Spring is in the Air!

My favorite month( because I have a birthday this month)April!Thanks again to Art Bead Scene for mentioning me in their blog,it has brought me a lot of traffic.If I have been a little absent lately,it's because I am trying to put my own website together.It has been a very frustrating journey and it's still not finished.I will post the URL when it is.I have been making beads of course, a few custom orders and now going to concentrate on some spring designs in floral motifs,some shells for upcoming summer designs and continuing with the Malawi series.

New Beads!

This is the time of year when retailers and florists get ready for the big day, Valentines Day. Being in the flower business for 25 years taught me to be prepared!
So I have been making some real cute Valentine beads,soon to be listed in my Etsy and Artfire shops.Remember, your local florist works very hard for this holiday,so give 'em some love!( I don't miss it one bit on this holiday!)

Handmade Ornaments

Holiday's are my favorite time to think about shopping handmade and making your own gifts as well as decorations,food, and especially Christmas ornaments.I have over 100 ornaments on my tree,many of them handmade by members of my family.A few in particular made by my Aunt Phyllis.She painstakingly pinned tiny sequins on to styrofoam balls in a beautiful pattern.They are some of my favorites.I'm trying to hold on to that tradition by making Lampwork glass ornaments or beads that can be hung on the tree. These Peppermints would make a cute garland. Boy...I better get busy!

New Selling Venue

After hearing alot of good things about ArtFire.com I decided to open a shop with my handmade Lampwork beads.They make it fairly easy,you can upload your listings directly from your Etsy.It was kinda fun too! They have a color feature where you get to pick the main color in your item.( I just love color)I have to figure out how to make a banner,I used one from my stash,but I would like it to have my beads on it.
If anyone can help me with this,I'd appreciate it!I have professional pictures but don't know how to size it without it looking like you're in one of those funny mirrors at the circus! Here's the link:
http://www.artfire.com/users/StoneDesigns