Uhhrggah...cough...cough..

Just wanted to come in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season. I'm sick. Like, 'flat on my back, coughing up unrecognizable things, dizzy and have completely lost my voice' sick. I've been this way for over a week.

I still managed to fill a couple of orders but that was it. One day, I had a small organic bead set and a set of cupcakes that were custom ordered that I needed to get filled. I was able to make everything except for one measly little Black Forest cupcake. I was so sick that, even knowing I was going to have to wait until the next day, fire up the kiln all over again for ONE bead, I still just couldn't make myself stand there any longer. I absolutely, positively couldn't make that cupcake. F*****ing cupcake!

On that note, I leave you with a thought:

No matter what your religion or lack thereof, this is a special time of year, a spiritual time. Enjoy it, embrace it, appreciate what you have and try not to covet what you don't. Don't allow yourself to be ground down and 'Scrooged' by the expense, the hassle, the crowds, the pressure. Spread your joy through gifts of love, not just empty material items and it's true - that old cliche' - you'll be rewarded 1,000-fold for your efforts. That, I think, is Karma which may not exactly be a Christmas philosophy, but it works.

Featuring......?

I'm taking a little hiatus over the next few weeks. I'll still be listing some already made items and a new thing here or there, but I have some custom orders to fill and I have a new project that I'm working on that's distracting me from everything else. I'm so ADD, it's hard for me to focus once I get a new idea in my head. I need to get this new one out of my system.

Sooooo, I'd like to keep the blog interesting during that time and I think a fun way to do it would be to feature a different artist/artisan/craftperson/next-door-neighbor every couple of days. It would include some pictures, a quick blurb and links.

It doesn't matter what you do or make. It doesn't matter if you're a fellow lampworker or not.

I'll be out scouting for interesting items myself, but, if you'd like to participate or know someone you'd like to promote, email me at laurie@mermaidglass.com or leave a comment and I'll get in touch.

Don't be shy. I think this will be fun and a great way to help promote the artistic community.

New Treasury

I got a new Treasury on Etsy this morning. It's a pretty one.

Of Sea and Sand

Is it 2009 yet?

It's a jungle out there!

I just started shopping and it's crazy out there. Usually, I start scouting for those 'perfect somethings' in the summertime, but this year I just had no get-up-and-go, I guess. The commercialism makes me queasy. So does the economy.

So does the media.

They've been beating us down for months about how bad the economy is, how people are losing their jobs and their homes and can't afford to buy a winter coat.

Yet, suddenly, when I watch the morning news, it's full of "The Season's Hottest Toys" and "Don't Forget to Buy for So-and-So". Admittedly, it's all budget minded, but still....

I mean, my daughter watches the news, too. She's confused by all of the, "Hey, we're broke and the average family has 10 grand in credit card debt and can't pay their mortgage, but go ahead and by that new IPhone or flat-screen or Wii. You can deal with it later." Very unsettling.

In protest, we're having a "Cash Only/DIY" holiday. If you can't afford to pay cash for it, staying within a set budget, then you have to make it yourself. Each gift must be personal to the individual receiving it, well thought out and created to the best of your ability. I anticipate the most meaningful Christmas ever!

Off-topic Topic:

Has anyone read "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver? I can't believe I just got around to it. Wow, what a powerful read.

An amazing book full of insights into human nature, politics, religion and history all with a rather light touch. There's such a wealth of human emotion but it's constrained within such beautiful prose that it sometimes sneaks up on you. That can be rare in some of the heavy-handed novels today. There's a line in the Author's Notes portion of the book where she thanks her parent's for teaching her to navigate the path between 'righteousness and what's right'. I loved that.

If you haven't read it, you should give it a try. It might be your thing. And it's a strong antidote for some of the confusion of this season.

Hey, I guess I wasn't off topic, after all!

Stuff and Nonsense

Nonsense

I've been asked again about teaching a lampwork beadmaking class. It's something that happens every few months and I never have an answer. I'm left sort of hemming and hawing and looking bewildered and confused and finally pretending I have to take another call.

Even when the person contacts me by email.

In theory, I like the idea of teaching. I think it would be so fun to spend the day with people who love making beads as much as I do, sharing and getting feedback. It's just that I've never done it.
What if the students know more than me? What if I make a dumbass mistake and everybody asks for a refund or, worse, laughs at me? What if I burn myself and am unable to continue the class and must be driven to the Urgent Care by one of the students?

See? All valid concerns.

If anyone else has had this dilema, please email or comment and let me know. I'm curious and confused.


Stuff

I've been forcing myself to take pictures and edit them and try to get some stuff posted. It's a hateful chore. Don't get me wrong. I'm an avid amatuer photographer.
I just don't like taking pictures of beads. Very tiresome.

But, I did it and so here they are.

These are on eBay right now. Listed very, very low.

~Cabo Set~

~Cabo Focal~

This one, I'm not sure what to do with. I love it. It's gorgeous. I was thinking of making a piece of jewelry out of it but I'm not sure.

~Retro Wave Hollow Focal - Rainbow~

I'm baaaaack!

I hope everyone had a delicious and relaxing holiday. I did. Lots of pie. Yummm!

It was good to see the nephews. They're all grown up now, so they go about their own business most of the time and holidays are about the only time we see them. Or that they speak to us.

I'm trying to gear up for Christmas. That's my holiday. I cook the meal and host the open house and entertain on the big day so it's a lot of work getting everything decorated and cleaned and baked. I love it. I totally feel like a matriarch (even though I'm not) when everyone's gathered at the house and relaxing and hanging out. So cool!

I found the funniest thing on Etsy that I just had to share with you. I hope someone gets this for me for Christmas. Not so subtle hint, hint:

You can find this hysterically inappropriate mug, along with other fun-loving attitude

at the DirtyDishes shop on Etsy!

On a personal note, my fingers finally healed up after what I like to refer to as 'Laurie's Adventures in Organizational Hell' and I've got some things made so I thought I'd share a little bit. I don't have pics of everything, but I'll show what I've got.

On Etsy:

These are going on to eBay tonight at about 9:00.