Friday, April 29, 2011

Never Forget!

Pin It This Monday is Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's a day for us all to remember those that perished in the Holocaust, Jews & Christians alike. The more time that goes by, there are fewer survivors left on this earth to prove to the world that the atrocities did in fact occur. It saddens me to think that there are still people that don't believe it ever happened. I can't fathom how they can deny it still. Never mind those that were killed in the camps, but did the survivors tattoo themselves with numbers??

As the day approaches I think of my grandparents that I never knew, my parents' brothers and sisters that were killed, my father's 1st wife and 8 year old son. With all the horrific atrocities that occurred, I smile when I think of my mother (a survivor) who is alive and well and who will be celebrating her 90th birthday in 2 weeks. And of my father (survivor) who lived to the age of 91 when he succumbed to leukemia. And of my uncle (survivor), my father's older brother, who passed away a month shy of his 100th birthday. Take that Hitler! :-)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Aloha!

Pin It No, sadly I am not going to Hawaii. But some of my beads are. It's amazing to me that for just a little bit of postage, my beads get to travel and see the world. If only it were as simple as that for me!




And of course some vinyl tubing to keep them all in place.

Monday, April 04, 2011

I love my customers!

Pin It I love making lampwork glass beads, but it's not often that I get to see them in finished pieces of jewelry. Today, however, 2 of my customers posted photos of their finished pieces. Nothing makes me smile more!

This first one is a fun necklace made by Michelle Plumb using beads from several glass artists. I'm honored to have mine included. The white with black spots (ermine) bead at the base of the heart focal is mine as are the 4 cards.


This lovely bracelet was made by my friend, Mary Alexander of Dreamweaver Designs. It's a beaded kumihimo bracelet using Unicorne glass beads which complement the lampwork focal (mine) just perfectly.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Can You Smell the Roses?

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Cabbage Roses, that is.....

1st of all, is it really a month since I posted?? Part of me often wonders if people are even interested in what I have to say. Plus, quite honestly I've been spending more time on the torch recently. Not being able to torch for about 3-4 months made me miss it terribly & I itch to light up the torch @ any opportunity. And boy, did I have fun making over 50 (I always make extra, just in case) of these sweet little floral beads. Here they sit getting their final bath before heading out the door.

OK, so now that that's out of the way, I recently finished a custom order for someone. Had so much fun making these & when I look at them now in their colorful splendor they just put a smile on my face. OK, so we had a dusting of snow earlier this week, but can spring be far behind?

Monday, February 21, 2011

3 for 3!!!

Pin It I'm honored to have my beads included in the following beautiful treasuries and collection on Etsy and ArtFire:

Seafoam Reflections curated by PatchworkMountain on ArtFire.com


Here's one of my favorite items from PatchworkMountain's ArtFire shop:


A Touch of Rose and Pink
by JCStrong:

'A Touch of Rose and Pink' by jcstrong

Try a little rose & pink this spring...These are just a few of the selections within the Art Walk Etsy Team.


2PCS 38mm Honeysuck...
$3.45

The Farmer's Da...
$30.00

Lightening Strikes ...
$150.00

Lampwork Glass Foca...
$14.00

The Contessa
$12.00

Contemporary Fiber ...
$49.95

Sweet Pea Shining H...
$2.75

Minky Dot TRAVEL Pi...
$15.00

Original Watercolor...
$20.00

13cm x 1yard pink s...
$3.00

blank cards, Teddy ...
$7.50

Freshwater Potato P...
$7.95

Strawberry Shortcak...
$15.00

Small Duffel Bag - ...
$40.00

SAVE 70%-Pink Fresh...
$16.00

Red, White and Pink...
$14.50

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.


And last but not least is Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly by RoughMagicCreations

'Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly' by RoughMagicCreations



Vintage Silver Plat...
$15.00

Asian Woman Pendant...
$24.00

These make you feel...
$25.00

Porcelain ring with...
$30.00

Lavender Blue Vinta...
$21.00

Lampwork Boro Glass...
$24.00

Seeds in the Wind I...
$70.00

2 Reversable Cloth ...
$2.50

Vintage eco friendl...
$12.50

Delicious Blackberr...
$4.25

Vintage Metal Pictu...
$24.00

Breathe... sterlin...
$189.00

ACEO Card - Study i...
$8.00

Shabby Chic White a...
$10.00

white bird mobile w...
$16.00

Hand Knit Rolled Br...
$30.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.


Her artwork is beautiful and vibrant. I can practically smell the ocean in this one.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

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I posted this recipe to my facebook friends, but it's 1 of my all time favorites and thought that others might enjoy it too. It's a great recipe for those following a gluten-free diet that want a delicious treat. I also make it at Passover time since there's no flour. This is a rich decadent cake. Enjoy! My personal notes are below the recipe.


Flourless Chocolate Cake


8 tbsp (1 stick) butter or margarine
18 oz. semisweet chocolate, divided
3/4 cup cream or nondairy creamer, divided
3/4 cup sugar
6 large eggs


1. Melt the butter or margarine & add 12 oz. of chocolate in double boiler. Whisk in 1/2 cup cream, sugar, then eggs. Pour into greased 9" springform pan or high-sided cake pan. Bake @ 350 degrees (~ 1 hour) with a pan of water on rack below until a tester comes out with wet (not liquidy) crumbs.

2. Remove carefully from oven & cool. Melt 6 oz. chocolate in double boiler; whisk in 1/4 cup cream. Invert cake & cover with ganache. Makes 10-12 servings.


Note:


1. I prefer to use butter, not margarine.
2. I've only used a springform pan & would think it difficult to invert the cake from a cake pan.

3. If you want a small treat now & then, I've made these in cupcake forms for my friend's husband, who's gluten-free. He freezes them & then takes out 1 at a time. To do this, I use cupcake liners, which I spray with Pam. You can frost them with the ganache too.
4. Disclaimer: Photo is a stock photo I found on the internet, though mine looks very similar....it DOES!

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Etsy Treasury!

Pin It I am honored to be included in this beautiful treasury created by Mikki Ferrugiaro of MFDBeadworkOriginals on Etsy. Am honored to be included amongst these super talented beadmakers.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

International Shipping

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I know that some balk at sending out their beads to those in other countries, but I have to say, that it always puts a smile on my face when I send orders out overseas, especially Europe.

I've been there before (to a few countries at least) and I loved every minute of my travels. So, if I can't go there personally, at least my beads get to travel and I get to live vicariously through them.

Here are a few of my bead creations on their way to new faraway homes: