Metallic Silver Focals

A few new focal beads.  They were made with awesome silver glass, raku stringer and some have silver mesh.  The last one was one of my favorite styles.  I made 3 of them, thinking they were so cool.  They all CRACKED.  Must have a compatibility issue with the encasing.  So sad...  If anyone wants one for their personal collection, I will sell them cheap.  The crack is just on one side.

I also want to say "thanks" to all who have emailed and commented on my post about my store idea.  I want to add a couple details about it.  Justin has a building here in town that he purchased with his father and another guy that used to be a lumber yard.  They have storage units in the back for boats, campers and such.  The front of the building is vacant, so that is what we are thinking about fixing up.  I would have store hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only.  I can afford to do that because the rent will be so low (at first anyway)  It would be so handy for me here because I could leave if I need to run home, pick up kids from school, etc.  My future goal is to open a store in Iowa City, but thought this would be a trial run to see if 1.) I like and enjoy it and 2.) if it goes well, before I would invest so much money for a store in Iowa City.  

I have been at home for over 8 years.  I have enjoyed every minute of it and feel very blessed I was able to.  I am getting to a point were I want to get out a little and thought this would be a fun opportunity to have "the best of both worlds"  I could stay at home the majority of the week, but also get out a little and share what I have to offer.

Thoughts on that????

TGIF

Such a dreary day today.  The temp is nice, but it is so stormy and rainy.  The girls were suppose to have their first tee-ball game tonight, but I am sure it will be canceled tonight.  They were suppose to have one Tuesday night, but that was canceled also.  I am so anxious to see them play.

I have something that I have been thinking and praying about for a long time to finally mention to you.  I have been trying to decide if I want to open a retail store here in Wellman.  I would feature my lampwork beads, a few other beads to compliment my beads, my jewelry and a party room for little girl parties or adult "girls night out" parties.  It is kind of a scary thing for me to think about if I could make it work or not, but when I think about the possibilities it makes me excited.  I am asking for a little feedback on what you think.  Would you local people, and by local I even mean people from surrounding states, support me?  I have had people drive 2 hours or more to come to my little shop in my house, so that gives me encouragement that people are interested in what I have to offer.  There is a bead store closing in Des Moines, so last Saturday Justin and I drove there and got a bunch of semi precious beads, czech glass beads and some display cases.  I think I have a good start for a store. Please let me know what you think...

A new necklace...

Finally a few new pictures.  Made a new colorful focal bead, and one for myself.  I used green seed beads to pull out the color, but any color could be used.  I also have a few new sets with some "silver" glass encased in clear.  

I have another necklace to show, but need to save something for tomorrow.

I subbed all day yesterday for Jayla's class, so today I need to get caught up on boring house chores.

Seems like Monday

Don't have any bead pictures to show you, so I thought I would show a couple kiddo pictures.  Lukin in his Mickey glasses and Jayla and her prized catch of a moth.  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I hope to get some new bead sets up in the store towards the end of the week.  Till then....

So sorry...

Some of you emailed me about the new sets, fearing you missed them.  I got interrupted last night and didn't get them added to the web site.  I just added them.

Thanks so much!

Ready for the weekend

Well, I made it through all my subbing this week and am ready for the long weekend.  Wanted to show you a few sets that I am adding to the store.  All the sets except for the blue crystals have been etched and it gives them such an awesome feel and look.  The cool thing about the first set is the base is etched, but the colorful glass frit didn't etch.  The second set it a great neutral set.  The 3rd set is a new glass color that I just love.  It's one of those sets that are hard to capture how neat they are in a picture.  The last set is a transparent grayish color over white, etched and wrapped with fine silver wire.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! 

Tuesday

A new necklace I have been working on for a couple days.  I fused the chain together using fine silver wire.  I added some boro beads and various other beads.  It's a long necklace that you just throw over your head.  I love all the possibilities fusing might lead to.  Also added a couple new boro sets.  I am subbing for the next 3 days, so probably not much going to be happening on the blog and web site.  Today is the LAST day for the ADDBORO special in which you can add any boro set to your order and get 15% off.