Lacey shawl....

A family birthday is approaching quickly and I needed to make a gift that is not only pretty but pretty functional too. I searched for shawl patterns and found this one. It is called Eva's Shawl. It is an great pattern and so easy for me to follow. I use 100% alpaca, cobweb weight- the brand is J.Knits and I believe the color is called New Jersey.

Working with lead....

I decided I needed to expand my knowledge of working with glass and signed up for a class using lead. Eight hours later I walked out not only knowing how to use lead, but also with a completed project as well. Yes, it was hard work, you definately need upper body strength which I lack. And your fingers get lots of cuts (at least mine did), but it was a tremendous experience. In fact I think I enjoy it a bit more than doing copper foil.

The glass I used was a mixture of English Muffle and Spectrum. I choose both those manufactors because of the ease of cutting. Spectrum cuts like butter. I almost never screw up the cutting and breaking off the pieces is easy. Also it cuts well with curves. The English Muffle is probably my favorite. They have wonderful colors and textures and their glass cuts nice as well. The very best part of it, is that none of the glass leaves behind those nasty jagged pieces that you can't see until they slice your hand. A clean cutting glass.

Welcome 2009!

I put aside everything I was working on to take a look at what I wanted to accomplish this year. I hate the term New Years Resolutions. I would rather call it Accomplishments in the Year 2009.

So here they go.....
1. Expand my recycled glass line of items. Everyone I talk to loves the idea of recycling the wine bottles. I love making cheese boards out of slumped wine bottles, but I need more of a challenge. There may be some possible decorating with paint in the near future. Also some etching may be involved as well.

2. Picture frames. I love the look of glass picture frames. As soon as get my hands on some frame backings, I will post the results.

3. More drapes. Whether it is a candle holder or possibly a lamp shade. I promise to do more drapes.

4. Think of all the possiblities and not be afraid to make a mistake. I don't actually have many "mistake" pieces. That is because I don't take the chance - I play too safe.

5. Expand the jewelry selection. I am actually working on it right now! Currently I am working on a dichroic piece and a few understated pendants.

6. Promote my Etsy shop.

7. Would like to produce my own patterns for stained glass that I can sell.

8. Put to good use my stash of glass. The stained glass is slowly taking over the garage workspace. Not as bad as last year, but still it is a bit out of hand.

9. More beads! Get working on making beads for earring, pens, and pendants.

10. Mosaics. I have the ideas on paper, got to put them into real life!

11. Wall pockets at a better price. Last year I did medium to large pockets. I would like to make ones a bit smaller for a better price. It can be done - just need to think it through

12. To still enjoy what I am doing. If you can't have fun, then why do it?

Happy Holidays.....

I have been working, mostly on stuff for me. I finally finished my stained glass old world santa suncatcher and he is proudly hanging on my front door. I got the pattern from Spectrum's free handout (got to love great patterns for free.). And since I don't have holiday themed glass, I thought I would treat myself to something nice.

The overall size is about 8 inches tall. I did make this with glass I already owned - I have been trying very hard to use up my stash of hoarded glass. The holly cluster on the hat is fused - the original pattern called for a foiled/solder cluster, but I certainly didn't have the paitence for that. Anyway I like the combined style of fused glass with stained glass.

Happy Holidays!

Back to work....

Last Friday we had an ice storm that basically knocked out our power for about 6 days. We spent are days in the house with the fireplace on and our nights in a hotel. Of course I wasn't able to work on any glass related project. Bummer. Here is a picture of what the side yard of my property. All ice!

Glass by Adelina is now at Etsy.....

It is time to buckle down and sell my items. I set up a shop at Etsy today and listed close to 15 items. Mostly bracelets and pendants. There are a couple of ornaments in there as well. If it goes well, I will update the store with more items and some really differant items as well.

If you want to check it out, go to GlassbyAdelina.etsy.com

Hopefully it will take you right there! Hope to see you there!

More socks....

Believe it or not my kids did ask me to make socks for them. I told them I would as soon as I had time. They haven't seen me working on them (I did one pair in just two days) so they would have a nice warm surprise for Christmas. All of it cost me under $10. Either it was leftovers from the skeins of yarn I used for my husbands socks or my socks and one of them was on sale for $3.