New Shop!

I am so excited to announce the opening of my new Etsy shop, The Hourglass. This shop will feature only custom products; tiny boxes with your artwork encased in glass, simple pendants with a photo of your child...what ever you would like preserved in glass.Engagement ring presentation box. Each of the four sides and the top will have a different photo of the happy couple. The bottom will have a message, custom to the couple. The beautiful ring in the box is mine, made by aprilwaoka.
I was not sure if I should just add these new, different, items to my neile shop, but I decided to give them their own space. Neile is all about me and what I create because I can't help it. The Hourglass will be all about the customer, and how I can make items for them to preserve their special memories. I hope I made the right decision. If you are thinking of opening a second shop, stay tuned. I'll be discussing the pros and cons of running two shops as things move along.

Suburban New Jersey

Proof of New Jersey's bear problem:This guy is sauntering away this morning after he climbed a tree to take down my bird feeder. We finally got the feeder to be squirrel-proof, now we have to make it bear-proof.

I didn't get a very good photo, so here are a few bears by wonderful Etsy artists.

The Bear Facts by altardbeast.

Party Bear by artandghosts.

He says he can hear the Forest whisper by HiddenSeek.

New Designs!

I love working with the butterflies, I love their organic shape, and I usually let that direct my design...But, I've been feeling a bit restless (not quite uninspired) and decided to play around with some different designs and shapes. Here is a little bit about my process: Paper patterns glued to the glass and cut to the exact size. Ignore the needs-to-be-replaced work surface.
The butterfly wings are trimmed to size and sandwiched in the glass with copper foil.
The pieces laid out, and ready to be soldered. I purchased a few beautiful green amethyst briolettes from a lovely Etsy seller, JenniferCasadyGems. I'm determined to find a way to incorporate more pretty stones.

The finished product. I really love it. It seems a bit dressier and more elegant than my usual work. I am so excited to explore these ideas further...and to keep shopping for beautiful faceted gems! I'm tempted to keep it, but for now it is for sale here.

Evergreen

I live in a wonderful lake community in New Jersey. Many of the older homes are this amazing lake style; very 'Adirondack', large stone fireplaces, exposed beams, log cabins. Most of them were small, though, and they are almost all being re-built. Fortunately most homeowners here renovate with respect for the tradition and style of the lake.I was commissioned by one of these homeowners with an awesome lakefront log cabin. A new room was added on to the front of the house leaving two openings where doors used to be. She wanted stained glass windows to fill those spaces. The client requested something in the Art Deco or Arts and Crafts style. She was thinking abstract, but in out initial meeting she sort of lingered on the idea of evergreens being part of the design. I worked on some sketches, trying to incorporate the Deco and the trees. It stumped me for a while, but I know that if I just keep sketching, I'll eventually come up with something:

Well, I finally got the design worked out, and that's when Murphy's Law kicked in. I really shouldn't say that yet as I am still working on the windows and much can still go wrong, but these windows have really been a saga for me. Every custom piece comes with it's own issues and challenges. With this project, those issues just seem larger because the windows are so large (and my studio is not)! And I'm still waiting for some back ordered lead...

I'm being a bit of a whiner, but really I LOVE these windows. I'm so happy with the design, and I'm using some special and beautiful glass. I'm so happy with the way they are coming out, I'm just impatient to see them in their new, lovely lakefront home.

And when they are finally installed, I'm going to have them professionally photographed! I found a great photographer on Etsy who live right here in my town. Robert Socha does great work and these windows will deserve something better than my crappy photography.

Rings

I just found the most amazing blog. This chick is totally OBSESSED with rings. If you have a few hours (or days) to kill, check out The Carrot Box to see the largest catalogue of the craziest rings on the internet. She inspired me to find the wildest, most creative rings on Etsy. Here are my picks. I want them all.

"The cage encases a sterling silver flower. It has been painted with nail varnish. The point of using nail varnish, is so the ring can be colour co-ordinated with your chosen colour on the day. Then simply paint over it, when you change your colour again." Holy cow! Available at the awesome chrisparry etsy shop. Articulating Talon Ring, made of Sterling Silver and BrassSterling silver ring, veneered with walnut. I might actually buy this one.

Sterling silver, flamed worked and blown glass. One of a kind. At Nanopod.

Yeah, this one might me mine one day too. From boundearth.

Ring inspired by the geodesic domes of Buckminster Fuller and the growth of triangulated structures in nature such as ice and crystals. From KarenAnnDicken.

Mating Earthworm Cocktail Ring
Patchwork textile ring by kjoo.

Historic Half

I have no idea how I did it, but Sunday morning I ran the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was such a fun day. 5000 runners, 13.1 miles! The course was nice, and the weather was perfect, cool and overcast. My time (2:19) is far from impressive, but I impressed myself that I finished at all! I can't believe I'm saying this, but it really wasn't that hard. I think I sort of zoned out for most of it and just kept moving my feet.

This is me, getting close to the finish...that last mile was so exciting, with people cheering, the finish line in sight! Happily, I'm putting my running shoes away for a while-I've got a swim across the East River to train for!

Monarch Necklace

Look what I just found on Etsy! I love this so much (obviously, duh). I think I might have to buy it for my little niece Megan, who turns five tomorrow. Everyone in my family has one of my monarch butterfly necklace that my Mom gave as memorial gifts when my Grandmother passed away. It would be great for Megan to have her own kid version.
This monarch butterfly wing is hand sewn and made with black, orange, white, and yellow fleece. It was made by weirdbuglady (who has the best user name ever) and is for sale here.