Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Art by David Mach

We see art in so many shapes and forms. It's a wonderful thought knowing that we will always have new concepts to appreciate and admire. I came across this amazing photo on io9. It has been sculptured using coat hangers by artist David Mach of the United Kingdom. What do you think, would you like this in your lounge room? (I would).

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Do You Know Where This Fountain is Situated?

Thank you Steph, for answering my plea for help of where this wonderful fountain/statue is situated - TEXAS. I'm sending some of my lampwork beads to you.

I have just found this photo of a stunning fountain, but unfortunately there wasn't any information about it. Can anyone tell me where this is located? If so, please leave the details in the comments and I will send you some of my lampwork beads as a thankyou!




I've been busy creating lampwork beads ready to add to my website at the end of the week. I thought I would just give you a little sample of one of the items -

Monday, April 28, 2008

Public Toilet in Switzerland

I came upon Manoj Sangani blogspot whilst surfing the net and these photos really made me laugh. This is a public toilet in Switzerland, it looks fine from the outside, but the walls are constructed of one-way glass which you can see out of from the inside. How comfortable would you feel using this toilet? I hadn't planned on toilet humour for my blog, but I'm sorry I just couldn't resist this one!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

My Etsy Store


I opened an Etsy Store late last year and have been a little sporadic with adding new listings. I have found Etsy to be an extremely difficult and very time consuming market to enter. There are thousands of items listed every day and it is very easy to be lost in the sea of listings in a matter of a minute. I have also spent time participating in the forums to try and promote my store, even that I have found quite frustrating. There is so much participation, unless others add to your thread it is lost within moments. I'm not one to give up so I am going to continue and see if I can find the magic recipe to be successful in Etsy. If I find any great tips I will send them your way. I will be adding a couple of new items each day as this is definitely the best way to be seen. Adding a group of items one day and nothing for another week or so definitely does not work on Etsy.

The photos above are today's listings. I have made them as 13mm / 1/2" lentil shaped lampwork beads which are ideal for earrings. I make my own earrings, this is a very simple pair I've made from fine silver, and they look so attractive. Just melt a ball at the end of the fine silver wire. I've used a metal rod to bend the wire over then using pliers just bend a small piece at the end. Then I hammer the bent section which makes the ear wire 'springy'. Finally I put them in a tumbler with steel shot and a teaspoon of polishing compound to bring them to a shine and it also leaves the otherwise soft fine wire to a more rigid state.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Welcome To My New Blog

I've been toying with the idea of setting up a blog for quite some time, and finally here it is. If you have stumbled across my blog and have not heard of Glass & Splinters, allow me to give you a brief outline. I have been creating lampwork glass beads since 1997, and in 2001 I left behind my stained glass and leadlight business to work over the flame full time. I also weave many of my lampwork beads into unique pieces of wearable art.
I will post here regularly showing my latest creations and adding any other info that I think will be of interest to you. I hope you enjoy reading my blog and feel free to make a comment.