Meet Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

I am pleased to introduce you to Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

Visit her store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5442553

How many years have you been an artist?
I have been an artist basically all my life. So that's a lot of years!

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass for about 1-1/2 years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Pretty much friends, family & co workers. They will come to me and say "I would like to see..." so I go home and try to create it.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me like cars flying down the freeway sometimes. And they can happen at anytime...day or night!

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I think of glass pretty much 85% of the day...but unfortunately I am unable to work at it nearly as much as I would like.

Do you create daily?
I don't create daily with glass. I also love making jewelry & sewing and then there are days when I spend it entirely with my family

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is the base of my soul. If I couldn't I would be unfulfilled. Art is my passion and I am so happy to know that...so many people go through their life and never find their passion.

Do you feel that choosing the artists has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
I do not feel that I have sacrificed anything in my chosen passion. I have not given up any luxuries...instead I have gained!

Describe your studio.
My Glass studio is in my basement against a wall that faces our driveway. Outside the window I can see the green leaves on the trees and currently the falling leaves of autumn. My jewelry studio is in my room upstairs. My son does his homework, watches T.V. and plays in there while I am working. My sewing area...well that's at my kitchen table! :-)

Tell me something about you.
I am a mom & wife. We have one son who is the joy of my life. I moved to Connecticut from California (culture shock) about 11 years ago. I started sewing blankets for children who attend daycare to fit on their cots about 7 years ago. Shortly after that I started making jewelry...which then led to about a year and a half building my glass studio. I started making glass beads that sell about a year ago. I also enjoy walking and riding bikes. I work part time as a special education secretary. I love doing home parties which is an excellent way to generate instant cash!

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.

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.

My entry to the CGGE Contest

Title: Kauai, Hawaii
Artist: Yvonne
This is where my hubby and I went for our 1st vacation without kids in over 10 years. It was the most beautiful and romantic spot. I thought it was perfect for the summer challenge because it was a summer vacation that I will always remember.

CGGE Monthly Contest
This is my entry to the August Summer Challenge

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~

My animals are the best of friends

YEAH ME! I made another sale. I am so excited about getting my business on Etsy going.
I really love making necklaces (beading along with the pendants) but am making some pendants only. A few customers have requested them, so I am only too happy to comply.
Here are a few new ones