Meet the Fire Goddess...

 

Susan Barnes the “Fire Goddess” has dedicated the last 35 years to fashioning, designing and creating handmade jewelry and jewelry embellishments.  Initially inspired by many of the leading artists in lampwork glass and in jewelry design, Susan is self-taught and has fashioned her own style with an eclectic blend of colors, textures, designs and movement. 

Unlike many who begin by creating a single bead, Susan begins by visualizing the finished jewelry piece and then conceives and creates the beads and embellishments necessary to complete the final jewelry design. Susan’s success is the result of her passion to develop American made jewelry that is fun, functional and very wearable. 

Check out the fun pendants I purchased at a recent Bead Show in Atlanta…Can't wait to use them in a new design for my nieces.

 Pop over to Susan’s Website to see additional pendants and lampwork beads:  http://www.firegoddess.com/

Love is in the air.......

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."

- Author Unknown.

 Happy Valentine's Day!

A Wine Down Weekend in Dahlonega, Georgia

 My Husband and I were ready for a weekend getaway but we didn’t want to drive too far.  So, we followed the Georgia Wine Highway to the small town of Dahlonega, GA.  The weather was very chilly (27°) but it was a pleasant drive through southern Appalachia, and it’s only about an hour or so away.  What is there to do in Dahlonega?  A bunch!  (Note the “grape humor”)  If you are looking for a romantic getaway or just a fun experience with friends, this little town in North GA might just be the ticket.

We joined friends who live in Dahlonega at a little bistro located on the charming town square. After a quick glass of wine at the bistro, we drove out to the rolling hills of Montaluce Winery and Estates. The land was stunning even on a chilly day. The property has been developed and designed to look like a Tuscan Village. It is reminiscent of a simpler time and place where life is celebrated and memories are treasured. If you’ve seen the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” you’ll know what I’m talking about.

 We decided to unwind with a late afternoon wine tasting in the relaxed tasting room where you can learn as much as you like or simply enjoy new flavors and casual conversation. At the end of the afternoon, we shared stories with friends and toasted the setting sun with one of our newly discovered wines. My husband loved the wine so much he purchased 6 bottles!

Our next stop was a memorable dinner at The Corkscrew Café; there wasn’t a strict dress code, fine crystal, or haughty waiters...this was an unpretentious little café that offered up a fantastic menu of first-rate fare and an excellent wine list. We felt exceedingly fortunate to have a wonderful meal in this little mountain town.

Our last stop was at a small bar just off the town square, we didn’t stay very long because the college age crowd was a bit too exuberant in their quest for fun on a Saturday night. One young lady in particular caught my attention, she kept belting out the same off key tune every few minutes.  Evidently she was confused, karaoke night is on Thursday. 

All and all, it was a great adventure and a great way to ‘wine’ down.  Cheers!

Take a peek at my Bead Soup package!

Look at what I received from Maria Rosa, my partner for the March 2012 Bead Soup Blog Party. Maria Rosa from  Willow Street Shops creates vintage designs featuring distinct and colorful gemstones, her handmade pendants, art beads and vintage beads. Based on her eclectic style and vast collection of materials, I was excited to see what she would send. I was thrilled when I opened the package; so many wonderful beads to play with! I’ve had them spread out on my bead bench so I can think about how I will use them in my Bead Soup design. 

 

Just look at all my treasure!

I removed the individual packing bags to reveal the materials I will use for the challenge. The idea is to work outside our comfort zone to design a jewelry piece using the beads selected by a partner. Maria's selection for me included fabulous textures and colors...

The first bag I opened contained a pressed flower pendant handmade by Maria and complimenting colorful vintage Lucite and glass beads.

The second bag contained another of Maria's handmade pendants, this one is a little smaller with a pressed butterfly wing.  It also contained coordinating glass, ceramic, and Bali silver beads.

The third bag contained a handmade vintage button pendant, vintage brass beads, a vintage key, and pretty glass beads. I also received the two clasps shown below.

Check back on March 3rd when my finished design(s) will be revealed.  Then, hop around to the other participating blogs and see what they have created using their Blog Soup Beads.  Cheers!

Increase your impact as an Etsy seller…

Many times, when I go to another seller’s profile to decide if I want to follow their tweets, I find tweet after tweet saying, “Buy my (whatever)…”

Does that approach work for you? Dose it move you to purchase from that person? I believe Sellers need to recognize that hitting the potential buyer over the head with a sales pitch isn’t a good use of the limited time you have to connect with your reader. It’s time to come to terms with what social media can and can’t do for you.



(Necklace by one of my favorite Etsy shops: Tiger and Hare)

First of all, does your communication emphasize relationship building? I believe you'll become more successful with your Etsy sales if you concentrate on building a relationship with your followers/friends, circles, etc. Here are some ways to do that…

1. Don’t be a salesman. Refrain from peddling your wares to those you communicate with on the social media sites. (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Blogs, etc…)

2. Focus on communication. Don’t talk to others. Instead, talk with others. Twitter is not all about you. It’s about communicating with others. If you are sending random messages out into the world saying, “I made a necklace. Buy my necklace,” people will see your avatar and ignore it.

3. Understand that buying is not impulsive anymore. On average most people must hear about your work several times before they decide to take a look or make the purchase. They may hear about it through your blog, through the occasional reference to it on Twitter, through a facebook post, etc. Instead of sending potential customers running by hitting them with the hard sell, just make sure you have good exposure for your work by participating in a variety of activities on-line, such as forums, blog parties, giveaways, or submitting your work to publications.

4. Don’t be frantic about marketing. Rather, spend your time building relationships with those who read your blog or those who follow you on Twitter or Facebook. Let them get to know more about you through your blog posts or tweets. Once they know you, they’ll start pulling for you in your Etsy endeavors, and will help to bring other readers to your blog and shop.

5. Spend some time on others. Blog or tweet about the accomplishments of others, talking to and commenting about others is a good way to build good relationships on line. Be generous on line and you will build good and lasting relationships.

By putting emphasis on helping others and reducing the effort of hawking your wares, you just might build the relationships you need for repeat purchases from your shop.

If you have some good indirect sales tactics, leave a comment for others to try.

My new love...Pinterest!

I know many of my favorite bloggers are Etsians who use Pinterest, the online pinboard for organizing and sharing images of things you admire. I’m a big fan of pinterest and my Husband might even say that I’m totally addicted to “pinning”— check out what I’ve been pinning.

When I first heard about pinterest, I was not eager to jump on this newest bandwagon, but I have begun using it more and more lately as I’ve discovered how much fun it can be! (And, admittedly, when I recognized that it is sending traffic to my blog.)

I just found out it’s easier than ever to pin my favorite Etsy listings! Etsy has added a red “Pin It” button to the item listing pages. When you pin Etsy listings with the Pin It button, the required pin description field is prefilled with the item title and price. You can also add a note about why you like the item!

Like Etsy’s Treasury, Pinterest is a place for curating and sharing things you love, and is not intended for self-promotion. I’ve been using it to collect recipes, favorite travel destinations, clever DIY tips, etc…

Happy pinning!
 

Atlanta Jewelry Making Group - Meetup…

I've joined a new Meetup group...The vision for this new group is a monthly gathering for jewelry enthusiasts to get together, make jewelry, teach each other new skills, and eventually come up with a plan to incorporate jewelry-making with giving back to our community. We hope to work with different women's organizations/shelters/non-profits and volunteer our time to teach others our jewelry making skills. I will be sharing my own experiences and tips on selling jewelry on Etsy. If you are in the greater Atlanta area and would like to join the group, please follow the link below to sign up and join our first meeting.

http://www.meetup.com/Atlanta-Jewelry-Making-Group/

Our first meeting will be on the 1st of February at 7:00 PM, at a great little coffee shop in Atlanta. This will be our Kick-off meeting to get to know one another and also discuss our expectations of what we’d like to accomplish each time we meet.

During each meetup, at least one person will show how to make something. At this first meet up, our organizer (Shama) will show how to use a crimp bead and crimp tool to attach clasps to necklaces/bracelets. It might be very basic for many of you, but for those who haven’t made jewelry before, it would be a great starting point.

If you have any connections to an Atlanta area non-profit/shelter that would benefit from voluntary jewelry classes, please share in the comments area below.

Hope to see you there!

Winter Sale Event...

As part of my “fresh start” effort this year, I am cleaning out the clutter and releasing some of the baggage that has been weighing me down. I mean this figuratively and literally. I get this yearning to lighten the load about every 5 years.



Examples of items currently On Sale in my shop.



So, to jump-start my effort I’m reorganizing my jewelry studio and offering 15% off the price of everything in my Etsy shop. That’s right…everything. I need to make space for my new materials and direction I want to take with my Etsy shop. I love making lampwork beads; I’m just ready to try something new this year.

I hope you can take advantage of the sale….Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are just around the corner. Sale ends at 5:00 PM EST Tuesday January 31st.

I won the lottery!

Yippee, I was selected (by lottery) to participate in the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party!

Here’s the scoop; each jewelry designer is paired with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending their partner the following:

• - A focal
• - A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)
• - Some coordinating spacers or beads

 Using the focal and the clasp is mandatory, but I can use anything from my own stash to come up with a design for the event. My partner for this event is: Maria Rosa Sharrow from Willow Street Shops.

 

I’m curious to find out what she will be sending me….her materials and designs are very different from my jewelry designs.

My finished design from the 4th Bead Soup Blog Party.

But that’s the point of this event, the idea is to help you think outside the box and work outside your normal comfort zone, pushing you into creative directions you may never have gone. I’m sending Maria Rose a package of goodies I would love to use in a jewelry design challenge. I hope she likes them!

 

I’ll keep you posted on our progress….

Looking for inspiration in new places....



Ask a painter for a great idea in "Red and White", and you’ll get an answer that involves paint. Ask a quilter for that great idea in red and white, and you’ll get a solution that involves sewing. Ask a scrap booker for the same great idea, and you’ll get a solution that involves scissors.

We’re all a product of our experience, but I find the creative limitations I have are self-imposed. They are false limits. Only when I force myself to look past projects that I’m good at or feel comfortable with, can I come up with the new creative ideas that I’m looking for.



My Jewlery on Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks?ref=si_shop

By experience I’m a bead maker (lampwork) and jewelry designer. Lately I’ve felt creatively sluggish. I’m trying to be more open to everything creative. Stepping outside my comfort zone and studying how those in unrelated areas do what they do. What seems impossible today may seem surprisingly doable tomorrow. Etsy has been a great road map to new creativity. Here are some creative projects found on Etsy that I’d like to try…..

This year I’d like to learn how to knit. Every time I see an adorable photo like the one above, I long for the talent to make cute little bear hats. I learned to knit when I was a teenager, but had many distractions competing for my attention. I’d like to give it another go.

This year I’d also like to learn how to watercolor. I’ve always been attracted to the soft images and the muted colors of watercolors. I have tried to paint in the past but ended up with a muddy brown mess on the paper. I think I need a basics class.

Remember playing in the mud? Ceramics is a great outlet for the urge to get back into mud. I was a master mud pie maker, maybe I have talent for ceramics. Love the container above.

This spring I’d like to add some planters to the terrace. I’d love to learn how to use power tools to create designs like the planter featured above. Home Depot has a Do-it-Herself class, I think I'll join the power tool class.

If you recognize this creativity slump in yourself, don’t fret. In fact, rejoice! Knowing that it’s your own opinion holding you back is the first step toward breaking down the barriers of creativity.

How about you? What stifles your creativity? Let us know in the comments how you’ve handled it.

Items Featured in this Blog Post:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88036613/original-impasto-white-tulips-on-red-and

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86464461/antique-palm-turkey-red-quilt-handmad
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89130272/30-large-lace-heart-die-cuts-red-white

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks?ref=si_shop

For the Love of Barns....

#10 Logging My Favorites

This is the tenth installment of a ongoing log of my favorite things. Once a month I will post a favorite. It might be a person, or a place, or even an event. Hopefully it will help you get to know me a little better. I'd love your comments and I hope to make some connections through our mutual enjoyment of these treasures.

 

I love old barns; if you've ever driven through a rural area, it's likely that you've seen barns standing watch over the landscape. Have you ever taken the time to take a closer look at the barns as you travel the country side, or stop and walk through one?  

When a family farmed to subsist and feed their livestock, understanding of the soil and awareness of nature were essential parts of rural life. This fertile lifestyle inspired barns and outbuildings of solid grace - - structures that reflect the regional character with original designs by innovative builders.

I didn’t grow up on a farm, but I did have access to the barns of family members in Indiana. I experienced many things in the barn. I watched animals being born, smelled the scent of fresh hay, milked the cows, shared secrets with my friends, and developed a love of nature. 

 Old barns were typically made of timber, and stone barns were built in certain areas where stone was a cheaper construction material. There are many different types of barns, namely horse barns, pole barns, carriage barns, etc. I find them all beautiful and each barn is unique. 

Why are most barns red?  There are several theories as to why barns are painted red, but in historically accurate terms, ready made paints were not available.  Farmers made their own red paint by adding ferrous oxide to the traditional mix of paint ingredients:  lime, linseed oil and milk to create their own version of long lasting red paint that acted as a quick drying wood preservative.

 Population explosion and the rise of agribusiness have caused the rapid disappearance of the small "family owned" farm. Unfortunately the need for these traditional structures has drawn to a close. What remains is an endangered species of splendid buildings that offer functional beauty and purity of design that once characterized the Farm way of life. 

Even though restoration of old houses is popular today, most barns of equal architectural merit and age have been ignored and seemed doomed. Yet people who take the time to befriend old barns will find that they hold many secrets, each one has its own charm and mystery.

 Adaptive use is the key to their preservation. For these proud structures to remain on any landscape their value must be recognized and adaptive new uses must be found. A small percentage of barns across the country have been lovingly restored and re-purposed to fit today’s needs.  The barn pictured above has been Turned into a lovely home.  I love old barns and I don’t want to see them disappear.

Next time you see an old barn off in the distance--close your eyes for a moment and imagine the laughter and tears echoing within.  Oh yes....I love old barns!

To see my Pinterest collection of fabulous photos - Barns Great and Small - click here.

Or cut and paste this address into your browser:
http://pinterest.com/lorisglassworks/barns-great-and-small/

Lower the resolution bar...

Every New Year I make one or two resolutions.  I try to make them very-doable so I’m successful.  I found some easy suggestions listed below and thought I’d share them with you. With any one of these simple resolutions you could easily get in better shape and slow the aging process THIS year for a younger, more vibrant you. Take a look and see if one or more of these 2012 resolutions might appeal to you.

1.)   Up the Dietary Ante Little By Little -- Completely overhauling your diet all at once is hardly ever manageable unless you’re extremely motivated. For most of us, making small changes, one at a time, is more likely to result in a long-term improvement in our diet. Decide on one improvement you are going to make to your diet in 2012. It could be as simple as adding a daily dark leafy green vegetable, putting the salt shaker away or substituting water or tea for your afternoon soda. I’m going to cut bread out of my dinner menu.

 2.)  Keep in Touch -- Each day, send a note or an e-mail to an old friend you haven't been in contact with for quite a while, just to say, "Hi!, how are you, I'm thinking of you, remember when we...?" By the end of the year you'll have brought a smile to the face of friends, acquaintances and family members.  It is well known that staying socially active is one of the ways to stay youthful. 

3.)  Attempt Something New -- Do something new and different each and every day. It could be as simple as driving a new route to the store, visiting and exploring a new website, or trying a new recipe. On the other hand, it could be something more ambitious, like taking up a new hobby or traveling to a country or state you've never visited. 

4.)  Huff and Puff and ---Decide you are going to enjoy an aerobic activity that gets you out of breath, or at least breathing deeply. During your walk, for example, make sure there is a hill or steps in the middle of your session that makes you huff and puff as you climb. When we perform a physical activity for as little as 10 seconds, it signals the release of human growth hormone (Hgh) from the pituitary gland, Hgh will start the process of repair and regeneration of cells to fight free-radical damage and reverse the general aging of the cells of the body and brain. IMPORTANT: Always check with your health-care professional to make sure it is safe for you to perform strenuous exercise.

5.)   Exercise Your Mind -- Decide that in 2012 you will enjoy a mentally challenging game each day. It could be a crossword puzzle, Sudoku, KenKen or one of several other puzzle choices. If you don't have time to devote to solving one of these time-consuming mental games each day because of your very busy schedule, then take two or more days to complete the game. Just make sure to put in at least five minutes each day in working toward the solution. Your dendrites and axons will thank you with a sharp mind in the decades to come.

 

 There you have it. Five simple steps you can take to make 2012 your best year ever. Any one of these resolutions can be easily achieved -- a resolution you can keep for the whole year for a younger, more vital you. Or maybe you have your own idea of an easy-to-do New Year's Resolution that's just right for you in 2012. Please share your ideas…Happy New Year!

Trim the Tree...

It’s time to trim the tree and put up decorations! I love doing this, but for some members of my family, it sounds like an unpleasant task. So, here are some ways that make our Christmas decorating less complicated. Maybe they will help you too.

Rule #1: we don’t go overboard. Sure, seeing our neighbors home turned into a winter wonderland is enjoyable, but doing it ourselves is a lot of work! You don’t have to make huge displays to enjoy the holidays. In fact, sometimes the simple Christmas tree and a wreath look better. We go for simple and elegant, not over-the-top and gaudy. Don’t get mired down in a battle with your neighbor over who has the biggest holiday display.

Rule #2: we make it fun. Get the entire family involved. Kids love hanging ornaments and helping decorate. It can bring the family closer together and create wonderful memories.

Rule #3: we make it special. Get special, individual ornaments for each family member to hang, and use heirloom ornaments if you have any. Using decorations handed down through family is a great way of honoring the memories of those who aren’t here to enjoy the holidays.

Rule #4: we try to keep it all organized. This rule mainly applies when we’re taking down the decorations. Don’t just throw it all in a box and put it in the attic for another year. Get a divided box for ornaments and try to bundle your lights. You’ll be thankful next year when it’s less of a chore to sort it all out.

Rule #5: we try to be creative! You don’t have to do things the same way every holiday season. Try having a theme this year if you haven’t done that. Make your own ornaments with your kids (popcorn chains and edible ornaments). Put your Christmas tree in a different place and move the furniture. Use some of your ornaments to decorate the dinner table. The possibilities are endless!

Christine Heidema of Christmas Creation has lovely hand beaded ornaments in her Etsy shop. I just love the intricate detail and the beads selected for each design. They are very beautiful and sure to become family heirlooms passed down over time. Check out her work, it's wonderful. Happy Trimming!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52788506/christmas-queens-diamond-beaded
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59082179/candy-cane-christmas-tree-beaded
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52250275/the-victorian-diamond-beaded-christmas



 

 

I've got Cabin Fever!

For years we have been saving to purchase a cabin in the woods. We are not yet ready to move forward on that adventure, but I've been collecting photos of what I'd like the interior to look like when our cabin is finished. I must have 'Cabin Fever' today, I just spent a couple of hours searching through Etsy Shops for the perfect accessories for the master bedroom. Take a peek at what I found.

This is the inspiration photo for our master bedroom...

I love the look of this room, I just need a little more color and pattern.  Here is what I selected for the table lamp and the fireplace tools...

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/86404209/braided-iron-fireplacehearth-tool-set

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/82916963/table-lamp-ceramic-21-tiers-in-light

I love this throw blanket and a small rug for in front of the bed...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87468000/car-and-carriage-quilt-crossroads

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72607198/vintage-1930s-navajo-hand-woven-wool-rug

The final touch will be throw pillows for on the bed and chairs... 

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/84595267/awesome-embroidered-fabric-both-sides-20

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/78528419/contemporary-olive-throw-pillow-covers

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/48117561/earthy-affair-throw-pillow-covers-16x16

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83549786/olive-branch-18x18-inches-throw-pillow

 

I just love shopping on Etsy! What do you think of my choices? We're looking forward to the move!