My How Time Flies!

Apparently it has been almost a month since my last blog post! Shame! I was really trying to do so much better about being consistent with posting... ah.. such is life! The big news this week, is my kiln has decided to take a vacation.. I am waiting for a part, which I am told (fingers, toes and any other parts that will cross, crossed) will likely fix the problem and be easy to install. I am fairly handy, so hopefully this won't be beyond my capabilities! In the mean time... NO BEADS... Can I just go on record to say how much that sucks!

I have been working diligently on making more jewelry. I have a lot more listings in my Juniper Gems shop. I have lots more things to list with many more in the works!

On Monday my little girl will be turning 17! We are having a birthday party for her this weekend and I am currently praying that all 20 of the 16-17 year old's she invited DON'T come! I do like her friends..and yes, we did let her invite that many, but partly because in past years such a small number actually ended up coming to the party, that I figured  push the number a little higher and and hopefully she'll have a satisfying turn out...Nothing is worse than your kid sad that nobody is coming to their party!

Hopefully my kiln will be back operating by the beginning of next week. I have a feeling I am REALLY going to need an outlet after this weekend.. either that or a whole lot of wine! I have several new things on the bead front planned, but I am going to keep them a surprise for now...Not a big departure for me, but something new just the same!

There are still plenty of nice things in my bead shop.. hopefully I will have some new offerings sometime next week! Spring break comes early here in Texas.. the kids are out the week after next I think.....I guess I will have to find some entertaining things to do. At least it's warm now! Thanks for stopping by!

More Pretty Pendants!!!

Emily and I have been hard at work making more of our soldered glass pendants. I am finally getting more of her work soldered and listed, so you'll get to see what she's been up to. I've had her busy creating art, cutting glass, even wrapping the pendants in the copper tape that goes on before the solder. She hasn't started soldering yet... a bit of a learning curve there and I am just getting it down myself. I will get her going on that end eventually though!

It's been a lot of fun creating these! More than I had ever thought it would be. We spend hours sitting at the table pouring over pages of digital art, working out each design until it is just right. While I know some people make the same pendant designs over and over, we are just making each one once. You may see the same art pop up again, but we won't be using it in exactly the same way twice. I like things that are made that way. It's nice to offer something that is not only handmade, but unique as well.  I have been putting a soldered jump ring on the bottom of about two thirds of the pendants we are making and wire wrapping Swarovski crystals and pearls directly onto them. I love the little bit of sparkle it adds and what girl doesn't like some embellishment??

We have a nice selection of Holiday themed pieces, and an ever growing pile of witty and sassy ones. Emily has quite the sense of humor and has come up with some pretty funny pendants! I like things in life that don't take themselves too seriously, since life itself, often tends to get all too serious.. I like anything that can liven things up a bit and lighten ones mood! We try to make some that are just middle of the road.. you know, Pleasant.. fun... nice... But don't expect to find a Hallmark card... Just not our style!

My Facebook Fan page is the first place all of my listings get shown, then they are later listed in my Etsy Jewelry shop and Bead shop. Stop by my Facebook and see what is new, or just drop by Etsy to see what has made it to be listed. I do sell quite a few things directly from Facebook, so many things never are shown on Etsy. Thanks for stopping by!

Mothers, Photos and an Almost 16 Year Old....

My Mother was here to visit for about 6 days, we had a pretty nice time. I do think I likely drove her crazy since, I did comment on the frequent, unrequested help with driving skills, finding a parking space, and other random "helpful" suggestions. The weather was pretty nice for her stay, which made it possible to get out and see the area a bit, but we didn't get to go to all the places we would have liked, but since I won't be leaving Texas in the near future that I can see, I think she'll have the opportunity to see those places on future trips.

I have been working on getting better photo's for my beads. It's a whole different thing to get used to taking pictures of. Jewelry certainly was and is challenging, but beads are different in their own way. I bought a new light tent, lights and a photo riser, to give things a whole new look. I will be transitioning things over as I get time to take pictures and edit them. I will also be putting up new photos of all the jewelry pieces in my Juniper Gems Shop, which has been sorely neglected since I started selling beads. I will get this whole balance thing down eventually. I feel like I make small strides towards accomplishing the things I desire to  be able to accomplish on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. It's not going to happen overnight, and I am learning little by little how to prioritize and how to allow myself to take a little break from things without feeling guilty.

This coming weekend my Daughter Emily celebrates her "Sweet 16". Most days I wonder where on earth that term originated, since sweet only happens when they are asking you to get them something. The rest of the time, it's a crap shoot! You just never know what you are going to get from one minute to the next. She'll be making you laugh, and moments later be storming out of the room because you upset her in some way...??? The good things are still there everyday. She does tell me at least ten times a day that she loves me without being asked or in response to being told that you love her... she does it all on her own. I keep that with me at all times to remind me that the "Sweet" is in there, and that something is going right.

I should be putting up a few listings for beads this week, but will be a bit busy this weekend with a bowling Birthday party and a sleep-over with a half dozen 15-16 year olds. I could go torch just for the solitude!

I have decided to end my other blog, and combine it with this one. I just don't have enough time and energy to write for both, so this one will be the one that stays. Please stop by my Etsy shop and see what is new!

New listings!

Just a quick post to say I have been busy, busy, busy!!! I am still trying to get down the dynamics of running two shops. I can't say I've got it all figured out, but it is slowly coming together. I have been slowed quite a bit by a cluster of migraines this week, which has made getting anything accomplished a challenge. If I am not in pain I am in a complete stupor from my meds. It's definitely a case of the cure being almost as bad as the sickness.

I have some new listings up in  my shop and have been slowly building up a little bit of inventory. It has been more challenging than I expected since things have been selling quite quickly, which is a good thing, just unexpected. I haven't been able to get much torching done this week due to the headache mentioned above, but hopefully can recover some of my lost time later this week and over the weekend.

I will be putting up some new bracelets in my Juniper Gems shops later today all featuring my own artisan made lampwork beads, so stop by and take a look at those! I'm off to get back to work on those listings since I am moving like a turtle today! Thanks for stopping by!

I Bought A Kiln!!!

Yes, I bought a kiln and am currently doing quite the little happy dance! This finally brings it all together! After months of torching, taking classes, buying more equipment, tools, supplies and getting things re-set up after a considerable move, I can finally make and anneal my beads! Being that is is the middle of the holiday season, I won't be killing myself to try and make beads and get them listed in my Etsy shop until after the first of the year and all of my holiday festivities are over, decorations are packed away for another year long hibernation and I have regained what sanity I still posses. I'm sure there isn't too much sanity left, but I have always though crazy people had the most fun anyway! I mean if you are too nuts to care, I'd say there is great freedom in that!

I will post some photos here when I get that far and likely on my other blog, Juniper Gems, as well. Thank you to all who have placed a heart in my empty Principessa Glass shop! It means a lot to have so much support in advance! I still have a lot of inventory in my Juniper Gems shop if you are looking for Holiday gifts still. I ship everything from that shop via USPS Priority mail, so as long as you buy before or on December 21st (early in the day) You should have no trouble getting and on time delivery. Just remember, I do my best to get things out the door in 24 hours or less, after that it's up to the postal service to do their job!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!

Making Some Progess....

I've been out torching glass like a fiend having a mix of success and failure. Such is life! I have made some strides in my quest to beat the cold, but it still plagues me. I am able to be out there on cooler nights, but COLD is out of the question. I stayed out last nigh a little too long and had a large rod 8-9 mm of new violet Effetre explode about 2-3 inches into flying glass projectiles! I am used to glass getting shocky, especially since it tends to get cool in my garage at night, but this was a big rod of glass that literally exploded! I decied then it was time to call it quits for the night. I have been making an effort to get out there earlier in the day, while it's still light out and the sun is warming up the garage door. However I tend to get lost in the art and spend hours out there! I thought I was doing good yesterday, got out around 4pm, wanted it to be earlier, but was distracted by other things. I came in and made dinner at 7pm, then back out a 8:30pm. I figured with the door closed I could reheat the space while I was in the house, which did work, but with the temps dropping into the 30's overnight that didn't do me much good for long!

I'd take some pictures of my recent work and post them here, but it is too darn cold out this morning to do so... another day! Plus I am still cozy in my PJ's.. The beauty of working from home! No one knows that you look like something that cat drug in from behind a computer! I will hopefully have a kiln just after the beginning of the year and start listing some beads in my Principessa Glass shop. I have a few new listings up in my jewelry shop Juniper Gems. The Holiday pieces are clearing out quickly. I still have a large selection of my Swarovski crystal Christmas tree earrings, but some versions are down to just one pair.

I think I am starting to feel my holiday "Fa La La"... that's what I call it anyway. That feeling  that it IS Christmas time and you are enjoying the whole idea of it. It took awhile being in a new place that doesn't exactly have a real winter. I just got my shipment of goodies I need to make my holiday candies, so I am set to start that any day now. I still have some shopping to do, but I was waiting for Friday to roll around with another paycheck to fund my efforts! Thankfully I really like shopping and enjoy finding the right thing for people. Have a great day! I'm off to torch some more!

BBRrrrrrrrr!

It is currently 26 degrees outside! Now, if you live somewhere that has a cold winter, this would be expected, but this is south central Texas! They say it will be a record low tonight of around 23 degrees! I couldn't take it anymore and finally turned on the furnace, our house which is uber insulated, was at 68 degrees and I thought I was going to freeze! It was quickly up to 72 degrees and I resisted the urge to raise it all the way up to 78, which is where it is at most days. Yes, this may sound warm, but it's actually not, it's very comfortable in fact. Even my husband who is like a nuclear reactor, heat-wise, all on his own, is very comfortable.

Needless to say, with the problems I have been having with my glass rods cracking while I work out in the garage, I knew that this cold was way beyond what my current set up was capable of handling. I have made some adjustments lately that have improved things significantly, but temps in the 20 and 30's are just too cold for me!

Fear not, the weather should be back up into the mid to upper 60's by Monday! I may not freeze after all!
I put up a few new listings in my Juniper Gems shop, and my good friend Nikki at Bastille Bleu made me super cute holiday banners and avatars for both of my shops. You'll have to go and see them! They turned out so cute! She came to my rescue, since I am severely challenged in this area myself. I tried several different programs and methods for making my own banners and failed miserably. There are some things that it is wise to acknowledge that you CANNOT do yourself and pay someone else to do it for you. I was coming close to wanting to throw my new computer out the window, which in the long run would cost a lot more than paying someone to make a banner for me. I now know without a doubt that I suck at this and should make no further efforts at trying. The world in general will be a happier, safer place if I stick with this plan.

Hopefully I will be back at my torch later this weekend. I can only go so long with out a fix!!! I just got a new shipment of Creation Is Messy glass and am expecting more glass on Monday. It's like boxes of candy arriving! The rods are all so pretty to look at, and you can't wait to go fire up your torch and see what you can do with each one. I'll have plenty to play with this next week! I have a couple projects I am working on for the holidays, hopefully I can make something decent! Stop by my shop Principessa Glass an see my new holiday banner! If you leave me a heart, (aka, save me as a favorite) I will heart you back!

What A Week!

Sometimes your week just doesn't go as planned.... I have had THAT week. I have had kind of a comedy of errors type of week, except that it has been less comedy, more error. It took me DAYS to figure out my new photo editing software, and I have by no means, got it figured out, but I can at least use it a little now. I have been trying to get my photos right for my jewelry shop since we move, but still don't have the right spot. I may have to just finally buy a photo tent and proper lights. I prefer natural outdoor lighting, but I have yet to find a workable spot at our new house.

It has gotten cold here this past week in the evening, and since my "studio" is out in the garage, it gets cold out there. This means that my glass, once I heat it up and use it, will crack the next time I go to use that same rod of glass! I have tried several different methods for trying to keep this from happening, but so far nothing has been really successful. I have a little space heater, but... it's whimpy! I think I am going to go to Costco and get one of those big disc heaters! I am getting desperate! This girl needs to melt some glass! I keep trying to get out there earlier in the day, but so far this week, I have been plagued by pretty bad headaches which won't go away until late in the day, if at all.

I just got a shipment of new glass and a whole bunch of cool new tools from cgBeads, that I am dying to play with! I will get out there sooner or later, I'd just like it to be sooner!

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

I am the Glass Princess, at least at my house I am. I have fallen in love with the art of lampworking, also know as glass bead making. I work in my "studio" out in my garage. It is a temporary set up, but it will do just fine for now. I work on a GTT Cricket torch with an oxygen concentrator. I absolutely love my Cricket!

I have an Etsy shop ready to sell my beads once I feel I have something worth selling, but for now it sits empty. I also have a domain name, but no actual web site set up yet. If you put in my web address, you'll just be redirected to my Etsy shop.

I have been making jewelry for a few years now and selling it on Etsy in a shop under the name Juniper Gems for the past year. I have really enjoyed the creative process and where it has taken me. It's been an evolving sort of thing which has taken me in many directions, but ultimately lead me to fall in love with lampwork beads. I just find them fascinating to look at even more fascinating to make!

I have another blog associated with my jewelry shop, which I will continue to maintain.... at least for now. I don't currently use my own hand made beads in my jewelry, but will in the near future. I will always continue to purchase and use artisan made lampwork beads from other artist, since I really like to offer variety in my pieces of jewelry. There is such a wide range of styles and techniques to explore, far more than one person will likely cover.

I hope you'll enjoy this journey along with me.