New Tween Beading Class

Mark the date: Saturday, September 29th, 2012.

That's the next FREE Tween Beading Class brought to you by the Friends of the Brighton Memorial Library!

Heart Necklaces

Class is for ages 9-12 and there are three levels of difficulty: simple stringing, twisted strands or Daisy Chain. Whichever you choose to learn, everyone gets a one-of-a-kind lampworked heart pendant created by me.
Class runs from 11AM-12:30PM and pre-registration is required. To register, call the Brighton Memorial Library at (585) 784-5300.

Want an adult class? Want to take a class at your local library? Call your library and request me!

Competing with China

My favorite: Fat Ass Pear Bead
Borosilicate 2011

We're all talking about how to market our handmade (or artisan made) products in this day of disposable items. Everywhere I look, cheap lampwork beads from China are selling for pennies. No one seems to care that they are probably not annealed and may explode at any moment. I've even had someone pay me a compliment, "if you can make flowers like that, you could work for Troll beads." What???

I've tried to fight back with education, but that always falls flat. Most people just don't care.

Last night I hired my neighbor to help me set up at a local show. She cleared everything up for me: "You have to make things that are different." She pointed to one of my beads, "I can get that at Walmart." Ouch.

Apparently, the style of bead matters. Spacer beads are done to death. Dicro is everywhere. Small and cute has been done. I need to re-stock my supply of organic shard focal beads, and work on creating beads that can't be reproduced in China. Yet.

Now you know.

Being Disabled Sucks

Yep, I admit it. I'm disabled. Doesn't show all the time, but these tent shows are doing me in. For the last three days I've had serious trouble walking. Even after all the cortisone shots and epidurals, my back gave out in Target last night. Had to use the cart as a walker and drag my right foot behind me. Sheesh!

I'm getting stronger, but I seriously underestimated how weak I've become in the last few years. And my coma six months ago sure didn't help. I need to slow down, ask for help and give myself time.

Anyone else out there want to accomplish more in a day than you can?

Ithaca Festival 2012

photo by Aaron Kelly

The Ithaca Festival was a bit wet this year, but people did brave the drizzle. I had one customer who said she came to the festival just to see my beads after reading about me on-line. What a complement!

I'll write more about my experience later; first I want to introduce a couple of vendors I met whose work I absolutely love. (Please forgive my photos - my computer crashed--with its editing software.)

The potter in the booth across from mine hails from Virginia. Kirsten of Kirsten's Clay is a former zookeeper and her line of pottery has imprints of actual animal prints. Way cool. I also love the deep, rich color of the glazes she uses. And her mugs are definitely generously sized. I chose a iguana-print mug that my son is sure to snag.

photo by artist

The next is metalworker Chris Carle. The beautiful lines and airbrushing on his stand alone sculptures blew me away. My favorite piece is this hummingbird. Sadly, my budget was stretched too thin to bring it home. I've saved it for you!

And lastly, I was drawn into Fresh As Paint by a sign that said "We have Plus Sizes." I discovered not only does Jane Miller have plus size clothing (as well as the usual sizes), she also knows how to cut clothing for us slightly larger women. And she hand paints her vests, jackets and sweatshirts too!

This jacket is fleeced on the inside is and so comfy not only did I buy it but I also wore it for the rest of the weekend.

photo by artist

So, even in the drizzle, the trip was worth it.