The 4th Day Of Christmas Specials Count Down

On the 4th day of Christmas Glasstastic Treasures gives to you a great deal on this One Perfect Changeable Necklace for Lampwork Beads.  Read more here.

This great necklace is all you need to wear your really awesome lampwork beads every day.  Simply unscrew the bead post and add different bead(s).  A new look every day!

For today only (12/21/10) you can purchase this great bead at 50% off. Use coupon code 4THDAY during check out! Happy shopping!

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I Am A GLUTTON For Punishment!!

UPDATED ON 7/2/09: COMMENTING IS CLOSED. A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE! THANKS EVERYONE.

I am. Do you remember, just a couple of posts ago I was whining about having too many websites? Well, wouldn't you think then, that I'd get rid of some of them, and NOT sign up for any new ones?

Yeah, I would think that would be what that meant. But NOOOOO! I had to go and follow the crowd. I'm such a lemur.

I had a couple days off from work to sand and stain my handmade by me kitchen cabinets (do not try that at home. Seriously, my hubbs and I wanted to kill each other) but it was so doggone cold out that I sat in front of my computer all morning wondering what I could do to get myself into trouble.

So, here it is. What I did on my Monday off, or-Stupid me, like I have time for these shenanigans!

Now seriously, what are you waiting for. Click on that link and go buy some of my awesomeness! Go!

PS. Remember, I was wondering where I wanted my new home to be. Since Etsy has lost all it's attraction for me. Take my poll to the right there ==> and help me decide.

Post a comment for a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes!! Woohoo! ( I reserve the right to substitute the prizes. Especially if someone buys it before it's won! But either way, I'll make sure you are happy, or close to it.)

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Custom Orders Welcome?

Do you often wonder? Are they welcome? Well, for me, that's kinda my middle name! I specialize in customizing purchases at the local craft and art shows I attend.

I take all my supplies with me (that will be a challenge after the stock I've amassed over this last winter!), but I do that so that I can make exactly what you are looking for!

Ever want a long necklace, something to wear over a turtle neck sweater or dress? Something long and dramatic? Have a hard time finding it? Well, guess what? If you find me, you found your best source. I can make you just about anything you want.

Want leather or suede? Want brown or black? I also have faux suede and waxed cotton cording for you vegans too!

Sterling silver is my favorite. But if you need something a little less pricey, I have some base metal supplies too.

I always say, it's a woman's prerogative to changer her mind. And it's also our prerogative to want choices. I offer color, material, and style choices, along with size choices.

Plus size gals like me get very frustrated with the small items found in great quantities. I'm tired of seeing all the tiny little chains and necklaces. Where's my size?? I have it for you! Whether big or small, I can get you what you want.

Just remember, Glasstastic Customized Treasures. After all-it's my middle name!

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Summer craft/art sale season is here!!

I had to make a difficult decission today: to sale or not to sale? (I know, SALE was spelled that way intentionally, lol)

I had to take into account the gas prices (boo to every oil company that is making billions of dollars at the expense of the poor Americans), the distance I have to travel, the booth fees and the energy I have to expend.

So let's see, gas is now $3.89/gal. I have to drive 2.5 hours. I have to get up at 4 a.m, and I have no energy or inclination to travel that distance at those prices to be let down and lose money because everyone else is in the same boat as me. CAN'T AFFORD GAS!

So, I've decided that I will only be entering into juried art sales this year. I will most like only be doing about 2-4 sales.

I know this may seem drastic to some. And although I usually do fairly well at these sales, I have yet to meet the percentage of sales that is required by the professionals to make the events worth while.

So, I will be taking those gas funds and trying my hand at some sort of advertising. I know, I know... these sales ARE advertising. However, I don't feel that I have many return customers from these sales. So to me, at least, I don't feel they have much of an impact except to make a couple extra dollars on short notice. And now, with gas prices what they are, I don't want to take any chances.

Please, feel free to leave a comment and let me know how your craft sales have done, if you have attendend any!

Good luck, I hope you all do well this summer! :)

Edited on 6/1/08 to add:

I just spoke to my sister, who I do the craft sales with, and she also has decided not to do many shows this year. For her knit items, she gets a ton of repeat customers who call her directly. And for my beads, I do pretty well online. So I feel a whole lot better! SMILES :)

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Winter update: to bead, or not to bead....

Wow, it's finally warmed up to where it doesn't freeze the skin off your face when you go outside. Yikes!

The cold definately makes it hard for me to create beads. So I've had to stick to making jewelry, which is fun, but not as much fun as melting glass and creating minature works of art. Well, hopefully they're artful.

Melted glass gives off dangerous fumes, and I do not have ventalation, yet. We've bought supplies to make a fume hood. The fan is here. And we're ready to go. Hopefully I can get the hood made before my husband has to leave town.

I'll definately have to take before and after pictures. I'm not very good at thinking of that stuff until after I'm done. Then I say, doh, shoulda coulda woulda. But it's too late.

More updates soon. Stay warm!

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Fall is here!

Well, at least it's finally cooled down enough for me to comfortably sit at my torch for hours. But some days it gets too cold! I'm never happy.

Well, our craft sales will be kicking in full steam now. We take August off because it's just too hot out. My last sale was pretty slow, but I was able to touch base with a customer from last year and she has a wonderful project she'd like me to do for her. A birthstone bracelet. The birthstones will be replaced by floral beads. Each bead will have the birthstone color of one of her grandchildren. She's waiting for the newest arrival to their family before we finalize the details. What fun!

I've been making some leaf beads, and focals in fall colors. The halloween beads sold great on the etsy site, www.glasstastictreasures.etsy.com. I still have some left. But above are some of the newer ones I did yesterday, and I'll have more online tomorrow night.

Happy fall everyone!

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Let the sales begin!!

Well, Sunday June 17th marks the start of our craft sale season. I pack up every piece of jewelry making equipment I have and load it into the trunk of my Impala (piece of crap car) and venture off into craft sale land.

My sister and I started this about 3 years ago to earn money for the Amery Humane Society, Amery Wisconsin. Then we started adding our own products. Then, much to the animals chagrin, we ventured out on our own. Oh, and I actually did one season selling nothing of my own just to help her out. She better remember me in her will!!

My sister sells hand knit items. Baby sweaters, blankets, and cute little fruit hats for kids. But enough advertising her her.

I pack all my glass beads right next to my jewelry supplies and sell sell sell. I do very well at the sales. I make about $200.00 per sale. And that was just my first year. This is my second year selling my beads, and I'm hoping to do much better, now that I know what to expect.

It's fun to get out and meet new people. They're always amazed at what I've created with my hot glass. And quite frankly, so am I.

I just finished a 5 hour session at my torch. I've created a couple of flowers. A dog head, and dog bone. Two sea horses, a snail, a couple lobsters. And god only knows what else. I've forgotten, as the Alzheimer kicks in. Must need more coffee.

One of these days I'll have to figure out the You Tube website and post a video of my bead making skills. Quite the feat, I must say. It's amazing that I can actually make that dripping glob of molten silica turn into anything recognizable!

I'll post some pictures when the beads are done cookin' in the kiln. But my favorite is a little monster I've made thanks to the talented Sharon Peters. She's awesome at bead making, and I'd grovel at her feet if I knew where she lived.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend.
Jamie

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