Upcycled Creative Lamps by ABYU

Steven Wine started upcycling old bottles for kids' lamps and now has grown his business, ABYU Lighting into servicing hotels, restaurants and private residences.  What a fun, creative idea.  I could see doing this with my kids when they were small.  


You can see this one and many other styles on his website, here.

Playing With Paint

I received some new software as part of my birthday present a few weeks back. It's Corel Painter Essentials 4.

I've never used it before, but decided I'd just jump in and start playing.

I learned a long time ago that if I mess with bead photos, it looks far better than if I choose a photo of a family member. The change in colors and varied brush strokes can make someone look like an alien pretty quickly if you've got my expertise.

So I picked a little pup that I recently listed. She's a lampwork bead who needs a home.

Here's my modern art twist. I like the soft effect of the pastel colors blended together. I guess they're colors I would use in glass beads. Now my question is whether I want to try a bead that blends colors and looks like this?

How Would You Use These Flowers?

Flowers everywhere.  You'd think I'd be content with the ones in my yard, but no, always need more.

These two flowers are some of the variety that I carry in my new shop, StudioMarcy'sWhimsy, on Etsy. 

I decided to sell them as handmade supplies, in hopes that artists and crafters might find them there.

You see, I think there are all kinds of places that they can be used.

Made on a medium gauge copper wire, they can be wire wrapped into a loop, so they'd work like large buttons.  I can just picture them as an awesome closure on a cool handbag.

Or jewelry makers could make them into focals or incorporate them easily into wired pieces.  I think pins, broaches or even handmade rings, (that's how I use them).

And of course, wouldn't they be great for brides or a bridal party?  No one has asked me for custom orders on them yet, but they could decorate a cake, be incorporated into bridal headpieces, bouquets, or boutonnieres.  (had to look that one up in the dictionary- my years of French classes didn't help at this hour in the morning).

I know this is a creative group of readers, so I'm opening up the comment hotline for your ideas.  How would you use flowers like these?  

Glass Fire Breather Perfect for Valentines Day

This year, I wanted to design some different Valentines Day glass beads and sculptures. Yes, I'm sure the traditional hearts, flowers and chocolates will be good sellers, but as usual, I wanted to also offer something a little different.

Here is my first design. It's a Valentine Dragon. I'm going to make a variety of my little animals and creatures each with a heart. This one is sold already, but I've got another new dragon to list later today. She's periwinkle blue with green accents and a red heart. Rather cute, if I do say so myself. Look for other styles in the upcoming days. Nothing says "I love you" like a fire breather.

I saw these chocolate food charms with hearts on
another blog. (I wish I could remember where.) They didn't say who made them or where you could buy them, but they also seemed like a good inspiration for bead makers. They combine hearts and chocolates which has to be a good bet. It gives the holiday a little sweeter and they'd be cute year 'round too.

What are you offering for Valentines Day? I'd love to hear about it and feel free to add a link in your comment too.

Tomorrow, I should have some of my Key West photos downloaded and I'll tell you about my trip and some of the inspiration I found while there. It will be a chatty post, I'm sure. I'm still missing the warm, balmy weather since we returned to chilly Atlanta.

From Mundane to Magnificent

Creativity in any area tends to get my attention and this one did it. Who knew, that someone out there is making barcodes interesting?

These are done by a company called D-Barcode who has been making creative barcodes for Japanese product packaging. What a lot of fun!

Now let's turn this into a glass question...what are you doing in beadmaking that might look a bit like others, and how can you add that extra zing of creativity to make your beads stand out?

Later this week, I will take one of my beads that needs a shot of creativity and show you before and after photos of what I did to stylize mine. If you'd like to join me in this creativity exercise, please contact me through my website, www.StudioMarcy.com, and I can post an example of what you are doing too.

Happy Monday!

What's Up With This Tool? Post & Win a Prize

In my constant effort to make technology my friend, I decided to mix it up a bit and experiment with my computer's video capabilities. This is called a "vlog" - video blog.

Watch the very short video and put your name in the hat to win a free bead from me.
1. Answer the question posed on my vlog- funny or serious response
2. Add your name, where you live, and if you'd like, post your website and/or blog .
(It's free advertising for you!)
3. If you have a problem viewing the video, please let me know too. That's part of the reason why I'm trying it out.
4. Next Wednesday, I'll have a friend pick a number and the person who was that number posting, will win one of my beads. I'll ship it to anywhere- including internationally. And the winner's blog, etsy shop or whatever will be featured in this blog at a later date.

Just click on the lower left arrow to listen. And then respond. I look forward to hearing from you.

And by the way, I made a bead using this tool and I'll show it next week when I announce the winner.

And if you have a free minute, stop by my etsy shop, http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com . I'll be adding more beads a little later today.