Table Update Again!

Just a quickie post because I need to get to the torch and start crackin'

I've moved some of the trays around. I'm starting to fill up a section for pixie dust discs. I've got my new full spectrum lights for a more accurate viewing of colors. On the right side I have one bowl for orphans and wonkies that will probably be priced a dollar each. I also have an empty bowl that will be filled with delicious candies. Who doesn't love candy?

What you can't see is the risers I purchased which will raise the table by about 8 inches. I also am awaiting shipment of my two white tablecloths and a pretty piece of red and black scroll fabric in this pattern.
I love this pattern and I'm kinda bummed that it's a discontinued pattern. I could only get a yard and a half of it, but it's just enough to add a splash of color and design to my table without outshining my beads.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to have time to order my banner and more business cards.

Eeeek....one month left. I still have a lot of beads to be making.

Organizing your Inventory

In a previous post from long long ago, I talked about doing a major overhaul of my inventory organization. I was new to organizing for my stores and didn't have as many items as I do now.

It's been a few years, so I thought I'd show you what I'm currently doing.
After I've made the beads, taken them off the mandrel and cleaned them, they go in the "beads to be photographed" bright yellow bin.
After they get photographed and edited, each one gets placed in a little Ziploc baggie with its inventory number written on it. On my computer, each bead gets a few pictures of each one labeled with that inventory number that goes in its own file folder.

Oh yes, my desk is a disaster area at this moment. Nothing in this picture is actually listed yet though. As my beads get listed in whichever venue they get filed away in this old beat up filing cabinet.
Tada!

Sometimes I feel guilty filing away beautiful beads in a dinghy old file cabinet, but you've seen my desk and seen why I need to keep them hidden.

Also, this little monster likes to steal them.

Table Update

I hesitate to call it a table since it's just a taped off section of the floor for now, but here it is as of today

I still have quite a bit to do, but it's coming along nicely. The focal display is just about done. It just needs some paint in some spots. I still need to order my risers and lights from walmart and I need to find some sort of table covering that reaches the floor and covers all sides. Since I don't sew, I'm finding the table covering to be a bit of a challenge.

I can melt glass, but I can't figure out how to work a sewing machine. Silliness.

Not the best picture, but here's my backlit focal display. There aren't any on here yet, but it looks so nice with my lapidary beads. I'll be taking more pictures of this later when it's covered in more transparent beads.

Some scroll beads

And some etched disc beads. I love picking up handfuls of these beads cause they're so soft from the etching process.

And now that I'm seeing all the empty spaces, I'd better get to work!

Humble Beginings of my Bead Table

So here's the start of my bead table. So, it's not actually a table because I don't exactly have space in my house for an 8 foot table. So instead we just taped off a section of the floor in the spare bedroom. Clearly it has a lot of progress to make, but I'm working on getting it full. I'm hoping to post a picture once a week until the end of October when my show is. You've all seen how good I am at updating though :)

I have plans in my head to add a display or two for focals, a clearance bowl (because I have so many beads that need to go), a mailing list signup, and I don't know what else. Suggestions are welcomed from anyone with more bead show experience.

My First Bead Show is Coming up

I've always been nervous and indecisive about doing a show. I'm a very shy person by nature, so the thought of doing a show has been a bit nerve wracking. But, I finally took the plunge and I am signed up for the Innovative Bead Expo in Rochester. It will be held in the Henrietta Double Tree Hotel on October 29th and 30th. If you're local I'd love to see you there. Click the link above for a dollar off admission.

Getting ready for the show is going to be my excuse for not updating in more than a month. :)

Marbles!

So since my last post, I've been trying to make a little time for myself to just play at the torch. It's a bit challenging sometimes because the mentality of "time is money" creeps up on me. Anyways, I've been practicing my marbles!

Here's my first one

Not too shabby. I didn't really understand the concept of "punty." So when it came time to separate my marble from the glass rod, I kinda just melted it off and left a little hat on my marble. I did my best to melt it in, but it definitely has a bit of a cone head end. You just can't tell from this picture very well. I also didn't completely melt in my stringer, but it's my first one, so I'll forgive myself.



Here's my second one. Looks a little rounder and everything is melted in better to add to the roundness. I looked up how to punty and actually did it right. You can see by that punty mark on the right side glaring a you. When I was making the marble, I had forgotten that the silver from the scrolls would fume the ivory. The punty mark was covered by the ivory rod, so it didn't get any fuming. I didn't really bother to melt it all the way, but I learned a lot with this marble.

Third attempt shattered. Boo!


And here's my fourth and best one so far. It's quite round, the design flows nicely and you can't see the punty mark. Hooray!

Freshly listed goodies

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer and the holiday weekend. I've got a couple new scrollwork beads to show off before I head downstairs to the torch.

I have a silver lined bead for european charm bracelets. This one has sparkling pixiedust encased in transparent blue. I added scrollwork in silver metallic left raised on the surface.
I've been thinking icy thoughts lately in the summer heat. These handmade lampwork glass beads have a base of pale emerald green glass covered in shimmering pearl pixiedust. Each one has been embellished with raised metallic scrolls.

This handmade lampwork glass bead has a base of ivory glass covered in raised metallic scrolls. I have also added a jewel of opal looking luster glass circled with the same metallic glass.

Just thought I'd share quick. Hope you all enjoy the summer!