There are always raging debates in the lampwork bead communities about copying - one beadmaker copying another - what constitutes copying, what line in the sand to draw and on and on. I've always been more relaxed about the idea of copying than many in our community. I figure if someone wants to copy something I make, that's fine. I don't intentionally copy others because, frankly, my twisted self insists on changing things even if I TRY to faithfully replicate. But my attitude is not the prevailing one on this debate.

Recently, bead artist AngelinaBeadalina had some refreshing things to say on the topic. I felt they were worth capturing.

Below text is quoted from two posts made in an online discussion forum by AngelinaBeadalina:

We each make our own footprint in glass. If you look ahead of you, there will be the footprints of those who came before you. You will notice their footprints crossing over one another, sometimes landing in the same space even though they've come from different directions and once again diverge and follow different paths. If you look behind you, there will be the footprints of those coming behind you. You will notice some that appear to follow you, but if you put yourself in the shoes of the people ahead of you, then you realize that to them it may look as if you are merely following in their footsteps. You will also notice those behind you moving at different speeds and in many different directions. We are each making our own footprints, but you'll notice it is inevitable that all the ground as far as you can see before you and behind will become covered with footprints. Before you assume someone else is following your path to closely, better look at your own from a different perspective. . . just because your feet have landed momentarily in the same spot does not make either of you owner of that spot

No one owns a piece of the path, no matter how heavily or lightly trodden it might be. Just enjoy the walk!

--If you have made some superduperspecial bulldozer to clear part of the path, don't forget that someone ahead of you probably used a different version of it somewhere along the line. Feel proud of your work, but it might be arrogant to assume no one else in history has ever used the same type of idea. Also, remember that just because you moved part of the path still does not give you ownership of the path itself.

--If you pay someone to guide you along a new or difficult part of the path for you, show them respect and thank them for their help. If you take money from someone for guiding them along a part of the path you know well, show them respect and thank them for trusting you. Both of you should remember that neither of you owns the path.

--Remember that babies learn to walk partly by observing others and partly by trying to walk themselves.

--If you always ride piggyback, certain things will happen: you may never learn to walk by yourself again; or you may get a needed break and then walk stronger; or you may only succeed in hurting the back of the one who carries you while simultaneously deepening their footprint. Still, no matter what happens with the footprints, neither of you will be able to claim that part of the path as your own.
--If someone alongside you could use a hand as they traverse the path, please be kind. You never know when you will need their hand in return.

--This path really is a wonderful one. You share it with many wonderful people. Share it, enjoy it, glory in it

I have amazing friends and customers (some of whom have become both over the years). This past year I've been given several amazing jewelry gifts that I have to say are both breathtaking and appreciated. Finally I took some time to get photos of these pieces together and this entry is all about showing you the goodies. I have, of course already thanked each of the gift givers, but I want to thank them again, here. I am a very lucky girl!



This first set was created by Amy Johnson Designs and features my lampwork beads. Amy does the most exquisite seed bead work. She knows I don't wear fussy things so she kept this design clean and simple for me. She surprised me at one of my bead shows with this gift for me. How sweet was that?





This piece is a hand hammered sterling silver choker created by Missy Powell. I wear this all the time with pendants (like the one from Amy's set above). I love it!






And last but not least today is a photo of an amazing collaboration piece I did with my friend Robin Aragon. I made the lampwork, she made the amazing jewelry including all the chainmaille work. This piece is stunning!!

The current topic over on Flaming Hot glass worker's blog is tools.

I've had to come to terms with the fact that I have excellent taste for the finer things in life. Often that equates to expensive taste, as many of you well know from your own fine desires. Fortunately, I'm fairly comfortable with a simple life, doing with out many things that others simply *must have* (like fancy shoes etc).

When I lust, I lust for tools. Not just any tools, mind you. In fact, most of the time the 'tool of the month' in my industry is something I can easily do without. No, sadly, my lusts are for the high ticket tools. Things like the new Nikon Pro grade digital SLR 330 series camera and some slick lenses to match (that can set you back a cool three grand before you even buy the case!!) or a lovely and amazing 24" flat lap grinder with easy change top - in fact I'd like three or four of them so I don't have to keep changing the grit tops off (a thoroughly unpleasant job full of wet gritty glass sludge and grunting). I'd love, but can hardly justify at this stage, several lovely jacks at $2-300 a pop. I'm not greedy, I'll "settle" for the Jim Moore version rather than those made by our Italian masters...really!

Then there are the 'other' tools. I have a pretty sweet set up but it could always be better. I'd love to have the entire house refitted for multimedia throughout. Oh and those darned LG machines (washer/dryer etc) are pretty sweet. Hard to justify a need for those things, especially when what we have is in fine working order.

Whenever this overweening urge to consume hits me, I try to remind myself that the tools I do have are all pretty sweet and I've been fine without all of those nice to haves, so why spend the money, the resources, and the mental space acquiring more?

So, given that I don't need this stuff but it would be sweet to play with, I think instead I want a local studio space near me to buy all of my dream work tools (maybe not the LG washer, but the rest of it). Then I could rent time in a shared zone without having to own them all myself. Anyone willing to step up on this one or is that thinking way too communal? Grroovy dude.

As some of you know, my home has been hit hard with seasonal influenza this past few weeks. Here's a CDC link: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm

According to that CDC site, "Influenza is a respiratory illness. Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches." That has been us to a 'T'! I'm actually just about over all of the symptoms but I've gone headlong into seasonal allergy season so it's still a fun time.

Because of all this exciting flemmy stuff (ew), I've been avoiding the torch. It's really hard to melt glass while having uncontrolled coughing jags. Lest I turn into a COMPLETE vegetable, however, I decided to revamp our family dog site. Here's a link and pic to the new version:



Adams Family Dog Pages


I still have more to do but since I seem to be feeling better, the torch is calling and the dogs will have to wait until I return to their site later....

It's been a busy few weeks. I visited Atlanta, Georgia at the start of April, both to meet friends as well as to participate in a bead show. I had an excellent time while there and met in person many whom previously existed only online for me. On my way in to town I brought a Ratbones Rescue Rat Terrier dog who was enroute to her new foster home in Florida. I was happy to meet Paula, who is a very active Georgia Ratbones Rescue person. Paula kept Cammie overnight and then sent her on to Florida where she is currently staying. This is Cammie:


Cammie Ratbone - Adopt Me!


So after a hectic rush hour meeting to transfer Cammie, I arrived, had a satisfying meal of Pho with the lovely Mincot and then visited her copious furry crew (3 kitties and a pooch). It was a great landing.

While in town I did a quick run by my former stomping grounds (the college where I attended) for a new alumnae tshirt. Here's a photo of one of the stately buildings on campus. Agnes Scott is a fabulous, small, private college for women. Walking the campus took me back. Plus all the trees were starting to bloom so it was very lovely.



Agnes Scott College


After an awesome visit and a great bead show I traveled home. While trying to catch up on sleep and make enough beads for the next weekend's show (since many had sold in Atlanta) I did take a short break midweek to visit my goddaughter's school where she starred as "a spotted eagle ray". I made the costume for her since her mom isn't much for creativity (esp. involving sewing).



Spotted Eagle Ray Sighting (note the white underbelly)


Then I trundled off to Traverse City for the Fire and Ice show. I was lucky to get there ahead of time and meet with friends (and fellow glassies) for dinner at the lovely and delicious Trattoria Stella. Here's a shot of me with my good friend Maria - she's the cute one on the right. I had an amazingly yummy smoky eggplant dish (much more creatively named but there ya go, I can't remember).



Trattoria Stella


If you've never eaten at Stella's I recommend it highly. The food is creative and yummy, the atmosphere is interesting (it's housed in a converted former insane asylum) and there are wonderful little galleries and shops to visit after you eat. Maria is a total gourmet foodie so she always brings her guests to the best places in town.

I'm home now and I managed to come down with a doozy of a head cold over the course of all this merriment so I've had a few days in a horizontal state. I'm back and nearly better so today is a day for posting and torching and catching up.

The current topic over on Flaming Hot glass worker's blog is about business diversification.

I am always a little surprised and saddened when I see other glassies, especially bead makers, complaining about slow sales. You see, since the start of my glass adventure, I've had ideas for products and markets that I haven't even begun to tap into. If ever my sales dry up I know there are many other ways to hawk my glass.

Here are just a few thoughts pulled out of my brain at random as I type this entry, but the list goes on and on:

- I've never tapped into local bead store sales (or even planned a trip to store hop and sell around the nation). You could even put together a wholesale packet/catalog of sorts.

- I've never done a large wholesale gift mart with finished work (yes, it means I have to create a production line but it could still include variety).

- I've never created custom items for other industries (wedding cake toppers and items or fancy knitting needles or whatever) and advertised in their main magazines.

- I've not done local selling or art shows or finished work in years.

- I haven't expanded my fusing to encompass production windows or other big ticket items

One thing that makes me different from some others in the bead world is that I am willing, to a point, to make what sells over what my heart demands. I allow time in my schedule (most Fridays) for pure play time but the rest of the week is devoted to creating items that will sell or filling custom orders. For the most part I adore custom work and I think this allows me to be more diverse without having to range too far afield within the bead world.

There are TONS of market opportunities out there that are untapped. Lots of products that could easily be adapted to a glass bead theme are just waiting for you to jump on them and go. Don't let a slow economy bring down your melting joy - find another way to sell it!

It's been a busy few months. I've decided to revamp my bethanyadams.com site. Here's a peek at the new look:








The point of the site is for showing off examples of my finished designs, fiber work, web site designs etc. It's a slow process as there is much else that demands my time, but I'm happy to be making some progress.

So after much stalking, I have finally gotten a chance to play Treasury curator on Etsy! Here's what I came up with:






What do you think?

As long as you are over browsing on Etsy, why not take a peak at my latest goodies?





Here is a link to one of my current favorite beadies listed:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8803393

http://flaminghot.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/tips-tuesday-testing-123/

Today's Tips Tuesday is talking all about testing new colors before dedicating hours of work with them. This is excellent advice, both for color (striking mixing) and compatibility. I am forever impressed with people like Candice Mathewson who have these really methodical work styles. She is forever making charts and records about which colors mix with which. I've seen her pull out a giant list of things she's already tested when asked, with detailed notes and photos of each test as well. It's awe inspiring for me.

And yet, I know I will probably never work that way. So, in order not to completely waste time, I wait until most new colors have been tested by others for a little while. If I don't see someone screaming about 'ALL MY BEADS WITH THE NEW PURPLE YELLOW CRACKED, WHY??' then I plow ahead with abandon. Foolish me, but it's fun to walk on the wild side! I mean heck, it's only glass, what's the worst thing that happens? It cracks!

Here's the black and white as promised...

Today was a very black and white day at the torch, in the color sense that is! I woke up in the morning with a few bead ideas in black and white and darned if I didn't feel excited about torching! I'll post photos tomorrrow sometime.

In other news, I'm still listing new things every day at Etsy and slowly working on website revisions. I'd sure love some feedback from anyone with an opinion to share!

Something has happened, like a light switch in my head. Not fer nuthin' could I get my arse motivated in December. Yes, I filled all the custom orders that came in, of course. Customers always come first. But aside from that I wasn't really interested in torching, web work, or any of the things that make up my daily business chores. Ok, so it was a year end funk, no biggie. Well not one day into 2008 and I am going like gang busters!

So far I've redesigned my website logo, implemented a new CSS gallery to replace the long broken one on my site, launched an etsy store, worked through a ton of photos for use in either the current catalog, the gallery or etsy (yet still there are a ton more to process), torched for fun (yes FOR FUN!!) and basically been a busy bug (which is why the numb bum - too many hours of computer time in the past 2 days).

Oh and I managed to take one of the dogs (the chubby one) for a walk today too since, despite the cold and snow, it was sunny and beautiful out. We get so few lovely days that I hate to waste them on indoor activities when they do show up.

Ok, enough babble for now. Go check out my etsy shop if you haven't yet, ok? Feedback welcome (and wanted): http://gwacie.etsy.com

(this week's Flaming Hot Blog It topic)

The idea of goals and objectives sounds really good...in theory. I mean, I've spent lots of time thinking and planning out where and how my business should grow, but these are just thoughts. This year I'm trying something different (as I touched on in earlier blog entries). I'm working out a plan for different markets and ideas I have. It's not so much that I want to increase my sales (can't complain, I've been pretty fortunate really thanks to my wonderful customers). It's more that I want to direct my work a bit into new directions and I think that I will need to develop some different marketing strategies for this new work.

As a rule I take most of December as a down month. I do no shows, list no specials, and seldom list auctions so only when orders come in do I have proscribed torching sessions. I'm using the down time this year to work on things that I guess you could loosely categorize as goals and objectives. I tend to think of them as paths to follow more than destinations to reach but the idea is similar. Right now I'm still in the "mulling it over stage" so nothing has hit print (or type). In fact I haven't decided if writing it all down is the way to go...but as I am typing this I think perhaps that's not a bad idea. If only to help me focus, writing down these new paths and the directions I need to take to follow them seems wise. Yes, yes, definitely, that's what I'm going to do.

First, however, I think I need to clean my work space up.....can't get organized amid chaos, right?

This is a photo of my city's somewhat pathetic recycling collection center.




I grew up on the West coast, a place where recycling and green thinking are rampant. Thus indoctrinated in the culture of conserve, it was with great shock that, when I eventually landed in Eastern Michigan, I found myself in the land of Mount Trashuvius and Mount Garbichio. Those are the names I've given to two of our many large garbage landfill mountains in the area. In some parts of this region they've actually reclaimed these giant trash heaps and started to build upon them (after generations of compaction and venting no doubt). Imagine living on a pile of decaying diapers and garbage juice. Blech. Now, these trash mountains (while not near my own neck of the woods) are in plain site along certain stretches of the main interstate highways, a fact which, I would have thought would inspire folks to, oh, say PUT LESS TRASH INTO THE TRASH HEAPS.

Lest you think this problem is rampant throughout the country, I can tell you that at least several of the states I lived in had mandatory recycling programs in their cities. Lexington, KY had, by far, the best mandatory recycling program I've seen of any of the cities I've lived in.

When I first moved here, 12 years ago, my town did have a recycling pick up option. You had to pay extra for the luxury of sorting your recyclables and having them picked up, but the option was available. The program quickly was disbanded due to lack of interest and funding (though I suspect the recyclables were being dumped into the land fills anyway). Since that time I have collected my recyclables and taken them to our city's drop off. So what's the problem, you ask? Plastics. For some reason, my city and also all of the surrounding cities (I know, I checked) take only plastics type 1 and 2. Do you have any idea HOW many plastics are not 1 or 2 types? The biggest offender seems to be type 5 plastics. I HATE having to throw away the many many containers (i.e. yogurt, cottage cheese, vitamin bottles etc) that we generate because I cannot find a place to take them and recycle them. It's insane! Are you telling me that no one is buying type 5 plastics? Why else would the city fail to collect one of the biggest landfill plastics around? This makes me crazy. I wrote to our city council. So far the issue hasn't made it to the agenda. May have to get a bit more active on this. I am firmly against getting too involved in local dramas...erm...I mean politics but I can see no other way to get this fixed.

Ok, rant over. Thanks for listening.

Snow. I've just come back in from letting the critters outside (can you see them in the corner of the photo in the dark?) and it's SNOWING. How ironic is that? Ironic because, to me, it's not really winter until December, which marks the holiday season for me (Thanksgiving not withstanding) and today is DECEMBER 1st. So it snows, as if on cue! I just checked weather.com to see how much accumulation we have to look forward to by morning but it just says 90% chance of snow/wintry mix until morning (well duh) but no indication of HOW MUCH snow/wintry mix!!

On the plus side, it's perfect hot chocolate, fire place, doggie, book/movie weather......

I did it! I actually managed to post every single day this month! Not all posts were stellar, but still, for me this is a major accomplishment. Let's see if the 21 day rule applies and I keep posting regularly (even if not daily). You know, the rule that says it takes 21 days to form a habit? Of course it would be much easier to, say, form the habit of having chocolate after dinner than the habit of trying to figure out something to say of interest to myself and possibly others in my little blog.

Only time will tell...

Ok, so I made a second dragonfly for a boro exchange but I got a little carried away. The first one I made worked well in its simplicity. So did I repeat that success? NoooOOOooo, I had to get carried away. I'm ok with the bent tail and odd colors but what possessed me to start adding bumps? Does the poor dragonfly have the measles? I need to learn to stop before it's too late....

I have a secret vice. Well technically my entire family knows of my vice so that makes it only partially secret, and now I will share it with you, the world. I'm an animation and cartoon junkie. I love good animation and I adore funny comics.

Here's a pertinent strip that I thought you fellow bloggers would enjoy (since I am pretty sure only bloggers read blogs, right?):




Click to see full size version.


This strip (and others) can be viewed on comics.com.

Ok, this is far from perfect in many ways but I thought I would document my first ever attempt to make a marble. It's borosilicate glass and I did a very simple frit implosion with several layers of green amber purple and clear frit because I wanted a dense core. The total size is just a hair over an inch diameter.

I need to figure out what folks are setting their MIBs on in the kiln. I got a little kiln brick dust making a dull spot on one side - it didn't flatten the marble but it did make the surface dull almost scuffed so that's not kewl. Also I have to pay more attention to my final punte and divot clean up. I think I'll make a pair of those marble tongs that Drew Fritts has on his web site. I am sure I have a wire hanger around here somewhere.....

Billie has a new hat - not sure how she manages these things but it sure is cute.