Shall We Gather at the River...

Today ~ Saturday, Dec. 17th ~ marks the final market at the Riverfront, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Come by my booth for something different!  These lovely hair sticks / shawl pins would be a unique stocking stuffer.

I have a trove of holiday gifts to choose from, like this lil skeleton key and turtle.  I made the bead directly on the key, but used a barrier so that it moves around...fun to fiddle with.

If you're unable to visit my booth in person, check out my 
ETSY SHOP for last minute gifts, and I'll be happy to meet you locally, or ship it free.

The markets well reopen in April.

Thanks to all of my customers!

End of Markets

The countdown continues ~ Poplar Grove Plantation's last market is today, Wednesday, Dec. 14th.   It's going to be a nice sunny day, so come visit my booth between 8 a.m. -  1 p.m.  

I have a trove of holiday gifts to choose from, like this lil skeleton key and turtle.  I made the bead directly on the key, but used a barrier so that it moves around...fun to fiddle with.

Saturday, Dec. 17th marks the final market at the Riverfront, 
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.  For something different, these lovely hair sticks/ shawl pins would be a unique stocking stuffer.

If you're unable to visit my booth in person, check out my 
ETSY SHOP for last minute gifts, and I'll be happy to meet you locally or ship it free.

The markets well reopen in April.

Thanks to all of my customers!

Virtual Craft Show

7 DAYS ~ 70 ARTISTS ~ 70 WINNERS

Yes, 70 prizes!  Lori over at Pretty Things is hosting a Virtual Craft Show and Giveaway!  It includes a wide variety of handmade items:  Jewelry, glass, metal, clay, and discount codes! 

Each morning brings a new line-up of artists and offers, with several chances to win every day!

Today is Day 4 and as one of the featured artists today, I've offered this bead for the free drawing, along with some store discounts.  You'll see plenty of eye candy as you visit the show, and the artists.  

So scoot on over to Pretty Things Blog and enter to win...it's easy!

More Candy

EYE candy...for your sweet tooth ~

but they'll look better hanging from your ears.

Mr. Frosty here was a custom order, 

but I decided to go bigger and made another.

Note his little flower in his hat, and the icy crystals sticking to him.

Snow Bear is another custom request.

 Mr. and Mrs. Snow.  The hats are a bit Turkish without the brims.

The holidays bring joy 

and exciting challenges for me with glass.

Sweet Beads, Low Cal

A friend asked whether I could make beads that look like peppermint candies.  Sure! I said, but it's been awhile.  Hmm...it might be time to light the torch. 

Here's the result:

Almost lickable!

This one is sold, but I'm ready to make more.  Sa-weet!

Carolina Firefiends

It's not a typo:  We are the Carolina Firefiends, and after many months of missing it, I was finally free to attend the meeting of the NC lampwork group.  This month the meeting was held in Cary, with around 14 attending.  Isn't our logo cool? 

Or maybe it's hot...

Some of the members are my old glass buddies from the biannual workshop events in Asheville, and it was so good to see them again!  I also got to meet face to face, the people that I know only from online groups and forums.  Hooray for new friends in the flesh!

Julie (right) of Jewlie Beads has been one such cyberfriend and fiend (lol) and I've long admired her work with wire.

Yee (left), has amazing lampwork and metal skills, and is to be applauded for organizing the meeting.  It was great to finally see them both!

Check out the purple glasses I scored from my old buddy, Lysa:

Mr. T said they look like Elton John glasses, lol!

Julie graciously offered to teach us techniques in wire wrapping.  Her handcrafted earrings below are the specimen we were to achieve. 

You can browse more of her creations in her JEWLIE BEADS ETSY SHOP and she offers tutorials there as well.
As we were outside/porch dining, we closed the interior door, took out our pliers, hammers, and steel blocks, and began tap-tap-tapping our metal parts.

High five to Hibernian Pub and our kind and capable waitress for great service!

I managed to mangle one of my curly S's, trying too hard to gain perfection.  Julie kindly offered her S.  My wire wrapping skills are wanting, but I know the areas I need to work on now.  Here's the outcome for my efforts:

  

Since arriving home, I cut and curled more parts

and made a 2nd pair:

Eh, I'll keep trying.  I'm very grateful to Julie for sharing her expertise with us!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ 

Some of us brought beads to exchange for beads, or other items.  Robin, the sole (brave) male in our group, is really great with glass and a torch!  Just look at his creations that I've added to my personal collection:

Another trade was for this pretty necklace, made by Heather.  Hard to see, but there are woven jump rings that create a movable "flower" around a bead.

There was also a "brown bag exchange" of sorts...numbers were drawn from a hat, and here's my prize!

  Yee's cored bead work is exquisite!

I'm looking forward to the next meeting with these fine Firefiends.

Going Southwest!

is the theme of the October exhibit at Art Exposure Gallery in Hampstead. I created a few offerings, and managed to get a couple of shots:

 

I call this one "Desert Under Glass" (not "dessert" ;-)

Photos are lacking, but here's "Turquoise Treasures"

For last night's 2nd Friday Reception, we were to bring a dish to share with a Southwest flavor.

 I chose to make my Zesty Cheese Straws, adding some extra pep in the recipe, and finished the dish with goodies from my dear friend and fellow vendor, Angela of

Angela's Pepper Pickled Foods:

 

 Pretty and tasty!

The reception was enjoyable, and the new artwork in the show was just stunning!

Stop in and browse the newest exhibit!

 

Glass Class

I had the pleasure of teaching beginning glass bead making to three delightful ladies today, all friends of one another.  So the ice was already broken upon arrival. 

We played with colored glass and fire for several hours, then a break for lunch and some delicious homemade chocolate cookies from Jane!  They had a lil bite to 'em ~ (secret ingredient was cayenne) ~ just yummy!

Oops! She accidentally left the container behind today, and here's what's left after my dinner.

 Since I won't see Jane til next Saturday, reckon I'll have to help her out to prevent stalage (that's a word, ain't it?) Mmm...just one more...

So back to the torch ~ 

They were thrilled at getting to create with molten glass.  

I have to say, all three were quick studies.

 

Jane loved making larger beads.

Great concentration! 

And here's Chris, so proud of her dots...she got it!

WTG Chris!

(Sorry about the blur...I had a hot bead in my other hand)

 Just look at some of their trophies!

A little red heart!

 

I always meet the nicest people in my classes, and these three were so much fun to be with.  I think I've made friends for life!

If you're interested in taking a class, just give me a shout in the comments.

Or click to email me here

 
With gratitude to my DH in help setting up (no he wasn't dressed like this ;-)

and appreciation to Ellen and Art Exposure Gallery and studios.

Turtles

(Want to visit the Bead Soup Blog Party hop?)

Click here

Probably the most popular/requested glass bead creature that I make is the sea turtle (frogs are a close second).

At least two factors multiplied result in the product:

1) I am situated on the coast

2) Topsail Island's Sea Turtle Hospital is located nearby.

 Photo from seaturtlehospital.org

Now in their 15th year, many volunteers dedicate their time and talents to watching and protecting nests, and caring for injured sea turtles.

My first encounter with a real live sea turtle occurred right there on Topsail Island when I was a small girl on vacation.  A huge mother turtle had come to shore to lay her eggs, and I recall seeing the grownups trying to force her back out to sea.

It seems they (mistakenly) thought she had lost her mind or sense of direction, as they pushed on the huge marine reptile, the poor thing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Among the turtles I create the design I try to emulate is the Loggerhead class.  I'm more fond of the ones that look more natural in color with earth tones.

But...I've had requests for turquoise turtles, 

emerald turtles,

and even pink ones!
(absent on photo day)

Think I'll head out to the torch soon...
time for some glass therapy.

And tomorrow, I'll be teaching others
how to make glass beads.  Good times!

.