The Mini Botanical Collection

I have to admit that I'm completely obsessed with the Mini Botanical Collection. And not just like, Gee I really like these, but more like.. I talk about them all day long to anyone who will listen, can't get them out of my mind, and wish I could come up with another product half as adorable. I daydream about cute little flyers I could create and then plaster over Portland which would be completely dedicated to exposing these little plant earrings. I want them to sprout little root legs and follow me around in a clan, making tiny squeaks every time I stop walking.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I made some new garden pendants this week like the one above. I have found myself focusing on botanical themes lately, and they have quickly become my favorite pieces. In the past I had always strayed from having clear glass as a background on the pendants. I'm not sure why... But I think it's just minimal enough on the piece above to serve its purpose and look adorable -- I really like how it turned out. I haven't been making this style of pendants very long, and since I'm still struggling with them, only about half of each batch end up being good enough to sell! Oy! No worries, I will get better at it soon enough, just need a little practice. Fortunately one of the cuter ones came out imperfectly so I can justify keeping it for myself! Happy gardening!

Mass-produced the slow way

I recently had a friend look at my little heart earrings and ask whether I cut each heart out of silver leaf by hand. He suggested I get a heart-shaped hole-puncher so that it'd go quicker.

Um.... how should I answer this.... EW! NO!

What an awful idea. Not only do I steer clear of the particular shape that those little "perfect heart" holepunchers make, but it wouldn't really scream 'handmade' to do it that way. I love each of my little hearts and there's simply no way that I would ever want to resort to a mini cookie cutter. And no, maybe my earrings sets don't have two identical heart clones, but that's part of their charm!

I'd like to shake the soul whose mind suggested a holepuncher while yelling, "You just don't get it, do you?!"

Yes, Fight Club IS my favorite movie, how did you know?
Although, the idea of becoming violent towards someone over some little red heart earrings seems a little... silly (but very, very justified, don't you think?).

NEW Fused Glass Buttons!

I recently tried out a batch of fused glass buttons! They certainly are tricky... it has been hard to drill the holes and have them line up perfectly. Also, I tried to put them in for a firepolish in the kiln but it isn't working out the way I'd like it to. I end up wanting to put the pieces in at a higher temperature so the edges get more rounded, but then I risk having the holes close up. The buttons in the picture above didn't go in for a firepolish, instead I sanded the edges by hand... which is what I may end up doing for all of them if I can't figure out a good firepolish temp.

Then there is the question of price. Technically, two big buttons are comprised of more glass and are more time-consuming to make than a necklace, but how much is someone really going to pay for two buttons?!

This is all very tricky to me. And, as usual, I'll just have to test it out and see how it goes. The good thing is that it opens up a huge area of business; plus a ridiculous amount of people crochet or knit or sew their own clothing, hats and bags. Who wouldn't want some beautiful handmade buttons - right? Doesn't it defeat the purpose to add a crummy factory-produced plastic button to your hand-stitched wares? Sometimes the details are the best part, whether it's in your new short-brimmed hat, or in life.