Time For A Giveaway

It's time for a giveaway! I've partnered up with OnTheDotCreations to give one lucky winner this lampwork ring. Check out the details on how you can win HERE.

Spot the Terrier Wants to Help A Place To Bark!!

This is Spot the Terrier. He wants so badly to help the fabulous Bernie Berlin's non profit animal shelter, A Place to Bark. Spot was donated to me by the fabulous Lori Peterson, an insanely talented lampwork artist. In turn, I wire wrapped spot, and I'm offering him up for adoption. 100% of his adoption fee will be donated to A Place to Bark!!! Please help Spot find a forever home and the animals at the shelter benefit! And guess what? Spot has a few friends that will be making their debuts in my Etsy shop soon.

Also, don't forget to check out Bernie's blog at
http://aplacetobark.blogspot.com
and see what's happening there!

Rescue work is a cause near and dear to my heart. Many of you know we have a rescued furbaby, and I'd have 20 more if I could!

Be Happy

Happy Lampwork Ring $18.00

I'll admit, I've been in a rotten mood lately. The Army has decided that they want to restructure our housing area, so we have to move. Technically they're going to move us, but I still hate the thought of moving, and the jumping through hoops that has to happen for us to move. I should be happy, we're getting a bigger house, although my craft area will be much smaller. This is like fitting 15 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag for me. Clean it out? Surely you jest, I throw nothing away!! What if I need it again later? But I'll give a little for each of my kids to have their own room. However, we're moving from a stand alone house, to a duplex. We've never had much luck living in duplexes before with the Army. However, our backyard will be bigger, and we back up to some woods (Pine besides, oh goodie (can you sense the dripping sarcasm?), I can't wait until spring and sinus problems! All in all the positives far outweigh the negatives....I mean hubby agreed I could get new furniture!?! So why am I not excited? I dunno.

So today I was moping around in my basement, actually contemplating a yard sale, and I looked at my jewelry table. (I do this a lot, but lately I haven't had much oomph to create.) Anyway, this little smiley guy/gal, created by the insanely talented loribeads, was looking back at me from my bench. I swear he/she said "Be Happy!" So today I've decided, I WILL be happy! No matter what, I will be excited and happy about moving. I will be excited about having a yard sale and the prospect of unloading a ton of JUNK. (No craft supplies though...those are coming with ME!)

Unintentional New Photography Backgrounds

Blizzard Lampwork Ring $15.00

Not only has the snow been pretty to look at and play in, but it has provided me with a lovely new background, at least for a day or so until it melts. I think it shows off this new ring I made, titled "Blizzard" just perfectly. Even though it was unintentional (and cold!), it has made me realize that maybe there are other, better backgrounds out there for me to use for my photography. What kind of backgrounds have you discovered? What works for you? For me it has to be natural lighting (outside) for the best pics. I've tried a light box and it just didn't work for me. But oh how I wish I could take pictures inside at night. Sometimes there are great things that come out of 2 AM beading sessions that I have a hard time waiting to list until the sun is out!

Aardvarkartglass: Laughing My Arse Off

Ok so today, I'll admit, I started my day out just a bit stressed. Then, as usual, I found myself surfing Etsy. I know I shouldn't have been, please forgive me, because I definitely have enough to keep me busy and insane. But I digress. Most of my dear readers know of my love for glass....lampwork especially. Well, while surfing I came across the shop of aardvarkartglass. BWAHAHAHA..I don't know why I've never seen this shop before, but I'm sure glad I found it now! If this shop does not turn your grill into a smile, then there's no hope for you! Not only that, but they sell Happy pills, yes....they sure do! And who can't use a whacky cactus?

You truly must click on the shop and check out all of the wonderful beads! And definitely be sure to check out the ornery pumpkin!

Happy Friday!

I've been working like a crazy woman, trying to get some stock up for my upcoming shows. I got some new beads today from the fabulous loribeads, and I made the ring you see above. Perfect for a Friday! :) Bright, cheery.....totally against my nature, but I still love it all the same!

I don't really have too much to say today, other than Happy Friday everyone! :) It's cloudy out, and I just checked the weather, and it says that there's a 50% chance of showers for the show this weekend. I'm not going to let it get me down though. In fact, I'm still going to work all day creating things. I'll load Betty up later on tonight (not that I really unloaded much of it since last weekend ...*cough*) and tomorrow morning I'll get up early and get off to the show, providing it's not pouring down rain. This is one of those small town, feel good shows that I do every year, and I love it. And the barbecue and baked goods? Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!! :) Well, the coffee isn't hitting my bloodstream fast enough today, so I better go gulp some more of it. Hubby is off for the long weekend and we're just going to hang out and stay close to home for the most part.

So what's your plans for the weekend?

Battening Down the Hatches.....

I spent most of this morning preparing for unexpected company.....Hurricane Hannah is supposed to drop in for a visit some time this weekend. I've got a box of stuff packed just in case we have to leave, that has all the necessities in it, and I spent the morning at Walmart (my most unfavorite place) buying water and other necessities (batteries, packaged foods, etc). All I have to do is grab it and go. Being as we're in the center of North Cackalacky, I suspect we won't have to leave, but with three kids and a dog, I want to be prepared, just in case. I also purchased a few non-necessities, coloring books, crayons, LED pointer lights for the kids and a few reading books for me. I wish I could put together a small craft case, but that would take too much thought. You should see all the stuff I bring to a 1 day show. In fact, chances are, whatever I packed, I wouldn't want to mess with when we got wherever we were going. I'll just have to catch up on some dime store smut novels. Anyway, We're ready if need be. I will pack up the back of Blue Betty (that's my Expedition) tomorrow while the kids are at school, and top off her tank just in case we need to skeedaddle.

These gorgeous lampwork beads by generationslampwork definitely bring to mind the weather forecast.

How about a sterling silver hurricane ring, which can also be worn as a pendant? This pretty bauble, handcrafted by the talented iysta, could perhaps be given as a gift of strength, courage, or endurance. Simple, yet beautiful!

If you haven't checked out SecondLineFrames's shop, you definitely should! All the frames shown are created using salvaged wood from New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. Portions from each sale are donated to help restore affected areas of New Orleans.

TheLyonsPaw creates absolutely stunning lampwork! This focal bead is entitled Eye of the Storm. Fitting, no?

Summer Vacations

Yesterday, while cleaning out our camper in preparation for the upcoming summer, I was hit by a wave of longing so bad...I can't wait to go camping!! My kids will be out of school soon, and we can just about go anywhere. So when we were done cleaning, we came back to the house and started planning our summer trips. I really want to go to the beach. We haven't managed to work that out yet, but still, the longing is there. It's not even so much that I like to go in the water. Ever since all those shark attacks started happening...and of course there's also the fact that me + bathing suit = not so pretty. But the ocean calls to me like a siren...I love to walk along it. (And a lake just doesn't quite cut it...but I won't swim in those either.) I like to sit on the beach and watch the waves roll in. I could do it for hours. It inspires me.

I won't even get into beach towns....I love them. The food, the fun, the shopping. *SIGH*

It's only fitting that when we were done, I chose this bead to make a ring. My subconscious must have been really nagging at me.

Sun....

Well after a ton of rain, the sun finally popped through the clouds today (a day late and a dollar short....) It was gorgeous and bright, but a bit windy and chilly. There's a gorgeous bush blooming in my yard. It's very pink and lovely. Tomorrow I shall take a picture. Today you'll have to settle for this ring.

We ran errands today, so I haven't been very creative. I'm working on a cool necklace though, and I should have it done by tomorrow so that I can list it. I did make a strawberry dump cake tonight. I just sent hubby to the store to get Vanilla ice cream for it. I can't wait. MMmmmm.... He's also renting movies though, because nothing is on the boob tube, so it could be a while. I think he's going to try to get Beowulf.

Well I'm off to chat a bit and then serve up the dessert and watch movies. Until tomorrow....

Rain.......

I'm so sick of the rain. I did a craft show in Robbins, NC today. Well not really...it rained. I got there, set up, and then the rain came, so I packed up and left. So here I am, home in time for Saturday Night Special on Etsy (YAY)! I'm going to have a Smirnoff Green Apple Beer, contemplate what my sale shall be, and then keep my fingers crossed! Those of you that would like to see what I decide on for my sale, and scoop up some goodies, check HERE.

I swear if it doesn't stop raining soon, I'm going to build an ark. In the mean time, check out these lovely lampwork earrings. The beads are made by Rita Wilson, and accented with sterling silver and Swarovski crystals. I hand formed the ear wires myself out of 20 gauge sterling silver wire. Very nice for those who like lampwork, but only wear smaller earrings.

Something New

So today, I tried something new. Here's the result....

Very simple, but it's the first time I've worked with copper. I like the looks of it, AND I like to work with it. It's very user friendly. And I also made my own clasp! Another first for me. The stone pendant is simple, and it's got a great mix of glass beads, Swarovski crystals, and lampwork beads.

So what new things are you experimenting with? Give a shout out and let a sista know!

Random Musings

It's been a while since I posted. I was busy getting ready for the big spring craft show...that wasn't. It was horrible. Sadly, I think the state of the economy is going to prevent shows from being very lucrative this spring. They may pick up in the fall, as people buy for the holidays, or they may not. Who knows?

Hubby and I have been writing our plan for world domination, one candle at a time...Yankee Candle, watch out, I'm coming for you! LOL In the mean time, he has ordered quite a bit of screen printing equipment, and we're off to the races! :) It should be fun. We've spent the last week reorganizing our basement so we both fit down there, and I do think much fun will be had by all! :)

In the mean time, I have been working a bit on some things with my favorite medium (lampwork), as shown by the photos above. Actually, the ring, my husband picked out. He said "Make this bead on this wire" and I did it just for him. And it is good!

Yippee!!

I am so proud of myself today! I finally taught myself how to create lampwork rings with beads that are shapes other then lentils. It has taken me forever, but I'm so happy! It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for me, and makes preparing for my upcoming craft shows seem exciting! YAY! I made this one last night. Chocolate mint! YUM! It's listed in my Auntie Di's shop.

Dismal Day

I wasn't feeling very creative today, I think it's the weather. It's rainy and cold, and just outright nasty. Kind of suits my mood. I don't really want to leave the house. Anyway, I did manage to finish a custom order that was requested in the Etsy chat room last night, and this ring, which totally suits my mood. I named it "Blue Crevasse" and it reminds me of icy waters with icebergs. Very Titanic like.



Here's a smaller picture of the custom order for two matching rings. I did have fun making this one..especially since I know a little of the story behind the reason..but it's not mine to tell....

And here's me, still sitting with my fingers crossed, waiting for my packages to come. The mailman hasn't come yet though. Well, I'm off...gotta get dinner started for the brood.

Keep on keepin' on! :)

For Your Valentine

For the first time in weeks today, I sat down at my jewelry bench and played with beads. I have no idea why I haven't had the drive to do it in a while, but I finally got my act together! Anyway, this cute little ring was the result. I love the way it came out, and I am considering making another for myself to keep. (Of course, I always find myself saying I'm going to make something for myself to keep, but I never do...) And apparently, I'm really NOT over making stuff for Valentine's Day!

My name is Diann....and I love Lampwork. No really, I LOVE LAMPWORK! If there was a 12 step program for lampwork bead addicts, I'd have to join it. Seriously. I have tons of these beads, and I rarely ever make stuff with them, do you know why? Because if whatever I create sells, then I can't keep it for myself! They're so gorgeous. Just beautiful beads. I wish I could learn to make them, but my husband would crap a brick if I took up just one more hobby!!!! The talent and focus and artistry that goes into these beads is amazing. And I love having something unique!

Ok, I've rambled on about my lampwork addiction enough for one day. I'm off to shower and then I'm going to play with paper.

Happy Creating everyone!