What Have I Been up To?

What have I been up to you might ask, since I haven't updated here in over a month. Well, a lot of production. I have about six weeks to go until Beadfest in Pennsylvania. This will be the biggest show I've ever participated. Even if it wasn't the biggest one, it's still only my third show ever! I'm always nervous about shows, but this one especially.

I sell a lot of made to order style lampwork beads online and in person. Since I've been working on building up my inventory of made to order beads, I haven't had a lot of new items in my Etsy shop. When I do, I've actually been selling them on Facebook before I even get a chance to list them. I'm not complaining at all of course :) I'm truly appreciative of my customers, but it does make me look like I've been slacking off.

I did get a table set up in my house to help me visualize what I need to make. It's still looking a bit empty and I might end up reworking things a little bit. It all depends on where I'm at in mid August.

Here's where I'm at as of today

Still lots to do though. I'm having a little bit of trouble balancing two Etsy shops, Ebay, my own site, a show table and a  part time job. Something is bound to get neglected, like this blog. 

New Website and Bead Previews May 25-26th 2012

Hope everyone is having a nice Spring and looking forward to summer. I haven't had a lot of new groundbreaking beads to share, but I have been keeping busy working on a new website! I will always list on Etsy and Ebay, but sometimes I feel that when you get a lot of items in your shop, it gets harder for customers to find what they need. I wanted to create something that was well organized and easy to shop by color, size, price or anything.

So without further adieu, here it is

I'm still working on adding new items. I have a lot to add and will probably always have new things. Let me know what you think :)

I also have some bead previews to share with you. I will be listing them Friday and Saturday, but if you see something you like, feel free to comment for 15% the retail price.

 

These beads will be listed on May 25 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

5 raspberry cream lentils - $27
4 black rondelles with blue luster dots and striped murrine $24
2 topaz orange glow crystals with a white core etched with black lines $14
2 pale aqua blue glow crystals with a white core etched with black lines $14
1 squoval blue green luster raindrop focal bead - $20
5 ivory rondelles with blue luster murrine , pink luster dots and metallic accents $30
2 ivory rondelles with blue luster striped murrine and metallic accents $12

These beads will be listed on May 26 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

5 aqua swirl lentils $27
5 sparkling rounds with goldstone scrolls (older set that I forgot to list) $28
2 dark emerald green glow crystals with a white core etched with black lines $14
1 purple core bicone with flowers and blue sparkling swirls $22
2 amethyst purple glow crystals with a white core etched with black lines $14
2 black rondelles with striped blue murrine and blue luster dots - $12
2 tangerine orange rondelles with peacock metallic lines and silvered ivory $12

Decompressing after Spring Syracuse Innovative Beads Expo

I've been back from the Syracuse Innovative Beads Expo, for almost two weeks now, but I needed some time to unpack, decompress and sort through my oodles and oodles of leftover beads. But, here I am!

So how did the show go? It went smoothly and I made enough money to give it another try, but it was a little slower than I was expecting. I did get to meet a lot of bead people both buyers and sellers. I even got to meet one of my customers that had purchased from my Etsy shop several times. That was pretty neat for me.

This was my second show, so I feel like I was able to refine my table design quite a bit. I was very happy with it.

It will always be a work in process I'm sure, but I think it matches my scrollwork beads very nicely. I really like the modern clean look.

Here's a couple more closeups

 

As always, if anyone has any suggestions for improvement, feel free to comment. I'm still a bit of a newbie when it comes to shows.

And then when all is said and done, I have tons of inventory to list online, so everyone look out for it! I'm posting new beads almost daily. Help me find my desk under all these beads!

Bead Previews for The last week of April

These beads will be listed on April 26 2012 


If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 black lentils with peacock metallic swirls and spiral imprints - $36
6 bright yellow with thick clear encasement and white scrolls and spirals - $36
2 large minty green etched rounds with silvered ivory scrolls - $14
2 raku tigerstripe lentils with metallic lining - $14
2 apricot rounds with raised black scrolls - $12
2 bright tropical pink pixie dust discs - $5
1 floral focal with white flowers on irridecent light green with two accent spacers - $20
6 dark aqua blue with purple hi light pixie dust. - $15
6 bright apricot orange with silvered ivory scrolls etched - $36
1 windowed lapidary bicone focal with textured black enamel on the outside and light blue luster center with aqua swirls - $50

These beads will be listed on April 27 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 metallic gold pink with silvered ivory over black tiles - $36
1 windowed lapidary bicone focal with sparkling white on the outside and sparkling green with white flowers on the inside - $50
6 pale pink with thick clear encasement and white scrolls and spirals - $36
6 ivory cream rondelles with silvered ivory scrolls etched - $36
2 black rondelles with silvered ivory scrolls etched - $12
6 Tropical pink pixie dust discs - $15
1 purple floral round with 2 accent spacers - $20
2 Metallic gold pink with silvered ivory over cream tiles - $14
2 etched lentils with pawprints - $8
2 red with metallic peacock scrollwork lentils - $14

These beads will be listed on April 28 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 ivory cream lentils with metallic scrollwork - $42
6 gold pink with silvered ivory over red rondelles - $36
6 gold pink with silvered ivory over Apricot Rondelles - $36
1 floral round over light luster green with two accent spacers - $20
6 jade green discs with metallic lining - $24
6 metallic scrolls over sparkling pale aqua blue - $39
1 bicone floral focal with cubic zirconia centers and green aventurine swirl - $24
2 ivory cream tiles with metallic scrollwork - $14
2 apricot orange rondelles with silvered ivory scrolls etched - $12
2 opal purple discs with metallic lining - $8
1 jade green focal with ornate metallic zentangle scrollwork - $24

These beads will be listed on April 29 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 apricot orange tiles with gold pink and silvered ivory stripes - $42
1 dichroic windowed lapidary bicone focal with etched clear on the outside and tiny white flowers over rainbow dichroic - $55
6 metallic gold pink with silvered ivory over black rondelles - $36
6 raku frit over black with raised black scrollwork - $36
6 light aqua with sparkling purple pixie dust hi light - $15
2 black tile with peacock metallic and silvered ivory stripes - $14
2 ivory cream tiles with peacock metallic and silvered ivory stripes - $14
1 floral round over luster purple with accent spacers - $20
2 black lentils with peacock metallic scrollwork - $14
2 purple rondelles with silvered ivory scrollwork etched - $12

These beads will be listed on April 30 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 Raku tiger stripes over black tiles with metallic raised lining - $42
6 gold pink with silvered ivory over apricot orange rondelles - $36
1 windowed lapidary bicone focal with purple luster center, green sparkles, brass mesh and black textured enamels on the outside - $55
6 Rose pink with sparkling purple pixie dust hi light rondelles - $15
1 floral round over light green luster with two accent spacers $20
2 minty green rondelles with silvered ivory scrollwork etched - $12
2 gold pink with silvered ivory over apricot orange rondelles - $12
2 silvered ivory dots and lines over blue turquoise rondelles - $12
1 primitive freeform flat focal with cave drawings - $18
2 ivory cream lentils with metallic scrollwork - $14
6 gold pink with silvered ivory over purple rondelles - $36 

Lots of Lampwork Beads for the Upcoming Show

I've been working hard to get ready for my upcoming show on April 21 and 22 in Syracuse. Here's my table so far.

 

I've got some transparent glass beads with metallic threading and fine scrolls.

 

A newer style from me that has been received  very well from my customers. Each one has a base of color with a thick stripe of either metallic gold pink or peacock luster glass. The thick stripe is lined with thinner lines of organic silvered ivory glass. These look very slick and modern. Their shape can be used with pretty much anything, but I was thinking of earring pairs when I designed them.

 

More raised scrolls over rounds. These are my favorite to make. 

 

This focal display is backlit and holds all my transparent focals. I have another one in the works for my solid colored pieces. 

That's what I have to share for the week. What about you?

Bead Previews 2/24/12-2/25/12

I've finally got some beads to list!. Yay! Well I've been listing beads and all, but lately I haven't been previewing them before posting because I've had so little to list. So without further ado, here's what I will be posting tomorrow and Friday.

Same rules as always. Email me  at booga119@hotmail. com or comment here BEFORE I list these and you will be invoiced with 15% off. If you have any questions, feel free to ask :)

 

These beads will be listed on February 24 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)

6 silvered ivory scrolls on Red Rounds Etched $42
6 silvered ivory scrolls on ivory Rounds Etched $42
1 blue lentil focal with metallic scroll design $18
1 silvered ivory zentangle lentil focal on pink etched $22
2 Blue luster discs earring pair $8
2 silver cored pandora beads $20 each 

These beads will be listed on February 25 2012

If you see something you like in this picture and jump on it before I list it, I will give you an additional 15% off. First person to post a comment here can buy the item with the 15% off, but it must be BEFORE I list it. I send invoices with paypal and charge 2.25 flat rate for shipping for fans, likers, friends, family and so forth. Thanks so much :)


6 silvered ivory scrolls on black Rounds Etched $42
6 purple amber over black and silver foil $36
1 metallic zentangle lentil focal on tangerine $22
1 metallic zentangle lentil focal on pale emerald (the design is melted in on this one) $20
2 Metallic scrolls over opal blue earring pair $12
1 silver cored pandora bead $20
1 large hollow copper cored and capped scroll bead that fits pandora, but is intended as a necklace not a bracelet $30

Updated Studio Tour

I was screwing around doing important work on pinterest the other day and making a board of creative spaces when I noticed that my own studio tour was in need of an update. It's been two years and since then I've gotten a new torch, work surface and tool chest, so I thought I'd take a few new pictures.

First off, I got a creation station. 

I've heard rave reviews from a lot of people about it and how it helped their stringer control. I was pretty happy with my stringer control to begin with and I didn't notice a change when I installed it, but it does make my marathon torching sessions so much easier. Before, I was getting a lot of fatigue in my wrists after the first few hours and I always managed to put my elbows down in pieces of sharp glass. This helps me tremendously with that.

It also makes me feel like I'm riding a sweet motorcycle.

I've also upgraded my torch. I LOVE my torch. I've been using it for over a year now, but it's still my baby. It's a scorpion by GTT. I love that I can use the outer flame to get a lot of heat for larger beads and then crank it down to a pinpoint flame for stringer work.

She's beautiful!

I also got a tool chest.

 Before I got the tool chest, I just piled everything on my right side. My frits and other jars of goodies were on a Lazy Susan to my left. It was pretty hard to find what I needed. Then the pile of tools got a little out of hand.

But now I have this fancy red tool chest that I wheel next to me when I'm working. I've got a drawer full of molds and bead rollers. I've got another for all my jars of frit and pixiedust and another for my tools. I still end up with a lot of stuff on my workstation because I'm a slob my muse needs a bit of creative chaos to function.

Here's the old studio setup.  I only really showed the major changes. Everything else is still about the same.