Merry Christmas and general happiness during this holiday season! I can't imagine a better holiday and I am so thankful. It is complete and I hope everyone is having a safe and joyous day as well. 

 Here some pics of outside in the freshly fallen snow as well as newbies from the kiln that have some blue hues and bright new color for the new year. 

Listing on Etsy

This bracelet is was fun to make. I imagine how it was going to look before I sat at the torch. I used a cream colored glass for the bodies of the beads and then swirled a variety different colors around each bead.  The colors are rich and of different shades.  These beads dangle with swirl on antiqued copper findings and metal beads.  This could be an every day bracelet or a treasure one of a kind piece.  Happy Holiday preps and December dreams!

So thankful....

Happy Thanksgiving ....a day early....I love this holiday because it is such good practice to be thankful.  It slows us down to just reflect on the  positive. I'm thankful for family, a cozy house, every detail about about my children from their excitement to come see me in the early morning to their teeny toes and adorable giggles...art..life...safety...little things and big things...our surroundings and a full heart for love for the amazing people around me.  I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving! I will be running the Turkey Trot with my amazing brother tomorrow in honor of my Grandpa Al..this tradition is fully of people dressed like all things found on the dinner table as well as a bunch of other silly bizzz. We run to downtown and then celebrate and prep for a great day of turkey and family.  
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

 The day started out with this...so gorgeous! I took a run and met the sunrise en route.  It only got better as they day went on.  We had an amazing family breakfast and enjoyed the warm temps.   I've done 3 shows in the last 2 weeks. Which helps me make and make.   I will be stocking and stocking etsy for the holidays.

Button Up on Etsy

The earrings above are a simple design. The button discs are light and the blue so bright! Happy weekend to all. 

I can't help but start to think about the holidays and gifts.  I am gearing up for 3 shows and busy making goodies to stock Etsy.  This year shipping will be free and I can wrap up  that special piece for free if requested.  Early...I know :) but fun to get the preps in. 
These earrings are unique and fun. The cream colored beads are petite and compliment the layered, encased beads that I made with warm colors. Happy weekend to all!

Underwater Motion

 Happy Sunday!  I was at the torch yesterday and got these goodies from the kiln early this morning. I have had this turquoise leather that I have been so excited to use.  The swirls of the glass in these beads matched the leather and I just had to get my hands on them right away. 

Celebrating my Mom's Birthday today.  I plan to cook up a whirlwind and celebrate with her today. I wouldn't be where I am without her....beyond the literal sense of that as well.  So pulling out the passed down recipes and a bit of wine to celebrate...yahoooo!  I am going to hope hope hope the Bills win as well..maybe they will work extra hard for a home win considering she has been a fan since she was 7.. Home game!

 Happy Weekend once again! I"m not sure what happens during the week...its Sunday night and then Friday afternoon in one Poof! But yahoooo for the weekends when I can get my hands busy with fun.  Fires in the fireplace, crunchy leaves, an afternoon movie, the newspaper and coffee and plenty of play...oh how I love the weekend.  I would love to learn how to insert more of that into the busy week...I'm going to work on that:) I hope all is going well with creating and being inspired out there.  UPCOMING EVENTS...Whisker Fest in East Aurora...great cause and great people and cats too:)

 

These beautifully colored leathers with cream colored glass and antiqued copper findings.... It is a simple piece but with whimsy and a bit of style. 

 

 

Gorgeous fall is here!  This weekend is a little rainy and cold but it has not stopped me from really enjoying the colors.  Today was the annual journey to pick out the pumpkins and take part in Pumpkinville fun. 
I am going to put some of the colors I saw today into action in glass and leather this week.  I hope everyone near and far is enjoying this time of year!  Happy Creating:)

This weekend was amazing! The Beads of Courage event was so rewarding. What an amazing day and cause.  As a perk, I was in the same room torching with other lamp workers.  It was fantastic.  The Buffalo water front was busy with triathlons, festivals and beautiful ships coming in for Navy week.  The Bills won, I ran in an 8+ mile road race (8 in the Rough) and there was even time to find bugs and play in the river with my kiddos.  This was a weekend of good feelings and sweet inspiration. 
The bracelet above is for the Wheels with Wings fundraiser coming soon.  I hand stamped the metal disc and made the beads.  This has been a fun creative exchange and process.  I made them in a fairly large quantity and some have already sold...for another great cause as well. 

I hope this weeks has the same tone...Have a great Monday and happy creating. 

This past weekend was a little too quiet.  The fundraiser "Natalie's Walk" is moved to October 6th. It was so rainy and windy by the water front.  When I stepped out of the car that day the rain was flowing in the streets and up to my shins. It only got worse as the day went on.  The new date allows for a better weather day and for more participants to get on board. 
 The SAM was cancelled too.  The winds were nutty and the weather unpleasant.  What can ya do...
On a positive note...it allowed for me to have some awesome time at home...soup, movies, relaxing, playing and of course beading!!! What is better than that!!??
Above you will see the BEADS OF COURAGE event for this upcoming Saturday. I can't wait to be a part of this event. Come and support us if you can or just send us some creative and good vibes if not.  Have a great beginning of the week.  I am purposefully not mentioning the Bills....:(  I still have faith...we all have to work out our kinks right..Home opening this week and they will turn it on...right?!

Whoa! I stepped out for a minute there. Back...and ready and busy busy busy! This weekend is huge.  I am going to be at the Wharf with SAM market. See the link to the left for more info( 10-5 on the water in Buffalo...gorgeous!) Also at the Wharf..at the same time on the same day...is an amazing fundraiser called "Natalie's Walk".  I have made bracelets to be sold at the fundraiser and feature the colors and design of this amazing organization.  After that there will be a Beads of Hope fundraiser the following week. I will be doing live torch time to make beads and collaborate with other area bead makers!!! Wow..great cause..great beads..great fun.  I will be posting more details. 
I hope if this week brings a new school year that all is refreshed and ready to go.  The leaves have a tint, the football season is around the corner (GO BILLS!) and times are busy busy!  Happy beading, creating and living life. 

Light Swirl

I create the body of the bead using a cream glass. I then wrap a dark turquoise glass around and melt it in.  Pretty basic...pretty fun lookin'! I kind of want these earrings for myself.  I have used this design with different swirls and colors but I think this one is the best. 
I hope this random Tuesday message finds everyone doing well.  I am wrapping up  large projects, prepping for the fall and thinking about a big day at the SAM at the wharf on September 8th. I am involved with two events at the wharf that day....so it's work time.

Just the beginning of the week but I have wharf on the mind.  This weekend I will be at the Saturday Artisan Market on the wharf in gorgeous Buffalo.  All the vendors will be there from 10-5. It is a wonderful setting with music and gorgeous summer views.  I hope you can make it out.  I am feeling a little funky this week and trying some new and adventurous things, which should make for some fun pieces out on Saturday.  I hope your week is going well.  

I ordered some new glass! I had been without some colors that I love.  One of them was this deep blue. Gorgeous!  I got right to work on some blue discs and this piece resulted.  I love the stacked discs of varied sizes. 
Next up...More Wharf. I will be there next on August 11th.  Can't wait!! Hope for low winds and sunny skies.  I will post my preps and new projects.  Happy Monday to all!

Special Gift

 I have a wonderful cousin that loves green.  She is always doing thoughtful things for other people and she is just one of those people you are happy to know and have in your life.  I made her this necklace this morning. It is a simple stack of my lamp work on green leather.  The hand stamped dangles in the back have her initials on them.  I am excited to send it her way and hopefully brighten her day. 

I have a shipment of glass coming in tomorrow.  I can hardly contain myself.  The colors are for some specific projects I am working on but I also have some fun new colors just to try and see on the way. It will be great to fire up the torch and see how it all turns out.  I hope Wednesday is great out there.

Happy Hot Summer Monday Post! The sun is shining and the beads goodies are flowing.  I created this necklaces with a bright green/yellow leather.  I made the beads from red carrot glass. So bright and playful yet simple and unique.  I want to duplicate the design with other colors and see how that shapes up. 

I am still working on projects, firing up the torch when the sun goes down and enjoying this beautiful season. 

New findings and exciting happenings....

I love glass and creating how I want a piece to look..but interesting and fun findings add so much to each piece as well.  I love buttons and found the 'militaires equipements' button is a storage box I bought at an estate sale.  The bright blue and green goodies are from Ecuador.  It is dyed wood/nut..I can't wait to find a home for these goodies. The bracelet above is funky and unique. I included stones, charms, wood and metal with the glass.  The earrings below are made with tiny lamp work beads and accented with carved buttons.   I am always on the look out for interesting and odd findings that love to hang out with my glass. 

In other news...the Buffalo Saturday Art Market is in full swing. I have participated in two dates and it has been wonderful.  The first day was perfect! Great people, weather, music and art.   The second date was crazy to start due to a nutty storm.  It cleared up and ended up to be an amazing day also. I would have blown away if it wasn't for some amazing and kind people.  Buffalo is called the city of good neighbors and it is so very true.    As the day went on, I met some more great people, signed up for some new and exciting projects and enjoyed what this beautiful city has to offer.    I will be there next on August 11th from 10-5... See you there:) 

Summer is going well. We have been very busy with bubbles, swimming, playing, and adventures.  I hope your summer is going great too.  This is an amazing time of year!

Let's do this Buffalo!

Saturday Artisan Market

The Buffalo Artisan Market opens up for the season tomorrow at the Wharf! There is a link with the icon above..check it out.  There are going to bands, a variety of artist and the beautiful back drop of the Buffalo waterfront.  I don't want to jinx it but the weather looks pretty darn amazing and I think we are all ready for some great summer fun! Come and enjoy it...and of course come and say hello t my booth!

 Good Morning Wonderful Saturday!  This crew is right off the dremel and ready to make and create for additional pieces for next week.  It might be a struggle to force myself to stay inside and do some bead work during this gorgeous weather...but I think I can do it:)  The beads above are cream bodied beads with turquoise dots that are then encased in clear glass.  The dots flatten and created a striped look.  Below is a single bead for some of the cat and dog bling that will be for sale next week at the Buffalo Artisan Market.  

So a bit of bummer that the winds were so crazy yesterday, out the Buffalo Saturday Artisan Market will be up and going soon. I created and experimented a whole bunch and have some fun pieces to put out. The extra time until the next show will give me a chance to fine tune some displays and continue to build inventory. It is gorgeous down there and I can't wait to be set up and taking it all in at the wharf.

  On a separate note, I spilled nail polish remover on my camera this morning.... Duh:( but good pics on hold for a bit. Mad, Mad, Mad at myself but trying to get over it..... The earrings above are made from a type of nut and topped with a frit lamp work bead.  I am still trying to figure out the nut type.  I love them!!

It rained all day. The sun is just coming out now. This forced me to catch up on some inside work. Have a wonderful start to the week!



Buffalo Artisan Market

This Saturday is the first day of the Saturday Artisan Market. I will be there from 10 to 5.   What a great opportunity to enjoy the wonderful city of Buffalo, improvements to the waterfront as well as a variety of beautiful art.  Click on the link above to find out more.  

These two necklaces each have a trio of harlequin style lamp work beads.  I love the look of the stacked dots both melted in and left bumpy on the surface of the glass.  I start with a black glass and then layer on the cream dots to be melted in and follow up with a transparent series of dots.  
I hope this week is going well for everyone.  Big holiday weekend coming up with plenty of celebrations and fun.  

Rustic Dangle on Etsy

These very simple turquoise colored glass beads match well with copper and brown tones.   The main stack is four mini beads that hangs with a disc and a simple shape beads. They are all crafted from blue glasses of various tones and give this piece a playful feel. 

Swirls, leather and sweet turquoise....

I love this city..but what I love more than that is the people of this city.   Buffalo Artisan Market is going to be a great series of events.  I will list my dates shorty and I encourage you to take a peek at what is happening at the wharf.   Click on the link of this adorable guy below..... 

Buffalo Artisan Market