Takota Bear

Meet Takota, whose name means "Friend to Everyone". He is our Native American Dog, also known as a NAID. If you visit the home page of Night Eyes Farms. , you can see him as a puppy on the puppy mover monorail. Takota is riding second from the front. Native American Indian Dogs are a rare almost extinct breed of dog used by the Native Americans to pull a travois across thousands of miles of the North American continent. There are about 5 certified breeders of these dogs. Takota, true to his breed, is a problem solver. He is a watcher. Takota thinks ahead and plans. He is sometimes scary smart. Takota is also a big baby, who likes belly scratches and, best of all, being covered up in my blanket. Of course, I have to watch him with said blanket. He will shed it in an instant if he decides to. It is impossible to find a toy that he can not destroy. If any dog toy makers are up for the challenge...contact me!

in the light box

I think that bottles are too tight a fit for my light box. I think I needed to have a better backdrop. I know that I have put off photographing a bunch of slumped bottles because they are unruly. I tackled a few of them today. My camera (yikes!) almost fell to the ground. My table light was pulled to the floor by one of my four legged helpers. :)

However...I do like how the bottles look, especially when the light shines through them.

Reminds Me of Jade

This glass cab does remind me of jade. It was cast in a mold from bigger pieces of frit (crushed glass) so it has very few (if any!) visible bubbles. I scored around the edge and wrapped it in sterling silver wire that also forms the bail. I am not sure if I will use this as a focal bead in a necklace or if I will list it on Etsy as a supply for one of the very talented beaded jewelry designers to consider purchasing.

Sale

Purchase any item from my Etsy store through midnight on June 29, 2008 (next Sunday) and receive any item of lesser value for 1/2 off. Just mention in the message to seller section that you are participating in my Blog Sale. I will send you a revised invoice or refund the savings via paypal. Hope you had a beautiful weekend.

Ever since my son and daughter were little, I would have them balance an egg on end on the first day of summer. There is some debate if this is just a legend or if it is a scientific fact that the earth's energy is aligned in a way that egg balancing is possible on this day. I can't comment on that as we do not attempt to balance eggs at any other time of the year. What I do know is that it is yet another little tradition we have as a family and that makes our yearly egg balancing special. It brings us together and creates a new memory.

Perfect Fit

When I look at my collection of clovers, I am often amazed at how they seem to elude fitting into the settings that I have to work with. Note to self: learn to make bezels. :)

This clover pressed so nicely **and** it fit in this sterling silver adjustable bezel ring. I have it on a layer of white resin with a thick clear resin cap. It is really nice. I would wear it to Las Vegas!

Time For Luck

Soon to be back in my shop on Etsy! These are empty vintage style pocket watch cases that have a beautiful, real, four leaf clover set in resin inside the case. They are not watches, they do not tell time. But they can make a wonderful pendant hung on a chain or just put into your pocket when you need a 'bit of luck (power of positive thinking!). It is hard to find clovers to fit into these empty cases, so they are only available when my husband is lucky enough to find one!!

Resin Infused Copper Bangle

This bracelet is so different I wish that you could hold it in your hand! First you would notice its weight, because it has some real substance to it. Then you would look under the glossy surface and see tiny little flecks of copper all held together by the resin. Almost a solid copper bracelet, with a very unique visual texture. I have a pendant to match in my etsy shop. You can see it here.
Thanks for visiting.

Pressed and ready to start another life as a ring, a pendant or perhaps a bookmark....these four leaf clovers were found by my husband, who just has that eye for luck! I have others, still being pressed and now that the things are growing here in New Jersey, he is sure to find more. The real challenge for him is to find them before the bunnies eat into a leaf or two. Look for the finished product in my Etsy shop soon. www.aardvart.etsy.com

Musical Glass

I tend to work tiny with glass, but I find myself more and more interested in designing larger pieces. This wind chime combines so much of what I love about working with glass. Glass mixes well with metal and here I have copper wire that was formed into jump rings, copper sheet that was worked into the hanger, chain that holds it securely in the breeze. The glass is transparent, and makes the most beautiful sound when it moves and bumps into its neighbor...no need for an "excuse me" here....these pieces of glass need to be a bit clumsy in order to make their music. These are custom order pieces and can be a visual and auditory delight either inside or outside of your home.

Passion and Action

My daughter's second yearly fundraiser for the wolves of the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia NJ was last weekend. Check out this wonderful place by clicking here:
Lakota Wolf Preserve


Despite the nice weather, she did not have as many people stopping by her table to check out her wares. She made these cool bracelets and helped me design and make some fused glass wolf pendants and wolf pillows. She raised a bit over $50.00, which will help the Preserve feed the wolves and provide for medical care. She had quite a few items left over, so I put them in my Etsy shop, in their own section. All proceeds will go to the Wolf Preserve. Stop by to see! www.aardvart.etsy.com

Political Pendants

Fresh out of the kiln, these are my new Republican and Democratic fused glass pendants. Designed to be passed on through the generations, these pendants will help support your favorite political party. We have a presidential campaign right around the corner, so lets start thinking about who we believe will best lead the USA. One vote can make a difference.

Where is Spring?!!

The weather here in New Jersey is so chilly...I can't wait for Spring. I have been busy creating with my stash of glass. I love cutting the shapes and putting them together...shape, color then function.
Once things warm up here, I need to spend some time with my husband searching for four leaf clovers...I now only have one bottlecap necklace left in my inventory. Still lots of four leaf clovers, but not the correct size.

Wishing that my etsy shop would take off a bit, but things on eBay remain pretty steady sales wise. I guess I really need to focus on advertising!!