Farewell Blogger!

It's official. I am now up and running at typepad. Please join me at http://www.vintagebluestudio.typepad.com/! I will leave my blogger up for anyone who would like to continue using any tutorials I have posted. See you at my new pad!

I'm moving...

to typepad! I'm currently in the process of working on my new and improved blog on typepad. You can check out my work in progress at http://www.vintagebluestudio.typepad.com. I'm already loving the layout and color choices it offers. Until it's ready I will continue to post my work here but I hope you'll come with me when the move is complete!

Dont fight with your cusinart.

That is my lesson for the day. Last Sunday I was taking the Cuisinart blade out of the dishwasher and oops! I cut my left thumb open. Dumb. I ended up with 7 stitches. The moral of the story is to look first, then reach in.

Anyway, even with only one usable thumb I've been creating. I'm currently working on some embroidered felt and fleece Valentine hearts. Pictures to come eventually. Also, until my accident I was learning to crochet. My thumb is almost healed enough to start up again. I think one more week and I'll be good to go. I also had another metalsmithing class yesterday. I took a 6 hour enamelling class. I spent some of my time just experimenting and as you can see I had some nice results and some not-so-nice results, hehe. The tiny purple and blue ones became a pair of earrings tonight. I ran out of sunlight so I'll post a photo next time. I finally had some 20 gauge sterling wire so I made my own earwires as well.

I also discovered that a Goodwill opened up about 15 minutes from me. I took a trip down there today and was somewhat disappointed. It was mostly clothing and very little jewelry. I did manage to find a wood bangle and this nut/pit bracelet. I'm deciding what to do to the bangle. I'm considering collage, painting or wrapping it with ribbon. Suggestions are welcome.

I'm off to celebrate the Giant's winning! Happy crafting!

I have returned!

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! While I have enjoyed my little break I've certainly missed sharing my projects with everyone. I don't have any photos at the moment because today is cleaning day. Oh yes, this place is such a mess from the post-holiday fun that it MUST be cleaned today...no excuses.

Did anyone else feel sad when they took their decorations down? My apartment looked so empty. I ended up running out and buying valentine decorations from Michael's just so I could decorate our railing and dining room table. It is however, nice to have most of our living room space back again. But where am I going to put all these presents?

Make certain you check back later this week because I have been busy busy busy making things. The kiln has been run almost every night for the last two weeks. I have fused glass coming out my ears! We still have a bit of fine tuning to do on the kiln but Colin and I have been getting some wonderful results. I actually managed to make a few gifts for people out of our fused cabochons. I also dug out my bisque bead blanks from Bead Fest two years ago and I glazed and fired some of them. I had some nice results and I had some that looked...well...ummm....you know.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! I'm going to take the next week or so off from posting. Things are so crazy getting ready for Christmas that I need a little breather. When I come back in the new year I'll have plenty of photos to share of all the things I'm working on. I'm currently in the process of making a brooch/pendant in my metalsmithing classes. I'm also going to work on some Valentine gremlins in January and I may put one or two up for another giveaway. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year all!

And the winner is...

Claire Jones! Congratulations Claire you have won a gremlin ornament and a gremlin brooch! I had a great time making these cuties and I'm so happy to send some out to a new home! Thank you to everyone who visited my blog. I hope you'll come back soon as I'll be posting more crafty goodness! Happy Holidays!

Diana

The Great Gremlin Giveaway!

Update: I am extending the entry for the gremlin giveway until midnight (EST) Friday! Apprently, I have an art show and a fireman's dinner to attend that evening so everyone gets some extra time to enter! Good luck!

It's that time of year! Time for a blog giveaway! I have had such a great response to my gremlins I'm going to give two away! Post a comment between now and Friday and I will pick a winner on Friday evening. The winner will receive a gremlin ornament and gremlin brooch (not the one's pictured). My only rule is that you live in the US or Canada. I dont think these guys will make it anywhere else in time for the holidays. Good luck!
In addition to making a gazillion gremlins I took another metalsmithing class. This time I spent 6 hours enamelling. Well actually, I spent the first hour discussing my ideas and watching Sue make an example. After watching her I decided to just experiment and I'm glad I did. They came out so well!

Both copper ovals were sawed by hand then prepped for the enamel. It took me forever to decide what colors to use because she has an entire box filled with them! After several hours with the torch, I had two finished pieces. I also have a new appreciation for enamelling.

I hope everyone is having a great time Christmas shopping. I'm almost finished with mine but if you are still looking, here are some more Etsy sellers I recommend:
Woodmouse

http://www.woodmouse.etsy.com/

Adorable wooden toys and ornaments. I bought this cute pink squirrel and a custom ordered pink mouse.

Tulips to Kiss

http://www.tulipstokiss.etsy.com/

Clever sterling silver jewelry.

Puzzimals

http://www.puzzimals.etsy.com/

Wooden puzzils and ornaments.

Good luck and happy shopping!