For newsletter subscribers, the following sets have already sold (as of 1:20 p.m.):

A, E, J, M, N, Q

I will update this post as needed.

First, I wanted to let you know that I have several sets (16!!!) and a few floral focal beads that I plan to list on Etsy soon - very soon!  However, newsletter subscribers are going to get first dibs on these beads in tomorrow’s e-mail, and will be getting a fun little surprise (hint: a limited time discount).  If you aren’t on my private mailing list yet, you will want to be! 

Second, as you’ve probably noticed, my listings have slowed down since the kids finished school and summer began.  Apparently I just can’t get everything done while they are home that I was able to when they were in school.  For them, this is a good thing - I’m keeping them busy with activities that they enjoy, but for me I have less time to focus on glass.  I AM still spending time in the studio making beads, it’s just the “office” work that I’m having trouble with.  

My point is that I’m afraid you can expect fewer listings this summer.  However, please feel free to make special requests - I welcome special orders and they are usually done within 3 days (depending on my schedule).  Also, just so you are aware, I think I’m going to go back to my “old” way of doing things for the summer and just listing sets as they are ready (rather than once per week). 

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.  And if you haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet, click on that button to the right to sign up and to get in on my little surprise tomorrow!

Over the weekend I broke my didymium glasses (these are the glasses I wear to filter out flare from the flame as I work the glass), and I got a new pair rather quickly, thanks to Malcolm at ARTCO.  I have to say that I wish I had upgraded a long time ago!  For the past 7-8 years I’ve been wearing a pair of ugly glasses that were too big and always slid down my nose.  My new pair is the “Downtown” frame, and they are not only lightweight, but they are comfortably snug - no sliding!  Thanks bunches, Malcolm!

Tonight I just wasn’t in the mood for beads, so instead I made some neat, colorful millefiore canes.  I made the gathers a little too big for me to handle on my own, so Kain helped me pull the blue and the red striped canes.  I pulled the green and the dark blue canes on my own, and cut a few pieces of mille for future use.  Each pull was about 8 feet long (about 4 feet for the pulls I did on my own).  I’ve got quite enough so I’ll be able to freely experiment!  Enjoy the pics (you can click on each of them to enlarge) …

First, the important stuff:  I just listed several new sets in my Etsy store!  A few new color palettes, so check them out when you get a chance.

Today was the last full day of school for the kids.  The dumb thing is that, although they have next Monday off, next Tuesday they are supposed to go back to school for an hour.  For ONE HOUR!  This is just to pick up report cards.  I’ll probably not make them go, though.

Now that the kids are done with school, I’ll actually have a schedule during the day that doesn’t involve beads, I’m afraid.  I don’t have them booked solid, but they do have activities that, for the most part, will occupy my mornings and early afternoons.  I don’t think that will translate into any issues as far as my studio time, except that I’ll probably be listing fewer sets more frequently - we’ll see how it goes.

Summer is starting, and I can hardly wait! 

Tags: etsy, etsy listing, Lampwork Beads, new beads, summer

(edited 5/28, 7:15pm to add photo)  My lampworking glasses have broken, so while I wait for my new pair I think it is time to list some new sets. I have a few new lampwork bead sets put together and ready to list - a couple are in color combos that I haven’t done in a LONG time! I think you’ll be pleased.

I’ll be working on photos tomorrow (Thursday) after my stupid dental appointment - yeah, I need more fillings - and I’m going to shoot for listing the new beads on Friday.
Have a great week!

Tags: glass bead, handmade glass beads, Lampwork Beads, new beads

I’ve got 6 fresh, new big-hole beads, just listed in my Etsy store!  These ones are all pink, but don’t worry - I’ll be working on other colors. 

If you’d like to see any of my regular beads (small holes) made to fit your Pandora style bracelets, don’t hesitate to drop me a note.  I’ll send you a quote and let you know how soon I can complete them. 

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend! 

And for your weekend viewing pleasure, here is a funny cat video:

Tags: add a bead bracelet, beads, biagi, big hole, chamilia, pandora, pink, trollbeads

Hi all!  I wasn’t really expecting to do this today, but I managed to get 4 new big-hole beads listed in my Etsy store.  Like all of my “regular” beads, these beads are handmade by me in my home studio, and they all have a sterling silver riveted core.  I hope you like them!  I hope to get some “naked” big hole beads (without the silver core) listed soon.

Tags: biagi bead, big hole bead, pandora bead, pandora bracelet, trollbeads

Hi there!  I just listed a few more sets of beads today… Check them out in my Etsy store, or click on a photo to get right to that listing!

Tags: bead sets, glass beads, lampwork, Lampwork Beads

Just a quick note to let you know that I’ve listed several new sets today in my Etsy store!  I do have 5 more sets that are almost ready to list, but I’m working on a costume for my son today, so they’ll have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest.

Update (Monday, 11:25 p.m. CST):   I just finished most of the photos; 5 sets need to be re-shot under different lighting conditions, so they will be listed later on this week (this bunch includes 3 sets in primary colors - for some reason they just weren’t working under the fluorescents today).  I’ll be writing the descriptions tonight and I plan to start listing the beads tomorrow morning. 

New Beads Coming (probably tomorrow)!

Hey, everyone!  I just wanted to post a quick note to let you know that despite a busy weekend, I’ve got about  18 sets of new lampwork beads sitting on my desk, waiting to be photographed and listed! :-) 

I have a few errands to run today, however, so I expect to list them all tomorrow.  I’ll post later when I have a time estimate. 

My Weekend

Had a good but busy weekend - On Saturday, the kids and I helped out with a rescue dog transport…  two Brittany Spaniels in Michigan needed to somehow get to their foster/permanent homes in Colorado and Texas, and rescue organizations often rely on a system of volunteers to each take a leg of the trip (each leg is typically 45-100 miles).  They were dropped off at my house just to give them a chance to run off-leash in the backyard - and do their business - then the kids and I loaded them up in the van to drive them to the next volunteer in Springfield.  I’m busy enough that I’m not able to help out very often, but it is fun when I am able to. 

On Sunday I headed up to the Chicago area to attend a retirement party with my Mom for two of my high school teachers - my art teacher and one of my English teachers.  It was great to see the school - it has really grown since I attended over 20 years ago - and it is really a first-rate high school.  While I was a little nervous at first (I get a little anxious in social situations), it was nice to see a few other former students from my era! 

Hope you all have a great Monday!