Etsy Update for Mar. 17th

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day?! I think I did a double take when I noticed the date- this year is already flying by. Been meaning to get more pics of beads posted, editing photos, etc. is a pet peeve and sometimes put it off too long and then it’s just overwhelming to go thru all the photos. Here are two sets that will be going up tomorrow morning on Etsy:I hear Pantone listed Turquoise as the color of the year, how fortuitous 🙂

Resin Redux

Resin is a tricky thing, at least for me. It seems that Murphy’s Law was in full effect each time I tried to use it. There would be micro bubbles- which I ended up compensating for by pouring a thin layer and blowing on the surface w/ a straw to pop them. Deeper settings should be done in thin layers if you have this problem..maybe my house is too cool- I’m 98% sure all my problems were user error.
These bezels weren’t as tricky since they’re shallow and bubbles were easily taken care of. My baby jar lid experiment did not go nearly as well..

Then I realized my surface wasn’t level and I didn’t have my saran wrap anchored as well as I thought since more than once a corner ended up on top of a piece, disrupting the wet resin.

*insert primal scream*

Later that night after I gave up and thought, ‘tomorrow is another day’, I broke a bead while I was moving stuff – that currently has no place to go- and yelled some very bad words since this current state of not having a place to work is driving me bonkers. Oh, how I need an Ikea closer than 3 hours away so I can get that awesome corner hutch I’ve been in love w/ for longer than I care to think about.
A trip to an antique store or some other shops may be in order this weekend.

I want to love you, resin, I really do.

Revving Up for Ice Resin

This is what I worked on today..not that pile of laundry or the counter tops that need to be cleaned off. Hmm, they’re not going anywhere but my resin should be arriving in the mail, tomorrow if I’m lucky, and had to have something ready to use! I had some Ice Resin and it has mysteriously disappeared..just like our 2G memory card for our camera- could be my forgetfulness or a mini person w/ sticky fingers…

Yes, those are baby jar lids that I spray painted matte black. Still need some work, but these are meant to be experimental prototypes, unless they turn out stupendous…then maybe into Etsy they will go.
It was such a beautiful day today and it felt like Spring was in the air w/ the chirping of the birds and the playful, balmy breezes.

Etching solution

VS.I just realized that I have NO etching solution, and that is unheard of for me since pretty much all of my beads get etched.

Arrow Springs etching crystals are preferred over etch-all for me- partly due to price, yes, and partly due to effectiveness. Etchall is nearly twice as expensive for a 16 oz. container. The Arrow Springs version is supposed to be less caustic also, which is nice since I use it (safely) so often. I still wear rubber gloves and use baking soda to neutralize before rinsing the beads clean. Which reminds me that I need to get a big container of baking soda…

*kaput*

We worked on setting up the studio in the backyard shed a lot more this weekend and was all set to go and then when I turned on the oxy con…what’s that saying- ‘the lights are on, but no one’s home’? Um, yeah..that about sums it up, lol. It turned on but the little ball that floats to show pressure didn’t move at all so that could mean a leak, a bad valve or new sieve beds are in order. Of course, the fact that we moved cross country and it was in a box for more than a month may have contributed to the problem, too >:/

Hobbies for Us is currently running a deal on a Devilbiss 515 for $250 w/ free shipping, so that’s what I decided to go with since my dead one ran well.
This whole process of setting up seemed like a comedy of errors. Before we realized the oxygen concentrator bit the dust, we were worried my ventilation fan was toast due to a bad rubbing sound of the metallic kind. Turns out we were setting it on the wrong side and as soon as we screwed it in correctly, no more noise. Whew. Ventilation, check.
Now all that’s needed is my new oxy con to arrive and move my glass in and organize. This is w/ an extension cord run from the house since I’ve had to give up on my recommended electrical guy that is supposed to be good but is dealing w/ family issues..so now I follow a new lead tomorrow and see if I can get a hold of someone for an estimate.
Apologies to customers who are waiting to see new beads, best laid plans and all that jazz. Maybe in a couple days I’ll have my feathers unruffled and will stop cringing from another unexpected expense.

Now Open for Business!

My Etsy shop is now re-opened for business. Many thanks for the loyal customers that gave me nudges to hurry up and list work, lol.
Hubby and I are working on getting a temporary studio set-up for me until we get electricity added to the future studio space. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be getting back on the torch for the first time in over a month- no wonder I’ve been so space-y, I’ve been going thru withdrawals 🙂
Planning to post some pics of new work going up on Etsy tomorrow.

More Beads…

These beads were finally found amongst a box gone rogue in the depths of the garage. I was beginning to get frantic thinking these and my metal clay supplies had been lost. We’re still settling in and rearranging things to suit us and we’ve yet to uncover the surface of my work desk so I can spread out and just … make.
Now I just have to await word from a customer to see which ones will be left to list on Etsy.
Ugh, Etsy- having a hard time getting the enthusiasm to reopen since I still don’t have my studio space set up. It will probably be a while since I need to find a reliable electrician to wire the space.

It is nice to see some fresh pics of my work, makes me itch to make more. And all that new silver glass is calling my name, taunting me.

We had a busy weekend besides it being Valentine’s Day, we celebrated hubby’s b-day and took care of the taxes- yahoo!
Happy creating 🙂

A New Beginning

We made it cross country and we’re now settled in Fayetteville, NC. We found a nice house outside the city away from the crazy traffic and Z has a huge backyard that’s completely fenced in to run around and burn off his energy.
Here is the shed that I hope to make my studio- soon! It’s in our backyard and needs electricity added. It’s approx. 11’x11′ inside and about 75′ from the house and around 130′ to the meter box on the side of the house. I’m waiting on the guy that was recommended to me to come out and take a look before giving an estimate. It’s driving me crazy not having space to create, hopefully this will go smoothly and will soon be cranking out more beads, etc. 🙂
P.S. If anyone has advice, things to avoid, etc. I’d love to hear!
Oh, and I hope to get my Etsy shop opened soon, just gotta figure out which box my beads are in, lol.

Etsy Update

Listed these on Etsy last night. This whole getting prepared to move dealio is really consuming all my time and thoughts. By this time next week, we’ll probably be driving out of Cali heading east to Colorado, etc.
So I decided to make this listing w/ Free Shipping. I’m too lazy to change the rest of my listings so only this one has the free shipping, but anything else I have the time to list before next week will also have free shipping.
Monday morning will probably be the latest my Etsy shop will be open before it has to be shut down for the move on Wednesday afternoon. Depending on how smooth the drive ‘cross country goes and how easily we find a house will determine when the shop opens again.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how the somewhat abhorred Translucent Yellow looks fumed- note the pretty pink flash. I didn’t etch since I wasn’t sure if any of the color would stay, let me tell you it makes me itch when I don’t etch beads, lol.