Glitzy Glass Studio

Mom

2010-02-16T11:15:00.002-05:00

I get back on track with blogging and then the chaos starts!! It seems that every time I get back to blogging events occur that make it impossible to continue. This time I decided I would still make an concentrated effort to carry on :).

I updated my blog, and BAM poor mom gets sick. At 94 being sick is not just, well, being sick....she lost consciousness in the bathroom, on her feet! Thank goodness I was there so she didn't fall. It was the scare of my life. Anyway, we called 911 and the paramedics took her to Inland Valley Hospital in Murrieta. After they accessed that she wasn't in danger, we waited in a room for over 15 hours. NOT fun. To the hospital's defense, things were done during that time, blood work, ekg, Cat scan, etc... once all of those came back clear I asked for them to do a urine test - and bingo, she has a severe UTI. Very common in the elderly - she ended up being hospitalized.

Now here is an "info- mercial" lol. I signed mom up for a non profit health plan called Inter Valley Health what a blessing this plan is - for those of you that don't know - there is Medicare part A and B and then D for scripts - instead of using straight Medicare you can opt to sign up for an HMO that takes your Medicare premium and provides you care. It doesn't cost you a dime more, and the coverage far out weighs the governments plan. So look into it if someone you love is 65 or older! Just be sure you shop around - and DON'T use AARP's plan - it is horrible. Find a not for profit plan. I worked in the health field for many years so I had an advantage when I selected mom's coverage, and I will gladly help anyone that emails me for help - as I know how important it is to have a good coverage.

OK - back to mom - she was admitted to the hospital, and I found out that not only does she have Alzheimer's and Dementia - she now has Parkinson's - I had noticed slight shaking, but assumed that it was due to age - WRONG. So if you have an elderly parent and they are shaking - even slightly - get them tested! Mom's UTI is under control now and she will be coming home today - thank goodness. Another note here - if you have an elderly parent and they get frequent UTI's ask your doctor about preventative antibiotic therapy. Basically this is a daily dose of antibiotics for an extended period of time. Normally this would not be recommended for a younger person (to much chance of building up an immunity to the antibiotics) but in an older person it may be just the ticket to ensure quality of life.

So today just may not be a glass working day, as I have to see what mom needs in regard to care etc...but at least she is home and resting.

Back in Action!!

2010-02-13T00:24:00.002-05:00

It can't be possible that so much time has passed since I have visited my blog!! I have been in Murrieta CA for a year and 8 months. Where has the time gone??? So much has happened since I last wrote. My brother has been gone for 2 years now - it was 2 years on February 1, 2010 - doesn't seem possible, it feels like yesterday, but forever all rolled into the same emotions. I suppose that will always be the case. At times I am sure he is just a phone call away.

So much has happened since I moved to Murrieta. My son and lovely daughter-in-law, plus my beautiful grand-daughters relocated here 7 months ago. It was a big surprise to me. They called me about 9 months ago to say they had decided that Joe (my son) would be looking for jobs in California. Of course I was happy, but certainly didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Joe was flown out for an interview in May and they gave him the job the next day. By July 4th they were here - as quickly as that. The funny thing is that it was almost a year to the day that I had moved here. God is good! My niece and nephew had purchased a lovely home less then a mile from the home I am in (which, if you have been following this blog, you will know is also one of their homes) and they were wonderful enough to allow Joe and Marcy to rent from them. Honestly, they have been such a blessing to this family.

Anyway, to make a loooong story short - my mom and I and my sis were living in the larger home, but my sis really loved the smaller home down the street (not to mention, that she also longed to live alone again, lol) so we did a switch. Now Joe, Marcy, me and grandma (she celebrated her 94th birthday on January 16th) , plus the grand-babies live in the larger home and Carol lives just down the street in the smaller home. To be honest it isn't a squeeze at all, this house is HUGE - over 2800 square feet with a lovely yard and in-ground pool. Plus we have the best landlords anyone could ever pray for. So that is my catch up story for now.

I have learned a lot since being in Murrieta. I finally feel like I know the streets and I don't get lost as often...lol, and I know where the good stores are! I have discovered Trader Joe's - such a cool place - it is a different world in there. The customers talk to each other, and give hints and tips on foods etc..., they don't just stroll the aisles talking into their cell phones - such a treat to actually meet people once again in the store, ahhh the good old days!

I learned that the winds can get really strong in the summer - and that anything you are reading will end up in the pool if you don't weight it down - trust me, it isn't fun to remove an entire newspaper from a pool. It seems to get bigger and bigger, and then it just crumbles into small peices of gunk - UGH.

I have joined Hospice as a volunteer and hope to get a family assigned to me soon. Since I used Hospice for both my dad and then my brother, I know what a blessing having their help can be. So this is my small way of paying back.

OH and I quit smoking - June 16, 2009 - gained weight, but now I am at the gym daily so that is good. I was amazed at the difference not smoking made at my first work out. I used to get winded after just 5 minutes on the treadmill or bike - now I am breathing just fine at 20 minutes on both - that just blows me away. I had smoked for 35 years - started in my teens and never quit! One day I opened my email and found an ad for e-cigs - its an electronic cigarette that produces air mist instead of smoke and doesn't harm your body. It hasn't been approved yet as a quit smoking aide, but let me tell you, it truly is. I purchased one and now I am smoke free!! If you are reading this and are interested in finding out more, just email me at denise @ glassbeadz.com and I will gladly share the info. I don't want to turn my blog into an advertisement, but I would love to help someone as addicted as me quit :).

I also learned that humming birds are beautiful little creatures, and I really enjoyed having feeders in the yard, until I learned that bees love the feeders and swarm them - that was a scary lesson - lol. So I am not sure if I am going to continue filling the feeders. Sigh!

When I first moved to Murrieta, I would sit out in the yard at night and hear all these dogs in the distance. I remember thinking, wow, people here really have alot of dogs. Well, I have since learned that the "dogs" I heard were coyotes - lol. Now, I find it quite exotic to sit in the yard and listen to them yelp and carry on.

Speaking of dogs, my two little furry friends love the weather here, and they really love the yard. I almost lost Buster a month or so back, he had a slipped disk in his neck, but thanks to The Doctors Clinic in Murrieta, he is on the mend and doing really well. He does miss his buddy Carol though, they had a special bond. But, she is just down the street, so he gets to see her still. It is nice to have so much family near by.

I think one of the best things about being in Murrieta is getting to know my great-neice Grace. What a special little girl - well not little girl - young lady - she is. She is talented in music and school, as well as just being a nice human being. Hard to find that in a 12 year old these days. When I first came here she sensed that I was lonely and would just pop in for visits, it was nice to know that she thought of me. Now she is a bit more busy, and of course she has her NaNa (my sister) here now, so I don't see her as often, but I keep hoping to change that :).

I am also so grateful to be able to share a bit of life with my grand-daughters Natalie and Giannia - 3 and 2 years old. Such precious little girls. Full of energy and fun. To be able to hear their little voices in the morning is so special. Watching them grow and learn every day is a blessing beyond measure.

OK - so I have caught you up on my life in Murrieta, next time I will show you some of the glass I have been working on and we will get back to bead business :)

Hugs to all!

GG Studio move is Official

2008-04-17T08:13:00.003-04:00

Well folks its official - I have a REAL home in California - I am excited and terrified and happy and ....goodness knows what else. My sister always told me that she started her new life at 50 - and that I would too. Of course I have always been a little bit behind her, so I am starting my new life at 51 lol. This past 6 or 7 months have been a whirlwind for me and now I am off to a whole new life.

I hear that California is alot different then NY. I KNOW the weather is alot different, but I hear that California has its own "culture"....I sure hope I fit in :). Anyway, my new home is simply beautiful!! It even has a pool - an inground pool - something I have always wanted, and never thought I would have...not to mention it has 4 bedrooms and a loft that is really a beautiful office space. Then the best part THREE bathrooms - no more waiting to use a bathroom - one bathroom for each person in the house. Now that is LUXURY!!

I already have "California" plans with my neice Grace - we are going to take our "girl" dogs to the spa - no boy dogs allowed! The doggie spa lets you give your dogs a bath and a facial - lol and they leave with a pretty bow - actually I wouldn't mind that kind of treatment! Anyway, it will be alot of fun :).

I hope to be in touch soon - but, this week I am in California looking over my new home and doing a bit of relaxing....have to admit that I am not quite sure what to do with myself - feels a bit strange to not be at the torch, or cleaning beads or...well you all know what I mean.

I am California Dreamin.....

Changes at GG Studio

2008-04-06T09:23:00.002-04:00

Well it's official GG Studio is moving to California! I cannot tell you how thrilled and excited I am, this is such a great adventure for me. It's a loooong story but basically it comes down to this - last year my sister encouraged me to come to Alaska to be with her, at the same time the housing market took a tumble and I just couldn't seem to sell my house. To be honest we had thrown around the "move to Alaska" idea for years. Unfortunately the final decision to take the plunge came at the same time the housing market took a plunge!

Sooo...the long story continues - lol. I told my brother, Doug about my decision to move - which was difficult as I basically stayed here in NY to be near him. But, I told him I was putting the house on the market...and that I was sorry but I had to move. It is difficult to be the primary caretaker of my mom at times and my life would change drastically. My sister would be living with me and I could go out once in awhile. Two days after I told my brother about my plans I received a call from him telling me that he needed a liver transplant (he NEVER drank a day in his life) his liver failed for unknown reasons. So we began a journey that spanned 5 very difficult months. I was to be put on as his living donor and hopefully he would get a liver from me. That never happened, after 5 months of fighting to live, my brother came here to my home a day before his birthday on January 29 -
on Feburary 1st he passed away.

Doug was in and out of the hospital and I was in a constant state of stress - my sister Carol spent hours on the phone encouraging me and just listening as I had a few mini break downs :). Of course my plans to move were put on hold during this time as I knew that Doug would need to live with me for at least two years, as he recovered from his transplant.

During this time I spoke with niece Tracy - now this gets complicated - lol - my nieces are close to my age - as my sister was grown and married when I was born - I was a little middle life surprise baby to my mom - who at 41 realized she was expecting me! So my sister could be my mom, and my neices could be my sisters lol. So Tracy says I sure wish you and mom (my sister) would come and live in California to be near me and my family - and I said well, I will go where your mom goes - but I am not sure we can afford to live there....now this is where the story becomes a MIRACLE.

My neice tells me well maybe you can convince my mom to come to California. My husband and I will purchase a home near us and you, my mom and Grandma can live in it and only pay the taxes - say what!!! Yes, for the TAXES - no mortgage payment. So I call my sister and she tells me that she would love to go to California - then the phone lines really burned up. Of course Carol was astonished - we all were - this is such a wonderful gift.

So now here is the kicker - lol - the house is bought - they closed on it last week - it's located in lovely Murrieta California - and that is ALL I know - except it has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and I can still make my beads there! My neice and her husband Nigel purchased tickets for my mom and I to fly to California in a week or so. We will meet up with my sister , her 2 other daughters Kelly and Michelle and my neice Tracy and her daughter - my GREAT neice Grace. The excitement is unbearable!!!

It looks like my home in NY is going to stay in the family for a bit - as my son and daughter-in-law will be the new owners and I am off to Southern California to the Golden Triangle! When I return from my first visit - or maybe when I am there - I will post pictures of my new home! I am looking forward to living with my sister and being close to my great neice - Grace. So through all the darkness of the last year or so a wonderful light has appeared and I am so excited to be making this change. I think my glass art will be effected in a positive way in the coming months and I am looking forward to seeing what I am inspired to create!

One neat thing - I won't be packing my snow shovels!!!

Hugs
DeMarie

Some Fun with Sterling Wire

2008-03-30T15:53:00.004-04:00

CLICK THE PIC FOR A CLOSE UP OF THE DESIGN
I really enjoyed working on this bracelet design - I used alot of wirewrapping techiniques and of course some of my boro beads. This bracelet is already spoken for, but I wanted to share the design concept. I tumble polished the entire peice for a lovely high shine....

Good Morning!

2008-03-18T09:23:00.004-04:00

OK - today I am going to share a bit of a personal stuggle - lol. My YOYO weight - jeez - what a mess. I have spent my entire life on a diet!! Now, I have to admit that I have never had much patience in my life - I like a quick fix, but I realize that the stresses of the last year or so have made me turn to my old friend ice cream, alot of ice cream!! Unfortunately this friend came with a few pounds. So last week I joined Planet Fittness, I am so pleased - this gym is so in line with what I needed. The perfect place for those of us that are shy to go to those "pick-up" or "show-off" gyms. No grand standing is allowed, there is a dress code and the people that go there are REAL. I am so excited.

The other thing I have conquered is a bit strange. Over the last year I developed all sorts of aches - I mean ACHES - everywhere. It seemed like every joint in my body hurt all day, all the time - I kept thinking it was the extra weight or possibly stress. Well I am pleased to tell you that they are gone - almost completely - and all it took was an internet search.

A few days ago I Googled, words like joint aches etc...and came upon a site that discussed that some people are effected by Splenda. Well, I use Splenda in everything (I suppose I thought it would make up for all that ice-cream). Well, it has been 3 days now since I have used Splenda and I am blown away by the difference. So if you find that you consume alot of Splenda (remember it's in soft drinks, diet tea etc...) and you are achy all the time, try this quick fix. Certainly showed me how important it is to pay attention to what you put in your body.

So friends I am on my way to getting myself back on track, and I find that the workout at Planet Fittness has really helped me to feel better about myself and inspire a bit of art in me too!! I am going to give myself 6 months of intense reworking and then I am going to show you before and after pictures - I promise. Since I am still in the before mode I am going to wait so I don't feel so horrible about the before picture :) - I will even give you starting weight and ending weight - NOW that should motivate me to keep doing the right thing!

Finally Back to Blogging

2008-03-08T09:15:00.004-05:00

Well it has been a long journey from November until now - as many of you know my brother passed away on Feb. 1, 2008. His journey to live was a long one that began in September. Yet now it feels like such a short time... He passed away in comfort at my home, after celebrating his birthday on January 29th - I will always remember how he enjoyed his birthday meal and how he gave "kudos" to the chef :)

It was a bit difficult to get back into the flow of creating again, but I am now back at the torch and creating. Art can be so comforting. It feels a bit strange not to be able to share my new designs with my bro - but I am sure he takes a bit of time to stop by and give me a bit of inspiration from time to time :).

I am going to be busy, busy, busy at the torch over the weekend and hopefully will have some fun beads to share with all of you by Tuesday. I also received approval to sell on Amazon, which is going to be fun - now you can buy GG beads, while shopping for other things on Amazon :).

Thank you all for the wonderful emails of comfort and support over the last months - it was so appreciated.

Hugs
DeMarie
return to shop for beads

New Beads!!!

2007-11-12T14:55:00.000-05:00

New Beads have arrrived - I have posted them in the Studio's store

A bit about life

2007-11-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, first let me tell all of you how much I appreciate all your emails and I PROMISE new bead sets are going up tomorrow. Some of you know, and some don't, but a few weeks back my brother went into liver failure - a non drinker, non drugger (is that a word?) but he became ill and then was given the news that his liver was failing. So, he is now in the process of traveling back and forth to Mt. Sinai in NY - and getting things in order to receive a liver transplant.

I am hoping that my tests will make me eligilble to be a living donor...but there is a ton of paperwork to process before then! So please forgive me for getting a bit behind in Studio things.

I have been steadily filling custom orders and with a few exceptions - they are all on track - some are delayed due to waiting for some "fun" glass :) - sorry Pam! The glass folk I use supply great glass, but gee it's hard to get them to answer an email!!!

OK so now that I have unloaded all my life's problems on everyone, and I am off to string some beads!
Hugs

It's November

2007-11-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

For Pete's Sake it's November already - I just can't believe it. Alot has been going on in my life and in the Studio - so I decided to take a bit of time to learn to create something new - BEADED BEADS! I found this wonderful site and was immediately hooked.

Here is my first attempt using the kit that I purchased from Bead Infinitum I had so much fun creating these beads - the instructions were fantastic and the results were truly beautiful! The purple beads are the beads I made using the tutorial from Bead Infinitum - they are called Telstar beads - you just have to go and visit to see all the designs they have - but please be sure to read the copywrite info for your designs.

I made the the sterling silver twirl beads too - they added a nice flair to the design and were fancy enough to hold their own against the beauty of the Telstar Beads!!

OK I am off to the Torch to make glass beads :) - have a great day!

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Gianna at 2 months old

2007-10-29T13:58:00.000-04:00

Neglectful!!

2007-10-07T09:51:00.000-04:00

First let me tell everyone how sorry I am that I have neglected my blog! Things just got a bit hectic here with the new grandbaby and my brother became ill. He is now on a Liver Transplant list - and we are hoping that he will be accepted in the program. I am not sure about all the details yet as we are very new to the transplant world! I am hoping to add new sets by the end of this week as all my large custom orders have been processed or under control :).

I will be posting some pictures soon. I made a lovely set of beads called crystal waves - I am really pleased with the outcome - I will put the pic here - it sold immediately, but I am hoping to make a sister set today.

Hugs to all!

Lampwork Swicki

2007-09-27T08:47:00.000-04:00

Grab this swicki from eurekster.com

A good bead day!

2007-08-19T14:19:00.001-04:00

Have a few others bathing and waiting to be properly cleaned and photographed - but this lovely gemstone hollow is one of my favorites - sorry it is already sold - I will sort of miss this big beautiful focal - sigh!! I did work on some more of my signature Touch Stones and was really happy with the results of these too - here are some pics of a few of them -

2007-08-16T12:06:00.000-04:00

Some fun pendants that came out of the kiln today! A really cool TouchStone Conch Shell pendant and a lovely GG Tree of Life Pendant - I am so proud of these!!

Did I say easy?

2007-08-16T09:36:00.000-04:00

Did I say I was going to make an "easy" dinner? Well, it sure as heck wasn't easy! Since I was so busy in the Studio yesterday I decided to make pancakes, eggs and bacon for dinner, this just happens to be my mom's favorite meal (mainly because of the Maple Syrup involved.) Well...the meal turned out to be a mess - I burned the bacon, made the eggs look like some sort of alien mush, in fact I am sure that most prisons serve better eggs, and the pancakes...well let's just say the best part of the meal WAS the Maple Syrup. A total disaster. I should have just trashed the whole thing and served chicken noodle soup!

On a better note I did manage to string up some of the latest designs and I am pretty happy with how they came out. I am taking pictures and they will be up for sale in a few minutes. Whew, I am certainly happy to see this task done.

Okky Dokey - I am off to the Post Office to deliver some more beads - talk to you soon.

A new Day

2007-08-15T16:48:00.001-04:00

Worked at the Torch all morning and just put a little dent in my new custom orders! Spent from 5 am to 9 am just printing labels and shipping. Then hit the torch. On a lighter note I "think" I found a cool color combo that I like. I am working on some sets that have been driving me insane - lol. I can't wait to open the kiln tomorrow to see if my vision came to pass!!! I filled the first kiln and after making mom dinner I am going to crank up my back up kiln and go back to bead making :) - I would call it work, but I really do enjoy making beads - its the "other" stuff - the up keep of the Studio, laundry, cooking, dusting - now THOSE things are work. I have always wished that I could tolerate "messy", but I just don't work well in that type of enviroment - so I have to make the beds every day, do the dishes etc.... lol.

Last week I actually left the Studio "messy" when I was done - I have to say I felt a bit "naughty" - lol, and sort of liberated. However, that didn't last long....I was not happy to return to the pick up the next morning!!! So I guess my "liberation" had a price! I would so love to get an assistant, but with fuel and glass prices rising, that dream is always just a bit out of reach - I want to keep my beads priced so people can afford to love and use them!!!

OK - I checked in for today, and by about 10 or 12 pm tonight (NY time) I will have some new sets up - I did manage to clean yesterdays goodies after doing the shipping this am. Off to make an easy dinner pancakes, eggs and bacon - my mom's favorite dinner. LOL.

"see" you all soon!

It Can't be August!!

2007-08-06T15:17:00.000-04:00

I am shocked - August is here, winter is around the corner and I am not ready - in less than 100 days I will have to be thinking of cooking for Thanksgiving. My mother always told me that the older you get the faster time flies by - I just didn't believe it. Wasn't it just yesterday that my son was crawling around on the floor? Now he is raising his own little girl, and expecting another one in less than 30 days - how did that happen???? OK - enough of the whining...

My torch has been running non-stop for the last few days - all orders are out - YIPPPEEE, and I have been able to post a bunch of new designs that are in Studio and ready for new homes. I hated to do it, but I did put my Terra glass focals up for sale - I can't believe how beautiful that glass is. I will come back in a few minutes (hours) to put a link here to the new designs that are waiting for adoption!

My goodness - time was on my side this time - I got these lovelies up quickly - come take a peek
click here

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Where oh Where???

2007-07-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

My goodness, where oh where has the day gone? Time just seems to be slipping by and I can't seem to get out from under all the things that need to be done in the Studio!!! On a good note I have finished some nice beads and they are annealing nicely - hopefully they will be ready for photos tomorrow in the pm - they all will need a good "bath" and dressing up first :). In the meantime I will finish the laundry -- yes, the laundry at 11:30 pm!!! only one load - big difference from when my son and his family lived here - at least two loads a day - lol - now only two loads a week!!! My mom and I just don't have that many things to wash :). Still I miss the chaos and laughs we had - oh well they all have to leave the nest sometime. Well, off to fold and fluff and then to bed!!!
Have a wonderful evening everyone "see" you tomorrow!!!
DeMarie

It Works!! Terra Glass Is Beautiful

2007-07-26T10:02:00.000-04:00

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Ok - I have to admit I am a boro glass lover - it's expensive, durable and beautiful with it's gem stone qualities. So it is very hard for me to explore new "soft" glass, but I just couldn't resist the glass from Double Helix Glassworks.

The glass called Terra has been a bit of a trend for some time now, and I don't like trends in the glass world, but I just had to try this glass!! At $100.00 a pound - yes I said $100 a pound it was a stretch even for me a dedicated boro artist that is used to paying about $45.00 a pound for glass. But I have to tell you this glass is worth every single penny!! The results are magnificent and the customer service is fast and friendly - Julie even included a lovely note, and considering that the glass business can get really hectic and busy, that was a special treat for me.

So....how do the beads look??? I LOVE them - that is how they look -above you can see my very first beads using Tera Glass from Double Helix Glassworks - this glass is worth every penny and more!

NOTE DON'T FORGET MY VERY FIRST COLUMN WITH THE ONLINE BEAD MAG BEADBUGLE.COM IS NOW ONLINE. MY DESIGN COLUMN WITH THE TROY RECORD IN NY IS "OFF LINE" EVERY OTHER SUNDAY - SO READ, READ, READ!

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Opps

2007-07-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

GG HOME

NOTICE - some of you complained that you couldn't make any comments on my blog unless you joined Google - I think I may have finally fixed that so anyone can make a comment or two. Just remember always be kind - lol.

So in my last blog post I went on a bit about a column I wrote with no response - well, opps....my fault the magazine did email me, and I apparently missed it - so all that whining by me was all for naught! Thank goodenss I didn't announce that I wasn't going to be doing it. Just goes to show you that you should never jump the gun and assume until you KNOW. Or at least that is what I learned this week - lol.

I am hoping to get some time in the Studio to create next week - it looks like the rest of the this week and weekend will be used to finish custom orders. I have to admit that I really love making beads for people that I "know" via the net... It is kind of cool to make a bead, pendant or bead set that brings another artist's ideas to life.

I hope all of you that belong to GG Studio received my email in regard to the recent Bead and Button show. Apparently a few of you saw my pendants there and were concerned that some other glass person had "ripped me off" and made Touch Stone Pendants for a designer. The truth is that they were my pendants made especially for a wonderful teacher at the show. But it was so nice to know that some of you would take the time to "protect" my ideas. I am so grateful for such a dedicated GG Designer family. I have known so many of you for years now, and we have all grown together.

I can hardly believe that I have been working with glass for over 14 years now - time has just flown by. I can still remember the first time I sat myself down at the torch, both thrilled and terrified. So many of you have grown with me, even mentored me. I am forever grateful for all of you.

Well, it is a bit late - 9:30 am here in NY and I have to get to the torch and run to the post office to mail more beads :).

GG HOME

Added New Sets and will be making more Conch Shell Pendants by Monday

2007-07-13T16:28:00.000-04:00

GG HOME

My goodness - I can't believe how fast time seems to fly as you get older. I was amazed that I had let almost a week go by before posting again. I have added a few new designs to the site and some really fun lampwork disk beads for those of you who love to wirewrap. I really had a ton of fun making these and then putting them together. The finished design is actually prettier then the pictures. I guess because the picture is flat and these are so 3D.

I finished my design column for the Troy Record this week and last week took at least 4 hours to put together a column for an online magazine. It now appears that the online mag is a bust - didn't hear a thing back from them and I am a bit miffed at the lack of consideration a business can have. I guess what really upsets me is that I made an announcement to the local readers of my column and now I have to do a correction. No matter - I have always found that some things just work out for the best, if even at first you don't see the reasons behind a situation they usualy make sense down the road!

On a much better note I submitted a design idea to a major bead mag - can't tell you who yet- and they answered. Of course I won't know for a bit of time yet - but it was encouraging to have a response. From what I can tell they start taking projects 4 or 5 months in advance of publication so it may be quite some time!!

So I am now off to make more beads - I have some ideas for some really neat organics - we shall see what the flame brings today. See you all soon.

GG HOME

2007-07-07T13:57:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRAND-DAUGHTER!

I took some time off on July 5th to celebrate the first birthday of my grand-daughter. I loved every second. She is a blessing.

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2007-07-04T01:14:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July - please take some time to pray for all of our troops

and their families!

4th of July! Almost

2007-07-03T07:14:00.000-04:00

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I took some time this am to do a bit of web surfing - just a mind relax thing before getting down to torch business. I stumbled on this thing called visual DNA and did mine - kind of interesting :)

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I think it kind of describes me, it is sort of limiting as it didn't let me pick fishing as one of my loves!!! But it did let me pick, that sort of gross buff guy as a dislike. Nothing like seeing one of those steriod addicts walking around, especially in light of the last few days when that wrestler murdered his wife and son and then himself. Such a sad thing.

It looks like I will be working on the 4th - orders got behind due to a bad batch shipment of glass from one of my suppliers - I just will not use defective glass - well not defective, just plain scumy - scumy glass has all those streaks and really ruins the look of a bead. So I had to find glass asap and get custom orders out asap. Needless to say this is a bit of a set back. But I did learn one lesson, don't ever let your clear glass stash get low!!

Well it is already 7:20 am and I haven't gotten out of my PJ's - the torch is calling so I better get my fanny in gear. Hope all of you enjoy your 4th. My poor doggies hate it, but this year I was smart and had the vet give me some meds. Maybe, with a little help from doggie sedatives, we can all relax a bit while the fireworks blast away.

I have a neighbor that does a huge display, which normally I would love, but it scares my pets so badly that all the fun is gone. Hopefully this year I can enjoy the free display without having shivering doggies at my side.

DeMarie

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New Pendants will arrive tomorrow morning

2007-06-27T22:37:00.000-04:00

My goodness days have been slipping by. I still have about 4 custom orders that are in the making, and should be finishing all these lovely beads by tomorrow PM. We have had some terrible weather her - major thunderstorms, that even scared me, a avid thunderstorm lover!!

I have two kilns running tonight, and one has some lovely pendants that will be up on the early notify list by tomorrow, hopefully by noon. I say hopefully, because about 3,000 people here have lost electricity - and even though I have backup now to ensure my kiln cycles will run. I don't have any backup for my computer!!!

I met a lovely young woman online the other day, and after reading her family story I put together a website for her, nothing fancy, but I think it's cute. If you are looking for a baby gift, please visit her site and help her help her family, at the same time http://www.cuddlenoodles.com/ - Isn't the name cute - she came up with the name, all I did was put her words into a website she could use. I had to stay up to watch a kiln cycle anyway, so why not do something fun :)

Well, it is already 10:45 and I still have about 40 beads to clean - so I am off to clean some beadies and then hopefully get to bed without another thunderstorm coming. My poor doggies become so terrified that if another storm comes they are going to climb all over me. The storms have been so severe the last month or so that I called the vet and hopefully she can give me something to help them when a major storm is due. I know I will need to do something for the 4th of July, the fireworks just send them into a tizzy!!! Unfortuantely I have a gung ho neighbor that sets off the biggest display every year - which I actually would enjoy, if it didnt' scare Buster and China so much!

OK - I am rambling - better get back to work!!! I am excited to see what the pendants will look like tomorrow morning!!

Hugs

DeMarie

NEW DESIGN FOR WIRE WRAPPERS

2007-06-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

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I have been kicking around this idea for quite few months and finally decided to get it out of my head and into a design. It's called the WW Touch Stone - it is a boro pendant especially designed for a wire wrapping technique. I just love it. Each WW Touch Stone will be one of a kind and wil come with holes for the designer to add a personal wire wrapped design.

Here is the first design. More are in the kiln and will be added this Saturday in the PM.

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A New Day in the Studio

2007-06-18T08:40:00.000-04:00

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Above is a pic of my trusted bead buddies - Buster (left) and China (right) both rescued fur babies

Good Morning! I have finally been able to make two Tree of Life Pendants that I am very happy with. Each one has it's own personality, but they are similar in design. I really enjoy the earth tones in these pendants. There is nothing finer then borosilicate glass when it comes to earthy shades and shine!

Today I will be spending quite a bit of time finishing custom orders and then packing and mailing beads to their new homes. I am thinking of putting up a world map and keeping track of where my little beads travel too. Yesterday a shipment was sent to Israel and last week a few went to Paris - that was so cool!!

Here is a picture of one of the "newly grown" Trees of Life. This pendant will look lovely on a sterling or gold chain, silk cord or even better strung with semi-precious or precious gem stones!

I hope you all have a lovely day. I am off to the torch to see what the fire has to offer today.
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New Credit Card Services in Studio

2007-06-16T15:48:00.000-04:00

In order to better serve my designer family. I have added an extra ordering option - you can now order via phone and I will process your credit card for you. Just use the shopping cart and click the Accept Order Button - you will be taken to a page that will allow you to call me and I will personally process your order.

Of course the standard online ordering is still available. So go ahead and feed your bead desires! You can call me at 518-301-0129 to process your order. If I am working at the torch - or if you are in a different time zone and I am sleeping, don't worry, just leave your name and number and I will get back to you asap. My shopping cart system will keep your order safe and sound until I can process it for you.

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JUNE 16, 2007 What's Going on in Glitzy Glass Studio - Pictures Added Here!!!

2007-06-16T15:02:00.001-04:00

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The Studio has been more then busy these past few months - which is a blessing and also a bit stressful as I want to be sure everyone receives their beads in a timely manner. If you find that you are waiting too long be sure to email me. Usually this is because I am adding some goodies to your order! So take heart. Be sure to always let me know if you have a deadline as that is critical to both of us.....

I am especially proud of the fact that I will soon be writing a bi-weekly column for BeadBugle.com - a fantastic online magazine that I have adored for years!! Of course my local bead freinds can still read my columns in The Record in Troy and the surrounding areas.

I have been working on the Tree of Life Pendants and hopefully they will be up for sale by the end of tomorrow - Sunday -

Here is a peek at some past "Trees" Everyone who has purchased a tree has really enjoyed designing with them. They look really pretty on a silk or sterling chain, but putting one with semi precious gemstones or pearls really makes a statement!

Of course I have to share a picture of my Granddaughter Natalie - she is going to be a year old on July 5th - this picture was taken when she was just 7 months old - I can't believe how time just slips by. Being a first time Grandmom is amazing! And soon I will be a Grandmother to two girls - yup - my son and daughter-in-law are expecting another due in September. To save you counting on your fingers and toes, the girls are just 13 months apart - it amazed us all! Gianna will be arriving soon.

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