Holy Hail Storm!!!!

Whew--did we ever have a storm in Lancaster this afternoon! Thunder, Rain, HAIL, lights flickering... all in a matter of 10 minutes. By the time I wrapped the car in blankets it was over. CRAZY!

We'll see whats in store for the rest of the day. It's been one of those weird days, not bad, just weird! Ever have one of those? Hopefully the cable and internet stay on! I don't care about lights I just need my internet!

Memorial Day Inspiration

I hope everyone is having a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Today I was on a mission... we visited Ft. McHenry in Baltimore earlier in the week and Ian and I watched the lowering of the flag. The giant flag was so beautiful I couldn't help but be inspired to try new face cabochons with flags in the design. I only managed to finish a handful of them, they took a long time to create, but they were worth the effort! All of the colors on the flags are caned polymer clay, no Paint!

This is the first time I have ever done faces with flags. Don't know why I never thought of it before.

Many blessings to everyone this Memorial Day.

The 3am Update

The 3am update... ebay & Inkfrog were magically working and I listed a bunch of new clay! More new pieces will be on the way as long as I'm able!

Ebay Problems are FINALLY Getting to Me!

Okay... Tonight I am fed up with ebay! Ebay has been plagued with so many changes, glitches, and problems over the last year I could write a book about them. I am nearing my breaking point. I know I am not alone here, this entry is for everyone frustrated with ebay... sellers and buyers!

Earlier this week it was issues with my images and Inkfrog. No one could view the images in my 700 listings for a day. If my images aren't available I can't sell my wares. Now, there are issues with listing new items on ebay. This issue has been occurring for 2 weeks... on May 7th, we were told ebay was treating this as a "Priority Issue" and they are working on it... here it is MAY 23 and the problem still exists! Meaning, I can't list new items until the problem is resolved. I have dozens of new items and 100's of hours invested in new creations I can't list.

In the midst of all these glitches and problems ebay made sure they sent me my monthly bill on May 15th. Heaven forbid they not be paid!

I am an artist that relies on ebay. I work hard and take great pride in being a kind and responsible ebay seller. I squeak out enough money to pay my bills and survive (with Ian's help). If I don't have the ability to list and sell items, I can't stay in business... I can't pay the bills... I can't continue to do what I love to do!

I know I am small beans compared to what larger "powersellers" hand over to ebay... but little me managed to pay ebay thousands of dollars in seller fees last year. My jaw dropped when I did my taxes for 2008. And despite all of the fees I pay, I could get through to the pentagon easier than I can get real help from ebay.

When I tell people I am on ebay they look at me like I have 6 heads and say, with question in their voice, "Really?" Most have given up on ebay... and despite all of these issues I have hung in there. I have often contemplated etsy or creating my own website... this may be the push I need to make the move.

I will be sure to keep everyone posted. I have met so many wonderful people on ebay it kills me to think of moving. I hope my ebay friends will follow me to etsy or wherever I decide to go...I'll be sure to keep you posted while I figure it all out!

Thank you for "listening." In the 3 years I've been blogging I have never gone crazy, mad--- tonight is the night! Please feel free to leave a comment. Know an alternative to ebay that you're happy with? -Let me know!!

I included pictures of some of the pretties I have waiting to be listed on ebay (grrr...)

Today is my Birthday!

Today is my Birthday! Thank you to all who remembered, because I almost forgot!

I have been "claying" like CRAZY... I don't know what got into me but the last few days I have working with my clay like I've been possessed! I have SEVERAL dozen pieces made...now I have to take time to finish and paint them all! Lots of new designs and summer inspired pieces are on the way. I will be listing a sprinkling of pieces every few days.

I have a few jewelry orders I need to get started on. I hope I can find the same lust for working with wire that I found for my clay!!

Thanks again for the Birthday wishes!! I'm 37 this year, where does time go?!?!?!?

Happy Mother's Day!

This entry is for my Mom and all Moms out there--Happy Mother's Day!! Hope you take it easy and enjoy your day relaxing or doing something you enjoy.

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

If I had a flower for each time I thought of My Mother, I could walk in my garden forever.
~Unknown

Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children. ~Sam Levenson

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde

Cabochons for Barbara Ellis Beading Patterns

Are you looking for the Sculpted Windows Face Cabs Barbara Ellis uses in her Patterns? To make it easier to find them in my ebay store I have created a new sub-category - "Cabs for B. Ellis Patterns". If you click HERE the link will take you to this new category. I am finishing up a batch of heart face cabs for her new pattern, The Enchantress. I'll be listing them tomorrow. If you do not see the cab style or design you are looking for please contact me, I can make one for you.

I have also been working on more new designs, colors, and tie-dye surface effects. I'm hoping to get a bunch of them listed tomorrow evening. Be sure to check them out! I've been exploring and having fun!

New clay face designs on the way....

I just wanted to sneak on before bed to share two new polymer clay face designs. These aren't in my ebay store yet, it will be a few days....they are still in progress at the moment. I am loving the steam-punk feel to the piece above.

I've been working with new textures and clay surface treatments, experimenting with ink. They create some beautiful tie-dye like surface effects! The green piece to the right was actually an "accident.." My bottle of ink tipped over when I was done with it and splashed across the cab... when I looked the splash of ink created a perfect line of tears trailing down her left cheek... I decided to leave them. They were too perfect to wipe them off! Funny how accidents can create the most unique pieces.

Gotta get some sleep, good night!