Heatwave...

It's hot out right now, so I thought I would take a moment and update my blog, then go back to the studio when it cools off a bit. Today, I was working on my ornament line. I've come up with some new ideas for the samples I already made, so I'm going to see if I like this next design better. That is why it is so frustrating when someone copies your work. I've spent countless hours working on these designs and used both expensive glass and gas to do that. Then to think that someone thinks that it's okay to just take your design because they like it, just goes all over me. Worse yet, is when they "give you credit" for your own design!! Who invented that saying, and who made it okay? Specifically, there are two sisters, who have been doing glass for about as long as me. And like my clown line, they developed a FANTASTIC line of glass for wholesale. I love it like most people, and would have loved to come up with such a wonderful wholesale glass line. But they have developed this line over years (you can tell) and now to see others making the sisters items, even the packaging, it just seems wrong. I'm not sure how they feel about it, because personally I believe no one could touch them in that area, so I doubt anyone "worries" them, but it still just seems so very wrong.

In addition to getting these wholesale lines ready for reps and shops, I'm trying to build inventory for some upcoming shows. I'm looking forward to doing the Arrow Springs show on Sept 17 Th. It's a lot of fun, and I usually do quite well, making it a worthwhile experience financially and for fun. I've been trying to get into a show in October but the people haven't gotten back to me. I'm hoping they will get a hold of me fairly soon and at least let me know what the costs are. And my best show is in November, the BABE show. I love going there and seeing all the new items out there. I love seeing all of my regular customers, it's like a visit from an old friend. Then on Saturday night, my step mom and I go to this very nice Mexican restaurant for some delicious food and of course, a tasty a margarita....yum.

Well, I'm going to take a quick meditation rest so I'll be up for another torch session tonight. Take care everyone .

Until next time.......

Vickie

July 10, 2011

Tomorrow is my baby sister's birthday and I didn't expect it to affect me as much as it seems to be doing. I tried working today, but had this constant feeling of gloom and I decided that my best work won't come from it so I had to find other work related things to do. It is amazing how your emotions can affect your artistic mood and outcome of your work. I've learned that when I don't "feel it" just to do other necessary things and eventually it will all pass.

The photo of the dove is a real meaningful photo for me. My sister passed away in November and at her funeral we had the "Dove Lady" there. She did an amazing service for her and I'm so grateful for that. She released a flock of doves into the sky, representing angels in the sky. She then gathered the family to pet this single dove she held and handed us each a dove feather. She then said that this dove represented my sister and she would be released in the sky to join the other doves. When she released the single dove it circled the sky above us, then joined the angel doves in the sky where they took her "home". I will never forget that and through all the sorrow of the day, the dove gave me a little bit of peace.

As for glass news, I will be updating some more glassy news soon.

Until next time.......

Vickie

My wholesale website section.

I've been working on my website for the past few days and frankly I think it's more exhausting than actually doing the glass..! I've made some mistakes, and hopefully made all the corrections. If someone see's something that doesn't look or sound right, please let me know, I would appreciate it very much.

The biggest problem I've been having is learning how to set up my wholesale lines so they will not show up unless signed in with a password. I figured out how to do the wholesale discount, but the photos kept showing up, and I didn't want that. The wholesale lines are for stores and reps to view, and place orders. I figured out how to set it up so that they can just place an order with ease and quickly, but payment won't be made online. To make matters worse, I accidentally clicked a button that did a 50% override on my entire website instead of the wholesale line! I've spent the entire morning fixing that little boo boo. Hopefully, I'll never make that mistake again.

I only have a couple of items on the wholesale page right now, but I'm still in the process of doing the finished samples. I wanted to post a couple of items so that interested reps and stores will have something to see until I get it finished. These lines will be evolving the same way my clown and ornament line did years ago and hopefully be as successful.

It's a holiday weekend, but I'm working today. I might take tomorrow off and go visit a friends store that carries jewelry made with my beads. I'm hoping she will get a blogspot soon so we can advertise her store.

Until then, have a wonderful weekend.

Vickie