Meet Nancy Addante of Smokeylady54

Meet Nancy Addante of Smokeylady54

You can visit her great Etsy store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=37929

How many years have you been an artist?

I have been working in different art forms since Grammar School.Just always loved playing with different colors in any type of medium.I was a art major in High School and spent some time at the Art Instutite of Chicago.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I stated working in lampworking about 2 years ago. But I did work withsemi-precious beads to make jewelry for years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Just sitting still and looking at the world that surrounds us.

When do ideas come to you? How often?

All different times. While driving, pulling weeds from my garden, cooking dinner. Some times I have to stop what I am doing and write notes. And I think of different ways to make a necklace or a bead all the time, they just do not always look like what my mind thinks they will and NO one gets to see those items.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?

At least 6 hours a day to really work on things, wish I had more time in the day to play as it really is not work!

Do you create daily?

I am not always torching, but putting necklaces together, cleaning beads, pulling necklaces apart if I do not like the looks of them (that happens often)Pulling rods that I want to work with, etc. I also have old customers that still buy my note cards so at least one day a week is devoted to that.

How important is it for you to create art?
I would be lost if I could not make items with my hands. Pete would more than likely commit me, I would just get crazy, well more so than I am now.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?

You always give up something when you create but it is so worth it. It is a joy not a sacrifice in any form. Sure I spend money on glass and other things instead of a new car or clothes but it is worth it.

Describe your studio:

I work in a small spot in my basement and clean it up every time I am done for the day or I could not do the laundry.....LOL sad but true!!!!!

Tell me something about you:

I am just a 61 year old lady that loves what I do. I just hope that I get to do lampworking for a long long time.....

Meet Sonnee McCabe of Eccentricity!!!

Meet Sonnee McCabe of Eccentricity
You can visit her store here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5230081&order=&section_id=&page=2

How many years have you been an artist?
I started painting dried gourds and working with gourd masks and fiber work in 1989 on a regular basis. Before that I did occasional work with "wearable art" and home decor. I definitely fall into the "late bloomer" category.

How many years have you worked with glass?
I took my first stained glass class 5 years ago and was a total klutz at soldering. I then took a class in fused glass and was immediately hooked on it.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It can literally be anything. I am drawn to color and texture and abstract design.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
The ideas come more frequently than the product. I can't begin to keep up with myself. I do go through periods of non-creativity though and have learned it is best to honor those times and take the time off. If I try and go ahead and work, I usually do not have good results.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Well I think about it daily and I have a home studio so I am in and out of it all the time. I don't have a regular schedule though. Some days I work for 5-6 hours or more and then it may be a few days before I do anything else. When the pressure is on and my inventory is low, I really get busy and work long hours. I tend to work late at night or mid-day. Early mornings are never good for me.

Do you create daily?
I always have a creative project of some type going but it is not always fused glass. I also sew and do alot of home decor work, I paint floor cloths and furniture, I work in my flower garden. I still do some small wearable art items and I make some wall pieces out of recycled objects. I have to have variety in my work but the downside is that I frequently get too much going at one time and then I don't do anything as well as I would like.

How important is it for you to create art?
It is my "sanity". It is definitely an integral part of who I am.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
Well I no doubt would starve to death if I had to support myself but I am very fortunate to have a husband who supports and sustains me in doing my art work. I also didn't start doing it until after I took early retirement from the health care field.

Describe your studio:
My studio is actually an enclosed porch. It is fairly large with alot of windows and a small garden pond with a waterfall outside which I can hear even with the windows closed. It doesn't have alot of storage space and it serves as my sewing room, crafts area, computer center as well as my fused glass studio. I have a small kiln in it and a larger one in the garage. It is a cheerful and peaceful room and my favorite place in our home.

Tell me something about you:
I have lived in south Florida for the past 15 years and before that in Colorado and DC. I grew up in WV and went to school in KY. I graduated from UK in Social Work and worked in mental health for 25 years. I have been married for longer than most of you have been alive. I have two grown children, five grandchildren and one ornery little cairn terrier named "Zoe". I do volunteer work with the local humane society in their pet therapy department. Zoe is one of the "Paws to Read" dogs where kids who are having difficulty reading read aloud to the dogs. I am an avid gardener and like to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I love working with the fused glass and I am fascinated at the moment with the "pot melts" and the randomness of the designs.

Meet Linda Turvey of Studio17!!!

I am pleased to introduce you to Linda Turvey of Studio17.

You can visit her wonderful etsy shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5004773


Below is my interview with this talented artist:


How many years have you been an artist?
I’ve always considered myself a glass craftsman when someone asks me this question. I’m still exploring and experimenting pushing the boundaries to see how far the beautiful magical world of glass can take me.

How many years have your worked with glass?
It all started over 25 years ago. The journey began with the copper foil stained glass technique. Mosaics then piqued my curiosity and now kiln work. It’s been a rewarding time.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It could be almost anything, something I’ve seen in passing, a picture, and especially talking with others.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me at the oddest times, mostly when I’m having a quite moment to myself. My creative mind is always working especially when I’m involved with a project, or someone needs help with a idea.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I’m limited to the evenings to work on my art, or to teach the classes I have. By day I’m a engraver, it too is very creative for me.

Do you create daily?
Yes I do I’ve always got projects on the table, and am in the studio every evening and full days on the weekend.

How important is it for you to create art?
My art is my way to unwind from my hectic schedule. I get lost in time when I’m creating it’s very relaxing for me. Every once in a while I have to step back, but it’s more catching up on sleep than anything.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice? Have you given up certain luxuries?
Not at all, I’m fortunate that my husband and family supports what I’m doing and understand the goals I’ve set and are helping me achieve them. With teaching I’ve met and shared my passion for glass and been able to start my students on their journey with glass.

Describe your studio.
My studio is the basement of my home. I have two rooms set up. The main area is my working space. A big table sits in the center of the room for working on. Around the perimeter of the room are shelves, benches and cupboards for all my tools of the trade. I’m forever re-organizing things to make my space efficient to working in. I tell my students don’t get use to that being there because it might not be there next week. I’ve also have a computer, TV, DVD and radio in this space. I have a room off the main studio that holds all my glass and mosaic supplies.

Tell me something about you.
I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. My SO and I have been together 27 years, in 2007 we decided to get married. Our DD and SIL are in the process of a International Adoption, we’re all very excited about this, and I’m waiting patiently for the day I can hold my Grandchild.
I also enjoy gardening, and reading. I’m constantly researching to find new ways to work with glass and take classes my self in areas that interest me.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am offering a new giveaway. It is being featured on another blog. Make sure you sign up!
http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/

Check Out this GREAT Etsy Artist Stacey Reed

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5267803

Stacey Reed of JS GLASS ART was kind enough to grant me an interview.
Make sure you check out her store (see the link to her store)

How many years have you been an artist?
Maybe in the last five years, or so, I’ve considered myself good enough to be called an artist.

How many years have you worked with glass?
9 years. Like many people doing kiln work, my first introduction to glasswork was through stained glass. I started doing kiln work within two months of learning stained glass.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
My brain thinks more mechanically than artistically. If I see something interesting in some other medium I’ll automatically start thinking of how I can create it in glass. I enjoy the manipulation of glass more than making sure it’s artistically pleasing.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Most of my ideas come to me while I’m working with the glass. A lot of the time the piece I’m working on will come out differently than what I originally intended because of a new idea popping into my head. I’ll also get a great idea just as I’m falling asleep, unfortunately, I won’t remember it when I wake up.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art? Depending on the season. In the summer it’s common for me to get in the studio first thing in the morning and work until dark. In the winter I usually wait for it to warm up a bit before going out. It can get pretty cold in there.

Do you create daily?
No. I do need to take time off. Usually it’s just a day here and there, but sometimes I need a whole week. If I’m working on a technique, or trying to figure out a problem, I can get a bit obsessive about it and will need the time off to regenerate.

How important is it for you to create art?
Very important. I’ve always felt the need to create. A physical need. My hands get restless if I go too long without creating something.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice? Have you given up certain luxuries?
No. I’ve been lucky in that I have the resources to be able to work on glass full time.

Describe your studio.
My studio is in my garage. A very small garage. I’ve done well in utilizing my space, but I still need something larger. I’m forced to work out of a smaller kiln and it’s very frustrating since I learned to work large. I have a large kiln I can’t even use.

Tell me something about you.
I live in Northern California/Silicon Valley. I have a 25 year old son who recently married. I’ve been with my SO for over 15 years. My dream is to live on a property large enough to plant enough food to be self sustaining, and I would need a huge studio on this property. Solar powered, of course. It seems the older I get the more my inner hippie surfaces and I’m fine with that.

New necklace and Pendant posted

My new Fall necklace

'Fall, leaves, fall'

Fall, leaves, fall;
die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night
and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks
bliss to me
Fluttering from
the autumn tree.
I shall smile
when wreaths of snow
Blossom where
the rose should grow;
I shall sing
when night's decay
Ushers in
a drearier day.
Emily Jane Brontë

Take time TO PLAY!

I love this quote...

Take time to work

It is the price of success.

Take time to think

It is the source of power.

Take time to play,

It is the Secret perpetual of youth.

Take time to be friendly

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to love And be loved,

It is a Privilege of the Gods.

Take time to share,

Life is Too short to be selfish.

Take time to laugh

Laughter is the music of the soul.

~Anon

My new pendants are all about playing...playing in the rain, playing with a balloon. Take time to play today, I know I will!

~Yvonne~

Sunsets, Mountains, Beautiful Fall Colors

I am having a lot of fun with black silhouette glass decals. They are fused into the glass. I love how they give depth to a piece. They required several firings in the kiln to get the landscape effect I was going for. These are my new creations. It makes me want to take a hike in the mountains. Fall colors are sooooooooo beautiful! I know I will be creating a lot more silhouettes with the dichroic glass. I am not a great photographer. They look amazing in person.

Dreaming Of Fall

"There is nothing quite like a fall day.
The cool crisp air, pumpkins in the fields,
and playing in the leaves.
The smile on your face can warm a chilly day."
Author: unknown




My new listing on Etsy is the Pumpkin Pendant & Earrings Set.
It has me dreaming of fall. I love fall. I miss experiencing it in Upstate NY (where I grew up). While it cools off here, we do not have the gorgeous fall colors. I miss going to the apple cider mill, eating freshly made donuts and drinking hot apple cider. The fall leaves are such a thing of beauty.
Don't get me wrong, I truly love living in Florida. I love seeing the sun shine every day. I love wearing one wardrobe year round, as opposed to seasonal clothing. I love the tropical climate.
It is just fall that I miss. I guess, I should start going North in the fall. We vacation every October. Funny how our vacations are always centered around even warmer climates than ours (Caribbean, Hawaii, etc). My hubby is a Florida boy and he is not fond of the cold. I may break him of that some day. LOL. We have been married 15 years and I have not managed that yet.
Well enough rambling, I have more glass to create....
~Yvonne~

Earrings

This week it's all about the earrings----my newest addition to my Etsy store.