Product Testing

In April, I decided to open a new shop on Etsy. Sometimes, my creativity bug drives me beyond glass fusing. Sometimes my children want to create things. Often my children want to create things. So, I decided to open
www.withthese2hands.etsy.com
with the intention of offering collaborative creations. If you check out the new shop, you can see some things that have made the cut. My son designed a banner and logo that I need to upload. He also did the product cards and business cards. My daughter loved selecting designs from the Japanese washi paper for the rings and pendants. They both took a turn with the drill press, once they agreed to the safety rules. I am excited about the shop and so are they. BUT..this bowl of stuff??? Well, it was an attempt at making play dough or a similar substance. It smelled nice (peppermint). It contained sooo many things that I think it might have been toxic in the end..but boy did they have fun. Me, well....I must say the clean up was not so bad. They initiated the project and followed through with the clean up. Next time, they say that the original recipe would be the way to go. Somethings are tough to improve on.

It is good to be back after a busy summer with my children. School is back in session here, so I hope you stop back often.

Luck

While I am not sure if a four leaf clover can really bring one luck, I do think that it inspires positive thought. To feel that things have a better chance of moving in your favor is powerful. As many of you know, my husband loves to find four leaf clovers. At $10.00, these bottle cap four leaf clover pendants are an affordable way for you to have one of your very own. All of the clovers are different but yours will be beautiful and unique or your money back, no questions asked. Strung on an 18" brown suede cord with clasp. Just click on the paypal button to the right to purchase. Your necklace will be on its way to you from NJ in no time!

Time

I had a wonderful time creating this line. I spent time with my father, who collects and repairs vintage pocket watches. He gave me some wonderful parts that I chose for inclusions in the pendants. Some parts were copper, which turned a beautiful red in the kiln and some were brass while others were enameled. After a couple of test firings, I tweaked the firing schedule to minimize air bubble formation and stress in the glass from the watch pieces. This is the type of glass fusing that I really love. It takes more time than doing a dichroic piece but they are so different and rich with their own past history.