Whats New!

Boy am I slacking here lately. I've been busy with some custom orders, shops and also my facebook fan page and I get so side tracked. I get SO side tracked it isn't funny! LOL I have found myself mid listing an item on etsy and gotten up to get one of the kids a drink and started dinner, totally forgetting what I was doing! Any hoo, I wanted to let you know that I am having a small contest/drawing on my fan page. I have posted a picture of an item. I want you to tell me what you think it is! If you are wrong thats ok! I'm going to put you in a drawing to win. If you are right thats ok too, I'm going to give you two entrys!! Its that simple. Oh, and it started yesterday, Sept 11th. You have a week until Sept 18th. Thats it! More details are on my fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fragiacomo-Glass-Art/44067793484?ref=ts So pop on over and join my fan page and then enter my little contest!!

Till later,
Sue aka glassymom!

New work for September

So, I have some new sets that I'm really liking! I've made 2 sets already but havne't listed them anywhere yet. I like them so much I keep thinking I'd like to make something for myself LOL

Look, arent they bright and colorful?! I love them!! The set on the left looks washed out but they are just as bright as the ones on the right........my picture taking skills stink some days! LOL

They are fun to make and they are the bright colors I just LOVE to use!!

So, what do you think? Make more? Keep some? LOL decisions decisions!! LOL

Serving you!

I just love when I get the opportunity to see the beautiful designs created with beads I have made! Joan Baker of Baker Designs sent me a picture of the serving fork and knife that she has made with some of my beads. Wow, how bright and fun these are!!


Joan also makes really great bracelets that are bright, bold and fun!! I just love what she can do with my beads. Joan has just opened an etsy shop and has some really great bracelets in her shop, stop by and take a look!! http://joanlbaker.etsy.com/

Thanks for stopping by,

Till next time

Sue aka glassymom

August Already?

Wow, did July fly by or what?! I can't believe today is August 1st. Soon the kids will be going back to school. I have been so busy that I hadn't even noticed how quick the month was going by. We have Busch Gardens passes so we go almost each week. We have also been doing a bit of work around our house, and in between I have been working on the torch and also playing with copper. Trying new things is fun. I've been drawing on copper to be etched. I had lots of little copper drawings just sitting on my desk waiting to be etched. Last night was the night. A few came out great, one definetly not so great. Either way it was fun! Now over the next few weeks I will turn them into jewelry. I've also tried fusing copper. I like it! I soldered a piece for a pendant I made, YUCK! SO I started wondering what to do to cover that icky silver look and came up on a thread on Lampworketc.com about fusing copper. COOL. No icky lines, easy to do and came out great.......want to see? Ok! So what do you think?
Pretty cool, can't even tell can ya? Its down there at the pointed end. Hanging on there is a shell with little barnicles, a beach glass bead and a swarovski crystal. It all hangs by the copper ring.
Its not listed anywhere, I haven't finished enjoying it yet. LOL
So, this is what I've done with most of my summer, how about you? Are you ready for back to school? Did your summer just fly by? Did you get everything you wanted done? We still have a bit of time left and I think I have a few more things I want to try, we'll see. Right now I think I'm just going to go sit outside and enjoy all the flowers blooming in my yard and watch the squirels pick the heads off whats left of my sunflowers! LOL
Till later,
Sue aka glassymom

New work, new ideas!

New work, lots of it. It just piles up on my desk waiting for photos and listings! That stuff takes so much time and I'd SO rather be creating! LOL Seems everytime I go to use my camera the batteries are dead and once they are done charging the good light is gone. So the new work sits here waiting!

Lately I have lots of new ideas! My sketch book is smoking hot with all the little sketches! Not all I can imagine can I acomplish at the torch, unfortunately. Sometimes I just can't do it. I would imagine that some is my level of skills and some I just haven't figured out the correct way to start. It will come to me tho, usually at like 2am when I dont have my sketchbook by my bed or someone ran off with my pen! I'll scurry to the living room where my chihuahuas are sleeping and the'll think its morning and I'll have to take them out quick. Hopefully not waking anyone in the process.

I've had the urge for buttons lately. They are fun to make and I have been getting carried away with them. They are getting bigger each time. I keep trying to think of a way to use them other than the usual way to use a button, nothing good yet tho!

SO, this is some of what I took out of my kiln this am! I just love how they all look together, all the bright colors!! YUM

The ones on the bottom right, new idea.......not what I'm wanting to do but I'm practicing before I get there. Some earing pairs, 3 buttons, a big hole star type bead, a heart oh and 2 cabachons!They are so much fun to make!! The top one on the left has a pretty pink flower made with a CIM glass! YUM, what a pretty pink that is!!

So, I guess i've rambled enough. Most of these will be listed in my Etsy shop or Artfire shop with in the next few days since I was able to photo them tonight. A couple are already listed just before writing this. So I hope you like them, all bright and colorful. Have a great weekend.

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

FEST July Team Give away!!!

So, this month is my beads up for give away!! http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/2009/07/july-fest-team-giveaway.html Go here and take a look, enter and maybe you'll win them!!

A set of 5 lentils, wound on a 1/16 mandrel. Bright and fun, ready for summer!!

So, go ahead, take a peek look around too, there are alot of great artists on the FEST team!!

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

Earth Tones Large hole lampwork beads : glassymom - ArtFire Glass

Earth Tones Large hole lampwork beads : glassymom - ArtFire Glass

Shared via AddThis

And the winner is.....................................

Ok not quite yet! I wanted to show you the pictures, every opportunity for a photo shoot! LOL
The entries, written, folded and then drawn by my now 7 year old Tony on his birthday today!
He wanted to know what he won for doing it!! Kids.............

And the winner..................Allison! So Allison, please contact me at glassymom43@aol.com or comment on here with your email so I can get this Necklace off in the mail to you monday!

Thanks everyone and hopefully we can do this again soon!

Sue aka glassymom

Freebees for you!

Do you like freebees? I do so while I was getting coupons and signing up for freebees ( a glade gift tin for today) I started thinking that maybe YOU might like some freebees! SO, here is where I go. Today's Free List!To check out Today's List of 100% Real Freebies, just click on the link below, thanks and enjoy! http://www.shop4freebies.com
You can sign up to get on their list and each day they send you an email with freebees and you can check around their site. They have coupons to print, a forum where you can learn about more free things and more! I've gotten tons of free things from travel size items for our vacation to a free metal water bottle for earth day! Go ahead take a look and if you get any really good freebees be sure and let me know!! LOL
Bye till then,
Glassymom

The rules are:
1. Mention the name of the person who tagged you.
2. Do the lists of 8.
3. Tag 8 bloggers of your choice.
4. Let them know that they have been tagged!

I was tagged by Recreational Art http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6149781

Here we go....This tag is the eights:
Eight things I am looking forward to:

1. getting our shower finished (yea, its all torn appart, it was leaking)
2. getting started on our garden pathway
3. going to the beach this week. I havent seen the ocean in months!
4. getting school finished for the year with both boys
5. seeing a couple movies on my "want to see" list!
6. seeing our babys hard work pay off and her crawling for the first time! LOL
7. More time at the torch!
8. The best for last, seeing our grand daughter for the first time. She is due June 5!

.Eight things I did yesterday:
1. housework
2. played with the little ones
3. etched some beads
4. listed new beads in my etsy shop
5. played with baby girl at nap time and enjoyed a bit of quiet time
6. made dinner
7. visited with oldest son who stopped by (with laundry of course LOL)
8. enjoyed quiet time by myself to watch a show.

Eight things I wish I could do:
1. multitask better! LOL
2. spend more time at the torch!
3. Be more organized with my time!!!
4. Take a vacation without kids this year!
5. Move closer to my daughter
6. declutter, I'm such a pack rat!
7. Learn to make Jewelry
8. Travel more.

Eight Shows I watch:
1. CSI
2. CSI Miami
3. CSI NY
4. Criminal Minds
5. Two and a half men
6. Rules of Engagement
7. Eleventh Hour
8. Fringe

Eight Blogs I'm going to Tag:
1. http://kelleysbeads.blogspot.com/
2. http://debideauxdesigns.blogspot.com/
3. http://laurastaley.blogspot.com/
4. http://angelinabeadalina.blogspot.com/
5. http://ellecustomjewelry.blogspot.com/
6. http://girlfriday1962.blogspot.com/
7.http://fishbonesilver.blogspot.com/
8. http://carlottacreates.blogspot.com/

Creating, a messy studio and drawing for a free bead!

SO, how do you need to create? Is your studio messy and piled high with supplies or do you need everything in neat and tidy order to get started? Me, I'm messy!! There, I said it. I must have every color I own sitting on my desk. Every tool, there too! I think I need the mess, I think I need that view of all the colors mixed up on my work surface to view different color combos that might catch my creative eye! When I clean up (dust, bead release, or the occasional fried bug) I grab my rods, lift and then sweep the yuck into the trash below. Then I drop my glass, gently back down. There, done, cleaned. I spend more time cleaning the rest of the studio. Mind you I work in a 6' x 9' studio, sure doesn't take much time to clean. Inside our home is where I photograph and store my beads and yes, that work space looks the same. I have loads of beads that I use for photographing there and beads that have not yet been photographed. I also have a dish of beads that I put in a freebee with all my orders and beads awaiting the etching process. Yea, I guess I just need the messy to be creative.......I know where it all is, right here on my desk, atleast it was a moment ago!! LOL

So, what about the free bead you ask? Ok here it is....... Comment on this blog entry = 1 entry, tweet about this drawing and post link here to your tweet = 2 entries, Post on your blog or your facebook about it and post your link here =2 entries.

Drawing will be held June 12th . Which is actually this little guys birthday. Your name/entries will be put on little papers and this little guy will do the drawing, he just loves this kind of stuff!!

And what do you win?

This big hole slider with brass ball chain! Bead is 20mm across and comes on an 18 inch ball chain. If you would like a 20" and you are the winner, no problem, I'll throw in a couple more inches!! LOL

SO, comment, tell me about your messy/clean studio/work area or comment about mine. Tweet, blog or facebook about it and dont' forget to post the link so I can find it and on june 12th I'll tally up all the entries and find us a winner!!

Thanks for reading!

Sue aka glassymom

Gardening and a brown thumb

Ok thats got you curious has it? Yes, I admit it, I have a brown thumb.....but only when it comes to inside stuff. Well except for that one plant that sits in my bathroom. The more I neglect it the more it grows. Outside its a different story. I can plant and forget.....LOL Dh does the grass cutting and the watering so basically I plant, and oh yea, pull weeds.....what fun!

I've inclueded a few flower pictures from my yard. Now I have no clue what this is, it was in the section for butterflys almost 5 years ago. When we moved in I wanted to put in a butterfly garden so I picked purple, yellow and red plants and after 5 years the purple and red are still here.....the yellow died last winter. Never came back, cant blame that on me!!! SO I just got some impatients and planted those. I know the name of them because my nana has always had impatients around the house and I just love all the colors. And again, if I plant and then let dh take care of them they grow wonderfully!! LOL

Now since I just happened to mention brown...........as in brownies..........Here is a sneek pic of my latest desert. It isnt' listed anywhere yet, I'm still drooling over it! I just love brownies, well, pretty much anything that fits into the desert catagory. Although I'm not too into those little debbie type snacks.........well, except for the boston creme and the strawberry ones.....now those are good with a nice cup of coffee for breakfast! LOL ok, here is the brownie picture, no licking your screen ok!! LOL

New Beads, what do you think?

Ok, so I'm really liking this style of bead. So much so that this is what I wear. I have a 7 month old and she loves it too. I even made a few black and white ones for mine and she grabs them when ever I have it on. I am nursing so she can reach up and grab it and since it is on such a bulky ball chain she can yank as hard as she wants. The ball chain is actually recycled. When my daughter bought her house it had lots of vertical blinds. As I was helping her take down the living room blinds to replace with curtains I noticed the way you open was with this huge ball chain.....SO, I grabbed those and each time I help her put up curtains in replacement fo the blinds I scoff up the ball chains! Awesome! Just wish I could find more, they are so cool.

SO any hoo, these new beads........a customer convo'd me to ask if I'd make them with big holes for her hair, gladly since I am always up to something new. I sent her hers and since then I've been making them with the large holes too! SO, what do you think? Mine are small, only about 10mm-11mm wide. The new ones I have now on etsy (with brass ball chain) are about 17mm in length give or take a mm or two.

and this one. I still have a cobalt one to list but after a couple hours at the torch tonight working on orders I'm not quite up to listing! sorry, you'll have to wait and see.

So, do you love them? Hate them?? I do have a small set in my Etsy shop if you feel you can't live without them right at this moment. LOL They are a pea green I think.......and like the size I have. Oh, did I tell you that I make the murrini for these? I learned how to make them on Corrinas site. They are WAY cool to make.

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

I'm thinking desert!

So, lately I've been thinking deserts! So as not to put on too much weight I've instead been making them out of glass. No, it doesn't quite satisfy my desire for desert but it certainly satisfies my creative side. I love pudding, ice cream, cupcakes, you name it.

Ice cream is my favorite and as a family we seem to eat an aweful lot of it. I try to buy the fat free kind but sometimes they just dont make that flavor in fat free. I have been known to be so mesmerized by the ice cream isle that my husband has had to pull me out of the way of someone wanting to get in the freezer I'm in front of. Sure hope there wasn't too much drool on the door.........good thing it isn't ice cold.......you might find me with my tongue frozen to the door if it was!!

Na, just kidding LOL

mmm, so what next, I'm thinking brownies!!

Till then,

Sue aka glassymom

International Charm Day

I think this is a really neat idea! International Charm Day, April 28. Interested? you can find out more information here http://www.internationalcharmday.blogspot.com/ If you Follow her blog you may even recieve a charm from her!

How cool to just give out little charms you've made to brighten someones day. A smile goes a long way and I'm sure a charm would too!

So, go head over to her blog and see what its all about, maybe you too will want to celebrate International Charm Day!!

Have a great Sunday!

Sue aka glassymom

Good to be home!

Well yesterday we returned home from vacation. Five days spent in Las Vegas with 4 of our kids. It was stressful to say the least. I would never recomend taking kids to vegas unless they are ALL older. Our 6 year old was totally bored with most everything. Although we do have the cutest video of him dancing to the live band on Freemont Street. He didn't know I was filming him and he was going to town.....reminded me of the 70's with his funky dancing! It was so funny and I will probably hear myself laughing on the video when I finally upload it. We also have a 6 month old, she was fine. She loved the lights but is not crazy about loud sounds so in the video she has a bit of a fussy face. The two older ones seemed to enjoy themselves so that was good.

SO, now I am glad to be home! We arrived home at 3am sunday, Easter morning. Exhausted we got right to bed. I was definetly needing a creativity fix after a week of nothing but that certainly wasn't happening sunday! Today, finally........I got a 2 hour break and headed out to the torch. Its getting hot here already so dh had my ac cranked up and I was ready to roll.

I worked on another large group for The Hope Bracelet Project and then a few experiments and lastly a set of lentils. It felt SO good to get some of these ideas out of my head. (it gets kind of crouded in there sometimes) I still have other ideas and shame on me but I havne't written them down yet, oops. Hopefully I can get to the torch again tomorrow. Yes, it certainly is good to be home again. Vacation is nice but theres no place like home!

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

Last night was for HOPE

HOPE Bracelet Project that is! I have been slowly adding to my box of beads to send. Last night after I finished a couple I needed to finish sets I spent the rest of the time making beads for HOPE. Tonight if my honey isn't too tired from work I will leave him to watch the kiddos and I will work on more. I dont' usually work on the torch on the weekends but maybe this weekend I'll give it a try.

If you havent heard or want to help here is the link. http://www.kimmiles.com/hope-bracelet-project.html It is a wonderful feeling to help and this is my second year. There are so many different programs out there and I've found the one that I feel compelled to help with. I did make beads for Beads of Courage (another great way to help) and may soon again but for now I need to finish up my 100+ beads for HOPE! Check them out when you can. There are also some great pics of Kim Miles beads which are absolutly beautiful. Last year I received one of her hearts from the drawing they have after all the beads are sent in. I was SO thrilled to receive it!! So, go take a look and maybe you too will want to help!!

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

Yum Cupcakes!

A new picture of my fresh from the oven! Cupcakes, what fun. I like making cupcakes, not the kind that make a mess but taste so yummy but the kind that I make in the torch and then put in the oven (kiln) ! I'm not much of a cook in the kitchen but I can cook in my studio and its so much more fun! Although I do cook a nice batch of peanut butter cookies with my 6yo on occasion. So, here they are, fresh from the oven.........there is also a nice set of "festive rounds" and oh, the cutest little space ship burried under there. That is for a friend and a project of his, which I cant wait to see and I'm thrilled to be a part of! (thanks Terry!)

Thats it for now........got to get the little one going on some more school work.

Till later,

Sue aka glassymom

Morning All

So, I have finished this order for spacers to match the beads I make
How cool does this look!! I just had to put these here
for a splash of color!! These are for Joan from Baker
Designs (see post below) The match my beads that I make for her perfectly. I just LOVE all the bright colors. I guess because I'm not a very colorful person at home. My home is pretty netural colored, pale green in the living room and kitchen, beige in the bedroom and bathroom and netrual floors. Except for this brightly painted cabnet my dh made for me and I painted all wild. It sticks out like a sore thumb but I just love it. But maybe thats another post. So ENJOY!! Hope you have a very colorful day!!
Sue aka Glassymom

My beads in a bracelet!

WOW, Its so seldom that I get to see jewelry made with beads I've created. I dont know why that is but it is. Well Joan from Baker's Design sent me several pictures of bracelets she has made. They are beautiful and she really made me happy by sharing a few pictures! Joan doesn't have an Etsy shop yet.........but you can reach her at

Bakergsss1@aol.com if you are interested in finding out where she sells these beautiful bracelets! Thank you Joan!!

I do have 2 other customers that have been kind enough to send me pictures of their work but I lost everything on my computer a couple months ago.....actually the whole computer went kaput, so I dont have the pics they sent me, sadly. I do love to see what is made with the beads I create since I just dont' have that jewelry "eye" !!

Thanks Joan!!

Sue aka glassymom

Check this out and go give it a shot to win!

I'm a member of the FEST team (Florida Etsy Street Team) Here is their 5 FEST freebees for March. Want to win.........Its simple!!
Some really awesome shops and really neat stuff to win!

5 FEST Freebies - March
Welcome to the first ever 5 FEST Freebies! Each month, 5 talented members of the Florida Etsy Street Team (FEST) will give you the opportunity to win a piece of their handiwork for FREE! If you want to win one of the following 5 items, all you need to do is check out the Etsy shop of the person who made the item and leave a comment on the blog post for the item. Your comment must indicate which item in that shop is your favorite and why. That's it! On March 15th we'll randomly draw a winner from the comments for each item. Good luck!

Busy day!

Well today I didn't make it to the torch, we had family visit. My sister in law, neice and our son all came to visit today. I did get a little sewing done since I was working on it when they arrived. I'm making pillows for our vacation! LOL
This am I got my goodies out of the kiln, all brights, YUM!!! I have a bunch of spacers the last few days for a custom order, which is coming along nicely! I do have some pics of them fresh out of the kiln so I will post them in place of the "fresh from the oven" pic that I have up already.
I am having so much fun making the off mandrel pendants that joe showed how to make. They are a blast and come out so cool. I keep coming up with new ideas for color combos!
Tomorrow will be another day away from the torch. I'm going to visit my nana who is just diagnosed with Alsheimers. She has moved into an assisted living. We will be gone for the day since it is a 2 hour drive each way. I am hoping to get back on the torch friday, we'll see. In the mean time I'll just jot these little ideas down in my sketch book so I remember them!! In the between time watch for new listings in my Etsy store and my Artfire store....I'm determined to get a few things listed!!
Thanks for stopping by............
Sue aka glassymom

Hello there

Ok, bear with me.....this is my first time blogging!! I thought it might be nice to give it a try and maybe I might like it. Never know right?! Any hoo, I figure its a good place to get ideas of what others might like with colors I'm working on, bead designs I might have, things like that. Dh usually just nods his head with not a whole lot of input and the 6yo and 5 month old aren't too much help either!
So, I'm a stay at home mom of 5 kids ages 25, 21, 16, 6 and 5 months. I'm going to be a grandma for the first time this june!! I'm also a chihuahua mom of 2, Mr brutus and Mrs Prissy!
I've been lampworking for just over 3 years now and still get so excited like Christmas morning when I head out to the studio to see the goodies in my kiln!! I just LOVE being able to do glass work! Being creative is a nessary for me, absolutly have to do it! When I'm not on the torch I paint, sew, scrapbook, make soap and have been known to struggle with jewelry making!

I like to watch Joe from Avenuebeads.com over at justintv. He works live on a cam torching. Two nights ago I learned his way of off mandrel and I am just totally thankful to him!! His was is SO easy and I made 3 beautiful hearts right away. Thanks Joe!!
Ok, I thought it would be tough to find something to talk about the first time but I guess its not. LOL hopefully I can get some pics posted of my new stuff.......fresh out of the oven!!! YUM
Sue aka glassymom