First Light Glass

Please Vote

2012-01-23T10:06:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to be featured this week in Great Finds on Made for Me by Oaklie's blog. The theme is Spring Fling - 2012 Colors and you can vote on the lower left side bar. I'd appreciate your time and your vote. Thank you!

My Entry: Soft Pink Pendant

Please vote here: Great Finds

2012-01-22T14:07:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to have a new Pinterest account. I'm just getting started and I'm trying to learn how to navigate the Pinterest website. Right now I'm excited to share my Valentine's Day Board. I hope you will stop by and take a look.

A Pleasant Surprise

2011-09-04T09:43:00.000-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find my colorful fused glass cross featured on the Christian Artists Street Team blog. Thank you Sue Anderson with MySavior.etsy.com for the feature.You can visit the CAST team blog here.

Thank you Sharkyswaters for featuring my coral bowl in this treasury!

I also appreciate LouisestArt including my coral bowl in this pretty treasury.Thank you for stopping by! Have a glorious day.

Back to School

2011-08-23T10:24:00.005-04:00

Today is the first day of school. The kids were a little nervous but mostly excited as you can see by their silly picture. I'm enjoying a quiet morning and trying to get caught up on some Etsy and ArtFire stuff.

This sea green coral bowl is fresh from the kiln and available in my Etsy store.

Please Vote

2011-01-15T06:52:00.002-05:00

I'm excited to be featured this week in Great Finds on Made for Me by Oaklie's blog. The theme is Valentine's Day and you can vote for your favorite find. I'd appreciate your time and your vote.

Thanks so much!

Great Finds

First Light Glass

Enter to Win a $300 Shopping Spree on ArtFire

2010-10-27T06:14:00.003-04:00

WIN a shopping spree in Santa's Handmade workshop!

Artfire is a site where artisans from all over our planet get together and sell their beautiful handmade items.

We are now running a contest so you can go do some serious Holiday shopping FOR FREE!

Help us find Santa and win some great prizes!

It will take a bit of time to visit the studios but so does shopping in a mall :) ..grab a cup of coffee/tea and sit down and browse ....

Halloween Sale

2010-10-23T09:20:00.006-04:00

Halloween Sale

I'm trying out this new website called Etsy On Sale. It helps you manage sales without having to manually mark each item down. I'm excited about this new tool. All of my Halloween glass on Etsy has been marked down 30% off this week. There is still time before Halloween!

Halloween Sale

Featured Today on Craft for Health

2010-07-26T08:04:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited to share that I have been featured today on Craft for Health. The article is titled Coming Full Circle and shares my artistic journey. I'd love for you to stop by and check it out!

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!

It's Better Handmade

2010-06-18T07:45:00.007-04:00

I've recently joined a great group on Facebook called It's Better Handmade. It is a very supportive group of artists and crafters from all over the internet and world. Every Friday the group has a color of the day and the members post their items and help promote each other. Today's color is orange. Whatshername created a lovely orange Etsy treasury with items from this group. I'd love for you to stop by this treasury if you have time.

***** SALE *****

I'm having a $5 sale through this Sunday to make room for new inventory. I have a list of new ideas that keeps getting longer and no room in my studio. You can check out my sale section here.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

Bright, Colorful and Cheerful

2010-05-12T09:21:00.003-04:00

The weather here in Florida has been very sunny and bright recently. Looking out my window it puts me in a happy, cheerful mood. Summer is just around the corner with it's slower pace and family time. I thought I would high light two pieces of my recent work that seem to capture this feeling.

Colorful Coral Bowl

Rainbow Pendant

I hope you all have a cheerful day!

Eco-Friendly Gifts

2010-05-09T18:29:00.003-04:00

I have a new bottle in my Etsy and ArtFire stores - a Cerveza Importada Sol beer bottle. Flattened bottles are great eco-friendly gifts that turn waste into a useful product. Recycled or upcycled bottles have many uses; a catch-all on your desk, for holding loose change or keys, for holding your rings and jewelry, or in the kitchen as a tea bag holder, spoon rest or serving tray for limes. Father's Day is next month - consider giving Dad an eco-friendly gift.

First Light Glass on Etsy

First Light Glass on ArtFire

Spring Break is Here

2010-03-27T09:03:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited that we are officially on Spring Break! The kids are sleeping in and we have ten days without homework. Today we plan on taking the kids out to a Rails to Trails for a long bike ride. First, we have to assemble our new bike rack. That could take awhile!

Bunny Rabbits for Easter

2010-03-03T10:42:00.004-05:00

I'm thinking ahead to Easter and have listed some new vintage style bunny rabbit pendants in my shop. Stop by and take a look if you have a chance. Thanks!

First Light Glass's Holiday Section

Valentine's and President's Day Sale

2010-02-14T08:30:00.005-05:00

VALENTINE'S AND PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE on ETSY - Sunday and Monday - Buy one pendant and get the second pendant (of equal or lesser value) half price. Refund will be given through Pay Pal.

First Light Glass on Etsy

VALENTINE'S DAY AND PRESIDENT'S DAY SALE on ARTFIRE - Sunday and Monday - All items in shop are 25% off before shipping.

First Light Glass on ArtFire

New Items for Valentine's Day

2010-01-03T21:04:00.003-05:00

Lovebirds - Fused Art Glass Pendant

Now that we are in a new year, I've started listing items for Valentine's Day. I have a daughter with a Valentine's Day birthday who has started the count down - only 42 days. I'll be listing more pendants and gifts each day so check back in to see what is new. Thanks!

First Light Glass

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T11:50:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas full of peace, hope, joy and love!

I'll Be At the Riverside Arts Market on Saturday

2009-11-12T11:29:00.003-05:00

I will be returning to the Riverside Arts Market this Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 to 4:00. The arts market is located on Riverside Avenue near downtown under the Fuller Warren Bridge. I'll be in Booth 511 which is in the center aisle half way up from the river. I will have Christmas ornaments available in addition to my fused glass jewelry and home decor. Are you looking for a gift for a man? Stop by and take a look at my slumped bottles. The medium size bottles make great gifts for men to put their keys and loose change on. Please stop by and say "hi" if you have a chance!

http://firstlightglass.etsy.com

http://firstlightglass.artfire.com

Thank You for Voting

2009-10-14T08:22:00.003-04:00

Thank you to everyone that voted in the September Creative Glass Guild of Etsy Challenge! My piece Homework vs TV won and I am featured on the frontpage of the guild's website. I couldn't have done it without your votes and I really appreciate it!

http://www.cgge.org

Homework vs TV

My First Giveaway!

2009-10-07T10:38:00.006-04:00

I am having my first giveaway. It is being hosted by Christie Cottage blogspot. Go to Christie Cottage and follow the instructions to be entered to win this robin's egg blue, apple green and black fused glass pendant.

Good luck everyone and thanks for entering!

http://firstlightglass.etsy.com

http://firstlightglass.artfire.com

WooHoo! Four Treasuries in One Day

2009-10-06T08:26:00.007-04:00

I'm so excited to be featured in four treasuries in one day! "Excited" doesn't fully express it. Thank you so much ArtBoxDesigns, LaughingFridge, Klassic and SKNights!!! Please check them out when you have time.

I've Been Featured on My Shopping Connection

2009-09-22T08:23:00.006-04:00

I'm so excited my Halloween ghost pendant has been featured on My Shopping Connection! My Shopping Connection is a resource for people who love shopping for interesting, unusual or one-of-a-kind items from reputable online and local sources. Each little ghost I make is a little different making them all one of a kind. I'd love for you to check it out!

My Shopping Connection

Boo Fused Glass Ghost

Riverside Arts Market

2009-09-09T09:15:00.003-04:00

I will be returning to the Riverside Arts Market this Saturday, September 12th from 10:00 to 4:00. The arts market is located on Riverside Avenue near downtown under the Fuller Warren Bridge. I'll be in Booth 511 which is in the center aisle half way up from the river. In addition to my fused glass jewelry and plates I will also have new bowls and slumped bottles. The medium size bottles make great gifts for men to put their keys and loose change on. Please stop by and say "hi" if you have a chance!

First Day of School

2009-08-26T07:51:00.005-04:00

Today is the first day of school. There was lots of excitement and chaos in the house this morning as lunches were made and summer homework was stashed in backpacks. This is the last year that the kids will be at the same school so it's a happy-sad time. Colin is entering 6th grade, Patricia is entering 5th grade and Lane is entering 3rd grade. And now the house is quiet - ahhhh.

The Tale of Three Trees

2009-08-12T07:10:00.005-04:00

The Tale of Three Trees is one of my favorite children's stories so I thought I would make a Christmas ornament depicting the three trees.

In this traditional folktale each tree has a dream of what it wants to be. The first tree wants to hold rich treasure. The second tree wants to be a great sailing ship. The third three wants to grow tall and point to God in heaven. Over time each tree gets cut down and they think their dreams are gone. Until one day, the first tree which has been made into a feeding manger gets to hold the greatest treasure - the baby Jesus. The second tree has been made into a little fishing boat and gets to carry Jesus -the King of Heaven and Earth - through a storm. The third tree is cut into lumber and made into a cross to hold Jesus. So the third tree gets its wish too - to point to God in heaven. Each tree had it's dream come true - just in a way it could never imagine.

I've Been Featured on a Blog!

2009-08-08T17:32:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited to be featured on a Saturday Shopping blog! It's towards the bottom of the post and has lots of cute cat and dog ideas. Thank you so much Mouchois! Please check out the blog and Mouchois Etsy store.

Halloween Pumpkin Dish - So Many Uses!

2009-08-05T08:45:00.003-04:00

There are so many uses for this cute Halloween Pumpkin that I decided to make a top ten list.

Ten uses for your little glass dish:

1. A work of art.

2. A place for your loose change.

3. Catch-all for your desk.

4. Ring holder.

5. A place for your tea bag.

6. A tea light candle holder.

7. A soap dish.

8. Candy dish

9. Trinket holder.

10. A focal point for day dreaming.

You can visit this cute pumpkin in my Etsy store: First Light Glass.

Eiffel Tower Treasury

2009-08-04T18:49:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited to be included in this great Eiffel Tower treasury! Thank you SmilesandSquiggles for putting together this lovely treasury.

I've Been Featured in a Treasury

2009-08-03T13:31:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited to be featured in this beautiful pink and green treasury! Thank you so much BrownstoneBeads! You can check out her great shop at:

http://BrownstoneBeads.etsy.com

If you have time please visit this pretty treasury!

Thanks so much!

I'm Thinking Halloween

2009-08-02T09:03:00.007-04:00

I know it is still unbelievably hot outside, but I'm already looking forward to cooler weather and Halloween. I guess it comes from wishful thinking that I might feel a cool breeze. In honor of fall and Halloween I've started listing some new fused glass pendants. Stop by my shop if you have time!

Boo the Halloween Ghost

Halloween Pumpkin

I've Been Featured on a Blog!

2009-07-30T18:12:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to be a featured artist on Amazon Cat's blog page. Thank you so much Cat! Please check out her blog if you have time!

http://amazoncat.blogspot.com

You can visit her Etsy shop here:

http://amazoncat.etsy.com

She has a great shop full of fantasy and steam punk sculptures.

Please Vote! Glass Challenge Contest

2009-07-26T09:47:00.000-04:00

The Creative Glass Guild of Etsy challenge contest for July was to choose your favorite item from your Etsy store. I entered my plate "One Red Square." Voting begins today and is open through July 28th at midnight. If you have time I would appreciate your votes! You can vote at:

http://cggechallenge.blogspot.com

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL

2009-07-25T18:50:00.002-04:00

I am having a Saturday Night Special sale. Tonight's special is 20% off storewide (sale items included). Shipping, custom and reserved listings are excluded. Just mention *SNS* in your notes to seller and I'll send a revised invoice or will refund the difference via Paypal. SNS officially ends at 6 a.m. Sunday morning EST.

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

I've Been Featured in a Colorful Treasury

2009-07-25T14:26:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited that my Tic Tac Toe game has been featured in this bright and colorful treasury! Thank you so much Niven Glass Originals!

You can view the treasury here:

Color!!

Trading for Christmas Gifts

2009-07-20T08:26:00.003-04:00

I found this great trading event on Etsy yesterday sponsored by Etsy TradeAholics. I've gotten some great Christmas gifts - although I'll probably end up keeping a few for myself! I've also met some great people with amazing handmade jewelry, tote bags, note cards and the list goes on. If you're an Etsian check out the trade thread. The event lasts until Wednesday July 22nd.

I think I'm keeping these beautiful sterling silver earrings from Eternal Rings for me!

Saturday Night Special

2009-07-18T21:28:00.002-04:00

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL - Free shipping on all pendants. Just mention *SNS* in your notes to seller and I'll send a revised invoice or will refund the difference via Paypal. SNS officially ends at 6 a.m. Sunday morning EST on July 19th.

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

You're Just My Type

2009-07-15T19:41:00.003-04:00

I'm excited to be featured in this fun typewriter treasury. Thank you Acorns Vintage!

If you have time please visit this treasury and click and comment.

Thanks so much!

Biltmore Bike Ride - It's Not Flat Like Florida!

2009-07-14T16:01:00.005-04:00

Jonathan and I rode bikes around the Bilmore Estate today. Eleven miles was a whole lot harder in North Carolina than in flat Florida. It was fun to approach the Biltmore house from the back over the open fields instead of from the front, grand entrance. It's amazing how many miles of deserted trails there are on the Biltmore Estate - we went for an hour at one point and never saw anyone else. What a contrast from the craziness of the house tours.

That's the house in the background.

We finished up our ride at the "kitchen garden" near River Bend Farm. These flowers are so beautiful I think I'll have to paint them when the kids are back in school.

Max Patch - Appalachian Trail

2009-07-12T14:54:00.003-04:00

I'm taking a break from my kiln this month to enjoy some family time. I thought I would share pictures from my Saturday hike at Max Patch along the Appalachian Trail. It's a bald mountain top with 360 degree views of the mountains and five states.

The kids decided it looked like the opening scene of The Sound of Music.

This view is taken following the post markers of the Appalachian Trail. We only saw one group of "serious" hikers.

Inspired By My Day

2009-07-07T21:01:00.009-04:00

I've decided to have another post inspired by my day. Today I took the kids and puppy rock hopping in a little creek running in a valley between the North Carolina mountains.

First I found this original acrylic painting by AcrylicArt. It looks just like the tranquil creek we were playing in. Of course add the kids and the puppy and it wasn't quite as peaceful - more loud and filled with laughter.

This bracelet by PilesofStone reminds me of all of the rocks that the kids were hopping over. I love the variety of colors and patterns in this beautiful natural bracelet.

My third find is this cute giclee print by Studio1212. This labradoodle looks just like my puppy. Artist Danielle J. Hurd has captured the sweet look he gets in his eyes when he gazes up at you.

Please take the time to visit these great artists and Etsy Stores!

Thank You! Thank You!

2009-07-06T09:32:00.004-04:00

I'd like to thank everyone that voted for me in the June Creative Glass Guild of Etsy Challenge contest. The theme was "opposites attract" and with a lot of help from my friends my little glass dish "hot and cold" won the challenge. I got a nice write -up on their blog and webpage. I really appreciate all of the votes!

Inspired and Featured

2009-07-05T19:55:00.017-04:00

Inspired By My Day

We visited a little country church today while on vacation in Waynesville, North Carolina. I thought I would search through Etsy to find some great items inspired by my day. Here's what I found:

First I found this great seashell church by SandisShellscapes. It reminds me of Florida and I love the color and texture of the shells.

Next I found this amazing quilt by BirdyGal. It looks just like the church I visited today.

Third, I found this limited edition print by FolkArtSpirit. I love the symmetry of the design and the soft colors.

Please take the time to visit these amazing stores and artists!

I've Been Featured in a Treasury

I'm so excited to be featured in this "hot" glass treasury. What beautiful colors! That's my dish on the top row on the left. Thank you Sybaritic Jewelry!

I've Been Featured on a Blog!

2009-07-03T09:31:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited to be the Friday's Featured Seller on Handmade by Angie's blog. Angie features different Etsy sellers on her blog and has a great shop on Etsy focused on ceramics and crochet.

Check out her blog and store here:

Handmade by Angie's Blog

Angie' Etsy Store

Betsy Ross Treasury

2009-07-02T17:44:00.004-04:00

I just got back from taking the kids rocking hopping in a creek on our first relaxing day of vacation. I couldn't resist checking in on my Etsy store and was excited to find myself in this patriotic treasury! Check it out at: Betsy Ross. Thank you so much Chetart!

Blue Ridge Parkway Bound

2009-07-01T07:39:00.003-04:00

My three kids and a rather large puppy are heading for North Carolina today. We are fleeing the Florida heat and looking forward to hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. My sweet husband gets to stay home and take care of the home front.

My Colorful Cross has been featured on a blog!

2009-06-30T10:11:00.005-04:00

I'm so excited that my Colorful Wall Cross has been featured on a blog today! Thank you so much Jacki of Christie Cottage! Check out her blog at:

http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

Tornado!

2009-06-29T20:20:00.004-04:00

We had some excitement this weekend when this tornado/water spout went by the house. The puppy was running around in circles and the kids were throwing all of their precious stuffed animals in the pantry. When I turned on the news they confirmed that we had actually seen a real tornado. Luckily when it went by our house it was over the river and was still a water spout. It came ashore about a mile away. We're not used to this kind of sighting in our neck of the woods. It took the kids and puppy awhile to hit the hay that night.

Last Day To Vote

2009-06-28T18:36:00.004-04:00

It's the last day to vote in the Creative Glass Guild of Etsy challenge contest for June. The theme was opposites attract. I'd love for you to vote for my "hot and cold" dish at:

http://cggechallenge.blogspot.com

I'm also excited to be featured in this red and blue treasury! That's my tic tac toe dish on the second row on the right. Thanks so much Montagyoo!

Two Treasuries - Yeah!

2009-06-27T14:22:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited to be featured in these two fun treasuries! That's my patriotic pendant in the middle of the first row. It's on sale and I'm offering free shipping - there's still time to order it before the 4th of July!

That's my bullseye pendant in the middle of the second row. It's amazing the variety that people create from the same inspiration of a bullseye.

Don't forget to vote for my "hot and cold" dish in this Creative Glass Guild of Etsy challenge:

http://cggechallenge.blogspot.com

Vote for Me!

2009-06-26T15:53:00.006-04:00

The Creative Glass Guild of Etsy is having an "opposites attract" challenge this month. My entry is "hot and cold" and needs some help in the voting polls. Please vote at:

http://cggechallenge.blogspot.com

I appreciate the help!

Forget Me Nots Will Still Be Blue

2009-06-25T13:41:00.011-04:00

The forget me not flower is wide spread from New Zealand to Europe to the United States. According to Wikipedia, "The Christ Child was sitting on Mary's lap one day and said that he wished that future generations could see her eyes. He touched her eyes and then waved his hand over the ground and blue forget-me-nots appeared, hence the name forget-me-not."

The forget me not is the state flower of Alaska, the flower of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, the symbol of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the symbol of remembrance for Newfoundlanders.

This pendant is available in my Etsy store:

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

Recycled Bottles Part 2

2009-06-24T06:46:00.005-04:00

I've put my original recycled bottle project on hold. I was trying to fuse bottles with a painted on label so that the label would still be there after some time in the kiln. My first attempt with a Coca-Cola bottle is posted below - the red color fired off leaving me with a white stripe. It's harder than I thought it would be to find painted labels.

So I've moved on to bottles that have a pretty color. I think these two have turned out nice. One is a green beer bottle and the other is a dark amber Stewarts root beer bottle. A nice surprise for me is that the "Stewarts" embossed writing stayed on the bottom of the bottle and you can actually read the word.

These bottles make great spoon rests, small cheese boards, a catch-all for paperclips on your desk, or a place for your loose change. They would be a great gift for a man.

I'm excited about continuing my work on this project since I get to take something out of the garbage and make it useable again.

These bottles are available in my Etsy store:

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

One Lovely Blog Award!

2009-06-23T06:48:00.002-04:00

This wonderful award was given to me by Jody of Soaps R Us. You can check out her shop for a great selection of handmade, organic bath and body products. She also has a great blog:

http://handmadeuniqueness.blogspot.com.

I'm excited to have received this award and have passed it along to these lovely blogs:

Dorset Hill Beads

Happy Shack Designs

Scarlett Design

Best Books Ever In My Humble Opinion

Loomin Blog

For the Love of Cute

The LuLu Bird

Double Header Treasuries!

2009-06-22T15:53:00.007-04:00

I'm so excited to be featured in two summertime treasuries. That's my summer flowers paperweight in the second row on the right and my patriotic pendant second row on the left. Thank you so much Chris and PapernClay for these beautiful treasuries!

Both of these fused glass items are available in my Etsy store: http://firstlightglass.etsy.com.

Gardening by the Square Foot

2009-06-21T19:12:00.005-04:00

Tomatoes

Broccoli

I have to take a moment out of my glass blog to brag about my daughter's garden. She has a square foot garden which means you plant a different vegetable in each square foot. The garden is small enough that you can reach in to each square and never have to walk on it. It's a raised bed with a special soil mix so you don't have to worry about weeds or fertilizer. So we call it my daughter's organic garden. So far she has grown broccoli, lettuce, basil, rosemary, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, yellow squash, scallions and cabbage. She definitely has a green thumb!

Carrots

Scallions

Yellow Squash

I've Opened a New Store Front on Art Fire

2009-06-19T12:24:00.004-04:00

I decided to open a store front with Art Fire to reach a new market of potential customers. Art Fire lets artisans list up to 12 items on their site for free without charging fees. I think it is worth a try. I just started adding items to my store today. I'd love for you to check it out!

http://firstlightglass.artfire.com

Sweet Heart Fused Glass Paperweight

2009-06-18T22:03:00.002-04:00

I think this fused glass paperweight featuring a soft pink heart on clear glass is a sweet-heart. It is perfect for organizing that stack of papers on your desk. It would also make a great gift. It comes in an organza bag inside a gift box - ready for gift giving. It is available in my Etsy store:

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

Recycle and Reuse Experiment

2009-06-17T18:44:00.002-04:00

I'm experimenting with reusing - recycling - upcycling bottles. A wine bottle makes a great cheese serving tray. Beer and soda bottles make great spoon rests, wind chimes or even something unique to hang on the wall.

I've been looking for soda bottles or beer bottles with a painted on label. It's not as easy as I thought it would be to find painted bottles. Most bottles have a paper or plastic label. I'm trying to find the perfect fusing temperature to fuse the bottle flat and still keep the label design. So far my experiment with Coke bottles has failed. I was hoping the red Coke label would remain during the fusing process but the red color burned off and I was left with a white stripe. I'll keep you updated with my progress.

I'm Keeping This One!

2009-06-15T06:19:00.005-04:00

I love my amber organic twigs bowl so much that I decided to make one for myself in a beautiful true blue color glass. I've got blue accents all around my house and blue is my favorite color. The shadows and blue light that reflect from this bowl are fascinating. The shadow shapes change as you turn the bowl different directions in the light. I think I'm going to try a red glass bowl next.

Last Day of the Yart Sale (Yard + Art = Yart)

2009-06-14T10:26:00.006-04:00

Today is the last day of my Yart Sale (Yard + Art = Yart).

I will be offering 10% off all items in my store until midnight tonight.

I've got some great gift ideas.

http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

I've Been Featured in a Blog and Treasury!

2009-06-13T08:27:00.007-04:00

I'm so excited to have my Organic Twigs Bowl (how I made it shown below) featured on Scarlett Design's blog page as an Etsy favorite!

I also found myself in this treasury full of lizards. My pendant is bottom row on the left.

Don't forget I have a Yart Sale (Yard + Art = Yart) going on through Sunday June 14th. I'm offering 10% off all items in my Etsy store. http://www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

Day Three of the Yart Sale (Yard + Art = Yart)

2009-06-12T09:27:00.003-04:00

It's day three of the Yart Sale (Yard + Art = Yart) on Etsy. I'm offering 10% off all items in my store through Sunday June 14th. If you're looking for that perfect summer gift or just something for yourself I'd love for you to check out my shop. www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

Organic Twigs Bowl

2009-06-11T06:59:00.009-04:00

I thought it would be fun to take a couple of pictures while I was making my newest piece - an organic twigs bowl. I started by cutting a sheet of glass into strips - I used a beautiful transparent amber glass. Then I layered them in a free form pattern in the kiln.

I fired the piece to 1485 degrees Fahrenheit and let it cool in the kiln. Then I placed the glass on a bowl mold and fired it a second time.

I love the way the bowl turned out - I think it has a wonderful, earthy, organic feel. It reminds me of twigs, leaves or coral.

It is available in my store: www.firstlightglass.etsy.com. I am having a 10% off yart sale (yard + art = yart) through Sunday June 14th.

Yart Sale

2009-06-10T07:03:00.004-04:00

I am participating in an Etsy Yart Sale. What is a Yart sale? Yard + Art = Yart

I will be offering 10% off all of my glass (not including shipping) during the Yart sale. This sale is being sponsored by the Etsy Supply Street Team and runs from Wednesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 14. You can see my Yart Sale at:

www.firstlightglass.etsy.com

Butterfly and Lotus Flowers Plate

2009-06-09T10:41:00.004-04:00

This beautiful fused art glass plate features a mosaic butterfly and two lotus flowers on a creamy white swirly base. This plate is an original one of a kind design and can be displayed as a work of art or used to serve sushi or appetizers. This plate is available in my etsy store.

A Buggy Treasury

2009-06-08T17:27:00.004-04:00

I was featured in a Creative Glass Guild of Etsy treasury this week. The theme was cute little bugs. That's my green grasshopper pendant.

Updating my Etsy Store

2009-06-07T18:34:00.004-04:00

Now that I have finished up at the Riverside Arts Market for summer I have started adding my inventory to my Etsy store. I just added this beautiful one of a kind yellow asian flower plate. You can see my new fused glass at: www.firstlightglass.etsy.com.

I've Been Featured in a Treasury

2009-06-06T15:56:00.003-04:00

I was excited to find myself in this fruity treasury. That's my pineapple pendant - the symbol of hospitality. Nice and cheerful on a gloomy and rainy day.

Geometric Little Glass Dish

2009-06-05T15:07:00.003-04:00

This fun fused art glass dish is clear with a variety of colorful geometric shapes. The dish measures approximately 3 3/4" square and is available in my Etsy store.

Ten uses for this cute little glass dish:

1. A work of art.

2. A place for your loose change.

3. Catch-all for your desk.

4. Ring holder.

5. A place for your tea bag.

6. A tea light candle holder.

7. A soap dish.

8. Candy dish

9. Trinket holder.

10. A focal point for day dreaming.

I've Been Featured in a Blog

2009-06-02T08:28:00.003-04:00

I'm excited to have been featured in a member spotlight at http://etsyteamnfcr.blogspot.com/ . Check it out!

Lime and Cobalt Plate

2009-05-25T08:58:00.004-04:00

This is one of my favorite designs. I love the lime and cobalt colors together. I used transparent and opaque cobalt glass for contrast. It looks beautiful with the light shining through it. This plate is 8 1/2 " square and is food safe. It could be set on display as a work of art or it is fully functional as a sushi or serving plate. This plate is available in my Etsy store.

Two in a Row

2009-05-20T20:14:00.003-04:00

I'm excited to find myself in another treasury today! Thanks to Smokey Lady for including my modern fused glass plate in her eclectic treasury. My plate is in the middle of the second row.

Tuesday Treasury

2009-05-19T19:07:00.005-04:00

A big thank you to Kerri of Athena Creates for including me in this colorful treasury. My cross suncatcher is in the middle of the second row. The title says that she'd like to take one of these beauties home. I agree - I'd like to take home one of Cinful Art's tropical quilts!

Black Eyed Susan

2009-05-18T10:16:00.005-04:00

This original acrylic painting was inspired by a photograph I took at a demonstration garden in Cherokee, North Carolina. I love the butterfly hovering over the black eyed susan.

The painting is 9" high x 12" wide and is available in my Etsy store.

Making a Tic-Tac-Toe Board

2009-05-15T15:47:00.009-04:00

I've gotten a lot of questions about the process of making fused glass so I thought I would take some illustration pictures while making a tic-tac-toe board.

I start by selecting the glass colors I am going to use. Glass comes in square sheets that I have to cut to the desired size and shape. The glass has to be "compatible" which means that it will expand at the same rate in the kiln so that it does not crack.

Once I cut the glass I stack the glass on top of each other. For the tic-tac-toe board I have layered clear, white and blue. For the X game pieces I layer orange, clear and black. By placing the glass in this order it makes the X float over the orange.

I load the board and game pieces in the kiln (I already made the O game pieces earlier). The kiln takes about 12 hours to fire and then cool down. Once the glass is cool I clean it and apply cork cushions to the game pieces. The final game board is smooth and ready for a game of tic-tac-toe.

Magnets

2009-05-14T19:28:00.003-04:00

People keep walking into my arts market booth asking for magnets. I finally took the hint and have created two sets of magnets. These magnets are a fun addition to your kitchen refrigerator to hold up your to do list, pictures or artwork.

Tribal Monkey Pendant

2009-05-13T20:01:00.003-04:00

This fun tribal monkey pendant is one of my favorites. I love the monochromatic colors and the primitive feel of the monkey. It reminds me of a cave painting or African artwork. This little guy has made his way via USPS to Las Vegas, Chicago, Wisconsin and Urbana, Illinois.

Spring Flowers Paperweight

2009-05-12T19:52:00.004-04:00

The clutter on my desk inspired me to design fused glass paperweights. This colorful paperweight has three spring flowers floating on clear glass. The handmade beauty is enhanced by tiny bubbles scattered throughout the glass.

Red and Golden Yellow Cross

2009-04-21T17:27:00.004-04:00

I just took this cross out of the kiln. I love how firey the red came out in contrast to the white, yellow and orange. It's a little bit larger than my other wall crosses and I like the scale. Here's a link to the Etsy listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12297680.

Riverside Arts Market - April 18, 2009

2009-04-19T07:48:00.005-04:00

The April 18th Riverside Arts Market went well with the help of my great assistants Nydia Gunther, Karen Trammell and Amy McGeorge. My booth was easier to see since I have a new sign painted on my tent (thanks to Kathy Stark for the sign). Now you can find me in the sea of white tents.

Riverside Arts Market - April 11, 2009

2009-04-14T12:57:00.004-04:00

The Riverside Arts Market on April 11th was great. Lots of people stopped by and asked great questions about the process of making fused glass. I got lots of help from Nydia Gunther with my booth set-up and layout. It was a great day!