Ever wonder...

why  mail takes so long to get to where it's going?  Here's a package that's going overseas.....apparently taking the longest possible route to get out of the country.

I imagine the route of the package probably involves logistics beyond my comprehension but seriously? It had to go to Miami and then back up to New York?  Does it also then take a trip to Seattle and maybe to San Fran before finally exiting the USA?  Maybe this is why the USPS is losing $$.

I think it's called inabilitytostopitis....

No.  I don't really have an illness.  I think I'm simply afflicted with something all people who are even slightly creative suffer from.  We are irresistibly drawn to colorful things.  Doesn't matter if it's fabric, glass, whatever.  You name it we just have to have every color that exists of it!!

So that's how this got started......

Sadly, that IS my collection of scrub hats.  I started making them because I really couldn't afford to buy every single one that caught my eye.  I figured since I was pretty handy with a sewing machine maybe I could figure out how to make my own.  I won't even tell you how many hats now reside in drawers in my sewing room.

Uh huh.  I don't have a problem....not at all!!

Baby steps....

First attempts to meet the creative muse half way :)  I have to say that even though I do like the traditional gemstone cabochons there is really something to be said for the quirky, one-of-a-kind slumped murrini.  I think I might continue that line....they make me happy.

Hope you had a great weekend wherever you are.  It's supposed to hit the 80s this week.  My goodness...straight from winter to summer!

The little things....

This semester I am finding myself with a little bit of time on my hands.  This is such a luxury at times I just don't even know what to do with myself!  Besides trying to find my creative muse again I've been trying to catch up with old friends and it's been such a blast to see everyone but most especially my most favourite little girl - the cheeser.

She's growing up WAY too fast and all it does is serves to remind me of the passing of time.  Still, it's such a wonderful thing - having the pleasure of watching her grow up.  I'm honored to be Auntie Yee :D

I'm hoping that I'll get to spend more time with family and friends this year as well as getting back to some more creative endeavors.  Speaking of which....last night the girls and I went to Crooks Corner in Chapel Hill.  If you've never been you've got to go.  'Nuf said.

Need your suggestions...

So I'm trying to get back on the bandwagon of creativity :)  My goal for this month is to spend at least one day each week at the torch.  So, in the spirit of getting back at it I need motivation for my next torching session.

What would you like to see out of the next session?  Pressed beads? Scrollwork? Organic? Silver glass? You name it and if it strikes my fancy I'll give it a go.  I'll sweeten the pot by saying that some lucky person may be the recipient of something the kiln spits out :D

Looking forward to hearing all your suggestions!

Welcome back!!

Has it really been THAT long?  REALLY??  Hard to believe almost a year as passed since I last updated and the saddest part of that is what have I really done in that period of time?  It's been all school all the time. I feel like I kinda just stepped out of a time warp where that last time I posted I still had some semblance of a life and then it went poof and here I am in 2012 and maybe I might just have some semblance of a life again??

So, to celebrate the fact that I actually had more than an hour to do something fun I got on the torch today and this is what I came up with.  I tried to stick to simple stuff.  This is about all I could do but I have high hopes for the next torching session!

So...that's what I've got for now :) I hope to see you back here soon (and I really mean that!)

Why you should look for an SRA badge.......

I thought I would revive this information that I have always had posted on my website just as an FYI :)



Please click on the image above to find out more about the SRA program!

So, you may have seen the SRA logo shown above and wondered what the heck it's all about. If you click on the logo you'll get just about the best explanation you can find and even better than what I can give you so I recommend you check it out there first and if you still have questions I'd be more than happy to answer them for you!

The movement to form a group for SRAs stemmed from a huge controversy in the land of lampworkers over the misrepresentation by one vendor of the type and quality of beads being sold. I'm writing about this because I feel that it is important for you, as a potential buyer of lampworked beads, to understand what there is out there and what you should be on the lookout for.

First, let me say that I do believe there is a market for lampwork beads of all qualities and prices. Let's face it....not everyone out there is creating works of art with one-of-a-kind beads that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. What is of crucial importance for me, as a seller, is to ensure that you, as a buyer, are aware of what it is you're buying.

Having said that, let's consider what you're getting when you buy beads from a self-representing artist:

• handmade beads made by one individual
• beads that are properly annealed for strength and durability
• bead holes that are smooth without any rough edges
• bead holes that are clean and free of bead release
• an unconditional guarantee from the artist regarding breakage

When you buy from a seller who is selling mass produced/imported beads you're probably getting:

beads that are made overseas by workers working in less than ideal conditions
beads that are most likely NOT annealed and very likely to break
beads that do NOT have the bead release cleaned out of them
no guarantee from the seller as to the quality of the beads
no guarantee that you will get your money back if the beads DO break

These are just a few of the major points I think are important for you to know as a consumer. I'm not saying that you should only buy beads made by self-representing artists (well...that would be nice!) but simply be educated about what you're getting and who you're getting it from.
Without naming names there are many sellers who have listings for lampworked beads claiming that they are not mass produced but rather quality artisan made beads. I urge you to use your own good judgement to determine whether or not these are indeed artisan beads that meet some of the basic criteria I listed above.

There are also sellers using images stolen from many reputable, self-representing artists to falsely advertise and represent their own beads. Consider that you may be doing business with a vendor who knowingly misrepresents the origin and quality of the products he/she sells using images stolen from other hardworking, honest, self-representing artists.

There is a place for all types of beads and sellers of beads and as always, caveat emptor! Know what you're buying and who you're buying it from. It's like if you go to the boutique and buy a genuine Louis Vuitton you KNOW you're getting the real deal....if you're really on the ball and know your Louis you might still get the real thing somewhere else BUT, if you take your chances and don't do your homework beforehand you may think you're getting a real Louis but most likely you're getting a dud. Do your homework and get the real deal!

My $0.02 worth :)

-Yee