Frit & Toni Lutman...

Hi all...this one is going to be quick and easy...ok there are so many things to tell you about, first off I love love love giving a bath to our guinea pigs, they are so cool, they just sit there & let you wash them & dry them & clip their nails...we saw The Kids Are Alright, it was a great movie...Other than that I have been busy at the studio with students & frit & making beads, beads will be added later this eve, so when you wake up on Sat & Sun this weekend you will have a choice of a ton of new beads...so check out my etsy shop often to see all the new yummies...

I will be teaching a class today to two sisters from Arizona, who are also here to take Toni Lutman's sold out class on Saturday...I know you wish you could take Toni's class too, we are so excited to have her, sign up for my email list to find out about classes, beads & new tools...

Grace has new yummy COE 96 frits in her etsy shop for sale...yours truly helped out with picking  colors & testing...it was very fun for me...I love the new colors which are called. Amazon, Monterrey, Ocean Breeze, Purple Passion, Tropical Sorbet, Victorian Pink & very warm Indian Masala...check them out they are awesome & well priced...

Lets see we had our monthly meeting last Friday at the Studio & there was so much fun to be had, Ed Ferner came with a video of his work that won an award, Jen & Jim brought out the big machines, I learned how to trim & polish my fused pieces, its a long process dont know why all the great fusing artists out there dont charge more for their work...although if I had done it right in the first place I would not have too much polishing to do...we had a few new people at our meeting, and then second...you can see all kinds of photos and stories on our Studio Blog...

Last weeks winner of the yummy set of 3 garden beads is Brenda H. send me your address girl...they yummy bead above is a pillow shape bead silver foil encased in two transparent colors and details in white stringer, I love this bead, been holding on to it for a while and today I decided to let it go...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

Thanks for stopping by...life is very good
Jelveh
Peace

A little of Everthing...& Heather Trimlett...

Hi all, hope you are doing well...life here is good if not a bit cold for this time of the year...I just wish the weather would make up its mind, be warm when its supposed to be & cold when its supposed to be...

This past week Grace, Frank & I had the pleasure of taking a one day class in enameling with Gloria B. one of the most talented & generous people I have met in a long time, she ...having never done any enameling I had no idea what to expect & I am happy to report it was so much fun...I am looking forward to making more enameled pieces & we will bring one of Gloria's most favorite teachers to do a class next year...life is so good when you get to create...

Speaking of Creating & great teachers, we are happy to announce Heather Trimlet will be here at our studio to teach a class on her very famous Hollow Vessels, Spare Tire beads & if time allows Core Formed vessels, the class is going to be held on September 11 & 12 2010...for more information on the class & to reserve your space send an email to Jelveh or Grace...we are so very excited about this class...photo below is small representation of Heather's awesome glass art...

Grace & I also did some fusing, kind of my first time, I have fused 104 glass before, broken in half beads to be exact,  but this time it was honest to goodness coe 90 glass dichro on black & I even added some copper cut outs from my new friend Katie's etsy shop to one of my pieces, now we have to cut and polish them...

About my new beads, like the weather, I too could not decide what kind of bead mood I was in this past week, so I made a little bit of everything...I have started listing them all in my etsy shop & hope to finish by later tonight...in the mean time the photo below is of all the beads coming today...

And last but not least, we have a winner for last week's bead giveaway...Mary, from Mary Me wins the beads for last week, please send your addy girl...and for this week I have the delicious set of spring flower beads above, enter to win them by making a comment on this post...

I almost forgot, dont forget this Friday the 13th of Augest (3pm to 7pm)we will have our monthly meeting at the Studio, there will be lots of fun to be had, from demos to giveways and dont for get the food...

Thanks for stopping by...life is so so good...

Jelveh

Peace

Let's try something NEW....

Wow over two weeks since I blogged, I could tell you we were on holiday, but that’s not so, I could tell you I was busy with family, well that could be true, I could tell you a whole bunch of reasons for not blogging, but mostly I have to say I was just plain lazy…I was making beads & teaching classes, seeing movies (Must see Inception & Salt, both good)…buying a bunch of new glass related goodies which I will list below…we also attended Grace & Frank’s (my friends & studio partners) daughter’s wedding which was awesome…the whole day was lovely & it felt like there was a lot of love & romance in the air, check out some of the photos on our studio’s blog at www.Gracefulstucoms.blogspot.com Grace used a cool program called Smile Box to do a slide show of the wedding photos which is rather cool...

I have been adding new beads every other day, so there are a lot of new beads to check out in my etsy shop, more to come every day or so…

what I am most excited about this week is using Copper Cut Outs from Katie of Katie Lee Designs in my beads, they are so very cool, I have used copper wire and copper mesh in my beads before, but not cut outs, these are just perfect, I just love the fact that Katie is making these for us to use, the cost is very reasonable too, you get a bag of 25 cut outs perfectly sized for use in beads for use under $3.00, she has a tons of designs…below is a photo of one of my new beads with two of her cut outs…I love them…you will too…

Speaking of new glass goodies, check out the new frit book from our friend Val Cox, called Frit Secrets-Condensed, this is a abbreviated version of the original Frit Secrets by Val Cox, which is the best companion for all frit users & lovers…while you are at it check out her great frit too...

Last new item, not new, but just a reminder that Graceful Studios is now selling the ever popular Squeeze me Right Mashers in the new larger size named Big Brother Mashers, check them out I have one of every masher they make and love them all….also don’t repeat this it’s a secret but a new masher is being developed as we speak…

Now for the winner of last time I had a bead for giveaway goes to Stefanies Sammelsurim from Germany…please send your address…for this week I have the delectable set of 3 beads olive green encased silvered ivory organic beads with a copper cut out leaf on each side…ready for fall or any other time of the year…enter to win this set by making a comment on this post or sending me an email at

A quick reminder that Heather Trimlet & Pati Walton’s classes are coming up fast and I think Pati’s class is full but we are taking names for the our waiting list…need more info check out our blog or send us email Jelveh or Grace…

Thanks for stopping by…life is GOOD…

Jelveh

Peace

Hot hot days of summer....

Hi all, hope you are having a great summer like we are...our trip to the Russian River was very fun, some photos below, we had a great 4th of July weekend...The river was very nice, but the Red Woods were amazing we took a couple of long hikes in the park...the tall tree canopy made the park a very cool place to be at...the one tree we are standing in front of is 1400 years old and named after the founder of the park... oh we saw the best movie ever so far this summer Despicable Me...you will love it...

since then I have had a couple of students & made a ton of beads most of which have been listed  in my etsy shop...a group photo of the beads below...last week's discount still applies to everyone on my email list, if you remember what it was please mention it at checkout in etsy and I will refund your discount via paypal...

Dont forget to join us at the studio on Friday Aug 13th for our monthly meeting, Toni Lutman's class for Aug 21st is all booked now, we still have a few openings for Heather Trimlets class in Sept. & Pati Walton's class in Nov. check out all the info & see all the new tools at Graceful Studios Blog...

Last week's encased flower bead goes to our own Amber...the random picker like her...this week's bead is a yummy bead I made with silver glass...enter to win by making a comment on this blog post...

Thanks for stopping by, Life is good...

Jelveh

Peace

Happy 4th everyone...

We are having fun as this weekend is the 10th anniversary of our first date...hope you are having a great & safe holiday yourself...the cute guy in the video and in the photo below is Ari, other wise known as Michael Cera Jr. we are hosting him at our house for the next couple of weeks in his own house of course to see if he gets along with Mr. snuggles...if they don't get along I think we will still keep him, just not in the same house with our other boy...click on the second photo to see Ari eating...

and this is a photo that shows how much they like each other so far & the size difference...Ari AKA Michael Cera Jr. is a year older & well eats all the time, he has to keep his figure...

Check out the new beads in my etsy shop....

Thanks for stopping by...Life is good & hope your 4th of July holiday is awesome...

Jelveh

Peace

Mr Snuggles & New Beads...

Ok, I know its been forever, but there is so much to do & so little time to do it in, its been almost two weeks since I came back from my trip to Turkey & the things of have done a lot of are, spend time with hubby,   sleep, be at the studio making beads & getting ready to go on holiday...but the one thing I have done the most is snuggle Mr. Snuggles...the newest member of our family...

You see sadly our beloved Sammy the best hamster ever who came to America with us from England passed away a week before I went to Turkey for my class, he had a stroke at the ripe old age of 3 & died in my hands...we were heartbroken, he had seen us through a lot of good & tough times...needless to say my trip to Turkey & my time there teaching was all overshadowed by the loss of Sammy...he is in hamster heaven now...both hubby & I cried for some time & still do a bit here & there...
However life must go on & so does loving small critters...

Enter Mr. Snuggles...he is a baby Guinea Pig...unlike Sammy, he loves & needs to be held & he is constantly talking...so I guess I am finding out what it may be like to have a baby who needs to be held all the time...I have been looking for a friend for him, I was not able to find another Guinea Pig yet, I am surprised that they did not have him with a friend for sale, as many Guinea Pigs need companions & are sold in pairs...so guess who he is bonded with? he is even jealous of hubby when I pay any attention to him while Mr. Snuggles in on my lap...

In other news, I have new beads, Listed many on my etsy shop, will list more in the coming days...photo below...

Last Friday we had our Monthly Get Together at the Studio check out the photos & the story of the fun had by all....be sure to stop by Grace's etsy shop & check out the much sought after new mashers that Frank has been making, I love love all of them...

On Sunday I had 2 lovely students Wendy & Gloria in my beginning lampworking class, I can tell they are both going to be great bead makers & I am glad to report they are both Glass Addicts already...I have another student Amber coming in on Tuesday...I love my job & getting a chance to meet all these lovely people...

Mel P. wins the yummy vessel from last week...for this week I have a yummy encased dichro background pink flower focal bead...I love the way it came out, its about 20mm long & made in to a pendant with silver I bought in Turkey...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

I am sure there is more that to talk about like two very good movies we saw this past week, Knight & Day, a great fun movie & Grown Ups, another fun movie...

Thanks for stopping by...life is very good...

Jelveh

Peace

Rock Around the Clock....

Ok well not exactly Rock Around the Clock anymore, more like I have been sleeping since I got back from my trip to Turkey which was a bit like Rock Around the Clock for about 19 days...I had a ton of fun...I had lots of adventures...met great people & in general am pretty happy about my trip...I got a ton of silver to keep to myself as always...I know I always bring silver and goodies back & never really share with you guys...this time I promise to list a few items...I have over spent again...lol...

Hope you are all doing well...& life is good for you...

I know the golf spill is still going on & that is really sad...perhaps that is the only way we learn to change our ways, when we actually see nature damaged beyond repair, hope its not too late to turn a new leaf in the way we treat our planet...

I do have some beads & a real up date will come this next Monday or Tuesday, when I have had time to take photos & such...There are some beads in the shop & I have a set or two of beads that I will try to list today...

in the mean time check out this link on my face book photos for the story & photos about my class & my great students in Istanbul... http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=83992&id=1142616817&ref=pb

The last bead listed in May on the blog giveaway goes to Stephanie...thanks girl...for this week I have a very nice, very cool, took me forever to make corked vessel made with silver glass up for the giveaway...enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post or go to the facebook link above & make a comment there...

I am to out monthly meeting today, sorry I did not give a longer heads up about it, but its today from 3pm to 7pm at Graceful Studios... by the way if you have not checked it stop by Grace's etsy shop & take a look at the many new mashers they got...I sold all of the ones I took to Turkey with me, my students & my friends love them....

So much for a quick update, thanks for stopping by...life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Can you Believe what she said...?????

Hi all, dont you love email marketing? now that I have your attention...I just wanted to say sorry for the silence, been busy getting ready for Turkey & fighting a sinus cold thing...its the weather I tell, its cold one day, sunny one day & wet the next...I am confused, its the end of May already....where is my sunshine...ok enough weather talk, life is good here, lets get to the beads...

I made tons of beads, all kinds of beads, big ones, little ones, fishy ones, flower ones, you name it, I made it, I even made a shirt & a skirt bead...more on them later...I have listed many of them in my etsy shop...some are sample beads I am taking to my class in Turkey...so they will not be listed, not yet anyway...so below is a photo of most of them together...

Beauty Contest...some of you may remember that I used run a beauty contest every few months, where you sent in photos of jewelry or art pieces made with my beads & then I had Fire Mountain Gem vote on the best one, so we are doing it again, this contest will start sometime in mid to late June, I will post photos on to the blog as they start arriving, & it will go until the 15th of Aug...Rules are simple, the piece has to included my glass beads or bead...1st place will get a $100.00 gift cert. to my etsy shop, 2nd place will get a $50.00 gift cert. & 3rd place will get a $25.00 one...please make sure your photos are nice and clear...after all your name will be on them...you can start sending photos in now, but officially the contest will not start until mid June...

New Tools, ok as you know I dont talk about a tool unless I love it...last week I ordered and got in the mail very fast a disk shape bead roller from Donna Fleckner of CGBeadRollers I got the disk one and she kindly sent me a sample one to take to my class in Turkey, which I am giving away to one of my students as a gift in one of the bead challenges that I do in class...now mind you this tool is not new, Donna has been selling these for a few years now, but its new to me...I love love love using these rollers, there is a set that I have listed today that was made entirely with the sample bead roller which Donna gives away monthly to one of her lucky buyers...check it out when you get a chance...

Last week's two small focal beads goes to our own Brenda H. Thanks for palying all...for this week, I have this yummy new focal bead made with some silver glass & my new frit Tempest Rain (which will be available for sale in my shop soon) enter to win this bead by making a comment on this post...

Thanks for stopping by, life is good, my brother is doing well...oh yeah I forgot to mention I turned 46 wow 46, getting awfully close to that 50 mark...hubby got me an Ipad for my birthday, took me to Monterrey to the beach, there is also a message scheduled, he is so very cool...thanks hubby...on the way back, I had to stop by the studio to pick my beads from yesterday & share with Grace yet another new tool I got in the mail yesterday (which I will share next time), I walk in to the studio and all these people say Surprise, Grace had gone stealth & put together a great party with all kinds of Glassy friends & A strawberry short cake "cake". Ice cream, a banana cream pie, candles & champagne, she is so so sweet...I could not ask for better friends & family like these in my life, I am such a lucky girl & all I have to say is I am thankful for all the love in my life...you are all the best... oh yes forgot to mention, very soon, you will see more yummy tools from Graceful Customs...in the next update I will explain more...

Jelveh

Peace

Mother's Day Blues & New Beads...

Hope you had a great Mother's day...we missed seeing all of our mom's today...for one thing I have been sick since our last adventure this past Mon to Wed to Los Vegas...Hubby had some work to do, I went along for some fun...my sister reminds me that if I listened to her I would not get sick every time I fly...something about airborn....I did call all the mom's however & made plans to make it up to them...
oh yeah trip to sin city was fun, we stayed at the brand new very modern Aria Resort & Hotel with views of the strip...

I did had some fun making some beads before we left, below is the group shot of what I am listing by 7pm Monday night 5/10/10 in my etsy shop...check them out...already listed few of the Tempest Rain beads, the Bird Nest, the Lady Bug, Flower implosion & I forget but there is more...

A few of the beads I made this week have my brand new, possibly someday for sale, yummy frit which I call Tempest Rain...oh what a fun she is...the lucky students in my class in Turkey will all get a bag of this yummy frit among other goodies, don't forget the dates are May 30 to June 12, Glass Furnace...I will be teaching two 5 day classes...each will be filled with a ton of new information & detailed design ideas for making yummy glass beads...I wish I had been able to take this class a few years ago when I was just new at bead making...well enough about how great this class is going to be, see you there...

Speaking of seeing you there, this coming Friday we will have our monthly get together MGT at Graceful Customs, make sure to go past the calander on the blog to see the post about this coming Friday...and yes its true Grace has been practising her bead making, she is doing, I dont know about my being patient however, I can be a real task master when it comes to teaching, but I am fun, or at least I have been told I am fun in class...anyway come join us for some fun at the torch, wire wrapping demo by Jen, fused glass groove maker demo by Grace & I will make a few vessels & blow some shards, you can play on a torch too, bring your art to show, share & sell...drawing for a gift at 6pm or so...oh yeah Frank is working on some yummy new tools too, come see the new Squeeze-Me-Right-Masher in action...it may not be sexy, but it works like a charm, plus sexy cost more money & this tool is functional, clean, small, nice to hold, great to mash with & did I mention at $28.00 its a steal...& yes its not sexy...IMHO.

Last week's yummy pink focal goes to Penny...please send your address, also Nikki, I did not get your addy yet for the week before...for this week the giveaway is made of two beads, I was testing some new colors & frits with older ones...the results are very yummy, the cone is about 25mm long, the tab is about 23mm which I made with my brand new Frit, Tempest Rain...love them both, enter to win them by making a comment on this post...

Well as always I am sure there is more to tell, like how I am going crazy packing & getting ready for my big trip to Turkey...but will catch up later...

Thanks for stopping by...life is good, save for this nasty oil in the gulf business, my heart goes out to the planet & the animals & all the folks who live in the affected areas...I hope you all have a great week...
Jelveh
Peace

Life is good...New Beads...

Hi all, hope you are doing well...life is good around here too, my brother is recovering well...I am busy & getting ready for my teaching trip to Turkey late May early June...there is a few spaces left in both classes if you are interested..send me an email for more information, also the link to the class is on the right hand side of this blog...

Also do you remember the awesome Bracelet Kelli Burns made with my beads that was entered in Bead Style Magazine well it won the contest, I know I am bad, but I forgot to mention that it had won...so now it is going to be featured in the July issue which will be out in early June...cool beans for Kelli & I...thanks again Kelli for making such a yummy bracelet...

I have some new yummy beads for you in my etsy shop...I have 35 beady items in my shop now...will be adding a few more in the next few days as well...check them out in the photo above...

Last weekend Graceful Studios we held another great class, this time in Rock Carving...I stopped by for a visit & took some photos, sadly I was not able to take the class due to family obligations...but will try next time Ron & Carmen are in town...see Ron & Carmen's work on their site

The feedback is coming in on the best masher I have ever used, everyone loves it...check out this new awesome tool Squeeze-Me-Right-Masher & get yours now, worth every penny & more...

The yummy focal & friend set from last week goes to Nikki, send your address girl...for this week I have the retro pink focal bead above, I love the way it came out...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

There is more to tell, but time is short, need sleep, thanks for stopping by...life is good, save for that big mess of oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico...so sad watching it all happen...we need to care more about our home & what we do to it...
OH stand by for a new contest on the blog...your designs with my beads....

Jelveh
Peace