Art After the 9 to 5 - Artisan Glass and Artisan Jewelry

I’m stuck in Tucson, AZ right now. All the snow in the Pacific Northwest has stopped me from getting home, which I was originally supposed to do Sunday.

Now it will be Christmas Day, at least.

I miss the glass! I miss home! Now that Dec. 21st is past and we are heading back towards the light, it’s time to start messing with Spring colors…but here I sit!

I have had some inspiration from the desert and of course, there are more projects I want to try than I have time for, but at least I can sit here and work on some things in my head. My aunt wants me to try to make a banana leaf, so that is a challenge I will have when I get home.

Others of you that are snowed or otherwise weathered in, what projects ARE  you doing to keep  yourself busy? Art? Cooking? Tell me!

juiceglass - Dusky Swirl Yin Yang, originally uploaded by juiceglass.

A new Yin Yang has been born. I just love them. This one worked out, unlike the ones in my post yesterday. When they do work, they are so worth it. Difficult, but my own design and style, and a goal to master so they never crack on me, unless I am being really flighty with my work while I create it!

I made three focal last night… and all of them failed by the time it was time to photograph. One cracked in the kiln, a long running issue I have with a certain design which ultimately is a room temperature problem, I think…one got put in the kiln too hot (to counter said temperature problem) and therefore has a kiln shelf imprint on it, rendering it useless, and the third I THINK I cracked doing the tube lining.

Waste of time? Not really. I still love working the glass even if the end result is not something I can sell. And I get better each time I make a bead. But still…I’m featured on the Beaders Showcase this week and wanted a few more focals up in the photos for people to peruse. I suppose I could still show some from a more “flattering” side, as they are still beautiful, just not sellable or usable.

I will have to go back tonight if I have time…and turn the heat on way before I go to work!

As part of a large promotion through Bead Art Originals, I am giving away a free pair of my snowball earrings.

We are doing the 12 days of BAO Holidays Giveaway, there is an entry a day, and mine is on the 5th. But check them all out and enter to win, you don’t even need an Etsy account! Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Snowball Earrings (Ends 12/05)

• Prize; Prize Value: Snowball Earrings; Worth $22
• End Date: Ends 12/05
• Can Be Won: Worldwide
• How Many Winners: 1 winner
• Etsy Account: Not Needed
• Prize From or Submitted by: juiceglass.etsy.com

Rules / Other Information: “Browse the Bead Art Originals listings for a BAO creation in your favorite color, and then leave a comment on the blog post for the Day 5 giveaway”

juiceglass - Pink Beach Bracelet, originally uploaded by juiceglass.

A little bracelet I made, and put on my etsy shop. I had some time to play so I made something a little more intricate than usual, and I really enjoyed it!

She won the snowman poll!

Round noses it is!

Simple one this time, winner gets a free snowman bead! Let me know what nose you think is best! =)

juiceglass - Snowball Earrings, originally uploaded by juiceglass.

I have started making my own earwires! It is really fun and easy. I hope to do it for my earrings most of the time, now, unless someone needs surgical steel…those are still store bought.

I hope these sell, they are so fun to make and my window for making them is seasonally so limited!

Bead Art Originals Items of the Week (Nov 10-16), originally uploaded by Sand Fibers.

New Bead Art Originals Items of the week! Check out all the lovely work!

Click here for lovely artisan work!

juiceglass - Nautical Stone Focal, originally uploaded by juiceglass.

Fresh up on my Etsy site!
I have another of these to list, and one I am making for a good friend. Hopefully I will get the other one listed this afternoon.

It’s been so rainy here, but the gloom hasn’t gotten me down yet. Ask me again in February!

I love this style of bead. I keep evolving it, but I need to keep making them the ways I have as I go along, to flesh out my style. But I am really enjoying where my work is going. I feel I am finally coming into my own in terms of my own style.