Repurposed Molds!

Inspired by a thread in a glass forum, I went searching in my kitchen for alternative molds for fusing glass. Can you guess what the prior use of this cactus mold was? A wrought iron cornbread pan! It took many, many small pieces of glass to create this cactus paperweight and the detail of the mold is terrific! Go on - check out your house and garage and I’ll bet you find a funky object you can repurpose for a mold for fusing glass too!

(sorry about the cornbread mold, guys, you'll have to get your cornbread in a loaf now!)

Use that glass scrap!

 I frequently get asked what I do with all my glass scrap. One great use is scoring leftover end pieces into strips and using a murrini mold like the one pictured. The sample I have shown used 5 thin strips of Bullseye 90COE glass stacked and full fused in the mold. Now all I have to do is cut the cane into slices to use in my designs. So use that glass scrap!

 

A couple of years ago my husband and son made me 2 of these large planter boxes, one for the front of the house for flowers and one outside the kitchen door for herbs and fun fairy chimes. Didn't they do a great job?!

This year they're going to make me a wishing well. They just don't know it yet.
I'd like one with flat sides so that I can decorate the sides with bits of glass, stones, and pieces of whimsy that I've been collecting over the years.

After they stop jumping for joy at this latest request and actually build it, I'll post a photo of it in its naked state. It will probably take me a couple of weeks to finish and I'll post those photos too .... stay tuned :)

Repurposing Glass: Another Reason to Love Flavored Extracts!

Here's a sneak peek into one of my kilns where I was slumping vanilla extract bottles.

I'll turn these into mini spoonrests when they're done and I plan to acid etch some for a matte finish and I'll keep others shiny, beautiful root beer brown!

I love off-time in the studio just experimenting with new designs and techniques and I look forward to using more of these upcycled little bottles in my work (next up will be those tiny syrup bottles you get at Cracker Barrel!) 

 

Another fabulous way to repurpose glass and keep it out of the landfills. 

Outside the Studio Doors

We've been in our home for over 6 years now,  and I'm finally *finally* getting around to planning for the area outside the studio doors.  I'd love to do a stamped concrete patio, but can't because the French doors to the left have pipes running underground that lead to our septic system and if we ever need access to that, I wouldn't want to break the patio up.

So I'm pondering other ideas such as a bricked patio or something else. I'd also love a pergola for part of this area as well as some beautiful seating and an outside firepit for our awesome view of the mountains.   This would be mostly an adult area to kick back after the kids have gone to bed (yeah right, the kids usually outlast all of us!!)    We're on just over 5 acres, so there is a lot of potential for fun areas and I'm currently working on a hideaway fairy garden in a lightly wooded area which is almost halfway to completion.   I'd also like an extended play area for the grandkids (4!!)  with maybe a tree house and fort (hey Chris, Keith and Danny, I need your help with this!),  planning on some really fun projects I saw in Lowe's and their own little mailbox that I'll hide notes and little treasures in. I bought some molds for stepping stones and garden borders which I'll personalize for them with glass and other wonderful things.

One potential plan I'm playing with in my mind is using the right half of the space for a stamped concrete patio (about 13 feet across by 12 feet out) and the other half for a pergola and fire pit area.   If you can visualize it, it would mean the spaces adjoining each other.    Oh, and don't forget the beer cooler.

So .... I need more ideas for this space because right now the space is bland and boring and too vanilla!!    Anyone have any ideas for this space? It's approximately 26 feet across and I'd like the patio to be no more than 12 to 14 feet long and something I can DIY.   And affordable would be oh-so-good :)    Come on, bring those plans on!    If I love, love, love your ideas and use them, $50 and $25 gift certificates to my Etsy shop http://willowglass.etsy.com could be yours :)

Kali's Curveball

2012 started badly. I'm writing this post as a narrative because it's been hard to keep my head (and heart) together.

On January 2, our little brown rescue dog, Kali, was savagely attacked in our yard by a feral cat. We immediately rushed her to the vet clinic (it was just after 5 p.m. so of course our regular vet was closed for the day, isn't that always the way?) We were told that she had trauma to her right eye and were given drops to release the pressure and some painkillers and told it would take a week or so for her to heal. A couple days later, my gut told me things weren't getting better and we took her to her regular vet. More exams, more pills, more drops and told her recovery should be 10 days. Kali is always my shadow but in those 10 days, she was like a crazy glue stick. If she wasn't in such pain, I think I would have taught her how to cut glass, she was that close by all the time. I hope you are as blessed as I am to know dog-love, there is nothing like it.

I am one of those people who sees the glass as half empty and frequently battle depression (despite my attempts to turn it around). I think I knew from the very beginning that she would be blind in that eye and that was o.k. with me, because I still had her and things could have been much worse. My husband on the other hand is a Pollyanna and is frequently in denial as to the reality of some things. I don't always whistle a happy tune.

After 10 days and then 14 passed by, I knew she was in trouble. She was still in pain and her spirit was damaged as well as her eye. I noticed that she was walking with her body to the right wall to compensate for the lack of sight (to give herself boundaries). Back to the vet we went and were advised to make an appointment with a dog opthalmologist. Fine. Get us in asap. Anything for my dogs. Of course, the appointment couldn't be made for another week and this opthalmologist was the only game in town (actually several towns). And of course, he confirmed what I knew all along, Kali was indeed blind in her right eye. We were given 3 options, one which I wouldn't even consider. The other options was enucleation (complete removal of the eye) or having a prosthetic eye put in for cosmetic reasons only. The prosthetic could cause future problems (infection, possible rejection by her body which would mean another surgery to remove it, etc.)

As you can imagine, I did more than a fair amount of research in January and knew that for Kali, enucleation was the best and most humane thing for her. My spouse was still in denial and "couldn't do that to her". To me, a prosthetic is merely a cosmetic fix and honestly, Kali does not care if she looks like she's winking all the time. I don't care; the day I rescued her from the side of the road, she also rescued me and I was strong enough to do what was best for her. Within 2 days, she had her surgery scheduled. She had her eye surgically removed in February with no prosthetic put in. I do not give a flying crap what people think and what their comfort level is. She is beautiful to me.

Her recovery went as well as it could although she hated the collar she had to wear for 13 days). We moved a mattess onto the living room floor as she couldn't go upstairs to the bedrooms or downstairs to the studio. I think her being confined in that way was the worst thing for her. I moved all the furniture (couches, etc.) in the living room around so she couldn't get onto them. After 10 days when she was able to jump small heights, I moved the couches back around and the first time she jumped onto one, I held my breath but she smiled that doggy smile and took a nap. After another 13 days, she was cleared, her stitches were removed, and she could then reclaim the beds for naps. Life was good for my pup again.

We're travelling this road of adjustment together, Kali and I, the rest of my family, and Kali's 2 dog "sisters" Daisy and Lanah. Life is a bit different now, she's not quite as feisty as she was before and is always with me. In time, hopefully that will change because Kali is a warrior, fierce and independent.

I live in a part of the country that has
four distinct seasons and from now through March is my least favorite time
(I much prefer Spring and Fall). The last couple of years in particular, I've had a really hard time getting through the
bone-chilling and hard Northeast winters. Driving is
treacherous here on the unpaved back roads in Cow Country and though I love my house and acreage,
I don't know how many more winters we'll withstand here. New York is a tough place to live and though I'm a native and have been here all my life, between the winters, the roads and the taxes (don't get me started), I think it might be time for a change.

Does the Winter inspire you to create more or do you hibernate? I find myself alternating between being creatively active and just wanting to snuggle under a quilt with good books. The library has been one of my favorite places since childhood and I still go every week. My library of choice is the Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls, everything a small town library should be with a great selection, friendly staff who are always ready for a chat about books, good hours, and access to the online upstate NY library system, so for what isn't on hand in the libary, they can get for me within a few days. Ironically, the book I'm reading right now is Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. I highly recommend this author and I'm working my way through her books now. Time for a few chapters and a cup of tea now!

Nichrome Wire and Glass Fusing

Nichrome wire is a high-temperature wire which is perfect for using with fused glass as it will remain intact at temperatures up to approxim...ately 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. By using your hands and/or jeweler’s pliers, high-temperature wire can easily be formed into any shape and secured in place with suitable glue  (a little bit of Elmer’s white glue works just fine) in between the layers of glass and fired in the kiln in order to create cabochons suitable for jewelry designs. You can also assemble your creation directly on your kiln shelf if you have steady hands and position the wire in between the layers of glass thereby avoiding the gluing process.

As the glass begins to slump in the kiln, the wire will become permanently encased between the layers of glass. After the firing is complete, the nichrome wire will appear somewhat discolored
and dull, and you can give it a gentle buffing with some steel wool to quickly restore the luster. The projecting outer end of the wire can then be used to attach the fused glass piece to a jewelry finding or whatever else you're creating. (my photographed piece is a small chime piece)

I'd suggest using the wire with glass other than transparent because with transparent glass the wire will show through, which is not attractive! I've used this wire for jewelry pieces, ornaments, suncatchers and chimes of light to medium weight, but wouldn't suggest it for heavier weight pieces.

Get some nichrome wire and check it out!

Take the Long Way Home

Early this morning I was driving back home after dropping Chris off at work and heard Roger's words in my head and after I went over the Valley Falls Bridge, I turned into the little hamlet and took the long way around to home instead of taking my usual route.

This song has always been one of my favorites, one whose words I know well, and one which applies to my life. All too frequently, we don't take the "long way home" and miss out on so many things we take for granted. Wife, mother, grandmother, full-time caregiver of an aging parent - my plate runneth over and there is little time for "me". I am grateful for music and for what it brings to my life.

Spring has long been my favorite season, the buds on the trees after a harsh winter and the birthing of new baby animals - horses, cows, goats, lambs - is so very beautiful and truly awesome. I know that word is so overused, awesome, but this truly is.

I will carry this song with me today. I know I am fortunate in being able to work each day at something I love and am passionate about. I hope that each of you will be able to take the long way home today too. ♥

Life's Majestic Moments

Yesterday Tony and I were driving up our road and saw the most beautiful thing in the neighboring property. A mama cow had just given birth, literally, to her little calf. She was licking all the birth sac from her little one and the afterbirth was still spilling out of her. It was so beautiful, I started to cry. Mama Cow kept eye contact with us while we watched for several minutes from a distance.

We went around the bend of the corner to the farmer's house but no one was home. We searched the barns, acreage, etc. but could find no one. Assuming that Mama Cow knew what she was doing (of course, because animals are just so instinctual and loving at the birth process), we went on our way to the store. When we returned 2 hours later, it was late afternoon and starting to get chilly.

Mama Cow was now lying down next to her babe, still licking away and giving much needed warmth to the calf. I knew she must be exhausted and most likely in need of nourishment and in the rapidly approaching dusk, must be getting cold. I don't believe for a minute that farm animals are "hardy" and don't feel the elements. Luckily, I knew the farmer's name and because she works at the same store that Chris does, I was able to give her a call. A short time later Tony drove back up the road and Mama and baby were both gone from the field.

I feel so blessed to have witnessed part of which was an amazing thing (and having actually helped our Katie Lala have her 10 pups many years ago, it is truly one of life's great moments.

Week-end Spotlight on Loving Anvil

Three words:

BIG HONKIN' RINGS

Now I've made thousands of fused glass cabochons in my life, but none so big as the ones I make for Coco of http://lovinganvil.etsy.com/

Her rings are truly amazing. A marriage of glass and metal like no other. Thanks, Coco, for making my glass look so damned good (and for always making me smile!).

Week-end Spotlight on Silver Made Studios

I'm always in awe of the incredible work by some of the silversmiths on Etsy and ArtFire.

Look at the rings that http://silvermadestudio.etsy.com/

made with my fused glass cabochons. Little bits of glass encased in such beauty. Thanks, Teresa!

Week-end Spotlight on An Original By Peggy

Peggy of http://anoriginalbypeggy.etsy.com/ designs, hand knits, felts and lines beautiful purses which are one-of-a-kind and come in various sizes and a multitude of colors.

The hand purses pictured include my fused glass cabochons as the focal point. I'm always so honored when another designer incorporates a little piece of my work in theirs. Thanks, Peggy!

Week-end Spotlight on jewelry designer Gemma Beads

I love seeing what other artists create with my fused glass cabochons. Here's a pair of Organic Black cufflinks from jewelry designer http://gemmabeads.etsy.com/ - didn't they come out great?

Rock Your Customer Service!

I recently made several online purchases through a couple handcrafted sites and there was such a vast difference in the levels of customer service that I got to thinking about what buyers expect, and really like about purchasing online, especially in this tough economy.
So I did a little digging and found that the Research Institute of America had conducted a survey for the Office of Consumer Affairs and their findings were:

* Only 4% of unhappy customers bother to complain and for every complaint that was lodged, 24 others went uncommunicated to the company - but not to other potential customers. Ahhh, the power of word of mouth.

* 90% who are dissatisfied with the service they receive will not come back or buy again. To make matters worse, each of those unhappy customers will tell their story to at least 9 other people. Again, the power of word of mouth.

* Of the customers who do register a complaint, between 54%-70% will do business again with the company if they feel their complaint was resolved and that figure goes up to a whopping 95% if the customer felt the complaint was resolved quickly.

* 68% of customers who stop doing business with a company do so because of indifference. The study further indicates that it takes 12 positive incidents to make up for 1 negative one.

I asked a few friends what makes excellent customer service (a couple are both sellers and buyers online and a couple are buyers only).

From Jen, "Excellent customer service to me is availability if I need to call, promptness of returning my calls or e-mails and just keeping me informed regarding the entire order process from start to finish. I hate not knowing something until after the fact or not being notified of delay or availability, especially when I've already paid for it. I hate when refunds aren't prompt, especially when I make it a point to pay the moment I buy something. No acknowledgement is a big no-no too. Packaging is important too, especially if the items are of a delicate nature."

From Carol, "Excellent customer service means I will remember your store (just like I will if I get bad service). Once I buy something I can't wait to get it, so getting that special something in the mail right away is a biggie for me. I abhore shops that charge tons for mailing too".

Heather has had "some bad experiences ordering online and I think it usually starts with slow responses. I like to get a confirmation email right away and then notice of when my order is processed and shipped. I get nervous when I have to contact them because it never ends up good. I think my best online ordering experiences have been with places that provide the info before I even think about it. It makes it a little more "personal" and I feel like I am dealing with an actual person, not just a computer/website."

And for Lawatha, "Excellent customer service when I purchase something online, is the feeling of being appreciated when somebody takes the time to email me and thank me for my purchase and lets her know when my item will be/has been shipped. I appreciate them getting it out in the mail for me right away, and I always notice when they've obviously taken time to ensure it arrives safely by packing it well. As an online buyer and seller, I value positive feedback, and am always happy to let others know not only about the wonderful item I purchased, but about the wonderful customer service that came with it as well."

I've had many excellent transactions on artisan marketplaces and some unfortunate ones. For me, the sellers who don't acknowledge my purchases, don't include at least a "thank you" in my package, casually toss items in envelopes with no packaging or bubble wrap and without any regard to protection, and don't leave feedback are sure turnoffs for me and will guarantee I won't return to a shop. The key to good customer service is appreciating customers and keeping them in the loop throughout the transaction process, including afterward. Value your customers and they will not only return to shop again, but there's the all-powerful word of mouth! The bottom line is no customer services equals no customers!

Small Pleasures or Sometimes You Just Need Orange Sandals

Simple pleasures. Just the phrase brings a smile to my face and I asked some friends to share what their simple indulgences were, especially during these warm Summer months. How does this fit into the Guild and Teams section? Well, I like to think of my friends as my own team, whether they be local or around the country!

My daughter Jen's favorite indulgence is a pedicure or manicure, particularly now that she's 5 months pregnant with her second little boy. She loves being able to sit back and relax while having someone else pamper her in a small way, especially since she soon won't be able to see her toes! Her friend Heather's pick for an indulgence would be a massage, even just a 20 minute one in the middle of the workday. Heather is also about to be a new mom, so many of us can relate to her choice! Their good friend Michelle, mom of 2 little ones, loves ordering Chinese food and renting a movie with her husband and having a glass of wine too. Simple pleasures.

My friend Carol who is a glass artist loves indulging in glass but for smaller pleasures, adores buying handmade soap and body lotion online, mainly because it's much better quality than the big box stores offer. There are so many awesome soap sellers both on Etsy and Artfire that I confess to treating myself and my family often to their wares. My friend Lawatha (also a glass artist, are you surprised?) confesses that her simple pleasure which doesn't happen very often, (not nearly often enough,lol!) is a delicious treat from Coldstone Creamery and I'm with her on that! Can't you just taste the Cake Batter ice cream?

Browse around the categories on the artisan marketplaces and you'll find one-of-a-kind cards for every occasion, beautiful handcrafted jewelry that's unique and affordable, wonderful artwork for your children's rooms (I just purchased some pirate wood signs and mermaid prints for my grandchildren's room in my home), and just about anything you can imagine. Find some simple pleasures of your own and put them in your Favorites for future purchases!

My own recent personal small indulgence? An absolutely wonderful pair of butter soft orange Aerosole sandals that are so comfortable and like walking on air - ahhhhh! So, two different generations and their simple pleasures and indulgences. What's yours?

Sprucing up your Online Shop - Part 4

In previous columns in this series, we looked at avatars and banners, location, sections, profiles, currency of shop updates, featured items, titles and descriptions, and photography. In this final installment of Sprucing up your Online Shop, we'll wrap up with some thoughts on random concerns that have come up in team chats, as well as, on site forums.

Does the quality of the work in your shop appear to be professional? Are your photos clear and crisp with at least one closeup of the piece? Are both sides shown so you can see that the craftsmanship on the back equals that on the front? Objectively, can you get a sense that you as a seller love your work and take pride in the finished product? If you feel that you need some help with a critique of your shop, ask in the forums and if you're a member of a team or guild, don't be shy in asking for feedback on your shop! People love to give it!

Regarding feedback - what does the person's feedback say? Are there glowing reviews and not just positive marks (plus signs)? Do you get a sense that the artist or craftsperson does a stellar job, has a passion for and takes pride in their work from the comments left for them? Feedback is your reputation online, so make sure you provide excellent customer service as well as a great product.A lot of concern comes from newbies to selling online when they have no feedback. Remember that we all started with 0 feedback at one time and don't stress too much about it!

There have been many suggestions for starting to build feedback by making a few small purchases from other sellers just to get you going. In real life while shopping you have the advantage of seeing merchandise first-hand and being able to pick it up and feel it. Do your best to give potential customers that same confidence and remember that your online shop is open 24/7 and there's always someone shopping, so why not from you? Put a lot of effort into making your shop the best it can be and promote, promote, promote and your feedback from buyers will come!

Are your shop's policies clearly defined as far as shipping, payments, returns and other information? Try and keep your tone upbeat and positive in writing this dry stuff, but also be clear and thorough. If you're shipping internationally (and I strongly suggest that you do) make sure your mailing costs are realistic and accurate. Don't expect your buyer to pay additional funds if you've made the mistake of adding too little for mailing costs. On the other hand, if the cost of mailing is significantly less than your buyer has paid, it's very wise to refund the difference to that buyer as good customer service and they will be more likely to purchase from you again. Good customer service is a cornerstone of your business!

Selling online can be nerve-wracking, exciting, financially rewarding and give you a tremendous sense of pride in your work. The most important point I can leave you with in this series is that you must promote your shop and bring buyers to it. Work each day at honing your craft and making your online shop visually appealing. If you're newer to this vast e-commerce marketplace, consider joining a team or guild for both support, encouragement and camaradie from veteran members. Good luck and if you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact me!

Sprucing Up Your Online Shop - Part 3

In today's edition of Sprucing up your Online Shop, we're going to take a look at the all-important topic of photography. While I'm by no means an expert on this, I have learned a lot about the necessity of having clear, crisp, and well lit pictures in my online shops, so I hope these elementary tips will help!

Good pictures are the greatest asset in a successful shop, so make sure your photos are clear and focused. Use a photo program such as Picasa to get rid of the greyness in your backgrounds. Use a macro lens to get sharp closeup pictures (especially when your work is a piece of jewelry or other small items).

Use most, if not all, of the photo options available to you. Show your item from different angles, different backgrounds, and in different lighting. Think outside the box and take photos from items that aren't only flat surfaces. If you look in my Etsy shop, you'll see pictures I have taken on slate, rocks, grass, seashells, against a clear blue sky, on a glass bottle and more. Challenge yourself and take a few items you have listed whose pictures you're not thrilled with. Once during a team challenge, we asked each other why particular items we thought would sell quickly didn't. With a few simple changes, we saw the difference some new photos made. The world is your canvas, so use it in unique pictorial ways!

The last installment of this 4 part series will be posted mid-week, so I hope you'll look for that! Teams and guilds are all about learning, sharing, and helping each other become the best we can while marketing in a highly competitive marketplace. If you have comments or suggestions on more ways to improve your photos, I'd love to hear them!

Photo courtesy of aussiegall

Sprucing up your Online Shop - Part 2

In my last column, we looked at ways to spruce up your online shop and covered avatars, banners, location, sections and profile. In this segment we'll take a look at some other areas that should be easy fixes which will both get more people into your shop and also add to a professional, cohesive look.

Is your shop current with new listings and info in your Shop Announcement area? One sure way to get me to click away from a shop is when it has a stale announcement up (such as a Valentine's Day sale in June) or if the last listing was 2 months ago. Try to keep relisting at a minimum (we all do it at times) and offer your potential customers fresh, new work as much as you can. There have been numerous threads in the forums on how many items is "too much" and my honest opinion is that if you don't list it, there's no way you're going to sell it, so keep on creating and listing!

Are you using your featured items options? Try changing your 3 (or however many each site gives you) featured items at least once a week to garner interest. Switch it up and include older and midway items in your shop since your newer items will be up on your first page anyway. One suggestion is to have a trio of complementary colors or items that tie together somehow. Whichever pieces you choose, make sure they have the wow factor!

Do your products have good titles and descriptions? Do your titles convey clearly what the item is that is for sale? Titles should both concisely say what the item is with a bit of detail, while enticing the buyer to click on your item description for more info. Descriptions should cover all the main characteristics of your item, such as what the item is, color/s, measurements, your work process, and a touch of humor doesn't hurt as long as it's not offensive. If your piece is one-of-a-kind and has a story, tell it! Some of the most charming descriptions in shops make me return again and again. While I might not purchase at the time, it's almost probable that I will put that shop into my favorites and return again in the future.

And that wraps up Part 2 of this series on Sprucing up your Online Shop! In future columns we'll look at feedback, shop policies, cohesiveness and the all important photography and lighting. And again, until then, keep on creating and I'll keep a warm kiln! If you have feedback on this series, I'd love to hear it, and if you have suggestions for future columns, send them my way.

Sprucing up your Online Shop - Part 1

From Handmade News http://handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=1934

During my almost 3-1/2 years of selling on Etsy and also as a founding member of one of the original street teams, there have been many questions on the forums (or is it fora?) on how to make shops better and increase sales. In this series of columns, we'll take a look at some of these concerns and some possible solutions!

Your shop banner and avatar are the entryway into your shop and you have a few mere seconds to either catch someone's interest or have them click away, so make them professional looking and unique. Your avatar and banner are your personal calling card so make them pop and draw those buyers in! Think of some successful boutiques and shops and their entryways and facades to get an idea. In this highly competitive online marketplace, you need to toot your own horn. There are many talented graphic designers on both Etsy and Artfire who can help you design an avatar and banner if you need help.

Make sure you have your geographic location filled in. If you're worried about disclosing too much information, at least put a state and possibly a city close to you (if you're International, put your country). Many, many buyers will click away from your shop if your location is blank. People have different reasons for wanting to see a seller's location, such as to either support local artists or to judge how long an item might take to reach them after it's been shipped.

Are your sections options being used and are they clear? Personally, I usually have about 350 items in my shop and if I didn't use my sections, it would be a lot to wade through! Make it easy for your customers to zone in and target items they would have a high level of interest in. Maybe they'll click on your other categories if they're well worded.

Is your profile filled in to give potential buyers an idea of who you are as an artist and person? I'm usually disappointed when I click on profile and find it blank. While you don't have to write a novel, some info on who you are and also showing some humor can help. I love knowing who I'm buying from and their passion for their art! Keep it upbeat and proofread and proofread again so there are no spelling or grammatical errors.

Next time we'll look at some more tips for sprucing up your shop. Until then, keep creating and I'll keep a warm kiln!