Changing blogging ways

I've been blogging about Artfire Crazy Train riders since it started. I have gotten off the train for a break and I am turning my blogging to blogging for one of my Artfire Guilds. Artfire Guilds are kind of like etsy street teams.

I will also be venturing out into other commentaries.

The Artfire shops I will be blogging about are all members of the Artfire Shops with Less than 10 Sales Guild. For whatever reason, these shops, including mine, have less than 10 sales. The Guild was started to help them promote themselves and to promote them. I'm proud to be a member. Once a member reaches 10 sales, they leave the guild.

So, tune in tomorrow and see who is the first shop blogged about.

Utterleclectic is the Artfire Crazy Train rider today

This studio has handmade jewelry and jewelry making supplies, too. Her studio can be found

http://www.artfire.com/users/Utterlyeclectic

She has some lovely jewelry and some really neat supplies, too. I understand why "eclectic is part of her shop name. LOL!

I'm going to show you a couple of pictures of things I like, then you can go shopping for yourself when you click the link.

Desa Elliott of Gothic Glass Jewelry

Desa and her mom Marilyn, are the creative forces behind Gothic Glass Jewelry. Desa was also targeted on the lying fraud blog as being tax evaders. We have all seen how well the lying blogger checks her facts, so rest assured, Gothic Glass Jewelry is in no trouble with the tax people.

Desa and Marilyn are relatively new to the world of lampworking, having started a little over a year ago. You would never know it from seeing their work. It's beautiful. In their "about me" page, they talk about the struggle it was to learn lampwork. I love these statements Desa made.

"Repeat, and redo and critique and make improvements the next time. Try and try again.Besides, both my mother and I love to play with fire, so practice is no problem. No problem at all". Now those are some folks who really love learning their art. LOL!

You can find the wonderful art and jewelry that Gothic Glass Jewelry creates http://www.gothicglassjewelry.com/. Just to show you that clicking that link will not disappoint you one bit, I'll show you one picture of some glass that I love they created.

SuzanneStevens rides the Artfire Crazy Train today

Suzanne creates some neat jewelry. To me, a lot of her pieces have a really cool 60's retro look. You can find here http://www.artfire.com/users/SuzanneStevens. All of her work is really cheerful looking with the vibrant colors she uses.

I'm going to show you a couple of pieces that I love, then you can click the link and go see for yourself.

Riding the Artfire Crazy Train today is a ......

holistic skincare studio. Who doesn't need better skincare this time of year when it's so very cold and dry? http://www.artfire.com/users/essensu Just reading about some of her skincare products makes my skin feel better. LOL! Not only does her line sound rich and soothing, but you get free samples with every order. Can't go wrong there.

So, I will show pictures of what I think is luscious in her studio, then you click the link and go find something for yourself.

JetAgeStudio, aka Renee Wiggins, is another lampworker

who was wrongly accused on the fraud blog. Again, I believe it was simply because the fraud blogger was jealous of Renee's talent and creativity.

All of the lampworkers I am blogging about I have "met" on LE-a lampworking forum. I joined last year for a couple of reasons. One, to show my support for them at their artwork being purchased and then passed off as being made by someone else and two, because I want to play with fire and melt glass one day. I really, really do. Even though I don't have the first piece of equipment right now, I have learned a lot from people like Lydia and Renee.

I asked Renee if I could blog about her work and maybe drive down in google the lies that were told about her and she agreed. I love hearing how people got started in their art and what isnpires them. Hearing Renee's story was no exception.

Soon after she started lampworking in 1993, she started looking for more ways to manipulate glass.

This lead to mosaics, stained glass and fusing, which she still loves to do. Four years ago, she bought a bench torch so she could work different elements into her fused work and with that torch, the lampwork bug bit her again. She got right back into making beads. Getting back to the torch opened her eyes to more ways to manipulate glass. She now focuses on making decorative elements such as murrini which she uses in her own work as well as supplying it to other lampworkers.

When I asked her where she finds inspiration, I found that she gets it like most artists do-nearly everywhere she looks in nature, the desert, (she lives in Tuscon), her garden and the many, she says too many, design magazines she subscribes too. She also getsinspiration from her husband who is a fine arts painter. She says that the way he layers colors is always inspiring. She likes having art discussions in the Arts Group they belong to because she likes to figure out how to incorporate their work into glass.

I love this bead called Miami. The colors, depth and the mulitude of things tolook at is just jaw dropping amazing.

You can find JetAgeStudio by clicking this link There is also an e-zine which features all things glass and many other incredibly talented glass artists.

Riding the Artfire Crazy Train today is.....

a super cool glass studio http://www.artfire.com/users/classyartglass If you don't know by now how much I love glass, you just haven't been paying attention.

There is some incredibly beautiful stuff in this shop. This husband and wife team create some real beauties to behold. Eye candy extrodinaire!!!! So, I will tease you with a couple of pictures, then you click the link and check out this fabulous studio for yourself-but don't buy it all-save some for me. LOL!

Jenny Friske-Baer aka Divine Spark Designs

Today's blog is about another talented lampworker who was falseley accused of being a "tax evading fraud" on the fraud blog. Jenny Friske-Baer lives in Oregon where there isn't a state sales tax. Just goes to prove once again that the fraud blogger just made stuff up and didn't check the facts. But then, we already knew that, didn't we? LOL!

Jenny calls her business Divine Spark Designs and it started when she couldn't find beads she like to make jewelry with. What better solution than to make them yourself. In the eternal (and believe me, it is eternal) search for that perfect color/textue/shape bead for that one project, you will do whatever it takes to get that bead, even to learning a new craft. From reading her website and her posts on LE (LampworkEtc.) it's easy to see that Jenny creates for the love and joy of creating. It shows in her beautiful work, too. As someone who creates because I love doing it, things like that are important to me in other artists.

Jenny has an etsy store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/divinesparkdesigns and a website

http://www.divinesparkdesigns.com/. I want you to see a couple of pieces she has done that I just love-the color,the humor I see in them and the cute factor they have is just great!!!! In the first picture, from her website, it's the blue chicken bead that I love. On her etsy header, it's the bird, again that got me.

Avalon Studios is the Artfire Crazy Train rider

You can find this Artfire jewelry studio here http://www.artfire.com/users/Avalon_Studios

There is some lovely and unique jewelry here. I love the way she uses color in her pieces, but since I'm a color addict, that can't be a surprise. LOL!

So, I will show yo a couple of pieces that I love, then you click the link and go see what you love in this studio.

Elizabeth Wait-the person behing the AGLf calendar

Elizabeth Wait or betsymn as most people know her, is a talented artist in many different aspects. Starting with clay at the tender age of 5, to quilting, pen and ink, fine art painting, jewelry making stained glass and lampworking, she has explored the world of art. She was also falsley accused of being a "tax fraud" on that hideous blog.

Betsy not only gathered all the pictures from assorted lampworkers that are included in the AGLF Lampwork fundraising calendar, but did all the layout, the proofing and the mailing out of the calendars. It was a huge project, and it came out absolutely beautiful. You can see one here, on her blog. http://greyhavenart.blogspot.com/ .I love reading her blog-her animals sound as much fun to watch and as goofy as some I have had. LOL! Besides blogging about her animals, she also shows her work-which is fantastic.

You can see her work in her etsy shop-http://www.etsy.com/shop/betsymn and if you want to buy one of the calendars that is full of lampworked beauties by various artists, you can do so in her etsy shop.

I can't resist, I have to show you a couple of pictures-one the calendar cover-didn't she just do a super job on it? Another picture of one of my favorite beads from her shop.

The Joyful Gem is riding the Artifire Crazy Train today

This artfire studio has some lovely jewelry pieces in it. The Joyful Gem is a good name for this studio, too. http://www.artfire.com/users/TheJoyfulGem

Besides having earrings, bracelets and necklaces, she also has a nice selections of things she is de-stashing-some pretty stones and lampwork beads.

So, I am going to show you a icture or two, then you click the link and go see for yourself the selection of pretties.

On the Artfire Crazy Train today is...

a shop that is way too full of adorable plush critters-Moromuto http://www.artfire.com/users/Morumoto These little creations are simply too cute and incredibly realistic looking. I'm not sure how anybody could resist them. They would make a perfect, one of a kind gift for the kid in your life-especially if they want a pet and for some reason can't have one.

So, here are a couple of pictures, then you go see for yourself what wonderful critters await in this artfire studio.

I love this baby guinea pig.

I would love to have this mouse in my house.

Alicia Helsley aka Fat Daddy Sweets

Alicia is another creative person who was a target on the fraud blog. The fraud blogger saw a rival for her cookie business.


Before I go any further, I need to warn you about something. Do Not Click This Link If You Are Hungry. Fat Daddy Sweets is a chocolate lovers/candy addicts dream come true. http://www.fatdaddysweets.com/ So much of a dream come true, that Martha Stewart Weddings contacted Alicia about her truffles for an article they were doing.

I am such a chocoholic that I don't know where to begin to rave about her candy. Candy is too simple a word for what she creates-confections is more like it.


After you look at the pics of my favorite goodies, go get your own. LOL! I bet you can't eat just one, either.


Who can resist Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties?

Or these luscious Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles.

RoseWorksJewelry is the Crazy Train rider today

There is a great selection of jewelry items for sale in this studio. http://www.artfire.com/users/RoseWorksJewelry I like the hemp pieces. Macrame is one of the arts I have always admired, but never been able to master. So, after you see the picture, click the link and check out the studio for yourself.

Lori Ramotar aka The Royal Bead

Lori is another talented artist falsely accused on the fraud blog. She retired from lampworking when she and her husband moved to Florida. A fine art major in college, her love of sculpture has led her to designing jewelry with metal-and her jewelry is sculpture you can wear. Here is just one example of what she creates.

Lori's unique, one of a kind jewelry can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/theroyalbead

Her mixed media artowrk is great!! I looked all through her etsy artwork shop and every piece made me smile. It's whimsical and uplifiting at the same time. I really like this one.

You can find Lori's artwork at http://www.etsy.com/shop/artworkbylori

Today's Artfire Crazy Train rider is

a beautiful bath shop. http://www.artfire.com/users/blushie There are wonderful handmade soaps, lotions, scrubs and lip balms in this studio. My favorite has to be Cut Grass and Aloe. I love the smell of freshly cut grass and aloe is so super for your skin-how could you go wrong with this soap? It's pretty, too. After you see the picture, click the link to see this fabulous studio for yourself.

Lydia Muell aka Ashton Jewels

Lydia is one of the wonderful, talented artists who has been falsely accused on the fraud blog-more than once. Our blagging friend seems to really have it in for her. In this crusade against this particular injustice, I have grown to admire Lydia. She's got a real "stick-to-it-tiveness" and makes some jaw dropping beautiful beads. She is also the proud new grandma to adorable twin grandsons. Being a proud new grandma in March, I can relate. LOL!



This bead that Lydia created and named Moonlight Waltz Drop reminds me of a Fabrege egg-elegant and beautiful beyond time.



In a brief online bio, Lydia says, "Today provides the same challenge as yesterday and tomorrow will provide the same challenge as today. . .Evolving my skill at the torch, searching my soul for the inspiration that always seems to be communicated with strong classical influence.

Timing, rhythm, and repetition are the elements that move me most in a piece of visual art, just as they move me when I listen to beautifully arranged symphonic piece. As cliche as this may sound, if I can SEE the music playing within one of my beads, I know I've achieved something soulful."

I don't know about you, but when I look at her art, and it is indeed art, I see the classical influence and I hear the symphony playing. It may not be the same piece she heard while creating it, but I hear the orchestra and it's a beautiful, joyful tune.

To see more of Lydia's art, be sure to visit her online gallery http://www.lampworktreasures.com/focalgallery.html There you can also find other links to her work.

AGLF Update

It's been quite a while since I have mentioned the fraud blog. Nothing much was new-she kept posting flasehoods on the blog-screaming tax evader about some incredibly talented artists. The only unknown would be who the next victim or victims unfailry accused and slandered.

A lot as changed. Several of the people named on the blog filed a lawsuit in the great state of Texas and now this false accuser shall have to answer to the courts to the formal charge of defamation. She was formally served with papers to that effect on Oct.26th,'09. She has posted about (I quit counting) 60 more people on the fraud blog since then. Can we say "no respect for legalities" boys and girls? She has denied things that are easily proven-like claiming some of the beads she sold on etsy were made by her. I wonder if she thinks that the people she bought stuff from just tossed their paypal records out with the trash? I still have mine should the AGLF attorney need more ammo against her. I would say it's a really safe bet that everybody who has had any dealings with her in the last two years has the documentation to prove it.

I wonder what she feels she has gained with all these venomous attacks on these wonderful creative people. In my opinion, all she has done is ruin her own name and reputation. The lampworking community has really come together over this issue aand friendships have been forged through this ordeal. I'm sure that was not the original intention when the fraud blog started. I feel sorry for her in a way-but she has no one to blame but herself for whatever happens in the court. I seriously doubt she is going to win this.

I will be featuring some of the talented artists mentioned on the fraud blog in the next few weeks, so check back here. There is a calender that was published to raise funds for the AGLF. A calendar full of beautiful lampwork beads. If there are still any for sale, I will post a link.

The Blue Daisy is today's Artfire Crazy Train Rider

If you sew or quilt or know anyone who does, this is the perfect shop to get a present for them.

http://www.artfire.com/users/thebluedaisy

She has the cutest handmade pin cushions, pins and scissor fobs I have ever seen in her studio. I'll show you a picture, then you click the link anbd go check out her studio.

Hello again and Happy New Year

Real life kind of jumped up and demanded my attention with a family crisis in Dec. and online stuff had to take a back seat. Even though things still are not resolved and I have a case of bronchitis that wants to whip me, I am at least going to get the blog updates done. I guess real life has a way of grabbing all of us from time to time.

I appreciate the new followers and will try not to get so far off track again. Hopefully, life will settle down by the end of the month and the bronchitis will be gone by then. I'll be happy with one out of two.

I've been wanting to do some beading, but have been in a fog with the congestion from the bronchitis that I haven't messed with anything. I had started a bezel for a pendant, but ended up not liking the colors. I took it apart and haven't really done any beading since. I was going through my stone stash today and found an agate I want to work on, so maybe I can get the beads together for it tomorrow annd get it started. I do prefer natural light for picking beads for agates and stones. I don't care how "natural" a light bulb says it is colorwise, you just can't beat the sun for matching colors.

I've rambled enough for now. I'm off to checkout the Artfire Crazy Train Riders so I can get those posts scheduled and see who the featured shop is for the Af Guild-Shops with Less than 10 Sales wso I can write that post, too.

I hope the New Year brings you joy and happiness. (and don't forget to buy handmade. LOL)

Bindy Lambell-aka the Mad Beader

Bindy is another wonderful glass artist who has been falsely called a tax evader by u know who (and no, that's not a typo). Bindy has had her beads published in Bead and Button Magazine, in the gallery pages of Bead Unique, the cover of Step by Step Beads and her work is also in some beading instruction books. No wonder she was targeted by the jealous blogger. Bindy has talent and it has been seen by the beading community around the world.

Bindy got started with stained glass about 25 years ago. She then moved on to seed beads and now lampworking gives her her glass fix. All of her work is one of a kind and it's great work. Some of her pieces look like they are those fancy candy confections you see in the French confectionaries. Like this Pink on Pink Set. I can't decide if the Orange Set makes me want orange sherbert or a sliceof orange cake.

Beside the fact that there is a good chance she will show up in a jewelry making magazine, you can find Bindy's work at http://www.bindy.com/index.htm Be assured, you are buying from a person who pays her taxes.