Playing with Fire

Now in my Shop

2012-01-29T17:57:00.004-05:00

Here are a few pieces newly added to my shop. Click here to see.

Aurora Inspired

2012-01-29T17:48:00.003-05:00

The Northern Lights have been quite spectacular and these are a few beads that were inspired by such a beautiful site.

"Moonlit Garden" and "Stargazer"

These are listed in my etsy shop.

Marmalade & Lagoon

2012-01-26T14:06:00.003-05:00

These two new bead sets are up for sale in my etsy shop, great beads for earrings!

Passion

2012-01-22T16:27:00.004-05:00

Nearly a year ago I lost someone that was pretty much my whole life. During this year it's been very difficult to find the passion inside me to make the more intricate pieces. I'm slowly coming out of the fog and experiencing new passions, hence all the work with meaning behind their names.

These are two of the new sets "Beauty Within" and "Desir Cache" - french for Hidden Passion. They are ready for a new home and are listed here.

Back at the Torch

2012-01-19T16:24:00.003-05:00

I'm finally getting back in the groove of things and making time to melt glass. You would think that winter would be the perfect time to sit behind the torch and it is for some, but for me I'm the happiest in the summer and so the most inspired, ready to bust a move. As for now, I'm dreaming of my veggie and flower filled garden, plottin' and plannin' what will be to come!

So back to the beads......these two new sets, "Changing Tides" and "Rum Raisin" are now available in my etsy shop. Take a look here.

Ginger Kombucha

2012-01-19T16:18:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday night we had a little bit of snow, around 2 1/2", so what better thing to do than work on my kombucha on a snow covered lazy Sunday? If your wondering what the heck is kombucha it is a fermented tea that has all kinds of beneficial minerals. In this one I'm adding fresh ginger to give it a little more zing! In about a week it will be ready for the drinkin'.

The Community Chicken

2012-01-12T10:17:00.002-05:00

Meet Licorice, she is the only one left out of five black hens that wandered out of my woods two summers ago. I have no idea where they came from and neither do my neighbors but she roams around just enjoying being free. I've taken on the duty of feeding her and she is quite the joy to me. She's definitely one tough bird and truly free range!

Black and White All Over

2012-01-11T14:05:00.004-05:00

I've just added to my etsy shop a couple sets of black and white glass beads, the contrasting colors are eye popping!

New Beads

2012-01-04T20:00:00.003-05:00

Just added to etsy are these great lampwork glass beads. Click here to see.

New Jewels for a New Year

2012-01-02T21:47:00.004-05:00

Newly listed on my website are these little lovelies. Click here to see.

Cold Weather Bead Crop

2011-12-26T15:13:00.002-05:00

Here are few things I've been working on, I'm afraid there's not been much time for the artsy stuff. Hopefully I'll get back into the groove before long!

These are all available in my etsy shop.

Operation Cookie Overload

2011-12-04T20:12:00.001-05:00

I was so excited to help in a project that I read about in a Taste of Home magazine called Operation Cookie Overload.

Christine Hofmann-Bourque founded thestrengthbehindthestrong.com, a website dedicated to ideas for staying connected with and supporting our troops and this Operation Cookie Overload is a great way to send goodies from home to some great men and women in Afghanistan .

In my box….three types of homemade cookies… molasses, preacher and peanut butter blossoms, lots of jerky and slim jims, tootsie rolls, kisses and a variety of candies!

There’s a few days left if you’d like to send some sweet from home too.

Glass Beads for the Takin'

2011-09-02T13:22:00.003-04:00

New beads just added to my etsy shop, check them out here.

Busy Summer

2011-08-21T10:20:00.009-04:00

First, I've just got to share my big news....I'm the newest vendor in the Appalachian Home Catalog!!! My handmade lampwork glass jewelry has been picked up for their coming Christmas catalog and I'm sooo excited! I've been working like the dickens to get the first order finished and sent off (hopefully the first of many) and between getting those goodies ready I've gotten a new shop in Salem VA to sell my jewels.

Here is a sneak peek at one of the items that will be in the catalog....of course in their unfinished stage.

And here is some new earrings that I've made for the coming fall season. Check them out on my website.

Cool Season

2011-07-24T15:52:00.004-04:00

These scorching hot temp's have got me looking forward to some cooler weather and to start off that season I have for sale in my etsy shop these handmade lampwork beads in great fall colors.

New Beads in the Shop

2011-07-03T14:02:00.001-04:00

New goodies in the shop, check them out here.

Glass Beads

2011-06-23T16:37:00.003-04:00

Finally, I've got a few beads up on etsy, it's been busy busy here. Check them out in my etsy shop.

A Bounty of Beads

2011-05-27T11:48:00.005-04:00

Just listed in my etsy shop. Check them out HERE.

It's Raining Earrings

2011-05-14T20:01:00.004-04:00

I've just added lots of new earrings to my etsy site.

Check them out HERE.

BIG News!!

2011-05-10T13:58:00.004-04:00

Drum roll please......I'm excited to say that my glass jewelry has been juried and excepted for the new artisan center opening in June called Heartwood, which is located in Abingdon Va!! I feel very honored to be chosen and can't wait to start on new pieces.

Click HERE to go to their site.

New Earrings are on the Scene!

2011-05-03T14:45:00.004-04:00

I've just added six new pair of vintage inspired earrings to my website. Click HERE to see.

Spacer Beads

2011-04-22T14:32:00.002-04:00

I've just listed these pretty purple spacer beads in my etsy shop. Take a look HERE.

New Earrings in my Crafty Shop

2011-04-18T19:21:00.002-04:00

Click HERE to see my new earrings on Crafty Shops.

Antiqued Earrings

2011-04-17T19:42:00.002-04:00

Just added to my website are these four new lovelies, check them out HERE.

Winged Hearts

2011-04-06T20:08:00.002-04:00

New beads just added to my etsy shop including two new heart designs. Click HERE to go.

Cool Color Beads

2011-04-02T14:34:00.003-04:00

Here are some new HOT beads in COOL colors that I've just listed in my etsy shop.

Click HERE to go.

YouTube Video

2011-03-22T20:04:00.003-04:00

I've just got a video up on YouTube of me making a "Broken Seashell" focal bead. Check it out HERE.

Silverfish Designs - Virginia Is For Lovers

2011-03-21T18:44:00.004-04:00

Good News!!! I've just been added to the virginia.org site.

Silverfish Designs - Virginia Is For Lovers

More and more beads....

2011-03-20T15:06:00.003-04:00

"Northern Lights", which I think is a good name for these little beauties with their swirls and dots of blues and greens, they are screaming YOU NEED ME!

Click HERE to see.

Studio Beadies

2011-03-16T16:01:00.003-04:00

I've just listed two new sets of lampwork glass beads in my etsy shop. Great colors for the coming season and new jewelry creations.

Click HERE to go see.

Love Me Tender Bracelet

2011-03-14T20:53:00.004-04:00

I've designed this bracelet with the focus being on the lampwork glass beads that are two frosted pink and a crystal shaped lampwork in pink, black and silver glass. Accenting the glass beads are black sard onyx rounds, Bali silver spacers, a Thai silver toggle and finishing off with a pretty little heart charm. The bracelet measures 8" and will fit a wrist of 5 3/4" to 6 1/2".

Love Me Tender is available in my etsy shop. Click HERE to go.

Boro luv!

2011-03-11T19:37:00.006-05:00

I'm in love with borosilicate glass!! The shifts in colors are amazing and ya never know what's exactly coming out of the kiln, how exciting!

These pretties are now available in my etsy shop. Click HERE to see.

Three New Bead Sets

2011-03-07T20:44:00.004-05:00

Just listed in my etsy shop are these little pretties. Click HERE to see.

Gettin er done!

2011-03-03T20:16:00.004-05:00

Lots and lots of work going on around here these days and that means pretty stuff to look at. Click the pictures to take a gander.

Lampwork Projects

2011-02-23T15:32:00.004-05:00

Here are a few of my new lampwork glass buttons made specially for a knitters special project. Can ya spot Mickey?

These will be for sale at The Wooly Jumper Yarns in Floyd, VA.

New Beadies

2011-02-23T15:23:00.004-05:00

I've just added three new set of lampwork beads to my etsy shop. Click HERE to see.

Finally!

2011-02-14T11:45:00.004-05:00

Finally I've gotten a couple of new sets of beads, hopefully I can get more done soon.
In the meantime check these out HERE.

New Glass Buttons

2011-01-28T15:35:00.003-05:00

I've been working on a fairly new project...glass buttons! I now have a couple of shops Greenberry House in Meadows of Dan and Wooly Jumper Yarns in Floyd, VA that want these unique little gems. They're great for any handmade project.

Holiday Jewelry

2010-12-03T17:52:00.003-05:00

Check out all the pretties I've been working on for the Christiansburg, VA craft show tomorrow.

Hello my peeps!!

2010-11-19T18:11:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow I will be set up at the 22nd Annual Arts and Crafts Mart held by the Wytheville Woman’s Club in Wytheville Virginia. My newest lampwork glass bracelet {”Cranberry Bogs”} will be ready for sale, in addition to several other new goodies. Last weeks craft show went so well that I’ve been working like a crazy lady getting stocked back up!! Yippie!!

24th Annual Christmas Bazaar

2010-11-11T18:10:00.001-05:00

Saturday November 13th we will be at the Fancy Gap Christmas Bazaar and our space is located in the gym. Lots of new jewelry has been flying out of the studio for all of these Christmas shows. Hope to see ya there ;^)

Craft Shows Here I Come

2010-10-23T16:14:00.004-04:00

The fall craft shows are in full swing and the first one for us will be the GFWC Bedford Woman’s Club Arts and Crafts Extravaganza November 6-7 at the Bedford Elementary School off of 460. Our space is #14A cafeteria hall and the show will be from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday. This will be the 40th annual show and there will be over 90 vendors. Should be a good one, so if your in the area come check us out.

New Earrings added Today

2010-10-13T18:28:00.003-04:00

"Evening Romance" and "Soft coral" are my latest earrings to come out of the studio and are now listed in my shop. One using my own lampwork glass beads and the other using that beautiful vintage copper. Two very different designs but both unique and stunning!

Beads, Beads, Beads

2010-10-07T18:33:00.003-04:00

Just listed in my etsy shop all ready for your jewelry creations.

New Beadies for Etsy

2010-10-06T19:48:00.003-04:00

I've added three new sets on etsy today, have a look.

Beads for the Picking

2010-09-15T15:50:00.003-04:00

Two new sets of beads just listed in my etsy shop.

Saving Seeds

2010-09-15T15:39:00.004-04:00

I love to garden and this past summer I had the pleasure of visiting a neighbors garden. It's one of those gardens that is as beautiful as it is practical. Lots of flowers mixed in with vegetables {I do this too but not to this extent} and an old split rail fence around the whole thing!

So yesterday I went back to this lovely garden and went crazy with gathering seeds. The main thing was the heirloom bean seeds, I got 16 different kinds!! They are all so pretty with their eye popping color and designs. I'm so excited for next year when I can grow my own!

Autumn Jewelry

2010-09-09T16:34:00.004-04:00

I have lots of new pretties coming out of the studio, some of these are listed on my website and some in my etsy shop.

Blooming Zinnias Lampwork Glass Beads

2010-09-09T16:28:00.002-04:00

Hot out of the kiln, well not really I did let them cool down, are "Blooming Zinnias" my new addition to the etsy shop. Great for the coming fall season!

Lampwork Glass Earrings

2010-09-03T18:59:00.003-04:00

"Still Evening" and "Beautiful Endings" are the new lampwork glass earrings coming out of the studio. They have just been added to my website and are ready for the fall fashions.

With "Still Evening" I've added greek ceramic discs, Bali silver beads, Swarovski crystals and handmade sterling silver earwires.

The "Beautiful Endings" earrings are made with bali style copper beads copper leverback earwires and Swarovski crystals.

Walk through the Forest

2010-09-02T15:43:00.002-04:00

New glass beads just listed in my etsy shop, intense green going on here!

Fall Beads

2010-08-31T12:49:00.003-04:00

Two new sets of beadies just listed on etsy.

Busy with the beads

2010-08-25T13:02:00.003-04:00

I've finally gotten back into making beads full speed and here are a couple of goodies made this week.

The pink and black beads are a custom order from one of my regular customers.

The "Raku Swirl" is now listed in my etsy shop.

Violet Purple Lampwork Glass Beads

2010-08-24T16:35:00.003-04:00

Just listed are these pretty and purple spacer beads. Check them out here.

Folk Fair

2010-08-20T13:31:00.003-04:00

On Saturday August 21st Meadows of Dan will be having a Folk Fair featuring local artisans, music and a corn maze.

Here is just a sampling of the new autumn season jewelry I will have for sale at the fair.

Hope to see ya there!

Etsy Beads

2010-08-19T19:17:00.002-04:00

My latest handmade lampwork glass beads on etsy "Hydrangea" and "Celestial".

Autumn Inspired Beads

2010-08-17T14:32:00.004-04:00

Just listed in my etsy shop are these autumn inspired lampwork glass beads......

Autumn Mosaic
and
Moon Rocks

both for $15 each!

Autumn Whispers

2010-08-12T16:05:00.002-04:00

Just in time for cooler temps are these autumn inspired pretties. "Autumn Whispers" are available in my etsy shop.

Handmade Silk Necklaces

2010-08-09T15:44:00.003-04:00

Goodies for the Gallery....

I had a couple ladies from the Black Rooster Gallery in Marion, VA suggest that I make a collection of necklaces as I would the lampwork glass bracelets and add silk ribbon for the added length, so here is the finished product. I think they look smashing, if I do say so myself. hee hee

Old Blue Jeans

2010-08-03T16:34:00.004-04:00

Well, I've finally managed to get one set of beads out, with the blazing heat and my daily headaches getting worse it seems as though I can't get much done in this area.

Anyhoo, "Old Blue Jeans" is listed in my etsy shop. They are made with an opaque blue that I've rolled in fine silver foil and blue frit and are a great set.

New Bracelets for New Shop

2010-08-03T16:27:00.003-04:00

Here's a little eye candy of what I've been working on for a new shop I'll be in. I'll fill ya in later.

Taubman Museum of Art

2010-06-28T19:06:00.003-04:00

I've been a busy little bee getting lots of jewelry ready for the Taubman Museum of Art "Jewelry in July".

Here's a sneak peek of one necklaces.

New Jewels

2010-06-22T12:40:00.004-04:00

Just added to my website are these pretty pieces ready for summer fun!

Floyd Jubilee

2010-06-18T20:42:00.003-04:00

My home town will be having a jubilee on Saturday the 19th, with lots of music (three stages!), arts and crafts vendors, children's parade, hollerin' contest, farmers market and so much more!!

Here are a couple of pieces that I will be selling at the craft show tomorrow. If ya want to know more about the jubilee go here.

Ready, Set, Show

2010-06-10T20:47:00.005-04:00

I've been working like crazy to get new goodies ready for the shows coming up and here's a few pic's.....

Saturday I'll be at the Roanoke River Greenway Festival, Smith Park section in Roanoke VA. If your in the area, stop on by.

New Shops

2010-06-08T20:05:00.005-04:00

I've got two new shops selling my wares, Yippie! New Mountain Mercantile which is in downtown Floyd, VA and Sinkland Farms in Riner, VA.

Here is a peek at some of the goodies I took to Sinkland...

Jammin' Time

2010-05-27T19:51:00.003-04:00

Canning season has now begun, six yummy cherry preserves all ready for some hot buttered biscuits!

New Beadies

2010-05-27T19:47:00.004-04:00

Finally got a couple new beads up on etsy yesterday. Yeah, I know, it's about time! hee hee

New Boros

2010-05-13T20:27:00.004-04:00

"Buttercups" and "Seagrass" are my new beads in the shop, check them out here.

Etsy Treasury

2010-05-12T10:27:00.001-04:00

Yippie, I made a treasury with my "Tahitian Waters" Beads!

treasury

Drum Roll Please........

2010-05-11T15:24:00.006-04:00

TA DA! Here are the new borosilicate glass beads I've been working on. They are made with only one color then encased with clear but this is what I love about boro is that the color reacts to itself and you get all these beautiful colors from one. They are now available in my etsy shop.

Four New Sets

2010-05-10T20:11:00.003-04:00

New goodies for my etsy shop.

Finally......New Beads

2010-05-05T17:24:00.002-04:00

I've kinda been missing in action here on the ole' blog but I've finally got some new beads in my etsy shop. One thing that's kept me away is I got in a new glass that I've been wanting to try ever since starting bead making, it's boro. Hopefully I'll have some to put up for sale soon but for right now I'm playing around with it and keeping the first ones for myself......I know how selfish! hee hee

Lazy Blogger

2010-04-20T18:48:00.001-04:00

Okay, okay, I've been a lazy blogger but I have been busy with little outdoor projects. We've had such nice weather that I've been working away making things, such as....
cedar planter boxes,

motel birdhouse with a rhodo limb perch,

pea/green bean trellis,

and a single birdhouse with a Outer Banks, NC driftwood perch.

Windflower Vintage Brass Necklace

2010-04-05T19:09:00.002-04:00

Just listed in my etsy shop and ready for warm weather!

Tomatoes, Tomatillos and Peppers OH MY!

2010-04-05T17:18:00.004-04:00

We've had some very unusual 80 degree weather and that makes me even more anxious to get in the garden. On Saturday we planted potatoes, onions, lettuce, spinach, radishes and carrots. Here in the picture you'll see my tomatoes, peppers and tomatillos growing nice and strong, too early for them to go outside though.

Hot out of the Studio

2010-04-05T17:13:00.004-04:00

Just listed in the etsy shop.

Two New Earrings and Two New Beads

2010-04-01T19:54:00.003-04:00

More lovelies for my etsy shops. Click the pictures to go.

Stargazer Lampwork Glass Focal

2010-03-30T19:07:00.002-04:00

Here's my new focal bead made with lots of beautiful silver glass! Just listed Stargazer in my etsy shop.

In the Pink

2010-03-28T18:54:00.004-04:00

It kinda looks like I'm hooked on pink, huh?
Now in my etsy shop.

Silk Ribbon

2010-03-27T13:59:00.004-04:00

I was so excited to snag a few of these beautiful hand dyed silk ribbons that I had to make some goodies pronto!
I listed these last night in my etsy shop.

Spring Lovelies

2010-03-24T20:43:00.006-04:00

Just added to my etsy shop.

Sea Dreams Lampwork Glass Beads

2010-03-20T17:56:00.003-04:00

I listed these ocean inspired pretties last night in my etsy shop.

Newbies

2010-03-19T17:21:00.005-04:00

Here are a few more pieces but there are lots more to come! Yippie!
Check them out in my etsy shop.

Inner Glow

2010-03-18T19:04:00.004-04:00

After about a month hiatus from making glass beads I finally got my butt in gear and here is what jumped out of my kiln. Want to know a little more about these beadies? Go here.

Hot off the Work Bench!

2010-03-18T18:45:00.004-04:00

Just listed in my etsy shop, don't ya just love purple!

Spring Accessories

2010-03-09T15:04:00.003-05:00

I've added these exciting new spring accessories to the etsy shop. Check it out here.

My Studio

2010-03-09T13:42:00.003-05:00

After all this time I thought I would share some pics of my workshop. The first picture is where I make the glass beads and the second is of my jewelry making area. Dig the old hoiser cabinet? About seven years ago I painted those pretty apples on it. Like I've said before, I have tried a little of every kind of craft out there! hee hee :0)

New Shop

2010-03-08T18:28:00.003-05:00

Here is just a sample of my jewelry listed in a new shop Crafty Shops. Crafty Shops features handmade goodies made by folks living in Virginia.

15 Fun & Random Facts About Me

2010-03-04T16:09:00.004-05:00

I laugh when I'm nervous and it usually happens at very inappropriate times.
I'm a sweets addict-I love all kinds of goodies (need to work on that).
I hate sappy love songs.
Although some of my favorite movies have a sad ending, I'll take a comedy any day!
I'm haunted daily with the urge to go back into the restaurant business.
I love the scent of new pencils and book stores.
I'm highly sensitive to odors, especially bad stuff like car exhaust.
I don't like to shop.
I once walked 2 miles in the snow to get a pack of cigarettes, now I can't stand the smell!
I'm a gardening fanatic, I think I have to have every gardening book, magazine and seed there is.
I hate to talk on the phone.
I met my best friend in kindergarten.
I was voted class clown in 7th grade although I've always been a little shy.
Sometimes I just have to start dancing while grocery shopping. Go figure?
When I was little I wanted to drive a race car for a living.

More Snow and More Jewelry

2010-03-02T13:43:00.004-05:00

All ready for the picking are these pretty spring pieces. Listed in my etsy shop.

First Day of March and Lots of New Jewelry

2010-03-01T19:40:00.006-05:00

Can ya believe all these pieces of jewelry flying out of my studio ready for spring fashions! Check all these out in my etsy shop.

New Jewelry

2010-02-26T19:28:00.003-05:00

New goodies just listed in my etsy shop.

New Beads

2010-02-23T20:08:00.003-05:00

Just listed some new bead goodies in my etsy shop.

Signs of Spring!

2010-02-23T11:22:00.007-05:00

You'll never guess what I seen this morning!! Okay, I guess the picture (not the one I seen) gave you a hint. hee hee With so much snow this winter and the looming talk of more, it's so great to see the robins coming back. Could they be saying spring is near?

Dusk Bracelet

2010-02-15T15:48:00.003-05:00

Just added to my website is Dusk lampwork glass and freshwater pearl bracelet. Check it out here.

Wild Turkey

2010-02-11T17:07:00.004-05:00

I caught a bunch of wild turkeys at my birdfeeder yesterday and they returned today with one learning she could get more seeds by standing on top. In all there were fifteen of the big gals.

Huge Snow Flakes!

2010-02-10T16:39:00.003-05:00

Just look at these huge snow flakes we had late yesterday!

Soft Pastels

2010-02-10T15:13:00.005-05:00

I just can't quit with the pretty pastels of spring, wishfull thinking I guess! These are now in my etsy shop.

Posies

2010-02-09T15:26:00.004-05:00

Although the weather outside is foggy, snowy, rainy and just plain yucky the lampwork glass beads coming out of my studio are full of bright sunshine filled spring days! Check these out in my etsy shop.