Torch thoughts.

I'm on a ruffle kick lately. There's something therapeutic about making ruffles - although I never thought I'd feel that way about making multiples of ANYTHING. I've also been obsessed with mastering fuchsia/purples - whether it's in Amber Purpler, Double Amber Purple or Triple Passion. I see others pushing such beautiful colors and I've been into such muted tones, perhaps because of my torch set-up.

Jumping into Etsy

I've made a major decision to expand my store and begin selling in Etsy. Looking at the EBAY traffic reporting tells me traffic has dropped a lot in the last year. I'm still selling almost everything I list, but want to be sure I am in the most productive market places available. I've decided to keep listings in both EBAY and Etsy for at least 6 months and see how the 2 compare, and make a decision after that as to whether or not I continue with both or drop one.

I know one thing for sure, my EBAY customers may have dropped in numbers, but they are very loyal and I don't want to lose them!

Lately, I've been experimenting with oxygen content in my flame. I use a Mini-CC torch with natural gas, and 2 oxy-cons strung together. I had them strung together in such a way that I suspect I was not getting the most out of the more powerful oxy-con. I believe the critical issue is the percentage of oxygen - and the second oxy-con that I have boasts it produces 95%, while the first one only 91-93%. I'm thinking I've been oxygen starved for a bit - even though natural gas doesn't need as much as propane. I've been getting some brighter results lately - finally!

I'd be interested in hearing from any other boro beadmakers who use natural gas. I tried once to post a string on WCanvas or one of the other boards to see if I could get a dialogue about torch/oxygen settings - no one out there wanted to talk. Seems there aren't too many of us around. Most with this set-up use Moretti I'm guesssing :(

If you're reading this and have any special requests, concerns - please let me know!
On to the torch....

October 18th

It's been a long week!  I had my one and only semi-serious accident this week in the studio.  I lost control of a mandrel and dropped it while it was loaded with red hot glass.  All would've been fine if I'd only just let it fall and add one more scorch to the "disposable" carpet on the floor,  but instead, I grabbed the WRONG end of the mandrel with my right hand and got some nasty burns on 4 of my fingers. Thankfully, my husband arrived home almost at that very moment and took me right in to immediate care where I was bandaged up and send home with ice and blessed painkillers. 

At least I'm able to bend them and type and hold a glass rod, so after a couple of days of feeling really clumsy and stupid, I'm back at it again!   Feeling a little humbled by how quickly this can all be turned on me if I'm not very careful.  

I've launched the Sterling Add-a-Set Bangles, and the Bangle Sets this week.  Within hours of posting the Bangle Sets in the store, I sold a bangle and a set of beads.  I'm hopeful that customers will enjoy this new product and see it as an opportunity to instantly create a piece of jewelry for themselves right out of the box.  The only problem I foresee is the possibility that some may be confused by the size of the bead-holes needed to fit the bangles, and I hope the EBAY ads are clear enough.  Time will tell.  Now I only hope the price of silver doesn't go up much or my margin will be cut even slimmer than it already is!  

Check out my first customer submission  from Molly Kate Jewelry Design.  Beautiful necklace! Be sure to check out her other designs at http://Lauriefrenchfleming.artspan.com.  You'll see many of my beads there as well as others - beautiful work Laurie! 

I'm hoping to have many more pictures to post - I don't get to see the finished product often! 

Welcome to Norma Brink Glass Arts Blog

This whole blogging thing is new to me.  But , from what I understand, it's a great way to share ideas and inspirations with others and I got to thinking it might be a great way to connect with my customers and friends.  

I'm hoping to that you'll see a little bit of my world here and you  can ask me questions, see what inspires me - what makes me tick.  Even better, I'm hoping to hear and see from others - what you've done with my beads.  Show off your creations, share your inspiration - let me and others know what you'd like to see, or are looking for.   

My goal is to read and post at least once a week - we'll take it one step at a time.