Sangria! YUM!

I ADORE sangria and so does my husband.  We've been sipping sangria for years.  Usually, I just kind of throw some lemonade...wine...brandy...fruit...and assorted other items that I have on hand and let them soak overnight.  SO...for YEARS...that was my method.  Finally, I decided to go ahead and follow a recipe and I have found THE perfect recipe..ready?


PERFECT SANGRIA EVERY TIME!!!


There. You. Go.

Bubble Jewelry!

I found these AMAZING glass bubble beads a year or so ago, and stashed them away, along with so many others that I'll "get to some time."  Yes, my studio is ... interesting.  OK, I'm a bead hoarder.  SO...what do you think?  I am loving these new designs!  You can see more at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KarmaBeads

Etsy Relevancy Search Tool

Last week, Etsy rolled out a new search mechanism (new to them)...entitled "Relevancy."


There's been a lot of buzzing noises in the Etsy forums, lots of complaints, and, frankly, I've been really watching my listing and stats, and have tweaked my listing and my tags to make my shop more "relevant"" but I honestly can't make heads or tails of it.

With that said..I LOVE IT.  No longer will we have to open an Etsy search to find the same sellers dominating the first page EVERY TIME.  The little guys are getting some attention.  In the past, those who could afford to re-list, and re-list could do so and push out the people who couldn't afford to, and relied on their fresh listings to stay front page, albeit for only 10 minutes or so.


I've loved rediscovering some of the other glass sellers who have ORIGINAL ideas, no more decal-topped dichroic crap.  If that's what you like...search for it.  Otherwise, don't shove it down our throats.  


LOVE. 


Well played, Etsy! 

PINK!

as much as I love the sunflowers...I'm torn...these precious pink pendants look like tiny pondscapes...teeny tiny lily pads. <3

Sunny Sunflower Fused Glass Pendant

EEK I am LOVING this design!  I made one as a test piece and wore it out to dinner last night and the waitress bought it! haha!  I made 10 more! <3

Wire Wrapped Tree of Life

I got a lovely email yesterday from a lady who needed a cherry tree.  She has just retired from a long career and wanted to treat herself! I was so flattered.  I made this precious tree, with K.D. Lange singing in the background of my studio.  Life is good.

Fossil Vitra - A Fused Glass Technique

I have a fascination with Gingko leaves.  No idea why, maybe it's their color, or their interesting shape...not sure, but I love them.

I was out on a nature walk along Lansing's Rivertrail, and I came upon my favorite Gingko tree.  It's like running into an old friend. So, I admired her beauty for a while, and gently removed a few of her leaves from inconspicuous places.

SO excited, I came down to my glass studio, and went to work.  I coated this leaf with various colors of powdered glass (frit) and fused this leaf right into some black glass.  This is a test piece.  Now, I'm off to have some REAL fun with this technique and the rest of my gingko leaves!  stay tuned. <3

C1D1

In "17 Day Diet" lingo, that means that I am Cycle 1, Day 1. 

And...I rocked it.  :)  I did very well, if I don't say so myself.  No cheats, I ate all my food, cooked from scratch annnnnnnnnnnnn............

........swam 10 laps in the High School pool.  I've never been known for doing anything half-assed, and this is no exception.

 In other news, I made these two beauties today.

This purple swirly one is amazing in person, sometimes pictures just do not do justice to glass...

...but the blue one?   The pic does it justice.  It's THAT pretty.

Sweet dreams, chickymonkeys.

The 17 Day Diet

I'm jumping on board.

I caught a glimpse of myself in a window at church and it was...well...shocking!

I'm a big fat fatty, and, while, yes, I have been recovering from the back surgery from hell, it's no longer an excuse! 

So, tomorrow begins my new diet and exercise regimen...here goes!

Wish me luck.  I'll document my progress!

can you look at another? please?

cannot.stop.making.vases!