Hollys Folly Blog

Fresh Glass 6.25.16 Last of the Cleo Sets

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 19:25:00 -0700

I'm done with the Cleo sets...at least until I can afford my own press! I'll be having a sale in private Facebook group in a day or two.

Fresh Glass 6.17.16

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:54:00 -0700

Another LONG torch hiatus. Let's see... TWO sinus infections severe enough for five doctor visits (and I'm still not out of the woods), end of school stress, job applications seeking fall contracts, a trip to Louisiana to catch up on yard work for mom... Is it any wonder I've no time to torch?

I did make a three piece set yesterday. Had hoped to repeat today but my head was spinning.

This is one of my faves from the Cleo series!

Fresh Glass 5.11.16

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Wed, 11 May 2016 11:29:00 -0700

I did make it to the torch finally and had a disastrous sesh. First a joke bead... There was much Facebook drama over Seagull beads lately so, having never wanted to make a seagull, I was suddenly on fire to make one... with a binky attached...for those that cry over seagull beads! The face was just a Beads of Courage Bead... I was thinking of "watching over you" while making it. I dropped it going to the kiln...UGH! And the last bicone is hideous. I had seen these gorgeous pink and blue beads and this is my crappy attempt. GRRRRR

Just Not Feeling It

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sat, 7 May 2016 13:39:00 -0700

Wow! Who knew that would be a two month hiatus?? Taxes, illnesses and no sales worthy of comment have kept me away...

First, I did manage to organize another sale in my Buyer's Group. This one is for Organic Barrels and it will end tomorrow. Here's a little preview pic:

Those aren't even all of them... I added a few flawed beauties that chipped coming off the mandrel on one end... so I ground them smooth and seriously, a bead cap will hide any issue! A great way to get a fabulous focal on the cheap!

Sales have been dismal and I feel like they aren't going to improve until our dreadful elections are over. I've been reanalyzing the amount of time I spend on Facebook promoting beads that just don't sell (I know it's not just me and jewelry sales are down too)... but I just would like a little more time to myself. I've stepped down from two of my group admin positions this week.

Anyway, now that taxes are done and I have put norovirus and my spring sinus infection behind me, hopefully, I can post a bit more.

Thanks as always for taking a look at the beads!

Best Sale of the Year is ON...

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sat, 5 Mar 2016 09:13:00 -0800

I finally remembered to post my best sale of the year 29% off for the fans... and an extra 10% more for the Buyers Group for a 39% off sale there! Yeah, it's my birthday sale. I disappear (and turn off the ability for people to post to my stupid Facebook wall!) and you guys get a gift.

Photos of available work are in the Facebook albums.

Thanks, as always for l@@king!

Fresh Glass 2.16.16

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 07:00:00 -0800

Continued from yesterday: I mentioned getting on the Easter bandwagon... I've been thinking about my infamous Eggster Bunny from years ago and wanting to revisit that design. I was coming up with different color combos for chocolate bunnies... when I decided to make a "white chocolate" Haole Hula version! I also call this the bunny that tried to kill me!

I was cold cutting a design element off when it went between my glasses and and landed on my eyelid! Silvadeen made it feel much better but it was SCARY!

I went on to make a dark chocolate Eggster Bunny and a micro egg set:

Fresh Glass 2.15.16

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:34:00 -0800

Yeah, I've been in a funk. School, work, taxes-schmaxes, new roof on the studio, washing machine on the fritz... and no, beads are NOT selling. I took all listings down on FB for a bit...just no point in allowing a black hole time suck in when I'm so distracted and busy.

I realized I haven't shared beads here in forever! These are still in the "to be cleaned" bowl:

Trying to do more thematic listings for the bead group. I had been working on the Cleopatra three-bead sets...when I decided to try a peacock...which lead to the large lentil and tons of sketches and ideas...but no time.

Then I realized I need to jump on the Easter bandwagon... more tomorrow.

First Listings in the Buyer's Group

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:20:00 -0800

I will be listing this large grouping of Bicones Galore tonight in my Buyer's Group on Facebook. Join to shop! https://www.facebook.com/groups/HollysFollyGlassBuyersGroup/

New Buyers Group

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Wed, 6 Jan 2016 12:49:00 -0800

Well, when last I left you, I was getting ready for a trunk show. It was most disappointing...What a huge flustercluck Facebook has made of it's event pages!!!

Event pages "used" to be the way to host a trunk show. It was great! You created an album of goods, put links on the first page/ main post. When people clicked, there was a lovely overview album. Here's a screen shot of an old trunk show album:

You got an overview of EVERY photo that was clickable. But on the new events pages, when you click the link, it looks like you are on the same page...you have to scroll down to see the post you are looking for. When you do, this is what you see:

Look at that... FOUR whopping preview pictures. While those four links are clickable, the other 31 photos have be looked at page by page by page...ugh. So tedious. But that's not all... on the old event pages, when someone commented on a photo...to show interest or to buy, that photo was brought out on the main event page. So customers popping in could see what others were interested in and buying. It created excitement! Now, a comment does nothing to the front event page. You look at it and nothing changes! Something had to give...

Luckily groups on Facebook still work the same way the old event pages did... so... I have a buyer's group now! Ugh!

I will introduce new works there, have specials and sales and it will be the location of my future trunk shows.

So, come join won't you??? As an introductory special, I'm having a 30% inventory reduction sale!

Holly's Folly Glass Buyers Group

Trunk Show Links

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Wed, 2 Dec 2015 17:21:00 -0800

The trunk show event is posted on Facebook and I'm working frantically to get it all done... Of course I've been getting tons of sub calls too! UGH! Please click GOING so you will get event updates!

I sure hope you will come!

Fresh Glass / Trunk Show This Weekend!

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 17:46:00 -0800

I adore this focal! I sold my all time favorite focal before Thanksgiving and this is my remake in PINK. Another silver focal here, a drum set, a bicone set and some chocolates in Christmas shapes.

The trunk show is on for this weekend...links tomorrow...or check the fan page.

Fresh Glass 11.24.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 05:30:00 -0800

More Fresh glass... the green and red was my December made to order earring colors, ordered by another glasser for a quick turnaround order. Because it was another glasser, they had to PURRR FECT. Not just perfect...PURRR FECT! I was a neurotic mess. She got 14, I got 9! These will make an appearance in the trunk show.

I was a bit disappointed with the bicones... too dark. They will hit the etching solution. And the that dichro montser??? OMG.. That bead would not let me sit down! I was literally dancing the whole time I made it! It will be in the trunk show! Meet Dancer:

Fresh Glass 11.23

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:36:00 -0800

I've decided to try and have my annual trunk show... gee, I guess I should start promoting it! I've had two intense days on the torch, trying to fill orders. The Jaunty hatted snowmen are repeats / requests. The first one had mean bead release and he ended up a two parter...

Also in this batch, 2 pair of bellflower earring sets. I really hate the Jupiter glass didn't strike on the ribbed disk. I reannealed them with the bellflowers and they look much better. There is a tree parts 3 piece set, and three pieces of snowmen tiles... ran out of time to make his hat! And an aventurine earring pair for good measure.

Miscellaney

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:18:00 -0800

Sales have been slow and I haven't been posting a lot. Working a lot with the special kids I adore and managing to get REALLY sick. 103 degree fever sick. Too cold and windy to make beads even if my nasty shoulder would behave...

But I did make these recently:

These three long skinny beads got stuck on the mandrel and thanks to the Lampworking Tips and Techniques group on Facebook, they were saved!! Someone recommended soaking in vinegar... I tossed in some baking soda just for kicks... The next morning, they slid off!

I posted a thank you in the group and a friend posted a group grouping of beads that had been stuck for over a year...that all came off!

Trying to decide if I should have my annual 1st weekend in December trunk show ...don't have much jewelry on hand, but plenty of beads on hand!

Fresh Glass 11.4.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Wed, 4 Nov 2015 09:32:00 -0800

Much better day!!! Only a few focals but I like 'em!

Fresh Glass 11.3.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Tue, 3 Nov 2015 09:31:00 -0800

Finally got the shop floor tidied up and drug the tank in... My shoulder hurt so bad, I had to wait another day to soap the lines. I made beads yesterday. But I had been on a page where people were selling stuff below wholesale... and had that crap in my head so I made garbage...

That egg on the left... was supposed to be this color:

The middle one is some DH mystery glass that is "supposed" to be lavender...

and I made an even tinier itty bitty kitty only to be told my prices are too high...

Sigh. Not a good day at all. Which is why I wrote this post to myself years ago... I had to go re-read it again today. If you are in a rut, you may find it helpful.

Saturday Night Special All Weekend

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sun, 1 Nov 2015 09:04:00 -0800

Just thought I would mention the entire album of fall and winter beads is on sale this weekend only for 30% off.

Tons of Halloween...stock up for next year!... as well as a few Christmas and a Hanukkah set.

Just a sampling:

Thanks, as always for l@@king!

and Out of Gas

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:31:00 -0700

I tried to torch the other day and actually decided on a creative direction - I have some German pink glass and I wanted to make some small "normal" size hollow beads... and struggled cauae...small is really not my forte and my tools are all larger. So instead of a set, I made one. I didn't want to waste the pink.

Next I made a long skinny ivory base for a silver glass idea I had. And my flame looked funny.. I glanced at the tank and realized I was running low on gas. And here I was at the early stages of a one hour bead. So I tossed the ivory into the kiln.

I decided to try a tiny version of the silvered glass bead ...and was really glad I didn't waste the time on a larger version!

And then I ran the tank dry making some tropical sunset drums.

I have two fresh tanks...but it's been really windy.

In a Funk

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:54:00 -0700

Been in a funk...hence, no posts.

My trunk show goodies BEFORE the show:

My goodie box AFTER the show:

See the problem?? Yeah, worst trunk show I've ever done. I don't know if it was the discount site or lack of publicity or...people just aren't buying. Or maybe they hate my work...yeah I went there... I always do.

So I'm reeling a bit. Doesn't help that my shoulder is in so much pain that it's hard to be on the computer and list... sigh.

Trunk Show on Glass Melters Open Market

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Thu, 1 Oct 2015 20:13:00 -0700

OMG! It JUST dawned on me that the trunk show LOADS tomorrow afternoon! 4pm PST!!!

This is be a show chock full of more affordable glass beads! A few giveaways too!! There will be tons of purple and kitties!!! I sure hope you'll come by Glass Melters Open Market on Facebook and take a look over the weekend!

I'm hoping to list around 50 items!!!

Fresh Glass 10.1.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Thu, 1 Oct 2015 06:30:00 -0700

More Fresh glass to show you but I forgot to take a fresh from the kiln shot... so these are clean and ready togo in the trunk show:

This focal was made from some salad plates I had! I bought them at a thrift store because I loved the purple glass. I wanted them to be my new everyday plates... but they shattered in the microwave! You KNOW I had to save that glass! I just love that they didn't turn brown in the flame and kept that amazing purple color:

I also made a set of drums to match:

I also made a freebie set for the trunk show:

Here's one of the salad plates:

This focal was going to be teal vine cane... but got too unwieldy for my mold... so it became a bead!

I also made a set of peachy pink olives:

And a Tropical Sunset pair of drums for a give away:

Don't forget the trunk show starts Saturday morning on Glass Melters Open Market! Hope to see you there!

Fresh Glass 9.30.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 05:00:00 -0700

More experiments: More Double Helix... the red set was for a custom order. The two most prominient barrels were DH's striking color. The one on the left was in the kiln an hour longer.

Fresh Glass 9.29.15

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:49:00 -0700

More fresh glass for the trunk show: These are all experiments from the Double Helix Garage Sale box that I was lucky enough to score! The top long skinny broke 8-( after I tried everything in the world to get it off the mandrel and I finally beat it over my sink divider to break it to pieces. It got it's revenge with a nice large sliver in my foot!

But the other two focals...both based on Ossa willb e in the trunk show. The minis have been spoken for.

The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 15:48:00 -0700

I don't know why but I like do some sort of theme for a trunk show lately... and the number one theme of the upcoming show is PURPLE.... and kitties!

Meet the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee:

From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Korny, Spooky, Pie, Kernal, Viola, Christian, Callie, Olive, Moo, Nicky Sparks, Scarlet, and Taji.

Korny is going to be a giveaway promotion in the show but the rest will be up for grabs in the Glass Melters Open Market next Saturday!

The Squeezed Bead

sales@sweetstampen.com (Holly Dare) — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:50:00 -0700

I wanted to make a set of squeezed beads for the upcoming trunk show next weekend (OMG!!!) in Glass Melters Open Market. When I first started lampworking, squeezed beads were the new exciting shape! Back then, round, donut, free form squares are hand sculpted were pretty much it! Now, we have so many shapes, it's ridonkulous...

But OH! How I loved the squeezed bead! It felt so nice on a bracelet!I just loved how they felt on my skin! I guess I was feeling nostalgic when I set out to make this pink and gray set. And I quickly remembered why they are not my faves to make.

You HAVE to have an even bead before you squeeze ...otherwise, you get something so uneven and funky...it's not useable.

I searched my table for something to help me keep them even... I tried various rollers... round didn't quite do it. The donut made for a bigger "apple butt" on the squeeze. I finally settled on my drum roller. It worked like a charm!

Do you have a tool that needs another tool to work properly???