April 13, 2024 Summer Leaves and The Beach
Good afternoon!
First of all, let me say "Thank you" for those of you who took this week's survey. I hope to incorporate them into my weekly emails every now and again. I was thrilled that over 100 people took it! It was very helpful and thought you'd like to see the results! My screenshot is a bit blurry, but this information is so helpful to me. Due to overwhelming results, after this week (as I had this week's murrini already packaged) I'll back down on doing as many mixes and offer more as singles from those mixes as well. Also, 94% of those who took the survey wanted a weekly reminder when my blog is up. For those who don't, I promise to make the header of the email clear so you can zip it into your trash can if it's just a weekly update, but will have it very clear in the header if it's some kind of important notice like my shop being closed due to vacation, illness, etc.
As far as the last question asked about what you'd like me to make next, there were LOTS of answers and I wrote them all down. Some beach and leaves, which I was glad to see since that was what was up this week, but certain flowers, bees and all the things. Also some new designs. Some I feel as if I could successfully tackle, and others I will certainly ponder. I have designs in the works for the next two weeks (after tomorrow) but then I'll spend the next few weeks making your requested remakes. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to do the survey! (p.s. if you didn't get the email I sent to everyone last week, you may have not subscribed fully by approving a followup email you would have received or it might be in your spam folder).
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I don't know about you, but I'm not the type of artist that can remake the same thing over and over. I want to tweak it or at least take a break from it every now and again. Therefore, I'll always have new listing photos for each item, even if a repeat, just in case something is slightly different. This week I tweaked the starfish to give her a bit more color! Persimmon was added to give her a more orange appearance AND she has a sister this week made of teal shades! Also the Jellyfish is back to the original color and you'll see the ombre green leaf has a new shape! Also the fish this week is a deep Gold Fish that stands apart from the blue water background beautifully. Only Oceanside COE 96 glass was used this week.
Weekend At The Beach Mix
Sometimes it's tricky to get my mixes around the 1.5oz mark. This week is one of those! One of each design put us at 1.25-1.5oz, but two of each design was over 2.5oz. So this week they are on the smaller side and have only one of each design. One Fish with Tail, Grey Bird, Sand Dollar, Jellyfish, Persimmon Starfish and Teal Starfish. 1.25+oz for $23
Here you can see how the colors look on transparent Caribbean glass. Also note the shape of the stringer seaweed. More on this below. 
Of course, I can't have a beach mix without making some pendants out of Mike's XL bails. These make for a quick gift or each project to sell at your booth.
Here's a sample on darker blue swirly glass.
Summer Leaf Mix
The last time I had a leaf mix I got lots of messages to make more. So here we go! Some of my favs, too. From right to left...Gorgeous Green, Transparent Curved, New Oval Ombre Green, Transparent Green, and Multi-sized Ivy. In your package you'll have TWO of each of the first four designs and then 3-4 Ivy (sizes will vary). Packaged, these guys are weighing in heavy around 1.70+oz. They'll be priced at $30. A light tack fuse is always recommended for the leaves. I like to keep them looking "as-is". But if you do want to fully fuse them, see below where I'll have them fully fused and photographed from the front and the back.
Another little sample this week combines most of the designs from the week. I got a kick out of my fisherman's "Big Catch" and if you look, there is a transparent stringer pulled very thin in a torch to make my fishing line. Was hard to get a good photo of it, but that made me laugh. Also note the variation in colors in my branches made from Joni's variegated brown stringer. Perfect!
Singles this week
Most of the mixes are also available as singles. 1.5oz+ for $26:
(See their fully fused version below)
Persimmon Starfish
A bit bolder than in the past. Perfect tacked to fully fused.
Teal Starfish
Perfect tacked to fully fused.
Sand Dollars
The Sand Dollar centers extend to the edges this week. That is more apparent in a fully fused version. The sand dollar is perfect tacked to fully fused.
Jellyfish
This image might be on the dark side but wanted you to see the glorious wiggles in the legs. Perfect tacked to fully fused.
Grey Bird
A bit more Grey at the top than the Sandpiper in the last Beach Mix and a little less Dark Grey than the Grey Titmouse bird. A nice mix of both this week. Tack fuse for best results.
Goldie the Golden Fish
A tack fuse is usually recommended for the fish. For this week's catch (feeling sassy with my fishing terminology) I went with a different color that would pop on a blue background.
Dotted Hearts
Yep, also known as a fish tail, these gorgeous hearts will come in a multi-size package and have so many uses. Combine several together (points inward) to make a gorgeous flower, use as a leaf, bud, or just as a heart. Tack fuse is best to keep the outer shape.
Transparent Green Leaf
A remake of this popular design. Tack fuse recommended.
Gorgeous Green Leaf
This was the very first leaf I ever made and is still the most popular. This time they are all mostly the same size (in the medium range).
Curved Transparent Green Leaf
The opaque vein inside this transparent beauty absolutely pops out and is stunning fused. Tack fuse recommended.
Oval Ombre Green Leaf
A twist on an old design. An Oval Ombre. Keep in mind the veins do have a direction here, so the darker part will be at the bottom
Ivy (mostly small to medium size)
I love Ivy. They are so sweet in many projects....growing up a little white fence or greenery in a pot...and so much more. Tack fuse to keep the Ivy shape.
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Fully fused versions of this week's murrini on clear from the front and the back.
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SECONDS
This week I'll have some seconds. My first batch of Starfish decided to have two legs that were a bit too close together for my standards. They fully fused and separated nicely, but still wanted to discount them a little bit. 1.5oz for $22
SECONDS Summer Leaf Mix
Same as this week's Summer Leaf Mix but are seconds because the veins have started to get a bit more "organic", meaning they are not quite fully formed or just past the best part of the pull where the veins get wiggly. If perfect on the inside, they may have a small ding, chip, or inclusion on the outside. Two of each design. 1.5oz $20.
Tiny Ivy
Most of the time I consider the more organic insides of the ivy to be the best part as it looks most natural to me. However, some of these got a little more off center, so they are at a discount. 1oz for $15
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FUN Fusing tip of the week.
For the underwater coral/vegetation, I took some of Joni's beautiful stringer and I held it in the torch to ball up on the end and make it a bit wiggly in shape. This is nice when you want Joni's stringers to remain thicker but have a rounded vs. tapered end. If it starts getting too loose, take it out and let it cool for a second then put it back in up higher if you want to make it longer or take the curve out. (If you feel more comfortable using long tweezers, please do. My hand wasn't as close to the flame as it appears.)
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Hints on the Horizon
Next week I'll have a NEW bird as well as a bird mix (Cardinals, BlueJay, and Grey Titmouse) and as singles, too. Also a beautiful mix of summer flowers and some ladybugs!
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Helpful Links:
If you are looking for COE 96 stringer, Joni pulls matching stringer for the items I have each week. Find her beautiful work at Aggie Glass Designs!
If you are looking for Mike LaChance’s COE 96 fusible bails, find his unique work at Mike’s Innovative Glass.
If you use COE 90, be sure to shop Lori’s beautiful murrini and mille options found at Wilderness Glass.