Murrini Monday

A Happy Murrini Monday to One and All!

A new rainbow turtle, using my latest blend (that I won!) called Spectrum, from loriandkim. This bead isn't listed yet - it still needs to be annealed.

Murrini turtle for your big-hole bracelet. He'll be listed later today.

Selma the spring pug is showing off some murrini on her side ~ she's in my shop, waiting patiently to be adopted.

Oddly enough, Salvador's favorite song is "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." You can find him in my shop, trying to impress the ladies with his pretty blooming murrini.

Muriel is super happy with her burst of sunny flower murrini ~ the other side is different. She's in my shop, too.

Public Displays of Cuteness

Our kittens, Ernie and Bert, taking it easy after their neuter and declaw surgery.

Therapy Thursday ~ How to Trick Your Kids

See that black thing on the ground? Does it look like a cat tail? Well, it is, but not a real one. My daughter was a black cat for Halloween, and the tail was part of her costume. And as you probably know, kids don't stop dressing in their costumes after Halloween is over. The cat tail has long been a staple in our dress-up bin, but lately it's been showing up in places where it appears there's a cat attached to it. We happen to have a large black cat, so when you walk around a corner and see the tail on the floor, you naturally think Buzz, the real cat, is attached. The tail has been driving my son crazy because he thinks it's Buzz every time. So of course I've been having some fun with that.

Is that a real cat around the corner? Nope.

How about in the hamper? Uh uh.

This one I'll have to leave until my son gets home from school.

Here's Buzz, tail intact.

I've come to realize that playing tricks is a big part of our family life. We recently went to our 1st grader's school conference, and her teacher gave us her most recent writing sample. It was called "How to Trick Your Dog." Enough said.

If you're on the receiving end of a harmless trick, I'll admit it can be aggravating. But it's also a tension reliever, especially for the tricker.

Wordless Wednesday

Murrini Monday

I was the lucky winner in March on Lori and Kim's murrini website - dreams really do come true! They let me pick from their new blends, and it was no surprise that I chose Spectrum, which is aptly described on their site as rainbow fabulousness! I love it! So watch out for some new and brightly colored murrini on my beads.

I'm pretty sure the eyes on this owl are from my new Spectrum blend, but if I look into them too long I'll go into a trance.

Two turtles, two different murrini blends. One love.

I've been trying to figure out how to do a turtle pandora bead, and I think murrini could be the answer to the shell. Ignore the cat hair.

This penguin is rocking out his murrini belly.

Despite the pretty rainbow murrini belly that was bestowed upon this sweet red penguin, she still has that Debbie Downer look on her face. Cheer up, girl!

Etsy Inspiration

I admit, I am inspired by other artists on Etsy. It happens all the time, and it's almost always something in the Pets section that hits me. This week it was a painting and some dog accessories that caught my eye.

When I saw this Boston Terrier Dog Art Print by rubenacker, I knew I had to make my own glassy version. I think his Boston Terrier wears the ears with more confidence than mine. His shop is filled with wonderful and humorous dog artwork - my kind of shop! Thank you for the inspiration!

Here is my version of the Boston Terrier in bunny ears. His name is Bubba.

The pug wearing the Easter Bunny Hat from ilickyou is so flippin' cute! When I saw this, I knew I had to try to make it in glass. I love making pug beads, and this little pug was the perfect model.

Here's my version of the pug in bunny ears. This was a fun bead to make! Thank you, ilickyou, for the inspiration! There are lots more more adorable pet head adornments in ilickyou's shop - check it out!

Fire Divas Jewelry Challenge - Game On!

I don't make a whole lot of jewelry (see the turtle ring above), so I really appreciate the work of talented jewelry designers. It takes a lot of creativity and skill. So the Fire Divas want to reward those efforts, and thank everyone who has purchased our beads. We're currently taking submissions for our second Jewelry Challenge, and we want to see what you've been making with Fire Diva beads. Don't miss out on this challenge ~ there are some crazy good prizes to be won!

It's time for the Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge! The theme for this challenge is Spring! Show us your beautiful Spring themed jewelry creations featuring Fire Divas' lampwork. Head over to the Flickr site to see many beautiful jewelry pieces made with Fire Divas' lampwork to inspire you! You have the chance to win these incredible prizes from the Fire Divas:

$50 Gift Certificate to http://www.hollysfolly.com

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com or
http://www.LAJewelryDesigns.etsy.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com or
http://www.teasebeads.etsy.com

Bentley the Blue dog from Lauren of Maybeads

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.arensea.artfire.com

$25 Gift Certificate to http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.lutrick.artfire.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.BabsBeadsandDesign.artfire.com

$20 Gift Certificate to http://www.JanelDudleyBeads.etsy.com

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than April 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Ok, go have fun creating, and good luck to all who enter!