In the business of Shoozles

So in the Shoozles Studio, some minor and major things go on, but never before coffee. The area below is a look at one of my work stations, where some cabochons go to be jewelry and some just sit till I like them enough to get an idea. Some times they go back to the kiln to be fired into smaller glass goodies. I did take his past Sunday to kinda give this area a makeover for easier use, hard to believe this is what I consider clean haha.

 The finishing station in my Shoozles studio

 This 4 section blue container is where sorting begins

I love tools, When I go to the hardware store I have a whole different mind set on the use of tools than possibly most people. This week I am featuring this little hand sander in my blog to help fellow glass artist work more efficiently and for the non glass artist give you an idea of how I work. In my kilns I use kiln shelves they require, I coat them with that purple wash next to this sander. Kiln wash is used to protect them from glass melting and sticking. So sanding is also required to get them clean after a few uses, this little hand held sander is perfect for quick work- wear a mask too, the dust is flying when you sand those shelves!

My hand sander gizmo- it's much loved for quick work

So that is this weeks studio update in the Shoozles biz. I hope you like getting to know all the little ins and outs here from my creative space. Join me this Tuesday 7pm central for an Album Party on Facebook.

What's up in the Shoozles Studio

Finally Spring is in full swing here in the Midwest. My garden is planted. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro, in the forefront of this photo mint and lemon balm too. I think I am growing salsa haha.

My Garden in beginner mode

So now back indoors to work I go. Anyone that knows me know I love beads and little side projects to my glass. Fun quick earrings for Summer and Upcycling is always a fun distraction too. These little cute earrings part of my Earring Club projects soon will make their way to my etsy or an Album Party on Facebook. These were from a broken belt, it had a cute little flower pattern in fake leather that I just could not resist and for sure could not toss.

UpCycled Earring Club Earrings

My glass pieces are piling up and this little scrap box below is begging to be sorted and used to make new creations, I like to think the glass wants a home and hates to sit in a bin in waiting. Some pieces may even find there place in some little canvas pieces for the fall.

 Soon to be new goodies, from the scrap bin

OH Can you feel the heat? Yep that foggy look to my camera is the heat on my lens. this batch of kiln goodies is a custom order 9 of the same, with color variations. Soon to be shipped to the owner.

Hot in the kiln, custom order

So that is what I am up to. I hope you like knowing small tid bits of my studio week. Look for my facebook page and for an Album Party for next week. Lots of new goodies for sale- Oh and I am adding items to Etsy again for Summer.

Sometimes we just need to be goofy

Obviously it doesn't take much to entertain me, my husband should be thankful. I wish I could say lots of traveling and day trips were part of my entertainment and adventure, but being an easy to please hard working momma a little time at a local hardware store is all I need for a good laugh.

Big chairs make little men- at Menards

This also reminds me of the times we would take 3- two yr olds to Toys R Us and walk up and down the isles playing with all the toys. We did this for hours and we would leave without buying one thing. We had so much fun and the boys never asked or cried for anything. The best entertainment doesn't cost a dime and makes equally wonderful memories.

I am just happy to be spending time with this guy laughing. One day when my triplets are off and about I am sure traveling or day trips can be in the plan. For now I am perfectly happy with just being goofy.

NEW! Mini Dew Rings

New at Shoozles. The Mini Dew Rings. I have always made tiny fused glass cabochons, mostly because I love small versions of big things.

New Mini Fused Glass Dews adjustable rings $7 each

What to do, what to do? YES! I think I like the small stone, it's perfect for people that like the larger version of my fused glass rings but would prefer a small hint of glass, not a chunk. After all BIG is not for everyone. These will be available This Wednesday evening 7pm Central durning my next Album Party at Shoozles Fused Glass Facebook . Hope you can Join me and all my fans.

Bullet jewelry Fancy Firepower and Fancy Firewood

I'd like to thank and feature my friend Tracy. My stash of mini cabs has been just sitting there till my friend Tracy of Fancy Firewood sent me some ring blanks she could not use for her Bullet jewelry. You might want to stop in on her and see her Fancy Firepower line of jewelry. Thank you Tracy for always being a great support to my business.

This week in the Shoozles Studio

I'll start with what happened in the studio last week. A liberal dose of flood water entered my work space from Spring rains, putting all creativity and work efforts on hold. I am a glass half full gal and look at this as an opportunity to organize and clean and motivate to make it easier to work. If you read my blog, or know me you know I hate to clean. Organizing last about 2.5 mins in my area. I can consume any free, cleaned space at lightning speed.  So I tend to avoid doing any of the above.

OH NO mom the studio is flooding!

I actually have to do it now, too much time is spent searching for stuff. So I have been looking at how others organize their space and the containers and shelves they use for ideas of my own.

3 tier wire rack for my frit jars from Walmart

For starters I found these perfect wire shelves for organizing my frit jars, it became too hard to see what I had. Oddly enough in the bathroom furnishings section at Walmart, these 3 tier wire shelves yelled HEY, dummy I will work wonders on that frit table to struggle with everyday! Man how I kinda wish objects did speak to me when needed. haha! I think they have a pill for that.

Easier to see jars on my table- more space

So as I organize if I feel it might be good idea for others, I will share my efforts. I am sure I am not the only person that needs help in this area.

Pinning facebook photos with Pinbook

Have you ever wanted to pin your facebook photos? Or found someone on facebook that would love it if you shared their facebook photos or products? Always get permission or use your own, but I would love it if my fans shared my glass goodies :) With a link to my Shoozles fan page to get them too.

Smile and pin my Shoozles freely

Well if you have google Chrome you are almost ready to freely pin facebook photos to Pinterest.  It bothered m for quite some time That I could not pin my own fan page photos so I found this little app called Pinbook. If you don't have Chrome it also links you to that. I felt it made my fan page run more smoothly.

Jinglelicious- Fused Glass Cluster Charms

Jingles, they get their name from the wonderful sound they make when you wear them. They are a fun mix of fused glass, lampwork beads and charms that can be mix and matched as you collect them. You can wear them as 2 pieces on up, to as many as your hearts desire. They can be personalized or just for fun and of course theme and holiday styles are available as well.

This is a single fused glass jingle

Now here is the best part. How to get them?  Join my Facebook Fan Page and look for "Album Parties" I announce a day and time to view albums, where I load 50 or more at one time for you to view and "claim" in the comments before other Shoozles fans do. When you are finished claiming you send me an email you would like to receive the paypal invoice at. You don't have to have a paypal to check out with this invoice, it can still be used. I ship promptly. I also drop off items for payment locally at The Gift Box in Alton at 300 E. Broadway.

 jingles and pendants offered in the Album Party

I hope you will join me and all my other friends for these easy and fun Shoozles Album Parties!