me and perhaps you might even find something to bid on...who knows! If you are looking for a unique one of a kind Mother's day gift for mom this year, be sure to check out our live Mother's Day Auction on May 5th. Join us during this live and exciting auction event where you will discover 40 handcrafted items that moms will love!

Been that long already?

Wow, its hard to believe its been 5 months since I last posted here! Time flies when your having fun.....at least that is what they say. LOL I'm still here doing the same things, working around the house, making beads, tending to the chickens and garden, home schooling our 9 year old, and so much else that comes with being a mom. We did get to the Glass Crafters show in Las Vegas the beginning of April. It was really great, a well needed vacation and an opportunity to buy some needed supplies and cool stuff! I got some "new to me" glass, some tools and the most awesome button mold! I wanted a button mold, it was on my list of things to buy but this one......this is awesome! I've been using it to make headpins! LOL Headpins you say? Yes, it has the coolest shapes or should I say cavities. A total of 8 of them, with 4 on each side. I love to make glass headpins and this makes them a little different and really cool. Want to see a picture? ok......

Cute aren't they! They are much larger than I usually make and it gives more room to play! They are fairly easy to make. I cut my copper (my fave to use) or brass, clip in a hemostat, heat up the tip. Careful on brass cause it sparks if you heat too much. I just give it enough heat for the glass to stick. Copper, well I melt the tip a tiny bit, it will start to ball and then I add the glass. add glass, shape,more glass,shape to desired and give a good heat again and pop in kiln. Try not to heat too much at the base so you don't melt the headpin. Also, make sure you have enough glass between the tip and the tip of the metal. The first time I made them I had copper showing oops!! Well, I will definitely work on being more regular here and maybe next time I will snap a few pics of the progress of our yard. We have been here almost 2 years now and it really feels like home now! Got the kids a swimming pool, its a 12 x 30 but it is perfect for the little ones....and even our new baby chihuahua zoe likes it. Till next time, sue

A little taste of some new work

I just purchased a tutorial, now I'm not one to do this normally but it was such a great price and the shop is filled with wonderful tutorials and goodies! I now have 3 of their tutorials and have tried 2 so far.......what fun! They are also very clear on what you need and what you need to do. Awesome results for such a great price.......SO, have I peaked your curosity? want to see the beads I've done?

These are from the Modern Milan tutorial. I have more but showing the Rustic Onyx tutorial but I can't get the pictures to load so just the two for now but if you want to see more you can always head over to my etsy shop for a peek!
Now I bet you are wondering what etsy shop? Well, here is a link........go have a look, but please, dont buy them all, there are still some I want!! :) Lampwork Tutorial Glass Bead TUSCAN SUMMER Button by radiantmind http://etsy.me/uGu0N7
Till later,
Sue

Almost October, really?

Wow, I can't believe its October tomorrow! I've been so busy and time has just flown right by. We put in a koi pond and I've been working in the garden, veggies and flowers. We also have 3 new chickens, olive eggers. They came to stay with us on my
birthday in August. They are just getting to the point where they will follow me if they are hungry for something other than bugs. They free range all day but seem to enjoy their food at breakfast, lunch and dinner time LOL
They have also influenced my work a bit lately. I've made a few chicken pendants and chicken sets. I love how the pendants came out. Here, have a look

and another

And a few sets

Most are listed in my etsy shop already, with exception to the black with ochre dotted pendant, that hasn't been listed yet.
So, now you know a little of what i've been up to. You can see some flowers and new headpins listed also. I've been working on sunflowers and chili's for custom orders lately so keep an eye out and you may see the extras listed soon....I always over make to be sure there is plenty of choices with a custom order :)
Thanks for stopping by,
Sue
aka glassymom

August HOT Fest BLOG GIVEAWAY

Links: Giveaway Page http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-hot-fest-blog-giveaway.html

Mad's Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadScientistsDesigns?ref=pr_shop_more



Our FEST Blog Giveaway for August is a sensational Lily Inspired Dragonfly Hug Ring by MadScientistsDesigns . Mad uses beautiful antique copper to fashion her whimsical jewelry masterpieces. Her creative and lifelike representations are fanciful and exotic and this wonderful Dragonfly Ring is no exception. It conforms to your finger, is adjustable and comfortable with wings that hug your finger and a tail with a fanciful curl.

Mad loves designing jewelry to match steam punk and goth fashion and also is committed to rescuing cats and giving them a good home. She initially started selling on Etsy to help pay for their food and care and this charitable endeavor has blossomed into her wonderful Etsy Shop with so many fabulous offerings such as the Vacuum Tube Necklace pictured below.

HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win by visiting Mad at MadScientistDesigns or any of the FEST Team members in the Member Section. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 09/05/11. Simple and Easy! Open to EVERYONE!

Made in Slovenia

Every now and again I get to chatting with a new customer. Most I will never meet but chatting over the internet you still get to feel you know them. On occasion one of those customers will share their work too! In this case I had the opportunity to chat with a woman from Slovenia and had the pleasure of seeing her work. Milojka sent me pictures of a few pieces she made with some of my spacers she purchased and also some work without. Her work is beautiful! She doesn't sell on line yet but if you are interested in her work you can reach her here:studiomkl16@gmail.com and she now has a facebook page for you to check out!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-mkl/211453558902794
Here are a few of her pieces............

This last one is definetly my favorite, I love the purple!
Till next time,
Sue aka glassymom

July Sizzling Summer FEST GIVEAWAY

Summer is sizzling and so is our FEST Blog Giveaway for July from GardenWhimsiesByMary . Mary has combined her love of gardening with decorating and producing gorgeous unexpected treasures to add whimsy to your garden. Her pieces are one of a kind garden art and so colorful and fun as seen in this month’s Giveaway - a Sapphire Blue Petite Plate Flower.
Mary stacks plates for “flower” garden stakes and fits them with a holder on the back so they can be set on a copper pipe and placed anywhere. Her amazing talent for combing colors and textures is evident in all of her works of art. An added benefit is her love for bringing new life to objects that might otherwise find themselves in a landfill. Treat your garden to a touch of Whimsy!

HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Team FEST blog and Enter to win by visiting Mary at GardenWhimsiesByMary or any of the FEST Team members listed in the Member Section. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 08/07/11. Simple and Easy!

The giveaway is open to everyone!!

Blog Link to Giveaway: http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-sizzling-summer-fest-giveaway.html
GardenWhimsiesByMary shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GardenWhimsiesByMary?ref=pr_shop