I have always loved Christmas.  I love the music, the hustle and bustle, buying gifts, making and eating good things.  It’s all good.  Growing up, one of the best parts of the gift giving was our Christmas stockings.  When my sister and I were born, our great aunt knit each of us a Christmas stocking.  She was quite an accomplished knitter and our stocking reflect her talent.  They are embellished with sequins and jingle bells, angora yarn for Santa’s beard and at the very top, she knit in our names and our year of birth.  We both treasure them.

The practical part of these stocking is that they stretch and allow for lots of things to be put in them.  As my sister and I got older, we began doing stocking for our parents.  Once married, everyone continued to get stockings–adults and children.  I always felt bad that I was the only one in our family who had such a special “sock”.  I told a family friend about my stocking and soon afterward, she had made my husband one.  Later, she also made one for our first son.  Then, when son number two came along, Dan’s grandmother made him one.

Now I’m thinking that I’d like to continue this tradition for our daughter-in-law and new grand daughter.  I have a whole year to work at it.  I’m counting on all of you to prod me on.  I know how special mine is to me.  Thanks Aunt Lucille for a gift that has been treasured for so long!

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!

I admit that I watch Martha Stewart. I also subscribe to her magazine. However, I rarely even try some of the things she suggests. It always seems like it’s going to take too much money and too much energy. One of her programs was devoted to making cheese. She had someone demonstrate how to make cheese at home. That got my interest.  Shortly afterward I got online and looked up “making cheese at home”.  I was amazed at the many entries and how easy the directions sounded.  I decided to make homemade mozzarella cheese.

I went to the store and bought a thermometer and the rennet that is necessary.  The recipe I selected was “How to Make Mozzarella in 30 Minutes”.  I am proud to say that 30 minutes later I did have mozzarella!  It was really fun and quite fast.  This is something I’ll do again, making just one change.  I substituted lemon juice for citric acid.  Next time, I’ll invest in the citric acid.  My cheese tasted a little lemony.

I love trying things like this–especially when they’re successful.  I’m going to try adding some Italian seasoning or basil.  Give it a try.  It would be a great project for Christmas vacation with the kids!

Good morning!

First, it has been so much fun to hear back from so many of you about the website.  I sent the email right before my sister and I took off for Florida to take my mom’s and dad’s car down.  We’ve done this for 3 or 4 years now and even though it’s a very quick trip (3 days), it’s a nice break, a great time with my sister and a chance to see the sunshine before the long winter here in Michigan.

Some of you made suggestions and I will be working on them, but it may not be until after the holidays.  Our grandbaby is still waiting to make its arrival.  No, we don’t know whether it’s a boy or girl, our kids decided to let it be a surprise for everyone.  Now it’s time for me to buckle down and get Christmas started around here.  Dan brought the tree up from the basement, I’ve pulled together the addresses for Christmas cards, but I have done absolutely no shopping!  I hope you are all way ahead of me with your Christmas preparations.

Keep the suggestions coming.  I love hearing from you!

Sharlyn

Hello and welcome!

I’m so glad you’ve stopped by.  This has, and continues to be such an adventure for me.  I am learning so many new things.  Not just about creating beads and jewelry, but also about technology, taking pictures, self promotion (I’m not very good at this) and social networking, just to name a few.  I hope to continue to learn from all of you as well.  Please let me know what you like, what you don’t like, make suggestions and just stay in touch.  You can contact me at sharlyn@bysharlyn.com.  The “Home” page shows only the most recent items I’ve posted, if you click on the “Store” link on the “Home” page, you’ll be taken to all of the posted items.  I’ll be adding things regularly, so be sure to stop back often.

If you enjoy visiting my site, please mention it to friends and family.  This is what I’ve always wanted to do.  Go get something warm to drink (it’s snowing here right now) and let’s get acquainted.  Thanks for stopping by.  Hope to see you soon!

This 2010 Glass Bead Calendar is special to me because it is the first time one of my beads has been published!  My bead is the one on the left of the September 2010 page.  If you would like to order one of these calendars, contact Marjorie Oxman at: marjo@optonline.net.

Yesterday I did one of those things that has been on my wish list for a while now.  I was a vendor at a bead show.  A torching friend (Dawn Ceccacci, who makes beautiful beads…see them at Dawn’s Glass Art.com) invited me to share a table with her.  I always knew that shows were a lot of work but I now have a whole new respect for those artists who sell at shows on a regular basis.  Not only are you occupied during show time, but the things you have to do to get ready for a show involves a real time commitment.  I have learned about pricing, processing credit cards, becoming a business, setting up an attractive display, packing up and tearing down wisely and customer service.  

It was a good day…a long one.  I think my work was received as well as others.  The economy seems to be making people more judicious about their purchases.  I guess we’re all alike in that respect.  And, because of the economy, yesterday was the last time for this particular bead show.  I feel lucky I had this opportunity.  Next week, I have a table to myself in Williamston, Michigan.  This one will be a smaller show, but all proceeds will help with diabetes treatment and research.  

I enjoyed making some new friends yesterday and learning some things from customers that will help me in the future.  I really learn a lot from you and enjoy hearing your suggestions.  I hope you’ll stop in from time to time and let me know what you’re up to!

Sharlyn 

I was able to use this press for a month through the www.lampworketc.com “Press Game” in the Gameroom section.  This is a new press made by www.goodglass.com.  As you can see in the picture, this press allows you to make heart beads with horizontal and vertical holes.  The hearts are very full.  Actually, the largest heart, with a vertical hole, was just too full for my taste.  I actually tried making it and flattening it.  I just wasn’t successful.  When I tried to remove the chill marks, I lost the shape.  You might have better luck.  However, I loved the size of the smaller vertical hole bead.  That bead is a very versatile size…good for necklaces and bracelets.  Using the vertical holes, I was able to pull the point of the heart easily for another option.

I also liked the twofer–getting the grooved plate on the reverse of the base piece.  This press requires a base to use.  I just plugged it into my Cattwalk base and it worked like a charm.  For UK lampworkers this press seems to be a good buy.  For those of us in the US, the shipping and handling could be an issue.  For lampworkers making beads for Beads of Courage, this would offer some more possibilities.  The hearts are easy to build and most beginners to presses wouldn’t have much trouble making this press work for them.

Thanks to www.goodglass.com for making this press available to LE members.  

     Welcome to my new online home!  You can ring this doorbell anytime, the welcome mat is always out.  This new home is offering me a chance to let you see my “work” and my “fun”.  I hope I’ll make some new friends and get reacquainted with some old ones.   Most importantly it’s a place for us to communicate.  With that in mind, please feel free to post comments or sign up to receive my posts through your email.

     You’re probably wondering what you’ll find when you visit bysharlyn.com.  In addition to my periodic blog entries, you can see the newest items I’ve posted for sale, hear about some of what is going on in my life, and I may be doing some product reviews…things I like and things that maybe need some improvement.  You might also find good recipes every now and then.  Basically, it will be all things interesting to me.  Hopefully, they will be interesting to you as well.

      As is the case with any new home, there are things that still need to be settled and decided.  You can help with those decisions.Just send me an email.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope we’ll visit often.  I love meeting neighbors!