tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30971352653681065512024-03-13T15:58:48.578-04:00Glass AliGlassAli
(Beads, Jewelry, and Lots of Dog Hair)Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-496282417924100442011-03-25T14:04:00.004-04:002011-03-25T14:19:45.621-04:00Frog Day Afternoon<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1AL3rvMkkb2PRkpx2P0WrS0GTtYRMvMHWAk0AqVk8WUJWXoTDh49C6M8ty-vPMlGdSHb5yYYVSWsekQiGWzXoIx67pDB8XdQw5anMdC231Lu36OLWJmdRijUoKzXH_BNAaqhUoXjVRnn/s1600/frogs23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1AL3rvMkkb2PRkpx2P0WrS0GTtYRMvMHWAk0AqVk8WUJWXoTDh49C6M8ty-vPMlGdSHb5yYYVSWsekQiGWzXoIx67pDB8XdQw5anMdC231Lu36OLWJmdRijUoKzXH_BNAaqhUoXjVRnn/s320/frogs23.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588080251847991746" /></a></div><br />I've never been one to really collect things. My mother had the requisite Hummel collection. I went through a Pittsburgh Steelers phase where I acquired a jacket, pajamas, robe, mittens and perhaps a waste basket, but I don't quite call that a collection. <div><br /></div><div>Other people, however, are collectors. Frogs seem to be popular. Or owls. Or my sister collects cows, which makes sense considering that she's a world-renowned expert on bovine mastitis. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPGE8nXFYJuc6iJARGxXIiC7qEearcc-BfZJL-y-HKnNXFQyJjB-M9wN76Z0GDKMXPkVDS944jZPCVDdRNBTCgnf0aGoraT1tepMOzTS6bPoQP4x_QvcwkruHXpVZ2LeX_Qy2o3UWRgI6/s320/harry3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588081113682525602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Right now I'm fascinated with making glass frogs. Red-eyed tree frogs. The elusive "Raku" frog (as seen above in its natural habitat).</div><div><br /></div><div>Or preppy frogs.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJZyeOjVl-StV8sr8cvzWXSF2i6g0dsfKWbVi2ooqXNeGojdcH0P0A_nnl8bENwJYVU-la0OkGxFjte02wqONGxE-S8DxxsayQ-lBUqy2eqiyr5hdoDY3Ik477TNI9VffY8oVfbjZESGv/s320/martin1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588081957577986898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Martin has already left the nest. He's basking in the warmth of Texas while I'm still freezing in Northern Michigan.</div><div><br /></div><div>Something is seriously wrong here.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-18060979731284664152010-06-15T20:52:00.011-04:002010-06-15T21:37:18.978-04:00Earrings or "How I can still fit into things I wore in high school."<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5jFExMeN1Rg_LxjDjgOArbwYXJG0y2clnqe0O-d3DrA2aoQUOQMvTZ2U64uTy86tR7HomNu2xryMNlzuT5lLhWpmEl_zLk_lwhgPBpy93NKbxPH64zFb8jGPoA1YQpgDTGIy3CIHOBav/s1600/P1110636.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5jFExMeN1Rg_LxjDjgOArbwYXJG0y2clnqe0O-d3DrA2aoQUOQMvTZ2U64uTy86tR7HomNu2xryMNlzuT5lLhWpmEl_zLk_lwhgPBpy93NKbxPH64zFb8jGPoA1YQpgDTGIy3CIHOBav/s320/P1110636.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483168717314249106" /></a>Right now I have in a pair of gold hoops. Little gold hoops that I've probably had since high school.<div><br /></div><div>And hey! They still fit!</div><div><br /></div><div>I love to make earrings and I love to wear earrings for that exact reason: they always fit. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">My Etsy shop</a> is pretty well stocked at the moment:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVcrki26dGbN3vNydaXSA_loJHfXodMaJiGnvWeeTvP8A_OPJfIvuq_cH9eJ4BxRRoE8JGgwTria9Y3ZGhKwf-K9BDnQZHig1sDLKBgy0EclPWf5I5e3V3Y2KF1pI5VleLR9wqo2Lqq5d/s1600/il_430xN.151696724.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVcrki26dGbN3vNydaXSA_loJHfXodMaJiGnvWeeTvP8A_OPJfIvuq_cH9eJ4BxRRoE8JGgwTria9Y3ZGhKwf-K9BDnQZHig1sDLKBgy0EclPWf5I5e3V3Y2KF1pI5VleLR9wqo2Lqq5d/s320/il_430xN.151696724.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169475671246930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21JJeiwODZXUmFC_6B9RNurYrnPjgvIYuUe5N2cVLRRP4jVsJRkJTFuwT3QuWF7hE5-N_KizGEo1HnJEeutwWI3fEI5jBAP6YCjledy2NdCDgI7GOJmPI7hmE6ZHJ5dZaM-5axGfDSqjV/s1600/il_430xN.134368752.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21JJeiwODZXUmFC_6B9RNurYrnPjgvIYuUe5N2cVLRRP4jVsJRkJTFuwT3QuWF7hE5-N_KizGEo1HnJEeutwWI3fEI5jBAP6YCjledy2NdCDgI7GOJmPI7hmE6ZHJ5dZaM-5axGfDSqjV/s320/il_430xN.134368752.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169459821236738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLoR7p2zDKH4xc2X73pVcH872OBYlXiQd3-SDUlW2ycITPYt4ovXMmxT-hzt3eizDArsU4POE9PXTsZV1PtD9vjW8mg1egZ31MZ7b75fN0jfru90dG_eb5k56HFHRKyqPDtHRLohSQFCe/s1600/il_430xN.132755954.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLoR7p2zDKH4xc2X73pVcH872OBYlXiQd3-SDUlW2ycITPYt4ovXMmxT-hzt3eizDArsU4POE9PXTsZV1PtD9vjW8mg1egZ31MZ7b75fN0jfru90dG_eb5k56HFHRKyqPDtHRLohSQFCe/s320/il_430xN.132755954.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169448958783538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxRMXZaFUSBQXPn4A8a1-v5bU3u2hT4oDz-uVmNKI4Nbj_Ba33bsBAXwNDu-pgSvdYcy04bosfg3Z1fKIfcFZ6UikxVyTV7i9wPA2y9HS96VuYCYtqp6UCBeS0WgUpNIqTXYnjACpi7gV/s1600/il_430xN.122733467.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxRMXZaFUSBQXPn4A8a1-v5bU3u2hT4oDz-uVmNKI4Nbj_Ba33bsBAXwNDu-pgSvdYcy04bosfg3Z1fKIfcFZ6UikxVyTV7i9wPA2y9HS96VuYCYtqp6UCBeS0WgUpNIqTXYnjACpi7gV/s320/il_430xN.122733467.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169448388339890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSq0qIm-LT-cEYaf6taZrzxSGNVuyMjaDoytnp3-bxR0yXDp6a6mR2c3Ff5MhI5dENOUzjxe4VOTn-YzFD2-Ap53Hd7q0KGlMSE8K4qndZnLeHiKCoqd_AvZ9hcDfzvgs7qLQxC4J17A-/s1600/P1110605.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSq0qIm-LT-cEYaf6taZrzxSGNVuyMjaDoytnp3-bxR0yXDp6a6mR2c3Ff5MhI5dENOUzjxe4VOTn-YzFD2-Ap53Hd7q0KGlMSE8K4qndZnLeHiKCoqd_AvZ9hcDfzvgs7qLQxC4J17A-/s320/P1110605.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483168702558435122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite earrings tend to be ones I can't make myself. I love these:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb43s7H5deRJXt5fzGFbTgQOd0fx3O0FGl_Lq-14utDOuQ0svaS_9RiX1sNMlrS_OOM80uodUL2q85gyOHKhK7V2yyhZHxJDKEVHRWzZelwsPIClL2zdgJj8oHQz8ngl6P2g8pf7CQTny/s1600/il_430xN.151726812.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb43s7H5deRJXt5fzGFbTgQOd0fx3O0FGl_Lq-14utDOuQ0svaS_9RiX1sNMlrS_OOM80uodUL2q85gyOHKhK7V2yyhZHxJDKEVHRWzZelwsPIClL2zdgJj8oHQz8ngl6P2g8pf7CQTny/s320/il_430xN.151726812.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483171132728039490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49526274/double-dot-stems-earrings-grey-moonstone?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=earrings&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Double Dot Stems</a> from Vivian Gaston Designs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and these:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix0h5kx-sa08pLwyjLNsakACUrZ7y0O8Bu9_jIVIqszQrJQHx4PYHBNsVPlBkT9XtRZ_t5UzyCTK3SVoXvk5s-_wgO_EldPe0c-3YrNUsdgk_xRbuEicNdAkJLtQnEMlcp2-HfALesspo/s1600/il_430xN.133861968.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix0h5kx-sa08pLwyjLNsakACUrZ7y0O8Bu9_jIVIqszQrJQHx4PYHBNsVPlBkT9XtRZ_t5UzyCTK3SVoXvk5s-_wgO_EldPe0c-3YrNUsdgk_xRbuEicNdAkJLtQnEMlcp2-HfALesspo/s320/il_430xN.133861968.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483176896847802034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42176691/the-larissa-earrings?ref=sr_gallery_26&ga_search_query=earrings&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=71&order=price_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">The Larissa</a> by Passions Victorina</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and nothing makes my heart beat a little bit faster than turquoise:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9CVe4rLnr0J1m5EeH_0l18nBUPjq_4y62bKU3atwa1F6Zj7z1Jt6euZdcZbalQJTA4kufNfTphjOhCDsd8-Qr9rjFkSHU8B_BFY8ge1oCu_r0RFrlPFiA4ztv8ohSat-qmBHNCr52Ikr/s1600/il_430xN.150921592.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9CVe4rLnr0J1m5EeH_0l18nBUPjq_4y62bKU3atwa1F6Zj7z1Jt6euZdcZbalQJTA4kufNfTphjOhCDsd8-Qr9rjFkSHU8B_BFY8ge1oCu_r0RFrlPFiA4ztv8ohSat-qmBHNCr52Ikr/s320/il_430xN.150921592.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483179046958978658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49284332/pilot-mountain-turquoise-earrings?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=earrings&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=92&order=price_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Society Hill Designs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One size fits all.</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-60420281021931765412010-05-08T09:51:00.013-04:002010-05-08T10:50:13.673-04:00Gallery Gallery<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaZYz3cAThUJ7ARIrRGCi6Ll3nic29EZJT-uMxVKLIrQIQ3iAtKYNW6X8W9jtiIBKlRF6016XblgZA7cAd3YBVryyiUL7Ge45MzehOAmTgJqiWl8If_UXmRyEu-kNuov-Kwqr2JkhSZ54/s1600/P1100807.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaZYz3cAThUJ7ARIrRGCi6Ll3nic29EZJT-uMxVKLIrQIQ3iAtKYNW6X8W9jtiIBKlRF6016XblgZA7cAd3YBVryyiUL7Ge45MzehOAmTgJqiWl8If_UXmRyEu-kNuov-Kwqr2JkhSZ54/s320/P1100807.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468900375316593586" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm prepping for the busy (fingers crossed!) summer tourist season here in Northern Michigan by getting my stock ready for <a href="http://www.threepinesstudio.com/">Three Pines Studio</a> in Cross Village. It's a fantastic place and well worth the drive if you're up in this area of Michigan.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Besides making all the jewelry (which includes making many of the components, too), I now have to attach my homemade tags, label everything, take pictures, and inventory each item.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I need a lackey. Or some minions.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a glimpse into what will be soon making its way up to the gallery:</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2TcQiezCTUXXB3C4MOYZdLRR2KPIEMxBk0otEpgAa316EegXnJNeNyp9F32yY55rBdQemgJ8BqH40FEFN0LBxNzIYMPo7hPJGl2WwGc09njgf22vbxnWdSNDjOInw6_iFa6-NRGj_aRd/s1600/P1100804.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2TcQiezCTUXXB3C4MOYZdLRR2KPIEMxBk0otEpgAa316EegXnJNeNyp9F32yY55rBdQemgJ8BqH40FEFN0LBxNzIYMPo7hPJGl2WwGc09njgf22vbxnWdSNDjOInw6_iFa6-NRGj_aRd/s320/P1100804.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468899959572337938" /></a><div><i><div style="text-align: center;">Nocturne</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Similar loose beads can be found in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45988562/nocturnal-12-black-turquoise-purple-and">Etsy shop</a>, if you're the type who would rather make her own jewelry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu7TrBADriqDuKCNffT-Ue7mbG65Y94TRl0HpjCuCgPrOgK9KnNg2xKEQQtRhFRjejqfnnOxWIo70x1ZV2VisY1u51hRZOrzk2cUSrL6XpdsB7gNHOmjwBSOEHArQVJ6CnLyXRmXZrDGj/s1600/P1100823.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu7TrBADriqDuKCNffT-Ue7mbG65Y94TRl0HpjCuCgPrOgK9KnNg2xKEQQtRhFRjejqfnnOxWIo70x1ZV2VisY1u51hRZOrzk2cUSrL6XpdsB7gNHOmjwBSOEHArQVJ6CnLyXRmXZrDGj/s320/P1100823.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468902231989146658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I'm a complete and utter sucker for chalcedony. And any gemstone that has facets. Or maybe just any gemstone. Or maybe I'm just a sucker.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Please don't leave a comment about that. Unless you want to disagree with that last statement. And comment on my long legs and washboard abs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Those kinds of comments are always welcome.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">And true.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2yCUhK6mAASXrwhPW92Xuck5BQJJC_R0JIp789pnG41iMCie6IMzN4KUB1gKRH0Ui2M_dFvB1eOUWktEJJkt5nQpI5WVzR5KrZDnPQaGUzivgioDK6IrxM_73hVkn-UWtvp7BH3MEzrs/s1600/P1100863.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2yCUhK6mAASXrwhPW92Xuck5BQJJC_R0JIp789pnG41iMCie6IMzN4KUB1gKRH0Ui2M_dFvB1eOUWktEJJkt5nQpI5WVzR5KrZDnPQaGUzivgioDK6IrxM_73hVkn-UWtvp7BH3MEzrs/s320/P1100863.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468902920115740194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Mossy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cube-shaped lampwork beads of ivory rolled in silver and covered with a transparent green glass. See the flecks of silver peeking through? I love it when that happens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">You crafty types (as in "a person who does crafts," not in the "sly, duplicitous person," kind of way) may snag your own Mossy beads <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45480123/mossy-silvered-ivory-and-moss-green">here</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I've paired these beads with antiqued brass findings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eWIVCVJrz-HNNftRHrVmP7VW_Xnrza5imh-KGK6Lra_TQiqGvMxiSjuCqT8Csb6RRPym6iF8dNVPvgZRdCgpBcAQpspXMw19oRB8RLGJaWhZe92dUQouga1FSWmGdCT2DSNSn06O3752/s1600/P1100847.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eWIVCVJrz-HNNftRHrVmP7VW_Xnrza5imh-KGK6Lra_TQiqGvMxiSjuCqT8Csb6RRPym6iF8dNVPvgZRdCgpBcAQpspXMw19oRB8RLGJaWhZe92dUQouga1FSWmGdCT2DSNSn06O3752/s320/P1100847.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468911234777776146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span">love</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> these new Swarovski crystal beads. They're large and in charge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KG8eBhc1MgyG9_7f7Ta7ObBWQtvUBWyxJQqJ-MO_Cs_NDYDYdOYCmJdoZbbKkEv_6VMAic-Y0UoEvSQON-xfi-f4CasexxghZGt9q5mrWX45oUpfrre8dIc6tsg62Q1d66Z0l6ldyULt/s1600/P1100741.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KG8eBhc1MgyG9_7f7Ta7ObBWQtvUBWyxJQqJ-MO_Cs_NDYDYdOYCmJdoZbbKkEv_6VMAic-Y0UoEvSQON-xfi-f4CasexxghZGt9q5mrWX45oUpfrre8dIc6tsg62Q1d66Z0l6ldyULt/s320/P1100741.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468905466729298130" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_kjXqn4PQe_CAkkejOWOjUih_knvHm08EMo77hfJPWgSGe84cnEclzuLOco-IcgY3JXTsO0L6LzM4pKZj2iFkz1Z8PkXjPH6YpXrI02k6SWI75FrWVRzQx6Q5_DEoUMz5ZJb7TQsOsr1/s1600/P1100738.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_kjXqn4PQe_CAkkejOWOjUih_knvHm08EMo77hfJPWgSGe84cnEclzuLOco-IcgY3JXTsO0L6LzM4pKZj2iFkz1Z8PkXjPH6YpXrI02k6SWI75FrWVRzQx6Q5_DEoUMz5ZJb7TQsOsr1/s320/P1100738.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468905460343517890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div></i><div style="text-align: center;">I've been working on a whole new line of Lake Glass beads. No, not "real" lake glass since it's quite hard to find, but I've made my own version in beautiful tones that I've etched in acid for a matte, lake glass feel. I've also taken glass that I've found on the shores of Lake Michigan or Huron and attached it to a sterling disk for a charm. And a piece of the area to take home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trilliums are also indigenous to the area and a beautiful inspiration for beads:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DELIoO4OOc0Fnmr1-9UflYpvLchk2eP9061QEj9EaUh_SYgy1SkAoOo6rgYURYGNn37onJSqdBu7ck6obeFs7WPaRgIXdC5RBRaozu6yGOVXYRF4m4oEHCAidB9T7mv2m_I0o8viJeNO/s1600/P1100839.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DELIoO4OOc0Fnmr1-9UflYpvLchk2eP9061QEj9EaUh_SYgy1SkAoOo6rgYURYGNn37onJSqdBu7ck6obeFs7WPaRgIXdC5RBRaozu6yGOVXYRF4m4oEHCAidB9T7mv2m_I0o8viJeNO/s320/P1100839.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907386433475762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These have been made into a bracelet (obviously), but I have pendants and bookmarks, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIBiJou8980vjnWaILN7O7EiWFBBUXxgXRBbkR-Y6OfT02WlUJoBtAhYYXWrbQQS5bf1v2vdJbJl8y3niSCRpwG9mncp8Tq6IDXHntqUGT7jYV-3UPGfd8z5Jt7Y4boD5v1xNa8IKqIZP/s1600/P1100876.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIBiJou8980vjnWaILN7O7EiWFBBUXxgXRBbkR-Y6OfT02WlUJoBtAhYYXWrbQQS5bf1v2vdJbJl8y3niSCRpwG9mncp8Tq6IDXHntqUGT7jYV-3UPGfd8z5Jt7Y4boD5v1xNa8IKqIZP/s320/P1100876.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468909970292265122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHJ2tTflbNYJ_Y5O_AVSks9GZukBzcmrwZ04Vhz95gG5N7vxOgx57beK3FFtzsu7SlGqhx6KkyW0uYsHhrokCwwJHVM9ZQR4X5JUv4L619bEGnsGoXL3wruaZupvWBMlPmQX1rw3lco0d/s1600/P1100842.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHJ2tTflbNYJ_Y5O_AVSks9GZukBzcmrwZ04Vhz95gG5N7vxOgx57beK3FFtzsu7SlGqhx6KkyW0uYsHhrokCwwJHVM9ZQR4X5JUv4L619bEGnsGoXL3wruaZupvWBMlPmQX1rw3lco0d/s320/P1100842.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468909965070242946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All for now! More later.</div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-48305604336328870682010-03-23T08:23:00.002-04:002010-03-23T08:26:35.497-04:00Beads Available Now<div><embed src="http://widget-c9.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2449958197321607113&site=widget-c9.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2449958197321607113&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c9.slide.com/p1/2449958197321607113/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2449958197321607113&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c9.slide.com/p2/2449958197321607113/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2449958197321607113&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-c9.slide.com/p4/2449958197321607113/bb_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-68599252629731383422010-03-09T08:28:00.000-05:002010-03-09T08:28:29.458-05:00Geekery. What?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLCSXHyCZuv5nxKfOzSjiuux76x1WJqDB4Fg78MkK5BVcKg34BR8iu8RVqyo-jMm0OkJkDl0MOQVeHxJaW4QWyax_tUHQAoguGQf90dpRfWsAmHqBWs6h9bEYQ6j5bwen3LZVl_US913I/s1600-h/geek2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLCSXHyCZuv5nxKfOzSjiuux76x1WJqDB4Fg78MkK5BVcKg34BR8iu8RVqyo-jMm0OkJkDl0MOQVeHxJaW4QWyax_tUHQAoguGQf90dpRfWsAmHqBWs6h9bEYQ6j5bwen3LZVl_US913I/s320/geek2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446011243873898994" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Etsy seems to have its own set of rules, its own vocabulary, its own <i>je ne sais quoi. </i><div><br /></div><div><i></i> I've always wanted to have a reason to say that. And italicize it. I sound so sophisticated and worldly and French. Which I totally am. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> not</span>. <div><br /></div><div>One of the terms that is quite popular on Etsy is "Geekery." It even is its own category. For months I was confused as to what "geekery" even referred to. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think I've figured it out. Apparently it's a catch-all term for items that are attractive to geeks. I don't think of myself as a geek, per se, but some of this geekery is quite cute:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6V6PffK-MU2VuhrLp27NhCbg_LLQSpPw3lTh6Hkg6mSWQxDRoej53nH6yR-ici_1Q1jT1gssDYoWp4RS9EL9gwgOL8dlYjVQB0Duq1vYnMwdbsZLQSX34qQ-jzjmbf2we5Z884R1viJ-/s1600-h/il_430xN.116647603.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6V6PffK-MU2VuhrLp27NhCbg_LLQSpPw3lTh6Hkg6mSWQxDRoej53nH6yR-ici_1Q1jT1gssDYoWp4RS9EL9gwgOL8dlYjVQB0Duq1vYnMwdbsZLQSX34qQ-jzjmbf2we5Z884R1viJ-/s320/il_430xN.116647603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446012597527084178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38714600&ref=sr_list_1&&ga_search_query=geekery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=6&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">funknugget</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJ5yqFpC5uG2rPWSRv9FbwsPv88W1b5AKPHPdAlo5V6UraDuEwMlfei6Z5Q8a4HbIM0o6QNghOuvEwRqQcc_Yf0MyBbloFjKSFliCNsZ5zTEq3T9whu8vONSXL44q6KwaA6Y1Q8CGVADT/s1600-h/il_430xN.111828635.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJ5yqFpC5uG2rPWSRv9FbwsPv88W1b5AKPHPdAlo5V6UraDuEwMlfei6Z5Q8a4HbIM0o6QNghOuvEwRqQcc_Yf0MyBbloFjKSFliCNsZ5zTEq3T9whu8vONSXL44q6KwaA6Y1Q8CGVADT/s320/il_430xN.111828635.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446013793676669650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37278096&ref=sr_list_9&&ga_search_query=geekery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=12&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">sabahnur</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some is odd:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-Od-DAZ2_n4_g-ZPF_emifKsDAMp5XQNL8ziFl9LqcR_L4h3BoEdtneNG7_CQ95wZs54Al4x9hGa28Gwyv6TfcrL3FwMq3ksTGu89ELAKBNhVzK74_Pft41bL_qeawUc3fgSJfDPDlTG/s1600-h/il_430xN.114288909.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-Od-DAZ2_n4_g-ZPF_emifKsDAMp5XQNL8ziFl9LqcR_L4h3BoEdtneNG7_CQ95wZs54Al4x9hGa28Gwyv6TfcrL3FwMq3ksTGu89ELAKBNhVzK74_Pft41bL_qeawUc3fgSJfDPDlTG/s320/il_430xN.114288909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446617741132827410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Lovely on your guest bathroom shelf! from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yourorgangrinder">yourorgangrinder</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpjsVYX-P8Z4QRlI8zzFBJ3jWU24qsOZNUqHtMc-EsqBKu31v92UFTzNM72VCIDvG_oa16FG6YNscRA7typ_npSSG0gQrwAw-abLbdsJCFHb7xjn03Det2DlCbOqDiULnqdEXJSOqIMDM/s1600-h/il_430xN.128940633.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpjsVYX-P8Z4QRlI8zzFBJ3jWU24qsOZNUqHtMc-EsqBKu31v92UFTzNM72VCIDvG_oa16FG6YNscRA7typ_npSSG0gQrwAw-abLbdsJCFHb7xjn03Det2DlCbOqDiULnqdEXJSOqIMDM/s320/il_430xN.128940633.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446619220619516514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I pity the fool who doesn't want a pair of these! from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bellamodaartist">bellamodaartist</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And some makes sense in my small, stereotypical mindset of what a geek would like:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNST0PgmdecvNiAg1HgEE4gc7-KR7yMCQrwKjGul2GerlvhPn9Atrms3ndmHm8WQfcu2jHEw4gPGZHE8IstRnKtbMjEVFSzWixSGVW0Oe_tzVdB9FPYTpdnCn21i94SETLNBP6Edo8NNmN/s1600-h/il_430xN.128940240.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNST0PgmdecvNiAg1HgEE4gc7-KR7yMCQrwKjGul2GerlvhPn9Atrms3ndmHm8WQfcu2jHEw4gPGZHE8IstRnKtbMjEVFSzWixSGVW0Oe_tzVdB9FPYTpdnCn21i94SETLNBP6Edo8NNmN/s320/il_430xN.128940240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446620357086785362" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(clever, no? from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LastFuse">LastFuse</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_-qfNfE1-xVJVc_zIhyphenhypheniPP965TiGUM0aurz9yQf54_X560NP_N-yuUCDX50ckODTDCkKH4cmn7N2ysVLszMt2hJdS9o8PvjMTQhcgJYVX1Oar4WqHR8y6NTCI0V9elumabpviKNFChuj/s1600-h/il_430xN.128965364.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_-qfNfE1-xVJVc_zIhyphenhypheniPP965TiGUM0aurz9yQf54_X560NP_N-yuUCDX50ckODTDCkKH4cmn7N2ysVLszMt2hJdS9o8PvjMTQhcgJYVX1Oar4WqHR8y6NTCI0V9elumabpviKNFChuj/s320/il_430xN.128965364.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446621464742911842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Soap. Mountain Dew scented. I can't make this up. from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Digitalsoaps">digitalsoaps</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And for some unknown reason, both Etsy and this category are big on mustaches:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92Dm1Kw-BtqJX2ffr9sBaE-i9lBwGGJa9ETXl4Wrl7B-jsDPPZQluWyqPplnfMRMmA4KMGK6G8FamZSkwmx8EIT2PDNWY6xhEL1rhqV7Funwel19v4Eet2O5jnu3nybIdkc5LIrvo2ne6/s1600-h/il_430xN.128633957.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92Dm1Kw-BtqJX2ffr9sBaE-i9lBwGGJa9ETXl4Wrl7B-jsDPPZQluWyqPplnfMRMmA4KMGK6G8FamZSkwmx8EIT2PDNWY6xhEL1rhqV7Funwel19v4Eet2O5jnu3nybIdkc5LIrvo2ne6/s320/il_430xN.128633957.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446623207647041634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/newyorkcouture">newyorkcouture</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I can't even get started on the mustaches. They are probably a post in and of themselves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My entries into the Geekery category consist of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42151496">little glass monsters</a> I make. Do I think that nerds will like them? Do I find them substantially geeky? Honestly, they don't make the cut in my mind for what a computer savvy individual would find attractive, but hey, if it helps them sell, fine by me. Plus, I asked Danielle in the virtual labs if the monsters qualified as geekery and she said yes. I don't tag indiscriminately. Often. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v3qXQXc6DnDKskdGmMc_BGjN-lOqHCltp1MclDfMBQfT9JV-UCMMtA8ubsizERsq7n-u2p8bhun93UZL4lTgr4zbJ4-gfWahT_AB2W3Lp3h2k_Yye-1WMya3DO23O_Ox06Xud7RCz4Sp/s1600-h/P1080608.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v3qXQXc6DnDKskdGmMc_BGjN-lOqHCltp1MclDfMBQfT9JV-UCMMtA8ubsizERsq7n-u2p8bhun93UZL4lTgr4zbJ4-gfWahT_AB2W3Lp3h2k_Yye-1WMya3DO23O_Ox06Xud7RCz4Sp/s320/P1080608.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446624138974202146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now go get your geek on. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-64380277743682836612010-03-06T12:08:00.004-05:002010-03-06T14:08:25.369-05:00Knitting. I've Tried It. It Wasn't Pretty.I have tried knitting. I bought a pattern on Etsy that said, "Easy! Great for beginners!" But it wasn't easy. And it wasn't for beginners.<div><br /></div><div>Or, at least not for <i>this</i> beginner. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wrote about it on <a href="http://www.cluckandtweet.com/2009/08/procrastination-as-an-art-form-part-one-packing-for-a-trip.html">Cluck and Tweet</a>. If you check out that post you will see that this is as far as I got:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8Dtie7f_GaQ_g68nM3tQPUi-4jbxRjjXWqYlxUk86asXAH0QXr9PkIG7sxizeTus3YPCDThvY9Sn3nXywhvuCJDAmC6nfBGzl8jHpn7Bzlq9NP8QiVPDJSYgj_12fGSIm3eYXA7BUs3Y/s1600-h/6a011168c4113e970c0120a4eb63a3970b-800wi.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8Dtie7f_GaQ_g68nM3tQPUi-4jbxRjjXWqYlxUk86asXAH0QXr9PkIG7sxizeTus3YPCDThvY9Sn3nXywhvuCJDAmC6nfBGzl8jHpn7Bzlq9NP8QiVPDJSYgj_12fGSIm3eYXA7BUs3Y/s320/6a011168c4113e970c0120a4eb63a3970b-800wi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445591651594861618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div>That might be the reason I'm so impressed with knitters like this month's Etsybloggers Featured Blogger: <a href="http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com/">KnittingDragonflies</a> who has not one, but two shops on Etsy.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="http://www.dizzydragonflies.etsy.com/">DizzyDragonflies </a> which has delicious hand-dyed yarn</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZvnAV-UJKHMK1fPIUuIhfKvZgvc1ymLmG5r6K0JCfPoXGPvPWTGZPmEOY-t_VMlcsxp1jE0rh-KsQbezyZoSK6F8AmimdciH1n-hPdh4-ZZ9YUtUIDr1ZfOQYqHmSqW3zhH7XatGAOnv/s1600-h/il_430xN.101007977.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZvnAV-UJKHMK1fPIUuIhfKvZgvc1ymLmG5r6K0JCfPoXGPvPWTGZPmEOY-t_VMlcsxp1jE0rh-KsQbezyZoSK6F8AmimdciH1n-hPdh4-ZZ9YUtUIDr1ZfOQYqHmSqW3zhH7XatGAOnv/s320/il_430xN.101007977.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445594066009283282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And 2. <a href="http://www.knittingdragonflies.etsy.com">KnittingDragonflies</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But even more than that is Vicki's blog which is a wealth of tutorials and links to tutorials and yarn-y eye candy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com">KnittingDragonflies.blogspot.com</a>. I'll be following Vicki's progression as she spins her own yarn. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I actually used to know how to do this myself since back in high school, when a friend-of-the-family borrowed our antique spinning wheel to spin her dog hair in to yarn. Vicki, feel free to contact me for tips. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Or not. </div><div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-50899004233207193872010-03-01T13:19:00.009-05:002010-03-01T13:36:31.464-05:00Spring. The Myth. The Legend.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboRf1y3lydM_ozjqtt9UhNukkGPxoUxy5G0JTe8_c6G6-2ZLxW065kYAZJRudRYdGWLji8dtCqg1SZC4GcDWcHrs8FQENFmhgXPAgtvS4IzkqgJoGwAgWnei5miBL4WxElTvKr8LRNltd/s1600-h/P1050957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboRf1y3lydM_ozjqtt9UhNukkGPxoUxy5G0JTe8_c6G6-2ZLxW065kYAZJRudRYdGWLji8dtCqg1SZC4GcDWcHrs8FQENFmhgXPAgtvS4IzkqgJoGwAgWnei5miBL4WxElTvKr8LRNltd/s320/P1050957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443735754036439522" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I love fall. I love winter. Okay, let me qualify that. I love winter in December. And January. And maybe in February. But come March, when the calendar says "SPRING" I expect to see some green stuff peeking its way out of the earth. And I don't even mind the smell of mud, except when I have to wipe the dogs' paws off. Again. But spring doesn't always arrive to Northern Michigan in a timely fashion. Or at all. So I've been wishfully thinking of Spring in the items I've been putting in <a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flowery beads. Great for anyone who loves flowers but is allergic. Unless you're allergic to glass, then all bets are off:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4c7FhWgx9a2mPQGwzekJuLmiY6LgqfGxAPgiglNwUEeB33s7Rim-OalblpGKzOqKkezmJZ0lxFEyj3TkjatLoZVU9GDCOjDyVif3w8uvRKizBcXw__gVIDzBoiyiZBvZWtG65Ufr_DTe/s1600-h/P1070850.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4c7FhWgx9a2mPQGwzekJuLmiY6LgqfGxAPgiglNwUEeB33s7Rim-OalblpGKzOqKkezmJZ0lxFEyj3TkjatLoZVU9GDCOjDyVif3w8uvRKizBcXw__gVIDzBoiyiZBvZWtG65Ufr_DTe/s320/P1070850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443733064817384962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6CERQyt1dno0Sy50Y3qJ2VbxxGLoJJpftxtTalm0RvJ9sDJn6kguSSPqso1P756gu0H6zyPBGVqP7SM79qmvV0-fcbJ7DCDMqyvY_PePBesKzJl-xofpPCaz06NRh8b0Vei6wjYovCzZ/s1600-h/P1080148.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6CERQyt1dno0Sy50Y3qJ2VbxxGLoJJpftxtTalm0RvJ9sDJn6kguSSPqso1P756gu0H6zyPBGVqP7SM79qmvV0-fcbJ7DCDMqyvY_PePBesKzJl-xofpPCaz06NRh8b0Vei6wjYovCzZ/s320/P1080148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443733055764898882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px; " /></a></div><div>And my own jewelry that reeks of Spring:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggLmLIlnax3YlEX_cPgGuj7Si5ty5PL2Vwg2-3zmwcttYO_d3WqUjM9_hMfKR_lIIul17F6y98bRW20bSAUv7N5tgkEXxyv5v7ObSUqBV-o1HmgxNAJLSNOD-vqCY8S5uCzd23XPgK6am/s1600-h/P1080197.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggLmLIlnax3YlEX_cPgGuj7Si5ty5PL2Vwg2-3zmwcttYO_d3WqUjM9_hMfKR_lIIul17F6y98bRW20bSAUv7N5tgkEXxyv5v7ObSUqBV-o1HmgxNAJLSNOD-vqCY8S5uCzd23XPgK6am/s320/P1080197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443733680918151314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PaFi6mXpvCx4WLkJHAzJC1xlcsQm05aVNm5wcyQ-Q2cM2mPLSjTe-EwgxPgfJZ_6kLNFGweRhZ-sBDepYHJjU1G8gBoZPFLgRGeIJwSBNkVQze0XFcZmTY9D3vIOocx4DAxDb0FKWwK8/s1600-h/P1080106.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PaFi6mXpvCx4WLkJHAzJC1xlcsQm05aVNm5wcyQ-Q2cM2mPLSjTe-EwgxPgfJZ_6kLNFGweRhZ-sBDepYHJjU1G8gBoZPFLgRGeIJwSBNkVQze0XFcZmTY9D3vIOocx4DAxDb0FKWwK8/s320/P1080106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443734058492710722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrI-3PSbg9d58XIepsQF9DYrTyFLYG-2wzLhiFHKEmoe67tSbIc-_Kw1sggtM-y-CuSkUlsngBte81ip2OpIQiyWQWTPXQtGqRvuPttBIqZPJ3NbnQ0JPwWeWs1pLsaeWEaB2ZR4tndWk/s1600-h/P1070875.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrI-3PSbg9d58XIepsQF9DYrTyFLYG-2wzLhiFHKEmoe67tSbIc-_Kw1sggtM-y-CuSkUlsngBte81ip2OpIQiyWQWTPXQtGqRvuPttBIqZPJ3NbnQ0JPwWeWs1pLsaeWEaB2ZR4tndWk/s320/P1070875.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443734918449414962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m0uPRlsTv7Hpl6lyRcCSrOyfSREV0KzdOgs6ro3L6tfdLDRKthc-ZaMfRn_tl_TTRx4WSEToir8kvtYGokpmsHUKnH1ro6eK3j1-BiUnU7EaRY3A9kl2A0nNiwd4aMKO1vGBvPKzAqki/s1600-h/P1070610.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m0uPRlsTv7Hpl6lyRcCSrOyfSREV0KzdOgs6ro3L6tfdLDRKthc-ZaMfRn_tl_TTRx4WSEToir8kvtYGokpmsHUKnH1ro6eK3j1-BiUnU7EaRY3A9kl2A0nNiwd4aMKO1vGBvPKzAqki/s320/P1070610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443735428204297698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWbmcVvMv3JllkGne2ELGcguWbAskgY-wriUOWg-A0FJDEB8BP1IbIZf0PHkNscDbMcr5FF-WEX3DGcH9Qxs3oPRZM6uGBmpLB_l3LrT_gKP0lQRkpU2Rdd_kUvlQZUOBhT0q1id1se5A/s1600-h/P1070784.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWbmcVvMv3JllkGne2ELGcguWbAskgY-wriUOWg-A0FJDEB8BP1IbIZf0PHkNscDbMcr5FF-WEX3DGcH9Qxs3oPRZM6uGBmpLB_l3LrT_gKP0lQRkpU2Rdd_kUvlQZUOBhT0q1id1se5A/s320/P1070784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443734654395090850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px; " /></a></div><div>So, it may be wishful thinking. But I'm ready for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or a vacation.</div><div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-27266780351227664942010-03-01T12:44:00.007-05:002010-03-01T13:14:07.082-05:00One of my very favorite vacations. Ever.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGHbtXTy0ehWYn_IJorC43JuKaFpKP0mQo9N1wCgWOxlpJFGJkH8S7eBlyKwN-t4HQUhjH2xjqajllxdPIksUlMkzAbWZFVhAR3TCmd5gl6PNX4pjYVE_2HY1AIutyQaiem0O7-_GwMEY/s1600-h/32_SSEllerTCP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGHbtXTy0ehWYn_IJorC43JuKaFpKP0mQo9N1wCgWOxlpJFGJkH8S7eBlyKwN-t4HQUhjH2xjqajllxdPIksUlMkzAbWZFVhAR3TCmd5gl6PNX4pjYVE_2HY1AIutyQaiem0O7-_GwMEY/s320/32_SSEllerTCP.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443726121871957394" /></a><br />I love to travel. And perhaps more than the trip itself, I love the <i>planning</i> of the trip. I spend much of the winter months (okay, Northern Michigan winter months, which can include October through May) planning where I would go if I could. Or how much it would cost to have a second home in the Turks and Caicos. Um, yeah, that would be <i>too</i> much.<div><br /></div><div>I do a lot of checking on <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/">VRBO</a> and <a href="http://www.luxurylink.com/">Luxury Link</a> and <a href="http://www.slh.com/">Small Luxury Hotels of the World</a>. Hey, I've got good taste. </div><div><br /></div><div>But one of the best vacations I've ever been on was on a small boat with 9 people I didn't know in the rain and cold of Alaska. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX92ZGvJQcujgy3HK_R31gMM_OD5dOntrFKelD9VTaDZw6DVDM_JFzlQvQfOwJmhgYr_a5J5FBI5HPAn8aVxv6cK-HMi8cIw-EPAODTrqckqWpSmGqwxgN7e181XPwuq2HqrtSVBW_HoCH/s1600-h/P1030801.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX92ZGvJQcujgy3HK_R31gMM_OD5dOntrFKelD9VTaDZw6DVDM_JFzlQvQfOwJmhgYr_a5J5FBI5HPAn8aVxv6cK-HMi8cIw-EPAODTrqckqWpSmGqwxgN7e181XPwuq2HqrtSVBW_HoCH/s320/P1030801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443727262888827186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(It's the one in the middle)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My mother-in-law gifted us a trip to the Inside Passage of Alaska from Juneau to Sitka. Before we left our summer had consisted of rain and cold and then more rain. And a little more cold for good measure. When I looked on the weather reports that it would rain and be cold in Alaska in August I was a bit disappointed, but geared up to go and see and do everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OVZE9JFrwwUumz3A6JAP3dJfFmvFsxRMOx5HRxvmPEv-QLnnF3dZvPTTiOfv3lEEx1sMbR9bXNibfaA-wltt9VYWjh0Xh6GokP9YxkGRMvqevFDvdGUPbXandMQ2HS5dofWLOTMVFrpu/s1600-h/P8176798.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OVZE9JFrwwUumz3A6JAP3dJfFmvFsxRMOx5HRxvmPEv-QLnnF3dZvPTTiOfv3lEEx1sMbR9bXNibfaA-wltt9VYWjh0Xh6GokP9YxkGRMvqevFDvdGUPbXandMQ2HS5dofWLOTMVFrpu/s320/P8176798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443728444224799890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ0at8E6P1r4ETNvw3xjJz_Gn71tItcJIvt4RSQE0glY8m3zKJokghf_BVmg5schIWxkffLPl2xiobGoRIOBJW2h2AWnQzQqqeVeJ0Ppp3W9WbfV1QoWbpAk2PIH_aXOsP0yClnRfK-Fy/s1600-h/P8187099.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ0at8E6P1r4ETNvw3xjJz_Gn71tItcJIvt4RSQE0glY8m3zKJokghf_BVmg5schIWxkffLPl2xiobGoRIOBJW2h2AWnQzQqqeVeJ0Ppp3W9WbfV1QoWbpAk2PIH_aXOsP0yClnRfK-Fy/s320/P8187099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443728449939560674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was grey, but magical. And because of all the rain we saw twenty times the waterfalls than the crew had seen the week before. Because of the rain, we awoke to thousands of moon jellyfish mating in the cove where we spent the night. Don't worry. It was very G-rated. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WYFcvaqZbJN3rVPlQOx-_YeEM1xiwRw1N6ZBg8k0Xbhyphenhyphen32WgTpFpuBN06udO1aFljeJOLAYYN6igH6ra2jFnIkxhf97OUFATLkEsWRS3mrPY4hv-v_dmJGwiFjNt2dcsGNXHfR8lYI2x/s1600-h/P8197262.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WYFcvaqZbJN3rVPlQOx-_YeEM1xiwRw1N6ZBg8k0Xbhyphenhyphen32WgTpFpuBN06udO1aFljeJOLAYYN6igH6ra2jFnIkxhf97OUFATLkEsWRS3mrPY4hv-v_dmJGwiFjNt2dcsGNXHfR8lYI2x/s320/P8197262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443729503379163170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This trip happened to be with <a href="http://www.theboatcompany.com/">The Boat Company</a>, a wonderful group of people trying to save the Tongass forest of Southeast Alaska and promote conservation. Were money no object, I would take that trip every year of my life. After spending the winter in the Caribbean, of course.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-74192313367638865212010-02-13T12:34:00.007-05:002010-02-13T12:54:40.940-05:00Bead Focus<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7z5aNrgLaxemn-MjEAhc3cbVgTm97ZHnsSkVX6nQBpsO4BqmCoiqZ8h26kArDXHpPdKNYxqa8VbM2pXQnIJuH1v_mAKkL86-3V4_AadeFBVSzQLWboDryEKKD6Gbh-tMTpclhLD-97o8/s1600-h/P1070580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7z5aNrgLaxemn-MjEAhc3cbVgTm97ZHnsSkVX6nQBpsO4BqmCoiqZ8h26kArDXHpPdKNYxqa8VbM2pXQnIJuH1v_mAKkL86-3V4_AadeFBVSzQLWboDryEKKD6Gbh-tMTpclhLD-97o8/s320/P1070580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437784330903578290" /></a><br />Lately I've been focusing on making beads to sell rather than using them in my own designs. I'm never sure which approach is the better one or the more profitable one and sometimes these little decisions lead to bigger ones like, Should I start a new Etsy shop focused strictly on beads? And keep one strictly jewelry? <div><br /></div><div>See the kinds of questions that keep me up at night? </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some recent sets. All available right now on <a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFn5NMTPwO6cy0MXIVg71RTMWSVCG4ZEsxL8HaTwP8lioiWFVnkEboV3RcMAmMMkZVouDlRCuvqxwnblsi3phL6Ccfv9dqe_Yr0l0JHawQsp41iknmlwlPKmuX5Yop8cE6wXPxqcz-1Wm/s1600-h/P1070496.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFn5NMTPwO6cy0MXIVg71RTMWSVCG4ZEsxL8HaTwP8lioiWFVnkEboV3RcMAmMMkZVouDlRCuvqxwnblsi3phL6Ccfv9dqe_Yr0l0JHawQsp41iknmlwlPKmuX5Yop8cE6wXPxqcz-1Wm/s320/P1070496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437785574121652402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQPjDgv9Ye30Ei9KU-Zb6iJy6HLZWp7dRsYae4QYYjYF2CN-kr0NLRGpwmP4hO9SeOrR5pnFDEnSuAp2A3Rc8ZtOQsmmR-FmVVDawtqDtGL6FasJ7RjAfVq_92VU4lrvmsmpMyQznNia1/s1600-h/P1070734.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQPjDgv9Ye30Ei9KU-Zb6iJy6HLZWp7dRsYae4QYYjYF2CN-kr0NLRGpwmP4hO9SeOrR5pnFDEnSuAp2A3Rc8ZtOQsmmR-FmVVDawtqDtGL6FasJ7RjAfVq_92VU4lrvmsmpMyQznNia1/s320/P1070734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437786119546056130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OrgK7lnOR6aEWrhO4wbeHlsz_VllmWu_MR3bdq7tbwOnR02rjnlLVS7ILSw5m8CS6rsYM__D2FkmKCzaDappVVbs9auuXwKxjlbeescf4jb361pcrD9V5P5O4mGOQkIvGk5lIciOryHQ/s1600-h/P1070575.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OrgK7lnOR6aEWrhO4wbeHlsz_VllmWu_MR3bdq7tbwOnR02rjnlLVS7ILSw5m8CS6rsYM__D2FkmKCzaDappVVbs9auuXwKxjlbeescf4jb361pcrD9V5P5O4mGOQkIvGk5lIciOryHQ/s320/P1070575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437786588674803346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 270px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn5kHUx1caG-JqGIRmpkwJNAfG-FhG6KyiGkjRrFdoS0dnne7IfuoMqnMZaksUYiVBbfwXq8EPW4kuf6tziQhNXyW0RoDybxb-h6u5puve43JmH2zuHZasbEyXUuFwAnKS2Pvvoau5ZDj/s1600-h/P1070775.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn5kHUx1caG-JqGIRmpkwJNAfG-FhG6KyiGkjRrFdoS0dnne7IfuoMqnMZaksUYiVBbfwXq8EPW4kuf6tziQhNXyW0RoDybxb-h6u5puve43JmH2zuHZasbEyXUuFwAnKS2Pvvoau5ZDj/s320/P1070775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437787781060803474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 139px; " /></a></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-58893849895416640112010-01-12T16:21:00.004-05:002010-01-12T16:36:14.141-05:00Where Have You Been, Missy?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRecmrsJq8mlM7iMdS7iA9Mo_C5OoHtmGzutqSpNlF_98aRQSzXbeQwdaHcVopfSbKAj58ujYKO3JOji7IXQDWQ59sqRWxk3AQjf23uzq1SSSfzT3UZe59iACfK1Q4Jm3Ggz5eHsq_CTh/s1600-h/P1060135.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRecmrsJq8mlM7iMdS7iA9Mo_C5OoHtmGzutqSpNlF_98aRQSzXbeQwdaHcVopfSbKAj58ujYKO3JOji7IXQDWQ59sqRWxk3AQjf23uzq1SSSfzT3UZe59iACfK1Q4Jm3Ggz5eHsq_CTh/s320/P1060135.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425968938057056642" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', serif; ">I'm not even going to go into all the things that have or have not been going on in my life that have prevented any postings from happening. Suffice it to say dogs and kids and parents and holidays and work have made extra time nonexistent. Hopefully things are turning around and wonderful happenings are on the horizon.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;">Presently I'm restocking my <a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a> with pretty little items like these:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYxmuo_HEXzuDwXLt9OOnGHMVSR4l2WcK7XDhYOwEJOiZSCVN3gB4dTrfId-l9mEtvbj_eyu2ZkgRY6ReT2V6DED8XaanA9dhTvbjs_B2c0IeqQi-Ma2ZDw4h391j93BuaYDquXWNGeh0/s1600-h/P1060136.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYxmuo_HEXzuDwXLt9OOnGHMVSR4l2WcK7XDhYOwEJOiZSCVN3gB4dTrfId-l9mEtvbj_eyu2ZkgRY6ReT2V6DED8XaanA9dhTvbjs_B2c0IeqQi-Ma2ZDw4h391j93BuaYDquXWNGeh0/s320/P1060136.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425968928226554370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElOrYXIvIFfaqT5bK8DWgwlnDyNve6DyxKO4Khh8_1pK9xhTF-S7aAm5bIYi28fRsRENfzCjVH-kd3GnOLwXHRnJD_X3cM6RD5vtK3aEjzS7kMsT7f5QkO3reLad5e8lxbleVVa3i-LWe/s1600-h/P1060092.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElOrYXIvIFfaqT5bK8DWgwlnDyNve6DyxKO4Khh8_1pK9xhTF-S7aAm5bIYi28fRsRENfzCjVH-kd3GnOLwXHRnJD_X3cM6RD5vtK3aEjzS7kMsT7f5QkO3reLad5e8lxbleVVa3i-LWe/s320/P1060092.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425968922963390546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5LfDncsF_PmJWzP6Mu9JT7TeLz-sPk_fcELPst66dN2-pNj_EcVLLI_MwVA2qsI3dfzdl07-gvBshmxXVyEtKbrWj13oDW0DCPT0QG9n3_xTsjArg11dcfeJrtxy2iwF4Lnu6VfzLqeV/s1600-h/P1060099.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5LfDncsF_PmJWzP6Mu9JT7TeLz-sPk_fcELPst66dN2-pNj_EcVLLI_MwVA2qsI3dfzdl07-gvBshmxXVyEtKbrWj13oDW0DCPT0QG9n3_xTsjArg11dcfeJrtxy2iwF4Lnu6VfzLqeV/s320/P1060099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425968919528116882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px; text-align: center; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;">With more to come! I'd love to have you check out the shop over the next few weeks to see what's new. </span></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-14451576972441052282009-10-25T09:20:00.010-04:002009-10-25T09:51:20.747-04:00Still Thinking about Halloween and the Homemade Costumes Yet To Be Made and MadeByMelissa on Etsy<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKazNYew3nmFXjKf6apMWEvEOaXauRor854pbj_f-x4toBTTXygn0cVjkQbQLhU5P9RjJf5FaIjmSn9Ly75HD4Q0-VuCO4QI-zyCbcz_P17CGqOO69XS3nxko-mNfx_hyphenhyphen_3uBXUH9BRRN2/s1600-h/il_430xN.87414255.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKazNYew3nmFXjKf6apMWEvEOaXauRor854pbj_f-x4toBTTXygn0cVjkQbQLhU5P9RjJf5FaIjmSn9Ly75HD4Q0-VuCO4QI-zyCbcz_P17CGqOO69XS3nxko-mNfx_hyphenhyphen_3uBXUH9BRRN2/s1600-h/il_430xN.87414255.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span><span></span></span></span></a></div><span><span>I realize that one of the things in the title of this post is not like the others. At least at first glance. But my fellow Etsyblogger, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859">Made by Melissa</a>, has a great shop full of Halloween items that might just make your holiday that much more festive.</span></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZS0gmwBB0ait_j-W9OijgobtF7wwbw5fWnUSsnbDT-noYftRz3Inb3z85vhLEWWkOcKay0OH90-4dgi7h1JoCu0EknSRqgjhQoPICmDsk7HnhfrHVZasiqwY7gapey6OzMI8grAVuTUM/s320/il_430xN.94523453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396528752556506690" /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Like this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32143426">Happy Skull Halloween Charm Necklace</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDMuAc-CDVNNn-OBGcmp0I0OWQp1r1YN_YgTtK5s1GAygt4xRSwHHIboFXuctDxZe0G6_W7gCZ4nq-CKSodGgh0d6YZKRTunDxchRPoHElULT3LNh4Zx1WkZLZ69WYSMqArDtRsi5UERD/s320/il_430xN.94327095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396529601128568450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or these cute <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32084410">Giggly Ghouls Ghostly Charm Earrings</a>, which are much more my cowardly Halloween speed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Melissa, however, has many skills and apparently not an idle moment. You can find whimsical jewelry in her shop:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI4HL9UAhALFig9RYMb43xAhSC7DBQe5NgFXOrPsdnSxJAOrPnmxHYdRsvRkppTD4qGEU6OfgzTRDDsUHCkKdefhjKs2blMQJu5-JCpivp1IynVKEBlT7LoCH8kdjbZE9ht752-thphQe/s1600-h/il_430xN.28641863.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI4HL9UAhALFig9RYMb43xAhSC7DBQe5NgFXOrPsdnSxJAOrPnmxHYdRsvRkppTD4qGEU6OfgzTRDDsUHCkKdefhjKs2blMQJu5-JCpivp1IynVKEBlT7LoCH8kdjbZE9ht752-thphQe/s320/il_430xN.28641863.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396531129182415522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11557131">crocheted babies' blankets</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV0aMEyNKct7Wb4o9M1D8r8F2GLSqu1ExE20EEAIGw3UKSRTqg-KYueLUrGn788QyZq7b6ly4iNChkfPoKHkP3FWJn7e_euHbdeql7cxKHthOyG4AMCoHEQcc5dhZ0-3x4sBt_3CPBRTg/s1600-h/il_430xN.26081126.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV0aMEyNKct7Wb4o9M1D8r8F2GLSqu1ExE20EEAIGw3UKSRTqg-KYueLUrGn788QyZq7b6ly4iNChkfPoKHkP3FWJn7e_euHbdeql7cxKHthOyG4AMCoHEQcc5dhZ0-3x4sBt_3CPBRTg/s320/il_430xN.26081126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396531928093320946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and my personal favorite, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30024724">Penny the Pink Elephant</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKazNYew3nmFXjKf6apMWEvEOaXauRor854pbj_f-x4toBTTXygn0cVjkQbQLhU5P9RjJf5FaIjmSn9Ly75HD4Q0-VuCO4QI-zyCbcz_P17CGqOO69XS3nxko-mNfx_hyphenhyphen_3uBXUH9BRRN2/s1600-h/il_430xN.87414255.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKazNYew3nmFXjKf6apMWEvEOaXauRor854pbj_f-x4toBTTXygn0cVjkQbQLhU5P9RjJf5FaIjmSn9Ly75HD4Q0-VuCO4QI-zyCbcz_P17CGqOO69XS3nxko-mNfx_hyphenhyphen_3uBXUH9BRRN2/s320/il_430xN.87414255.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396532636427070290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With her mad skills, I'll bet Melissa could have Jimmie's Toxic Waste costume done in a matter of minutes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Make sure to check out Melissa's blog as well: <a href="http://madebymelissa.blogspot.com/">madebymelissa.blogspot.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-75424767034765432422009-10-20T07:52:00.006-04:002009-10-20T08:15:05.586-04:00Thinking Halloween<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexXGDlqJlAXJZeioDiQt6rFlwR59QMqXxJVt0UqOe82n2N0HIzSebvNpIVojTj-ipJUGXAF_0ISqY3PYFYONNE9qT4Y1EiRM-97gUgiGNw3OcQOccDY0sPTurGmLfhs4YJ-JDltpo_7fI/s1600-h/P1040518.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexXGDlqJlAXJZeioDiQt6rFlwR59QMqXxJVt0UqOe82n2N0HIzSebvNpIVojTj-ipJUGXAF_0ISqY3PYFYONNE9qT4Y1EiRM-97gUgiGNw3OcQOccDY0sPTurGmLfhs4YJ-JDltpo_7fI/s320/P1040518.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394649809023103858" /></a><br />I'm not much for scary. Never have been. I think my imagination is too big and out of control for my rational mind to reign in. My imagination is like a Pamplona bull. <div><br /></div><div>I never go to scary movies. I went to <i>The Silence of the Lambs </i>and had to leave the movie theatre. Then I checked my closets and ceilings (because of the elevator scene) and under my bed for years. Years, I tell you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I even make my husband change the channel for<i> previews</i> of scary movies. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do love watching my kids dress up for Halloween, however, especially in the last few years when the store-bought Bionicle costume has made way for the thunderstorm or bush or present costumes. I'll be writing more about that on <a href="http://www.cluckandtweet.com/">Cluck and Tweet </a>later this week. I guarantee you won't want to miss that. There will be mystery and intrigue and bows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhoo, I have no big plans for Halloween. I've been thinking about it since late August when Jimmie mentioned that I should make some monsters for <a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">my Etsy shop</a>. This was a self-serving request because the monsters that don't make the cut go to him and his sister. </div><div><br /></div><div>But he had a great idea which I ran with and now I have these guys hanging around my shop.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTqZe6Eu5lPu7353S1XlvwUoChYTEoaunJWYtd6Ip3wJIBOq7W0Lx480qFqQQ0vDW4lewmA_OJv49ZkTp_eNvaFgepKGAHSkbqCIkZr6rN7qif8IBS9CwTwK623TnDcx1fzr7GPixPmIL/s1600-h/P1050087.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTqZe6Eu5lPu7353S1XlvwUoChYTEoaunJWYtd6Ip3wJIBOq7W0Lx480qFqQQ0vDW4lewmA_OJv49ZkTp_eNvaFgepKGAHSkbqCIkZr6rN7qif8IBS9CwTwK623TnDcx1fzr7GPixPmIL/s320/P1050087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394652137568798914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPDuxpWqKLPPo-EmytK1aos8LinAkve-VAYUQCfbGfh_Yyk23gZu1Wwd87C0hvRsvf97Bs2VGwoFc3yZYwzCci-IUP_breJprZ95wp1_RnV9NTklh8G70zwa0ShU6b03-O5T815t5U0Ax/s1600-h/P1040547.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPDuxpWqKLPPo-EmytK1aos8LinAkve-VAYUQCfbGfh_Yyk23gZu1Wwd87C0hvRsvf97Bs2VGwoFc3yZYwzCci-IUP_breJprZ95wp1_RnV9NTklh8G70zwa0ShU6b03-O5T815t5U0Ax/s320/P1040547.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394652148191200178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm33jb9YzCkehsA_wgxCYy6B8V7kUL5flFc0oOSp2ibfNyGxYKR55dTNYXJ69IQ1ahMNGT0yqKkgbpSMu2soxYW_hxWe_jtnWY8hXqLkTk8As7KSPFOY5DH6vZ2OPOJz-Zfp7xzY9CW8E/s1600-h/P1040532.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm33jb9YzCkehsA_wgxCYy6B8V7kUL5flFc0oOSp2ibfNyGxYKR55dTNYXJ69IQ1ahMNGT0yqKkgbpSMu2soxYW_hxWe_jtnWY8hXqLkTk8As7KSPFOY5DH6vZ2OPOJz-Zfp7xzY9CW8E/s320/P1040532.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394652153150748786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04sx062BhY9z5r9KwvIC45ecP4iFgND0qDrr18kNgS4TnPPQyhOspHab1F8Ha9xlaKMikQ8OGp2mAGTB2D4Iow_qMGslkYnWDFh57RrXrzzKf4-z6xrPsu8aNFrIsw7tIDDY88Bl_djj9/s1600-h/P1050463.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04sx062BhY9z5r9KwvIC45ecP4iFgND0qDrr18kNgS4TnPPQyhOspHab1F8Ha9xlaKMikQ8OGp2mAGTB2D4Iow_qMGslkYnWDFh57RrXrzzKf4-z6xrPsu8aNFrIsw7tIDDY88Bl_djj9/s320/P1050463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394652165261965618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQrGtT4oAJ_J3jKzefUQAh4MIlSg936chheVNkwbxE_tAq19FrG8CSd-N_p-n1tRijbFp3O9LSUNEVdihnd_vAnCcFKWstCW9KekCSV36-xF_NyXlk6wlgu7HL9ctNJHfLrceA15-XMN9/s1600-h/P1050449.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQrGtT4oAJ_J3jKzefUQAh4MIlSg936chheVNkwbxE_tAq19FrG8CSd-N_p-n1tRijbFp3O9LSUNEVdihnd_vAnCcFKWstCW9KekCSV36-xF_NyXlk6wlgu7HL9ctNJHfLrceA15-XMN9/s320/P1050449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394652169997183154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px; " /></a></div><div>They are so not scary.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just how I like it.</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-77023707813685053242009-10-06T21:13:00.022-04:002009-10-10T20:25:37.394-04:00Evil. Devitrifying. Purple.<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Evil Devitrifying Purple will strike fear in many beadmakers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> because, surprise!, this glass will devitrify which basically mean it will turn chalky or even make the adjacent glass look chalky rather than shiny. Etching a bead removes this finish, of course, giving the entire bead a matte finish. These are my latest set on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32167381">Etsy</a> using EDP:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBqC9nP0pjLcu2UkPSTz1DhE1_a5vGtNv6KQNbBUEeKOmdiZPSnRyw7lbG2yBfNxwYTV-9LUfkWKBgwiugfONhGVKxC2FFTbeOG8qlpGKj0OO4GsFyY1zy9mNCRzBiMR2pIdFWH-nUesE/s1600-h/P1050763.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBqC9nP0pjLcu2UkPSTz1DhE1_a5vGtNv6KQNbBUEeKOmdiZPSnRyw7lbG2yBfNxwYTV-9LUfkWKBgwiugfONhGVKxC2FFTbeOG8qlpGKj0OO4GsFyY1zy9mNCRzBiMR2pIdFWH-nUesE/s320/P1050763.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389661699966975346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IYdp_rRnauKLX4RJt76mBDbfalBdqM6msc8NYDMxx-KH-rD3WEXz-fv8RenNBiC6N25wfSU3mVOQihGA6ISZczHbHenHPKVd-bvkVtUjwSHufG-FH2iKw0l_MZJDYszJ3q60mJVBseWo/s1600-h/P1050752.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IYdp_rRnauKLX4RJt76mBDbfalBdqM6msc8NYDMxx-KH-rD3WEXz-fv8RenNBiC6N25wfSU3mVOQihGA6ISZczHbHenHPKVd-bvkVtUjwSHufG-FH2iKw0l_MZJDYszJ3q60mJVBseWo/s320/P1050752.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389661684268084258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGPf7K2Tl1MUHhiKLIR4mUf0wRSrWvl9LAue2dMsQcAhu5gXA3F-ZGqHKBaaUs4n0nk27RyJy1qX3MWPrbTquL6iEP7AoZtF-M1IP-KIKuv3pDSASs2WjzXRnv-yMEVBZ0lBXbqaTSmrG/s1600-h/P1050760.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGPf7K2Tl1MUHhiKLIR4mUf0wRSrWvl9LAue2dMsQcAhu5gXA3F-ZGqHKBaaUs4n0nk27RyJy1qX3MWPrbTquL6iEP7AoZtF-M1IP-KIKuv3pDSASs2WjzXRnv-yMEVBZ0lBXbqaTSmrG/s320/P1050760.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389661679692658914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-aXxCfL0uEAZt9ZhJ2ugpC0E4OhhVIHJaGci5eb6DI5XjWbCClESgCsH1bRHLNlOQaEFkALy5-pDtqnoZ_pc3zPOYR-SFxHixChJkcTLwDvNMnaq7eEyYuuAoUFBGa7kDgS74qowtTNc/s1600-h/nebulastyle.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-aXxCfL0uEAZt9ZhJ2ugpC0E4OhhVIHJaGci5eb6DI5XjWbCClESgCsH1bRHLNlOQaEFkALy5-pDtqnoZ_pc3zPOYR-SFxHixChJkcTLwDvNMnaq7eEyYuuAoUFBGa7kDgS74qowtTNc/s320/nebulastyle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389663684657261410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 288px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But this glass is capable of so much more. Look at its effect on the above beads... beautiful little works of art created by Debra Jennings of </span><a href="http://www.frogsongstudio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Frogsong Studio</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. Simply amazing. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-24821326904263147772009-10-04T16:17:00.005-04:002009-10-04T18:52:27.544-04:00Newest Set on Etsy. I LOVE Double Helix. Too Bad I'm Married.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAJgYtpaViAu1otpPu0QWOkAYlloNoywTZv3IPxQW_w_TDnQ1ehHvhHNnk83w2WR9YHwMtbd4cN569AFiQUOSq86zmZExWijM3EyLsmyCIvAYIAEcJ4nQDZ4GLUhnnoe6vCar-6QMAxzf/s1600-h/P1050700.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAJgYtpaViAu1otpPu0QWOkAYlloNoywTZv3IPxQW_w_TDnQ1ehHvhHNnk83w2WR9YHwMtbd4cN569AFiQUOSq86zmZExWijM3EyLsmyCIvAYIAEcJ4nQDZ4GLUhnnoe6vCar-6QMAxzf/s320/P1050700.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388841980801191490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUD_Lr0TXg7kSo1ZVKoufRZmfkHbjhNSlz7zZmGxwIpx-FSg7CylGdlJkE9S0-eEs8ePxZLwdOMypbTV3ESWmZmbH4W3SvCtCvOXaZZmx6WpoKGqsExcsABEUyAUp5hzq-uaqacR5sssX/s1600-h/P1050698.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUD_Lr0TXg7kSo1ZVKoufRZmfkHbjhNSlz7zZmGxwIpx-FSg7CylGdlJkE9S0-eEs8ePxZLwdOMypbTV3ESWmZmbH4W3SvCtCvOXaZZmx6WpoKGqsExcsABEUyAUp5hzq-uaqacR5sssX/s320/P1050698.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388841993408823202" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsPAhFzMwuzqm0liZlnAJqY9qnUb_ScqnTkrGvwHJSnT9kEi4wziKPcmvOwIRyK49VwiYs5enagl9jEl_Z37iySr7aUYrzwkbHlo7LSjp-aZcjx0JRbv9V7wc2hGcteHRQtQJuRfLAhnA/s1600-h/P1050701.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsPAhFzMwuzqm0liZlnAJqY9qnUb_ScqnTkrGvwHJSnT9kEi4wziKPcmvOwIRyK49VwiYs5enagl9jEl_Z37iySr7aUYrzwkbHlo7LSjp-aZcjx0JRbv9V7wc2hGcteHRQtQJuRfLAhnA/s320/P1050701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388841969275009570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFTuv7_8FpOJ_8_op5SJYU2ncSgHFcjY3cEapGx2bHH1O_be6BQjkUApPiRyopszsxnhZoPHccfL-v1QpInz4Lz6xhBd3dgDiR_araNIw1bH0veq2TaE4isPkHTG3x3SGYYGxdmJfJ7iC/s1600-h/P1050702.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFTuv7_8FpOJ_8_op5SJYU2ncSgHFcjY3cEapGx2bHH1O_be6BQjkUApPiRyopszsxnhZoPHccfL-v1QpInz4Lz6xhBd3dgDiR_araNIw1bH0veq2TaE4isPkHTG3x3SGYYGxdmJfJ7iC/s320/P1050702.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388841777514349794" /></a>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-69046603684557102112009-10-03T11:01:00.001-04:002009-10-03T11:01:34.656-04:00Brrr...Etsy Favorites in Winter White<link rel='stylesheet' href='/components/com_spotlight/style.css' type='text/css' /><div id="spotlight_description">A Winter White Collection</div><div id="listings"> <div class="listing" id="etsy1"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31876081" ><div class="item"><img id="item1img" name="item1img" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_155x125.93626219.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy2"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=28490760" ><div class="item"><img id="item2img" name="item2img" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_155x125.82262511.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy3"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31951958" ><div class="item"><img id="item3img" name="item3img" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_155x125.93882630.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy4"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31961021" ><div class="item"><img id="item4img" name="item4img" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_155x125.93912986.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy5"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31497238" ><div class="item"><img id="item5img" name="item5img" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_155x125.92354453.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy6"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31863718" ><div class="item"><img id="item6img" name="item6img" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_155x125.93584632.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy7"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31897641" ><div class="item"><img id="item7img" name="item7img" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_155x125.93698267.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy8"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=31642467" ><div class="item"><img id="item8img" name="item8img" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_155x125.92841847.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> <div class="listing" id="etsy9"><br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" class="item" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=byhand.me&listing_id=25051573" ><div class="item"><img id="item9img" name="item9img" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_155x125.70738424.jpg" /></div></a><br /> </div><br /> </div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-35423762678408838182009-09-22T08:30:00.005-04:002009-09-22T08:48:21.121-04:00It Takes One To Know One...EtsyBlogger of the Month<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIwfu-xKElO7XjomVvG82gqSOaGQk-Tnp0mEYIa2qzAuaPZ-A1XJ6F4GaqVwNL7eq1ox5cWTryei7XElKUURE23QoRAYIe1m94Mm0eRCZqnH3IJDp09vJ_zk84vVfiSUNyNVVd5nwDW7L/s1600-h/il_430xN.85508312.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIwfu-xKElO7XjomVvG82gqSOaGQk-Tnp0mEYIa2qzAuaPZ-A1XJ6F4GaqVwNL7eq1ox5cWTryei7XElKUURE23QoRAYIe1m94Mm0eRCZqnH3IJDp09vJ_zk84vVfiSUNyNVVd5nwDW7L/s320/il_430xN.85508312.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384270326920163874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5984534"> DESIGNS BY VANESSA</a> on Etsy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I make jewelry. And I've been doing it for probably close to 9 years now. This in no way makes me an expert, but it does give me a little bit more of a critical eye when looking at other people's work.<div><br /></div><div>One of the obvious ways of telling someone's skill in the art of making jewelry is to look at the way she wraps her headpins. The loops should be round and evenly sized which is harder than it looks. You should see some of my early work. It makes me cringe.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20386009">These</a> are beautifully wrapped: </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Zi4AdbJVJZWbce4yirZkHOK_7c9UBgWwADV9CghwZiKeH_4FTr3QSC9xIW4qV4w-LmlhrJSnkCLVAId6uId0-OxRarn09rHhP31xMKBf0h7lt-oU_BcvmJfXNiBW6Fp6ZHj3mQjfahJ/s1600-h/il_430xN.55091953.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Zi4AdbJVJZWbce4yirZkHOK_7c9UBgWwADV9CghwZiKeH_4FTr3QSC9xIW4qV4w-LmlhrJSnkCLVAId6uId0-OxRarn09rHhP31xMKBf0h7lt-oU_BcvmJfXNiBW6Fp6ZHj3mQjfahJ/s320/il_430xN.55091953.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384271310921572322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>and also just plain beautiful.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can check out Vanessa's lovely jewelry by clicking the links above. She also has adorable <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28118051">cards</a> :</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubqhpFoC9SY_-5M3SOH2z3O19YgjCPl8wLkobfY_DD4E0PZZbsqpHHQtiTp4dbQlJ2SCdreFbuR3WyR45c_yCEAQ3vH2ySUb463ZU9PsETwRS7SUrXalHYNcxPKPlfPmXATYE9kwfJPh7/s1600-h/il_430xN.81012757.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubqhpFoC9SY_-5M3SOH2z3O19YgjCPl8wLkobfY_DD4E0PZZbsqpHHQtiTp4dbQlJ2SCdreFbuR3WyR45c_yCEAQ3vH2ySUb463ZU9PsETwRS7SUrXalHYNcxPKPlfPmXATYE9kwfJPh7/s320/il_430xN.81012757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384272147998503010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I don't know about you, but I don't think one person should have all this talent. :)</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-40112230824460801982009-09-15T08:17:00.007-04:002009-09-15T08:56:01.692-04:00This Is The Ugly Truth...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGox6sSkQq-SbI8qFLeD686xD4FH7Q5mKJBOBXMTeI_dH9EfKc6YRK_YTvc31SLJaNpe35BV3dIaMhPfwc_eQD1ntH_n-0pAUpQYKdDdcbbpy1qWSI5eAy9Dr3Oi7Uu2QPYIkoXVdepzo/s1600-h/P1050140.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGox6sSkQq-SbI8qFLeD686xD4FH7Q5mKJBOBXMTeI_dH9EfKc6YRK_YTvc31SLJaNpe35BV3dIaMhPfwc_eQD1ntH_n-0pAUpQYKdDdcbbpy1qWSI5eAy9Dr3Oi7Uu2QPYIkoXVdepzo/s320/P1050140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381669703966366818" /></a><br />Several years ago Sam bought a new Mustang convertible. And his mom, who had been living next door and housing visitors for years, moved. And we had no garage space or any room for visitors. And I wanted a studio. <div><br /></div><div>I have loved lampwork beads since I first lay eyes on them. For years I bought them from some of the best lampwork artists I could find (and afford) and made jewelry that people bought (which always amazes me) until one day at a small somewhat-local science center I tried making beads myself. And I was not very good at it. And there really was no instruction. And I was wrapping the mandrel around the glass instead of the other way around.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I was hooked. I fell asleep thinking of color combinations. I daydreamed of different shapes and techniques. I bought how-to books years before I ever owned a torch.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then the day arrived and I got a studio.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSSZpDTNeed_T7K_O4EgxZV0mBcX70_VVV6GMwyZ-axRIOVkvK0pS9kFySTGLkhPx_XtzXe_MBwSyCSWr8J7pCNTb0NuCb9T8_q7v-uqEXDty9KMAyiJW5Yxzd5DI-_o5n7Woqmx5GVBS/s1600-h/P1050102.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSSZpDTNeed_T7K_O4EgxZV0mBcX70_VVV6GMwyZ-axRIOVkvK0pS9kFySTGLkhPx_XtzXe_MBwSyCSWr8J7pCNTb0NuCb9T8_q7v-uqEXDty9KMAyiJW5Yxzd5DI-_o5n7Woqmx5GVBS/s320/P1050102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381670154387511378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki5McUe4O8H1AJsB6y0515w5SZaQTi7yg8wJTg7LWJcXIPZDfzqQaLg37Nt-BZoClgflUkPPgzMiHnZIjKU5eIF27x40N9KW7Wuw4b6s3Xru19cPbJIQXZydf3yhv812hxOjd8vq7vNKG/s1600-h/P1050098.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki5McUe4O8H1AJsB6y0515w5SZaQTi7yg8wJTg7LWJcXIPZDfzqQaLg37Nt-BZoClgflUkPPgzMiHnZIjKU5eIF27x40N9KW7Wuw4b6s3Xru19cPbJIQXZydf3yhv812hxOjd8vq7vNKG/s320/P1050098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381670846509858242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div>It's a total mess, I know. This is my New Year's Resolution. For 2010.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I step into it my mind starts spinning. Which is why I don't get around to cleaning it. Or maybe it starts spinning <i>because</i> it's such a mess. Or maybe it's my type D personality. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love my studio. Even if I have to share some of the space with this:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5_r1jK5uglN2Pa7rNBVc_idHRXAINVa9doDtI_e3CdIEDqGz9-7Pvjo5blABc8ok6F7lAd2uAA-wW1-K0yqnRlM1Eq77Fd-BYfSREDBR1xHf3DeMA5qJ8PSm0W4YWkVymODJQOri4S-l/s1600-h/13859670.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5_r1jK5uglN2Pa7rNBVc_idHRXAINVa9doDtI_e3CdIEDqGz9-7Pvjo5blABc8ok6F7lAd2uAA-wW1-K0yqnRlM1Eq77Fd-BYfSREDBR1xHf3DeMA5qJ8PSm0W4YWkVymODJQOri4S-l/s320/13859670.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381672941803281906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Or sometimes people like this:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx__TWYEfISl1l9dW29SfECPggUtZxWKw1UzSxgb-HWhbSKvk56dii7YyNMTLmH_qu7H_QluMpWFFpj-5jT5GUGQCLLWPpwlvrpqgyRK0d3yYZNDOfHrqZvKWi5PsnxbuJe5HkNY5UZIl/s1600-h/eiler-6449_1162867319148_1451813244_428610_3060392_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx__TWYEfISl1l9dW29SfECPggUtZxWKw1UzSxgb-HWhbSKvk56dii7YyNMTLmH_qu7H_QluMpWFFpj-5jT5GUGQCLLWPpwlvrpqgyRK0d3yYZNDOfHrqZvKWi5PsnxbuJe5HkNY5UZIl/s320/eiler-6449_1162867319148_1451813244_428610_3060392_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381676761817801314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I'm a lucky girl.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-69389169877094655782009-09-06T11:32:00.004-04:002009-09-06T11:36:42.772-04:00Owls...on Etsy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGcOrVqxzl37HmGkUFXFGgsqp-ioBOgArjWm1BqCyeWR9lCg-e_ITyy_n2Gm8xdmNUbpkDC1Vvi7HQ52ZI1Ahky84LFkFePpJn-RiY-RAouG6gZkbMZHJRehwLPVK2vUQgl-3zYf9Cc2a/s1600-h/P1040677.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGcOrVqxzl37HmGkUFXFGgsqp-ioBOgArjWm1BqCyeWR9lCg-e_ITyy_n2Gm8xdmNUbpkDC1Vvi7HQ52ZI1Ahky84LFkFePpJn-RiY-RAouG6gZkbMZHJRehwLPVK2vUQgl-3zYf9Cc2a/s320/P1040677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378379504523986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1urUGmAh8-U8Vg63TLUbP3YakSEvReAcM4uOdlDMq7LJTbYgoTT4ju2Mc7wipPZvOGn9yOsP8IIhHspT7gUb3YJdUsNDdajw3X89He_A6ef5MN-Ll0No4BDOBbNiNxwUc-jpnvh_nX8_l/s1600-h/P1040703.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1urUGmAh8-U8Vg63TLUbP3YakSEvReAcM4uOdlDMq7LJTbYgoTT4ju2Mc7wipPZvOGn9yOsP8IIhHspT7gUb3YJdUsNDdajw3X89He_A6ef5MN-Ll0No4BDOBbNiNxwUc-jpnvh_nX8_l/s320/P1040703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378115427993378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0qOff5jw9daNxjjO18RLsaUvEfL5QfnE-RU5R1SYRsJVnR7B5iwyY13_gX2K8xqfJ9UABJJDy48bBynT7zUQV_U_GohQvOdEd0pCKNSE39bYapzjA0VIR5s1A-A-ucUE07o5i36r0zu0/s1600-h/P1040692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0qOff5jw9daNxjjO18RLsaUvEfL5QfnE-RU5R1SYRsJVnR7B5iwyY13_gX2K8xqfJ9UABJJDy48bBynT7zUQV_U_GohQvOdEd0pCKNSE39bYapzjA0VIR5s1A-A-ucUE07o5i36r0zu0/s320/P1040692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378377930262789122" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span>I heart owls. I didn't know how much I loved owls until I started making them. Now if someone else would like them, we'd be all set.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-73681844261673359072009-09-04T08:31:00.005-04:002009-09-04T09:06:39.474-04:00My First Etsy Treasury!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70BPUqCirMCR4lYgWimouB8ACnczoIc6ZC1F1RQFxnkeTBQgnE52ahbQOsBhGvIze2pQ-6VnhNp5snJqc35UvvkoU1I11F7nqseEmykpORMsn8ZuKrKJ6PDB6Bn4kiNuhnr2vKuYRP8XW/s320/Untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377597131815381778" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>For those of you who don't know, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php">the Treasury</a> on Etsy is a hot, hot commodity. My heart was pumping when I checked out <a href="http://www.craftopolis.com/">this site</a> and found that any stinkin' minute the treasury would be open and little ol' me would be able to make one!<div><br /></div><div>I'd like to thank the Academy, God, my family,...</div><div><br /></div><div>That might be over-reacting. Here, however, are my choices, with the caveat that I'm a member of the EtsyBloggers team and the Lab Rats and I don't think I included either members in my Treasury. My excuse being that I was so nervous that someone on Etsy was going to renege on my Treasury list because I too slow, so I was searching and copying and pasting as fast as I could. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next time. I promise. </div><div><br /></div><div>Click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=80025">here</a> to check out the items, links, and make a comment!</div><div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-86591054662330700292009-09-02T22:04:00.008-04:002009-09-03T09:33:27.679-04:00Finding My Niche<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtxGOPBVkdfzgIk2G_luiFUEjNJkm6fQM81tQjO8tEjvHrxA_ymnmwZ2-RKYj6ZALJ3mFD5TiyEZIrTXgQ38_RMEPEstHEqMelHFJc0EXVHTaUZFHR0d2O0x3OnrvRPFJcoYGFRQpfIcm/s1600-h/P1040497.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtxGOPBVkdfzgIk2G_luiFUEjNJkm6fQM81tQjO8tEjvHrxA_ymnmwZ2-RKYj6ZALJ3mFD5TiyEZIrTXgQ38_RMEPEstHEqMelHFJc0EXVHTaUZFHR0d2O0x3OnrvRPFJcoYGFRQpfIcm/s320/P1040497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377058442609187602" /></a>Niche is kind of a nice word. One of those words you aren't sure you quite know how to pronounce. And just so you know, it can be pronounced "nich" or "nish," unlike Neanderthal which is pronounced, "knee-ann-der-tall." Didn't know that did you. But now I have saved you a world of embarrassment at your next science convention. "Niche" is from the French, where all the fancy words like "hors d'eourve" (which is 2 words, I know, but since when does anyone say them separately? So I'm counting it as one word) or fondue come from. <div><br /></div><div>Those crazy French! (And I actually didn't look up "fondue" to see if it's French. It could be coined from <i>The Brady Bunch</i> for all I know, but it seems French, don't you think?)</div><div><br /></div><div>On Etsy it's important to find ones niche, or market, and especially if you sell jewelry because there are millions of people who sell jewelry on Etsy. Millions. </div><div><br /></div><div>And some are French, too. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I'm trying out these guys:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqCuPfUeFdHTo2DT2qcbT8oE6Eu7CsEs8eSU800_aprZVlfwUwD6dfTslCVEzoiqJXpHud7GWxbeVj1xZn27KyWrYXU-NUI23t3RSCAbw3TQI3O6CZMnqj4grc6MsBtb3_eWdre3f2tZ3/s1600-h/P1040518.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqCuPfUeFdHTo2DT2qcbT8oE6Eu7CsEs8eSU800_aprZVlfwUwD6dfTslCVEzoiqJXpHud7GWxbeVj1xZn27KyWrYXU-NUI23t3RSCAbw3TQI3O6CZMnqj4grc6MsBtb3_eWdre3f2tZ3/s320/P1040518.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377229539964868194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px; " /><br /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q0SYBrWjeqatIf_MWvfPQpT64VoOTcRQ2NdWUaUkR6yv7npLSrKVba_ohWWtcfbPUXdtLcduyrbOW1j5fGRLTxx5JMPQufAF_xT7h9geuF9oUWCD0lyM4MKqcWBZm4Q9n9nbPAkRZbqo/s1600-h/P1040513.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q0SYBrWjeqatIf_MWvfPQpT64VoOTcRQ2NdWUaUkR6yv7npLSrKVba_ohWWtcfbPUXdtLcduyrbOW1j5fGRLTxx5JMPQufAF_xT7h9geuF9oUWCD0lyM4MKqcWBZm4Q9n9nbPAkRZbqo/s320/P1040513.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377230410317749330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 320px; " /></a> I've gotten more views in the last few days from these guys. There aren't many lampwork monster necklaces on Etsy. Which is a total surprise. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not any more sales, however. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which might lead me to more questions than answers:</div><div>1. Do I want more views even if it doesn't lead to any more sales?</div><div>2. Does anyone really even want a cute little monster hanging around her neck?</div><div>3. Do I want my niche to be lampwork monster necklaces?</div><div>4. Do I need to create a separate shop for my whimsical creations? One for beads? One for my "serious" jewelry?</div><div><br /></div><div>These are the questions that keep me up at night.</div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-12365356455593341722009-08-28T14:03:00.008-04:002009-08-28T14:19:20.783-04:00EtsyBloggers Featured Seller<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwNB2CwRyjFce-ZyohoABAp8KygxMeWoGtVoV7DExuBJepFUNvX8YJikEvAo6-IFDUVMVbwt9utf7wFj2ZtvpUQUMUY6SPl0MDAMJdLAGviXOMiAE49kORnzs00DxoLAc59NR65AC7MEu/s320/il_430xN.85287719.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375078542768386626" /><div style="text-align: center;">I am determined to be a poster child for the EstyBlogger street team. One of the great side-effects of this team is its Featured Seller component which exposes all of us to a new EtsyBlogger each month. This month's Featured Seller is... <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5556196">Memories for Life Scrapbooks</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29392557"><span><span><span><span>blank book junkie</span></span></span></span></a>. Unfortunately most of the blank books stay blank or, for example, have no theme. Therefore I have my Alaska journal filled with what we did in Alaska along with ideas for beads and jewelry. And my jewelry journal has entries on what I ate that day. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhoo, Memories for Life Scrapbooks has great notebooks like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29392557">the one at the top of this post</a>, and amazing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26868815">custom albums</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyjPUmTY3DmYVjpBa-Dj7GDvAK1_MYCCfY1z8A4qMKU2T_WXaRY_xmB3UXZEbsyKMCUXH0dIHSMueInHfFQHB-gNpBXRdLVPkQCunGJdnVK55iUB3XJ0IHGTl24TZMfxJkVVdSKHmP-VG/s1600-h/il_430xN.76818880.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyjPUmTY3DmYVjpBa-Dj7GDvAK1_MYCCfY1z8A4qMKU2T_WXaRY_xmB3UXZEbsyKMCUXH0dIHSMueInHfFQHB-gNpBXRdLVPkQCunGJdnVK55iUB3XJ0IHGTl24TZMfxJkVVdSKHmP-VG/s320/il_430xN.76818880.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375079405727292034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is so darn cute it almost makes me want to have another child. And name her Scout.</div><div><br /></div><div>Almost.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-10580965418494720992009-08-28T13:19:00.003-04:002009-08-28T13:34:34.834-04:00EtsyBloggers...Blog Carnival...Back to School<div style="text-align: center;">Yuck. Really.</div><div><br /></div><div>In elementary school back to school meant a new lunch box...my favorite was my Hong Kong Phooey metal lunch box: </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQGGOyJURKrmeuoMtA4plofR0Tok60OnCOrz_A7uU39HLI_qfa9_a8nfDQ8qTGAO2xZjE09byTif06sIQUAstPB3HN74toU-F6xsiAo2jHOj1GheTjxq_BPLUHSt0u40HGXAv7HrYXmgB/s1600-h/hongkng.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQGGOyJURKrmeuoMtA4plofR0Tok60OnCOrz_A7uU39HLI_qfa9_a8nfDQ8qTGAO2xZjE09byTif06sIQUAstPB3HN74toU-F6xsiAo2jHOj1GheTjxq_BPLUHSt0u40HGXAv7HrYXmgB/s320/hongkng.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375068053000811218" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /><br /></a><div>And who doesn't love a new box of 64 Crayola crayons? They still make me giddy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQGGOyJURKrmeuoMtA4plofR0Tok60OnCOrz_A7uU39HLI_qfa9_a8nfDQ8qTGAO2xZjE09byTif06sIQUAstPB3HN74toU-F6xsiAo2jHOj1GheTjxq_BPLUHSt0u40HGXAv7HrYXmgB/s1600-h/hongkng.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;">As a teenager I loved the new clothes aspect of going back to school. We lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a place devoid of any malls, so unless you wanted to wear the same kind of Chic jeans that every other girl in school had, you needed to take a shopping trip to the big city. Like Grand Rapids, population less than 200,000, and definitely less than that in the '80s. But a whole lot more selection than the Carhartt's and Levi's at our local Winkelman's (not the chain, but actually a family named "Winkelman.")</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Any song by Prince, but especially <i>Purple Rain</i>, reminds me of my first year going to college. It blasted out of every boom box in every window in every dorm. That and the Violent Femmes. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then as a teacher, going back to school meant endless work. The time spent in the classroom is minor in relation to the time spent getting prepared for 130 kids in your classroom throughout the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now it means that my kids are no longer home during the day, a presence I find quite comforting. I like knowing right where they are. What they are doing. Who they are doing it with. I like not rushing off in the morning. I like dinner at 7 with everyone at the table. It means new routines. New schedules. A new job. Shorter days. Cozy nights. Just a different rhythm.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not one to embrace change. Can you tell?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-12456454328320168492009-08-24T22:46:00.011-04:002009-08-25T20:25:53.717-04:00Grey Might Be My New Favorite Color<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IoPgAVty_HP5Pp5GNoYhoFuWDqqzPQyJl-Q1bqYJ2iHpmCERFTSm7o4uAhHViRT8nAt95Ultr2s-VpsjBdaTJqF49TZUDyReDXgwQdH_ydlG3QjEAwFIFHV1IW2T2S0Oe4MBeGSCieYS/s1600-h/P8156631.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IoPgAVty_HP5Pp5GNoYhoFuWDqqzPQyJl-Q1bqYJ2iHpmCERFTSm7o4uAhHViRT8nAt95Ultr2s-VpsjBdaTJqF49TZUDyReDXgwQdH_ydlG3QjEAwFIFHV1IW2T2S0Oe4MBeGSCieYS/s320/P8156631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374056720896678978" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO45IC59gc1Od830Dm_QtY_twwpnluOWKKDpPEGSNmEL7KCgDwMncNnhYP9KKsBw4RJbwequKEsaFm1k3grYSPnD7t5CfDL6MM8hHuOklj-zurBTGekX0Pam4eUeTsYHsZvyIFqdr4GZ_2/s1600-h/P1030762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO45IC59gc1Od830Dm_QtY_twwpnluOWKKDpPEGSNmEL7KCgDwMncNnhYP9KKsBw4RJbwequKEsaFm1k3grYSPnD7t5CfDL6MM8hHuOklj-zurBTGekX0Pam4eUeTsYHsZvyIFqdr4GZ_2/s320/P1030762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374055802265407250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mendenhall Glacier, just outside of Juneau, Alaska</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Michigan is beautiful. I will be the first to admit that sometimes when I drive into town all along Lake Michigan, I am blown away. The lake can be ragged pewter, eerily calm, strikingly fragile and I'm quite in awe of it. How I don't drive off the side of the road or into a tree is rather a mystery.</div><div><br /></div><div>But we just returned from Alaska on a 7 day cruise through part, like about an inch, of the Inside Passage. I was sorely disappointed to read the weather report before embarking that the whole week would be rainy and 50 - 60 degrees. We've had a whole summer of that in Northern Michigan. Except while we were away, of course.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IoPgAVty_HP5Pp5GNoYhoFuWDqqzPQyJl-Q1bqYJ2iHpmCERFTSm7o4uAhHViRT8nAt95Ultr2s-VpsjBdaTJqF49TZUDyReDXgwQdH_ydlG3QjEAwFIFHV1IW2T2S0Oe4MBeGSCieYS/s1600-h/P8156631.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IoPgAVty_HP5Pp5GNoYhoFuWDqqzPQyJl-Q1bqYJ2iHpmCERFTSm7o4uAhHViRT8nAt95Ultr2s-VpsjBdaTJqF49TZUDyReDXgwQdH_ydlG3QjEAwFIFHV1IW2T2S0Oe4MBeGSCieYS/s320/P8156631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374056720896678978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>And guess what. It rained. Oh, not every day, but on glacier day it rained <i>and </i>it was freezing cold. And the lack of color was misty and mystical and had a depth of soul that isn't apparent in the bright neon of Caribbean color. Not that it was better. It was different. And just as inspiring.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJIVKn2bIwOl26AeuY49KPrE9qZji_RNCZdbqFhYzEVTVmHAUGG4nfX64jePdLCRH9F74Oy2mgXZMuckLKrGhwQpfcbDT9VW76bwnXMS99wCAASJrbIzKSWV7IYFbMOOuYmQjEAgiVsUr/s1600-h/P1030866.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJIVKn2bIwOl26AeuY49KPrE9qZji_RNCZdbqFhYzEVTVmHAUGG4nfX64jePdLCRH9F74Oy2mgXZMuckLKrGhwQpfcbDT9VW76bwnXMS99wCAASJrbIzKSWV7IYFbMOOuYmQjEAgiVsUr/s320/P1030866.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374058271616885522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>If I could capture this color in glass, I would be quite impressed with myself. And I will brag about it. This glacier ice, part of Dawes Glacier way up the Endicott Arm, is like looking into a beautiful, airy, airless abyss. Ice and glass have much the same look. I'm going to play with blues and clear and texture. Along with the ivory that inspired me and walrus bone that was used by some jewelers whose work I admired.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I wrestle with being inspired by Alaska versus being inspired by Michigan. Living in a tourist town I know, especially after being a tourist for 10 days, the importance of finding the exact souvenir that will remind me forever of this trip. I'd like to provide that for someone else...does that mean Petoskey stones mixed with glass? Or glass that represents Petoskey stones, the state stone of Michigan? Or does it matter?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div> </div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-70513675439867851302009-08-13T15:20:00.003-04:002009-08-13T15:27:11.955-04:00I"ll Be Back<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T6QsZ4hWFSUS_LZHLAOkzBmwdasvVh5slFOTJIAt6XPSe8mq7VbSQqPRtoZJPDrWobEQ9yc42xgzSeuWpRnZEzEYsD0S64ThCvPbAVwQYa6aNWFVx9MVV4QBxXyjDoJICba-CPD_QEjM/s1600-h/03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T6QsZ4hWFSUS_LZHLAOkzBmwdasvVh5slFOTJIAt6XPSe8mq7VbSQqPRtoZJPDrWobEQ9yc42xgzSeuWpRnZEzEYsD0S64ThCvPbAVwQYa6aNWFVx9MVV4QBxXyjDoJICba-CPD_QEjM/s320/03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369531165997193858" /></a><br />I'm off to Alaska for a trip with family on a <a href="http://www.theboatcompany.com">small boat</a> that looks something like this. And then I promise that this blog, which I have sorely neglected for lack of direction, will have a new lease on life. Really. <div><br /></div><div>As I explore glass and jewelry and the two together, people and art and nature that inspires me, and the motivation of money. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is that a completely un-artsy thing to say? Probably. But also true. And motivation comes in many forms. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back the week of August 24th!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097135265368106551.post-82268723040198095402009-08-09T15:45:00.005-04:002009-08-09T16:03:03.870-04:00Coming Soon to Etsy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5ikTdRFMAjNgac_tuWRlSNE4UikkSmRyNFjVQOrudkoC_I3wT8ujJLn9YQ-ev_Ei_mC_Y38mblb2eiRVRlg2qgaogHq3MYAjgzn0rF_eDl2qRsxy2ajAgIkh7Oq4Js5gF9K95HsgsfU_/s1600-h/P1030620.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368056817616192546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5ikTdRFMAjNgac_tuWRlSNE4UikkSmRyNFjVQOrudkoC_I3wT8ujJLn9YQ-ev_Ei_mC_Y38mblb2eiRVRlg2qgaogHq3MYAjgzn0rF_eDl2qRsxy2ajAgIkh7Oq4Js5gF9K95HsgsfU_/s320/P1030620.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368053632985895026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ84LGNoUELgRpjXrvy6hDEvov4O0YTpakiKm1Q3xfk4Pd3xP4a3j14xpUdUcOqqUPE3Cn55rnmeSbTGR-3Ri7kCaPfXDuSjCGZJL7obFrpRQ9v57Rl9xZICN7eG5VWVfD3b9gkF6hKkYP/s320/P1030594.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1KlDCcI-Qw4MV2VJ20HMGW8wUHzuO8EosUBjYt2KJlq-RMNaG2lSj71XT8YpZUKaycUr6ZfraXD4OoBFPGinoIu9BR7qWiMKxWXQf1lub7-UfmYuvysawAvCxq10FQsaRx4hLj-pysaj/s1600-h/P1030616.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368055252667692114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1KlDCcI-Qw4MV2VJ20HMGW8wUHzuO8EosUBjYt2KJlq-RMNaG2lSj71XT8YpZUKaycUr6ZfraXD4OoBFPGinoIu9BR7qWiMKxWXQf1lub7-UfmYuvysawAvCxq10FQsaRx4hLj-pysaj/s320/P1030616.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8IaVGpzKyXrgUtFr9_0nzXuhg4y9JlXosOikaHZ0j2Y4fxXEOW9miwFB8NrBEc9CwQKXzuhaEOlsbjVIaLNTqvvHVgkhYxpQvOTkDKr4_D7ErxR9_JkC7yIbOplhun79A2NaoygXcQMq/s1600-h/P1030618.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368054643296047746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8IaVGpzKyXrgUtFr9_0nzXuhg4y9JlXosOikaHZ0j2Y4fxXEOW9miwFB8NrBEc9CwQKXzuhaEOlsbjVIaLNTqvvHVgkhYxpQvOTkDKr4_D7ErxR9_JkC7yIbOplhun79A2NaoygXcQMq/s320/P1030618.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm quite enamored with the glass flower charms I've made. Several are on <a href="http://www.glassali.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>, but I'll be adding lots more when we return from Alaska on August 23rd. The following week I'm planning on adding many new items and sales/free items.<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Alisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502196403104788957noreply@blogger.com0