Kings Island with My Nephew Ethan

I don't have any new beads to share, but will try to get some listed this week. Thanks for the emails and your interest. For those who have inquired, I will be making more of the Winter White beads. Please check the website after the weekend.

Since I don't have any beads, I thought I would share our King's Island pictures. Ethan had a blast, and did the entire day without a nap. I was very impressed as he was so tired, yet so well behaved. He rode his first rides solo!


Ethan's first car date! They paired him up with a little girl, and when the ride was over he told her, "Thanks for the ride!"

It did not take him long to get into the swing of things!

Here we are on the roller coaster....about the biggest ride I tackled that day!

Good scary was the Mystery Van ~ Bad scary was the Plankten Drop ~ He's not happy!

Playing hide and seek with me

A little Huckleberry ice cream......on his face!! Huckleberry ice cream is the BEST!!

Running out of gas...........

We really had a great time. Ethan is such a blessing in my life, and I am so thankful for him.

Cherry Blossom Frit Bead

Here is a bead from a few weeks ago using Glass Diversions Cherry Blossom frit. The pinks in this frit blend are so pretty!

Pastel Green and Amethyst Bead

Here is another recent bead. This is one of many that will be offered at the Artworks gallery show the month of October. If you are local, please stop by. For more details, please click the link to the right, under upcoming events.

Winter White Bead

It's been way too long since I've had the time to post. I have the next five days off, and plan to spend a lot of time at the torch. I ordered some stunning hand sewn and dyed silk ribbons from JamnGlass, and they are BEAUTIFUL. Thanks Heidi, I cannot wait to use them!!

Here is a bead from the last torch session. I will be posting more each day. Thanks for peeking!

Winter White - Sparkles like freshly fallen snow

2008 Indiana State Fair - FUN, FUN, FUN!!

Going to the fair is one of my fondest childhood memories. We always went to the County Fair, but as an adult, the state fair is for me!! I love everything about our state fair: the tractor-pulled train rides, the farm animals, all the arts and crafts, THE FOOD!!!, the marching bands, people watching and just the excitement of all the festivities!!! To me, these are some of the finer things in life!!! Steve and I went to the fair this past Tuesday with Carmen, Jason and Ethan!!! We had a blast, and Ethan went on his first rides with me. We rode the cars (and screamed "Crazy Drivers" the entire time!) and the caterpillar rollercoaster! He even rode the Bumblebees with Uncle Steve. We ate way too much fair food ~ if there is such a thing!

Lampworking is sponsored by ISLAGA as a category in the fine arts section at our state fair. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered!!

Here are the posted results:

HOME AND FAMILY ARTS - PROFESSIONAL FINE ARTS Handmade Lampwork Beads - Focal
1st - Lisa Atchison
2nd - Lisa Atchison
3rd - Camille Richard
HM - Lori Smith
HM - Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco
HM - Lisa Atchison

HOME AND FAMILY ARTS - PROFESSIONAL FINE ARTS Handmade Lampwork Beads - Set or Series

1st - Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco

2nd - Camille Richard

3rd - Chicqiela Elbert-Velazco

HM - Camille Richard

HOME AND FAMILY ARTS - PROFESSIONAL FINE ARTS - Sweepstakes - Professional Handmade Lampwork Beads
1st - Lisa Atchison

Indiana Celebrates the Arts!

I am very excited about this news! I was notified last week that I am among 31 Indiana artisans that have juried into the Indiana Artisan Program. I am very honored to have been selected, and that my glass work may now carry the Indiana Artisan brand logo.

As I understand it, a second adjudication will be held this month, and a third in October. Two more adjudications will be held in 2009. I will be attending a meeting later this month, and will post more details then. To learn more about this program and how to apply, I have posted links below.

Thank you Eric Freeman, committee members and Indiana for affording Indiana Artisans new and exciting opportunities!

From their website: "In early 2008, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman announced the launch of Indiana Artisan - a program that will support and promote Hoosier artisans and handmade products......Indiana Artisan is a joint venture of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. "

Participants in this program can expect:

• Access to tailored and relevant entrepreneurial support and technical assistance that will be based on responses to an inventory of artisan needs
• Access to grant funding for business development education and networking opportunities
• The endorsement of a statewide brand, and use of the logo in support of their own individual brand
• The opportunity to increase their revenue and market growth through:
• Internet sales opportunities via the program website and online directory
• Trade show(s) targeted to retailers interested in purchasing artisan products wholesale
• Retail displays that will promote the Indiana brand and feature artisan products in existing retail outlets around the state
• Participation in artisan trails that will bring the market to the artisan’s studio/place of business for one-on-one direct sales
• The opportunity to develop their studio/place of business into a stand-alone attraction through participation in the trails development promoted to in- and out-of-state travelers interested in place-based arts experiences
• Collaborative efforts that promote the brand, the trails and the stories of the artisans themselves.

For more information about this wonderful program, please visit the Indiana Artisan website.

New Ethan Picture

Here is oneof Ethan's two year pictures. Is it possible that this little guy gets cuter with each passing day? We have plans to take the train to the State Fair this coming Wednesday. I cannot wait to ride the Merry-Go-Round, and share an elephant ear with him. Talk about the finer things in life!!!

I sure love this little guy!!!

Today was day one of the trunk show at Bead Angels in Broadripple, Indiana. What a great day it turned out to be! Thanks again to Connie and Michelle for all the encouragement and making us feel at home!

Here are two more beads I took out of the electroforming solution this morning. The first one I have decided to keep for my collection. This is a bead I made at the Bead Retreat last weekend, using Copper Blue frit (a surprise from a friend - thanks Karen!!) It had a few areas that I did not particularly like, so I decided to copper electroform it. I think it is now one of my favorite beads ever! That is the wonderful thing about electroforming.....you can hide the areas that you are less than pleased with!

This next bead has a lot of texture and interest. The two sides are so different...one very soft and flowing, the other very bold and dramatic! (This bead sold today)

Have a great week, and thanks for peeking!