The Glass Chickadee

Angles

2010-08-11T11:11:00.004-05:00

Angles can make all the difference in photography,

especially when you're selling your products online.

Which pictures grab your attention and

make you want to see more?
Those should be your featured pictures.

See the difference?

Product Staging

2009-06-27T16:30:00.004-05:00

Thought I'd try to be a bit more creative and try to catch an image of my product that is
romantic, and shows depth as well as what it can be used for.
I'd love to hear what you think!

Spring Bling Sale!

2009-04-19T00:16:00.004-05:00

Spring cleaning ~time for a sale!

Buy One Get One 1/2 Off * April 18-25th!

Sign up for my mailing list and get FREE SHIPPING too!

I Love It!

2009-03-31T18:02:00.010-06:00

I *love* this amazing brangle style bracelet that was created by my Etsy friend, Christina, using a loose bead set that she purchased a few months ago.
The focal lampwork bead is featured on the piece that sits on the top of the wrist. It's accented with coiled silver rings, and a cluster of smoky quartz, aquamarine, and glass beads. The bottom section consists of individually linked stones and silver rings. The piece is beautifully finished with a handmade silver clasp.
Thank you so much for sharing your photos, Christina!
Did I mention that I *love* it?!

Speaking of Bunnies...

2009-03-24T22:14:00.016-06:00

These bunny charms for pendants, cell phones, and zippers
are the featured items for my Weekly Studio Sale this week!
75% off!

~*~ Bunny in the Petunias and Polka Dot Bunny have found new homes! Thanks so much, Jennifer and Jen!

A Sprinkling of Spring

2009-03-22T21:40:00.007-06:00

There's nothing like
March birthdays and cupcake sprinkles

to cheer you up
during the muddy days of early spring!

Etsy Glass Artists Spring Challenge

2009-03-20T18:39:00.005-06:00

Polka Dot Egg Vessel Pendants

Every Spring I get the itch to make cute little pastel beads, bunnies, and flowers.
So here was my chance to make a few cute little pastel vessel pendants with polka dots.
Tiny little Easter eggs...so precious!

Be sure to leave a comment under my entry
on the EGA blog for a chance to win
an item from an EGA member!
Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!

~~ Weekly Studio Special ~~

2009-03-18T07:39:00.005-06:00

Sterling Pin

* Sold~Thanks so much, Lois! *

Dark or Light Contest Results

2009-03-14T23:42:00.004-06:00

Wow~thanks so much for all of your posts in the Etsy critique thread, convos and comments here regarding my photo backgrounds! I'd say that your opinions were split right down the middle. I guess I'll give both light and dark backgrounds a try for awhile then!

~*~ Congrats to Etsy shop SeasonsofJoy who won their choice of vessel pendant! ~*~

~~ Weekly Studio Special ~~

2009-03-11T05:50:00.005-06:00

Woodlands ~ Glass and Silk Ribbon Necklace

Gorgeous set of three large lampwork glass leaves. They are a transparent dark topaz and feature a lovely golden metallic sheen when the light hits them just so. Strung on a dark brown silk ribbon with a subtle rose undertone, they are also framed with Greek ceramic beads that have been dipped in copper. One of my hand-formed fine silver hook clasps that has been hammered for a bit of rustic texture finishes the piece.

Lengths of the leaves range from 1 3/4 to 2 inches (45-50mm).
Necklace length is about 18 inches not including the length of the leaves.

This 1/2 off Weekly Studio Special is valid through Wed. March 18th!

Light or Dark? Leave a Comment and Enter to Win!

2009-03-08T14:46:00.018-06:00

Clear Skies

I really love how one of my favorite jewelry designers, Natsuko, photographs her enamel and metal jewelry-organic and rustic yet soft, colorful and full of depth.

I've always photographed against a white background thinking that the colors of my beads would pop a little more than if the background color was darker. Inspired by Natsuko's style and always trying to improve my photography, I thought I'd give a dark background a try. It's a nice change~I'm really liking it!

~*~ Congrats to Etsy shop SeasonsofJoy who won their choice of vessel pendant! ~*~

~~ 1/2 off Studio Special of the Week ~~

2009-03-04T00:45:00.006-06:00

Honeycomb Vessel Pendant

My vessels are on the smaller side~perfect for those who prefer smaller pendants!
This little vessel pendant is perfect for a:

~ pinch of sand
~ written prayer
~ little wish
~ essential oils
~ perfume
~ tiny keepsakes

Includes a tiny piece of paper on which to write a prayer or wish and an extra cork.

This vessel would be adorable simply strung on a ribbon, leather cord, a sterling chain or included in one of your jewelry designs.

Measures about 1 inch (26mm) in length from top of cork to bottom of vessel. Opening is about 1/4 inch (6mm) wide and about 1/2 (12mm) inch deep. Hangs from a sterling silver jumpring.

~*~ Sold! Truly hope you enjoy it! ~*~

Sunrise

2009-03-01T21:46:00.012-06:00

Sunrise

Dark pink
streaks of light
shoot across the cool morning sky.
Sparkling stars
fade behind whispy clouds.
Sun rise.
~*~

~~ Studio Special of the Week ~~ 50% OFF! ~*~

2009-02-26T09:42:00.010-06:00

Topaz & Copper Artisan Glass and Silk Necklace

This necklace features vibrant and earthy colors of topaz, cream,caramel, sage and a hint of blues. Greek ceramic beads that have been dipped in copper, and have a subtle aqua hue, frame my focal bead beautifully.

This pendant is strung on a hand-dyed silk ribbon that features shades of copper greens, sage and rust. Fully adjustable~simply ties behind your neck!

Sterling, fine silver, and copper beads were also used to construct the pendant.

Pendant hangs about 1 1/2 inches (35mm) and is 3/4 inches (18mm) in diameter.

Featured by Etsy's Green and Clean Guild!

2008-11-21T14:01:00.010-06:00

Etsy's Green and Clean Guild (EGCG) is a street team for Etsy sellers who specialize in soapmaking, perfume, cosmetics, herbal products - delights for your body and spirit. They have banded together to help educate the public about the merits of well-crafted products from small businesses who care about their customers, as well as to promote Etsy in general. They also serve as advocates for Truth in Advertising and full ingredient disclosure for bath and beauty makers.

And they were kind enough to feature my vessels on their blog this week! Be sure to take a peek at their shops for stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts~

EGCG Blog and Shops

Add~a~Bead Bangles and Asymmetry

2008-11-13T01:06:00.024-06:00

I found these sterling add a bead bangles tucked away in the back of my bead drawer. What a find~I forgot how much I love these! They're perfect for medium to larger wrists~even at my thinnest, I've had a hard time finding bracelets that fit. And the *really* fun thing about them, is that you can unscrew the ball at the end of the bangle and add your own favorite beads and charms! Click on the pics if you want to read more about them!

I love the asymmetry the little charm and bead dangle add, an element that can be so challenging for me to incorporate. Some very talented designers have the gift of creating amazing designs using asymmetry, seems to come very naturally to them. Not me~but a little dangle here and there I can handle, I think.

Magnificent Mistakes

2008-11-06T14:17:00.012-06:00

So I was experimenting with a large sterling bead cap, hammering away and then bending it this way and that, and what do you know, it cracked and split from the edge all the way to the center hole. Rather than tossing it in the silver scrap pile, I spent the next few minutes sifting through the beads, wire and findings scattered about my bench, and with a few twists and bends, ended up with a pendant that I'm thrilled with! Isn't it amazing how mistakes can stretch your creativity, sometimes even influencing the direction of your work?! One of the many times I'm left wondering if mistakes are really mistakes.

Thanks so much to those who were able to take advantage of the Etsy Glass Artists Sale in October! Congrats to Beverly who won the glass giveaway! If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for my e*mailing list at the bottom of my blog. I give early notices of sales, incentives and news through it!

7 Things About Me

2008-11-02T08:59:00.010-06:00

I've been blog-tagged by Shoozles and Signature Sterling! And both on the same day no less!

Here's how the cyber-version of tag works;
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, random and weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post, include links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

7 things about me...hmmm...here we go...
1. I love anchovies on pizza
2. I was in the Navy Nurse Corps
3. I had a serious country music phase before it was cool
4. Now I'm a NPR and talk radio junkie
5. I re-open the door of the mail drop at the post office just to make sure
6. I have quite a few entries in my scuba diving log, most before I was 16
7. My dream was to live on a sailboat, now it's to live on a farm (as long as I don't have to get up too early :)

Here's who's been tagged:
The Glass Cat
Zuzu Girl Handmade
Curly Frys

Well, I'm having a hard time finding others who haven't been tagged yet~am I one of the last?!
So, if you haven't been tagged yet, and want to be,
then consider yourself tagged...by me! :)

Add Fun and Meaning to Your Jewelry Designs

2008-10-16T10:36:00.009-05:00

Add a little fun, meaning and something unexpected to your jewelry ensemble~a lampwork glass vessel! Vessels are perfect for holding a few drops of your favorite perfume or essential oil, a tiny love note or a pinch of sand; use them for unique keepsake containers and prayer or wish boxes.

Glass making reached Egypt by about 1540 B.C. where vessels were formed using various complex techniques of moulding and shaping. Glass vessels during this time were very valuable and were mostly used for religious ceremonies. By Roman times, glass was being blown in large quantities to form containers for liquids and for drinking from. From simple and functional to highly decorated and valuable, glass vessels have served as a source of function and beauty for much of human history.

Not able to find smaller vessel pendants, I started creating vessels using the mandrel wrapped technique. These types of vessels tend to have a smaller cavity so the overall vessel can be made on the smaller side. My vessels range in size from 3/4 inch to 1 inch in length. The cavity is approximately 1/4 inch wide and about 1/2 inch deep; still large enough to use as a container but small enough that they're very comfortable to wear and are simply adorable.

So how might you incorporate these little pieces of history and beauty in your own jewelry designs? Simply string on a chain, ribbon, or leather cord for an instant necklace or add charms and little bead clusters hung from jumprings for a little more fun.

What a fun, meaningful, and unique gift for yourself or someone you love!

October Glass Giveaway!

2008-10-02T12:10:00.007-05:00

To show how much I appreciate my Etsy customers who love glass, I'm giving away this sample selection of glass goodies made by the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team (EGA)! Make a purchase from my shop in the month of October and you'll be entered to win! I'll announce the winner here on my blog in early November!

image #1

dichroic cabochon ~ http://www.paulasstressart.etsy.com/

lampwork flower bead ~ http://studiomarcy.etsy.com/

lampwork pendant ~ http://flamekist.etsy.com/

lampwork vessel pendant ~ made by me ~ http://chickadeebeads.etsy.com/

image #2

flower pendant ~ http://shoozles.etsy.com/

lampwork zipper pull ~ http://dogmawglass.etsy.com/

fused cab ~ http://rwillisglassartist.etsy.com/

lampwork bead ~ http://mycabincreations.etsy.com/

image #3

lampwork earrings ~ http://susansheehan.etsy.com/

While you're here, scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up for my e*mailing list and be the first to know about sales and specials!

Ancient Garden Bead Set

2008-09-19T15:36:00.003-05:00

Golden Vessel and Silver Beads

2008-09-14T07:10:00.009-05:00

School is back in session for the kids and I'm *so excited* to be able to spend more time in my studio! I plan on listing much more than I have in the past~pendants, vessels, and loose bead sets too. I'm so glad so many were able to take advantage of the sale last week. Thank you for your business~I hope you enjoy your new goodies!

psst...keep an eye out for more specials throughout the fall!

3 Day Sale with Etsy Glass Artists

2008-09-09T23:09:00.003-05:00

The Etsy Glass Artist Team is having a 30% off sale and so am I!

Click here to see a list of artists who are offering their glass jewelry, supplies and home decor!

And here to see what's new in my shop! If you see something you like, let me know that you found me through my blog and I'll include a little something with your purchase!

Miniature Garden In Bloom

2008-08-15T21:00:00.003-05:00

Isn't this necklace by Pam of My Cabin Creations on Etsy just beautiful? We've challenged each other to stretch our creative minds by swapping beads and designing new pieces of jewelry using them. Pam's sparkling glass beads and pearls frame my floral focal perfectly. Such a fresh necklace design~simply lovely! You can find it here!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T01:48:00.001-05:00

The Glass Chickadee

Angles

Product Staging

Spring Bling Sale!

I *Love* It!

Speaking of Bunnies...

A Sprinkling of Spring

Etsy Glass Artists Spring Challenge

~*~ Weekly Studio Special ~*~

Dark or Light Contest Results

~*~ Weekly Studio Special ~*~

Light or Dark? Leave a Comment and Enter to Win!

~*~ 1/2 off Studio Special of the Week ~*~

Sunrise

~*~ Studio Special of the Week ~*~ 50% OFF! ~*~

Featured by Etsy's Green and Clean Guild!

Add~a~Bead Bangles and Asymmetry

Magnificent Mistakes

7 Things About Me

Add Fun and Meaning to Your Jewelry Designs

October Glass Giveaway!

Ancient Garden Bead Set

Golden Vessel and Silver Beads

3 Day Sale with Etsy Glass Artists

Miniature Garden In Bloom

Happy 4th of July!

I Love It!

~~ Weekly Studio Special ~~

~~ Weekly Studio Special ~~

~~ 1/2 off Studio Special of the Week ~~

~~ Studio Special of the Week ~~ 50% OFF! ~*~