Recipe for Success - A Glass Artists Collaboration - Lampwork Glass Necklace

I am a member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team and as such I have become involved in a collaboration project with Kristy Kempinger of chickadee beads. We traded beads a couple months ago and combined them with our own creations to create a collaboration item to sell.
Here is what I came up with.

Base of ivory, rolled in raku frit then decorated with raku and turquoise are the ingredients and recipe for the gorgeous focal bead created by Kristy Kempinger of chickadeebeads. Add to this the deep azure blue and turquoise spacer beads and the turquoise and raku nugget dangle created by me and it is a recipe for success.The hammered antiqued brass chain and flower clasp set off the focal and inspire visions of scenic rural flower gardens in bloom and cool flowing waterways. The focal measures 30mm x 45mm and the total length of the necklace is 29 inches. Kristy and I are both members of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team - and Lampwork Etc Street Team.

Our Pergola is DONE! Yeah!

Hi... we had a busy weekend. I weeded the (almost) whole yard and Dale finished the pergola. James and Joshua helped him. It is really nice and we sat out there last evening. It is great to have a place to sit out of the sun during the day. So here are the pictures. Hi mom!

Oh and we used the curtains from the original pergola as well. They are just pulled back so you can't see them. The star is a bargain we found at Jo-Ann's and we were going to put it on the wall beside the pergola but you really can't see it there. I think it looks really nice on the side of the house.

EGA Collections - Good Things in Small Packages

It’s true good things do come in small packages. With one purchase you can get a sample of 8 artists work.

The Etsy Glass Artists (EGA) have put together a selection of sample sets for our summer promotion, a celebration of all things glass. Each collection will include 8 pieces. By one of 12 artists. The collections are composed of jewelry, gifts and designing components. Priced well below their value, it is a wonderful way to try out a variety of glass pieces. Shipping is included in the price of the EGA Collection and each participating artist has a different collection so be sure to check them all out.

The members participating are as follows:

http://www.studiomarcy.etsy.com
http://www.paulasstressart.etsy.com
http://www.shoozles.etsy.com
http://www.dogmawglass.etsy.com
http://www.chickadeebeads.etsy.com
http://www.groovyglassgirl.etsy.com
http://www.rwillisglassartist.etsy.com
http://www.monkeyblues.etsy.com
http://www.protege.etsy.com
http://www.flamekist.etsy.com
http://www.mycabincreations.etsy.com
http://www.susansheehan.etsy.com

To see all of the collections available search for “egacollection” or “egacollections”

EGA would like to thank Susan Sheehan for all her hard work putting the glass collections together and organizing this project.

written by "shoozles"

Keychain, Vintage Keys, and Pendants

Here are a few items that I just listed in my Etsy store this morning. they are all 10% off this week only, so hurry! Have a great day! Pam

New Bead Sets Today - Itty Bitty and Teenie Weenie! :)

Here they are for today. The sapphire blue and the copper green sets are tiny. Go to my store to see just how tiny they are. Have a great day! Hi MOM!

Lampwork Etc. Street Team Sale‏

Happy first day of Summer!

I am a member of the Lampwork Etc. Street Team on Etsy - LEST for short, and members of the team are having a summer sale. My shop is having a 10% off everything sale this week. Here is the info, so go get some great bargains! Thanks

Look for discounts between 10-20% off select items from participating LEST members! This sale will run from June 21 through June 28. Simply search for the term LEST TEAM SALE.

And of course - here is the link to my shop www.MyCabinCreations.etsy.com

I can give you the discount before you purchase, just convo me. Or I can give you the refund after you pay. Either way is great!

Texas Cake, Pergolas and Chickens

We went to a retirement party last Saturday and I made this cake. Mom used to make it all the time when we were growing up and it is sooooooooooo yummy. It is really rich and chocolatey and makes alot so I don't dare make it very often. Hope you like it too.

Texas Cake
2 c. sifted flour
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
2 sticks margarine
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 cup water
Mix flour, sour cream, salt, sugar, baking soda and eggs.
In a pan - bring to boil margarine, cocoa, and water.
Add boiled mixture to dry ingredients.
Mix well and pour into a greased and floured cake pan ( I used a sheet pan)
350 deg for 35 minutes.

Frosting
1 box powdered sugar ( I used a two pound bag) YUM
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. pecans (walnuts are good too)
1 stick margarine
4 tbsp. cocoa
6 tbsp. milk
Mix sugar, vanilla and pecans.
Bring to boil - margarine, milk and cocoa.
Add to dry ingredients.

So here is what my husband worked on last night. We had a pergola up from Walmart that lasted a whole month before the monsoon Utah desert winds blew it to smithereens. What a waste. So we (Dale) are building the industrial strength model. We have one like it on the other side of the house where the grill is and it has been there probably 7 years now. This one is going to have some of the "pieces" of the Wally world model incorporated into it, so it won't be a total waste of money. I can't wait! He is sooo talented!
While I am at it. Here is the gift I took to the party. She really liked it. I made the chicken and got the mug from a fellow etsier - Mudfairy. It was sooo cute.

Whimsical, Rustic and Oh So Charming - Artisan Lampwork Glass Necklace - A Glass Artists Collaboration

I am a member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team and as such I have become involved in a collaboration project with Kristy Kempinger of chickadeebeads. We traded beads a couple months ago and combined them with our own creations to create a collaboration item to sell. I am still working on my projects so continue to check back for that as well. So here is Kristy's creation and her description of it. It is just beautiful.

I love combining a little of this with a little of that and ending up with alot of oh how I love it! Little glass beads, a turquoise nugget, and my handstamped sterling charm all dangle from a fine silver ring that I fused then hammered, brushed and stamped with whimsical stars and squiggly designs. I love that the process of working with the fine silver still shows~a tad on the rustic side. It's original and true, just like everything in life should be. The hand dyed silk ribbon necklace (by Etsy id 'jamnglass') is approx 20 inches in length and simply ties behind the neck. The ends are finished in simple knots with Greek ceramic beads (Etsy id 'na0sglass') that have been coated in silver. Pendant clusters hang approx 1 1/2 inches from the ribbon.Thanks to Pam Dansie (Etsy id 'mycabincreations') for the extra little sky blue glass bead that has now found a home!

Lampwork Pandora Beads

Here is what is new for today. It is going to be a busy weekend around here. We are having a BBQ tonight with all the kids and grandkids for Father's day and then tomorrow night we are going to retirement party. Not to mention "try" and make beads, do yard work and house work etc. I think I need a maid and a gardener oh and definately a cook. I also think Utah needs a lottery system so I can play and WIN! Yeah right. Have a great day! Hi mom!

Etsy Glass Artists Member "Jewelry By Natsuko"

I am a member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team and I wanted to introduce you to Natsuko who is also a member and share some of her talent and creations with you. Here is what she has to say....

Tell us about you, and as much as you'd like to share with the world:

I am a wife, mother, originally from Japan. Now live in Columbus OH for 16 years. Stay at home mom at the moment and trying to make living with my jewelry. Used to work at fine jewelry store but got laid off due to economic draw back. I think I’m pretty boring person to other people. Not very outgoing. Like to lie out in the sun, take a walk, stay home and make jewelry and hang out with my 19 month old son!

Let's hear about your shop and how you got started:

My shop “Jewelry by Natsuko” features simple and stylish handmade jewelry. I use various media. Mostly glass enameling, some wire wrapping, and polymer clay. I was making jewelry for about 10 years and it was always my dream to have my own shop!

Where did you learn how to do make jewelry?

I am self-taught for the most part. Took some polymer clay classes and taking an enameling class once a week to expand my repertory.

What inspires you to create?

Season change. Weather. Nature. Color. Silhouette. And new out fit:)

Descibe yourself in one word and why:

Prude. My friend called me that once and I agreed.

What's your favorite:

Book: The Chronicles of Narnia The lion, the witch and the wardrobe. (My all-time favorites!)

Movie: This is tough one, I didn’t like “Chronicles of Narnia” as much as the book. I’d have to say Lampoon vacations.

Song: ”You are the sunshine of my life” I love Stevie Wonder!

Etsy shop: MagdalenasAtelier.etsy.com Her jewelry is out-of-this-world beautiful!! And of course my other shop amomenttowear.etsy.com this shop features jewelry using my business partner Lisa’s photography transfer onto polymer clay. And all of EGA shops! We are seriously talented group of people!!

Anything else?

I loooooove making jewelry! I’m so thankful that I have opportunity to do what I do!!

Snail-and-RainDrop-SterlingSilver-Dangle-Earrings

These are so pretty. I love the description as well.. Anything you would like to tell about how they are made (don't worry I don't want your secrets :)

Thank you! Not much secrets to this one. Simply cut off wire and make spiral, then hammered and oxidized. It was a rainy day. I thought about rain running down the snails.

Turquoise-Poppy-Enamel-Disk-Pendant
I love this too. Anything you would like to add about it.

I just adore poppies:) Actually I’m amazed by how pretty this one turned out. A lot of work goes into this. It has so many layers of different color of enamel. And trick is when to stop. Because of texture and fire scale, if I put too much it wouldn’t show through enamel. Each firing is thrilling moment! I’m very satisfied with this. Not many times things turned out the way I imagined…. I’m thinking about making earrings of this design.

So that is a little bit about Natsuko so be sure and check out her shops. I know that I will be returning to see all of her wonderful creations.

Pandora's, Puppies, Pretties and a Yart Sale!

Hi.. So today I have a Pandora Set of beads that I really think is pretty, but of course I am biased. The blue beads are just really pretty in the light. I love the red too. The puppy is not for sale of course but he would like to play if you have the time. Sigh. The flowers are blooming all over the yard. I have a lilac bush that is kind of a late bloomer and it is just now starting to come out. I love lilacs. The other two bead sets are summery and fun. So go check out my store and see what is going on. Oh and I almost forgot. I (and a bunch of people on Etsy) am having a Yart Sale. Yes, a Yart Sale. So go look at the special section in my store and that is where you will find the bargains. Oh and did I mention that I have approx 32 rose bushes in my yard so there will be plenty of pics this summer to see. The buds are THICK! Have a great day! Hi mom!

Pandora Beads and Bead Sets

Here is what I listed today in my Etsy Store. I LOVE the Pandora Bead colors.. it is my current favorite frit. I have a few other variations on the same theme that I will be listing this week as well, so check back. Have a great day!

Beads and Blooms!

Here are the beads that I listed today. I also took some pics of my yard. The roses will be blooming soon. Yeah!

New Beads and Garden Pictures

I made a ton of new beads this last weekend and will start listing them this am, also my roses and flowers are finally starting to bloom. The weather has been sooo nice. Not too hot and a little rain here and there. The weeds love it too! So I am going to hopefully get a few pics of those this am too. So check back and see what I have.

Also go check out Kristy Kempinger of chickadeebeads and the necklace that we collaborated on. See the picture below. It is really pretty!

A Glass Artists Collaboration - Eclectic Earth - Lampwork Glass Necklace

I am a member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team and as such I have become involved in a collaboration project with Kristy Kempinger of chickadeebeads. We traded beads a couple months ago and combined them with our own creations to create a collaboration item to sell. I am still working on my projects so continue to check back for that as well. So here is Kristy's creation and her description of it. It is just beautiful.

Earthy with a splash of color, this necklace features the work of two members of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team (EGA)! Inspired by the beads of glass artist Pam of Etsy shop 'mycabincreations', I envisioned a rustic and eclectic piece that would incorporate both copper and silver. Pam's gorgeous pillow bead was created with ivory glass and features layered dots of metallic copper green and mosaic green. The focal I created with a type of glass that when worked a certain way in the torch, creates tiny bubbles on the surface that give it a lovely texture and an aged appearance. I then wrapped subtle stripes of shades of sage, caramel and a hint of blues around it. The cluster of beads hangs from a fine silver ring that I fused, hammered and brushed for a nice rustic, matte appearance. Copper and silver Greek ceramic beads, my own fine silver hammered and brushed hook clasp, and a gorgeous brown hand dyed silk ribbon that has just a bit of a bronze sheen finishes the piece. Silk ribbon necklace is approx 20 inches in length. Pendant cluster hangs approx 2 1/4 inch from the silver ring.

What's blooming in my yard....

Here are a few things that are blooming in my yard today. The Iris is actually a really pretty purple, but all I get on the camara is blue. My Hens and Chicks are really BIG! I have a ton of them alllllll over the place. I should have waited until the sun was shining more, it is kinda cloudy today, the pics would have been brighter. Oh well. If you need a hen and chick for your yard stop by!

I haven't had a chance to make any beads lately. I was on vacation in Illinois a couple of weeks ago seeing my family. Had a great time. I don't get to go home often enough. Then this last weekend we got a dumpster and did some major cleaning of the house, wood shop, garage and basement. I was way too tired to make beads. I have a lot of ideas planned for this weekend tho. I went antique shopping while in Illinois and got a whole bunch of skeleton keys, so I will be working on those and bead sets. I am planning on starting a newsletter and having a sale soon too. So check back to find out what is going on.

Hi MOM!