Back On Ebay!!

I have been a dedicated Etsy seller for a year now (on longer but hence the word dedicated!) and I must say that it has been wonderful, however I was urged by a colleague to try Ebay again. Now the reason I left had more to do with fees than success and I was at a point where I needed to nickle and dime my budget so I had no choice.

Well with the Holidays fast approaching I felt like it was well worth the effort and with a few incentives I decided it would be worth it to give it a go. Here are some sets I currently have up on the "Bay" stop by and take a look!!
Deep Tides Tesoro Collection
Indian Summer Tesoro Collection
Shades Of Phlox Charm Bead Collection

I will be listing several items in the coming weeks leading up to the Holidays with my focus being on my Tesoro Collection- being simpler in style and design I can easily make larger sets of them in a variety of shapes that seem to appeal to the Ebay crowd. I will offer my Renaissance Garden beads as well and with my new Christmas designs I have in the works I am super excited about showing off my new glass creations!

I will leave you with a preview of my latest Christmas design it isnt even off the mandrel yet
Sorry I just get so giddy thinking about snow and pine trees!!

Lack Of Torching!

I am now officially on withdrawl! I was unable to torch this holiday weekend due a shoulder injury I sustained while attempting to be Super Woman! Now for my readers who don't know me personally I am all of 5 foot nothing and was operating a professional landscaping weed whacker above my head for a good half hour. Now I have been pretty fit my whole life and very flexible so muscle pain is "new" to me! As my Aunt said the 30's are the NEVER stage of life:

NEVER thought I would have back pain

NEVER thought I could tear a muscle

NEVER thought I needed aspirin and Ben-Gay

NEVER thought I would have heart burn

This list could go on and on!! But this was all news to me! I act like I am still 16 years old! I feel great I am getting back into shape (just joined the Y) but this injury threw me for a loop!!! I had pain in my neck, shoulder and back, I felt like a 90 year old (no offense intended to my Gran!!) well this is where my wise 30 something years of life experiences told me STOP! You are obviously not doing something right! 

I wasn't, for starters I never thought to warm up for doing yard work, then my wise younger sister said "Did you ice it?" NO, "Did you heat it or put an analgesic on it?" NO "Did you rest or do anything to help it?" NO NO NO okay! Well there was my answer, At 30 something you cannot do the same stupid  things you did at 16 and not expect your body to answer in protest to your imbecilic mentality that you are invincible!

Why am I sharing this? Well for starters maybe to prevent anyone who has not yet "felt their age" from feeling it the way I did! Second I need to rant- the result of this injury made it so it was virtually impossible to do the things that I both love and need to do- I could not torch, knit, fold laundry (no love lost there!), cook- I have a new respect for people who are truly disabled! 

I will be back at my torch tomorrow though and feel like it is well deserved I have learned a hard lesson! I also know that I need to trust more in my faith in God, I worried unnecessarily for days and finally spent an evening in prayer and laid my worries at God's feet! Me + Worry = STRESS, LAY IT AT GODS FEET= PEACE!! VERY simple equation and one which I am guilty of not always using to solve my life problems! I have to say that this has been miraculous to say the least, one day I was in tremendous pain the next I had almost full movement and only a dull ache in my neck! God really does work when we put our faith in him!

I wish I had some great photo of a bead to share but I don't so I will leave you with this devotional for this Sunday: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God- Philippians 4:6

Customer Gallery Friday Finds!

I could not wait to share with all my wonderful followers the amazing beads and creations that have been made by some of my clients! I am always so excited to see what has been made with my beads. It warms my heart to see the final creation using my little labours of love!!!

The first two creations were beads made by my wonderful and dear friend Trudi Doherty of Shineon2 on Etsy. She has been a long time customer of my murrini and her use of it just brings out the best that the murrini offers. Her work is fresh and colorful and is truly a style that brings a little sunshine and happiness to our wardrobe!! Some of my favorite pieces that she has done are ones that bring out the inner girl in me! Here are two of her stunning beads that show off the murrini in all it splendor!! Visit her website Glittering Prize for even more fun beads and jewelry artwork! For all the upscale, jewelry lovers out there her work will make great gifts or special surprises for your spouse!!!

The next artist is a jewelry designer who makes stunning creations from every type of bead imaginable. When I saw this picture of the ensemble she created I was awestruck! Cherie Smith of Glitterbug Originals on Etsy had the perfect view on how the beads should be placed in a setting truly brought out the best in the beads and highlighted their intricate beauty! Her work is not only full of bling and dangles but really brings out the focal beads that she chooses for her pieces!! These sets and earrings are perfect stocking stuffers!!! I know my family will be getting some of these great creations!!

I know you will love these gifted artist's work and will be more than impressed by their style and design! Stay tuned for more great work from these and other artists who have turned my beads (a blank canvas of sorts) and finishes and frames them into wearable works of art!!!