LAKE ERIE LIVING MAGAZINE, The Sea Glass Festival, and little ole me.

This year has been flying by and I've been feeling pulled in so many directions that my brain is just about to go on the fritz and over load. Whew! It is almost over! All though I am looking forward to the sea glass festival, I will be relieved when it is over and I'll be able to relax some more. I'm sure all the other glassers out there are feeling the same way. It's nerve racking but at the same time so very exciting to be pariticpating in this huge festival.

I was interviewed several months ago by Lake Erie Living Magazine and then photographed for the magazine at the beach in Geneva, Ohio. My hands seemed to be what made the article but the article turned out very well done. When I saw that the article had hit the stands, my anxiety level went up slightly as I am realizing that the festival will be here in TWO weekds! Yes! Two weeks! Ahhhh!

I have so much work to do! I still need to create more pieces for the festival and booth design? I have NO idea what I'm going to do for that yet. I suppose I need to set a mock up and tweak. My husband will be thrilled when he comes home to see the mock up all set in the family room. Oh well, it must be done!

I also don't want to neglect my gallery owners and need to give them both a little love and attention. Kada gallery in Erie has an upcoming gallery night on October the 9th so I will focus on them first. Hopefully I can get some new desings in there of which I also plan on presenting at the festival. Kada is an awesome gallery for Erie. Joe and Kathy D'Angelo are some of the kindest people I've ever met and they really do care about their artists.

So, in retrospect I guess I need to get off the computer and start working on more jewelry! :0)

I MADE ETSY'S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY GUIDE!

I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am to find that I made the front page of today's (September 24th, 2009) Environmetally Friendly Guide on ETSY! I had just listed that ring only an hour prior to the guide's posting. Etsy is such a wonderful on-line venue for both artists AND for those who are just looking for handmade or vintage items. I have fallen in love with Etsy.

Maker's marks are the company stampings or logos that you would find underneath your china and pottery plates, cups, and saucers. They are amoung a favorite of mine to find when beach combing the shores of Lake Erie.

This particular piece was set in a sterling silver bezel with an adjustable band. It turned out awesome! I plan on taking it to KADA Gallery in Erie, Pa. where I have several pieces of my work on hand. I'm just wondering if Kathy, the gallery owner will become the new owner of this piece because if you know Kathy you know she has a soft spot for rings! :0)

Several other great items that are eco friendly also share the lime light! Go ahead and click on them if you find one of interest to you. :0)

The Eco Friendly Way Of Obtaining "The Mother Load Of Envelopes!"

I woke up a little early today due to a nuisance of a cat meowing at the top of his lungs to be let out. There he was at 5am sitting at the window and again shortly after 6. We do not let our cat out of the house but he does try and can be very sneaky at times. He is a beautiful all black Siamese mix and well, that makes his meow quite loud. Any how, after sending him down to the basement and finally falling back asleep, my daughter's alarm went off at 7:00! Can I catch a break today at all? So, I'm up! I'm up I say!

I made myself some much needed coffee and sat down to read the threads in many of the on-line groups that I belong to. I came to one thread in particular in my Eco Etsy group that made me smile from ear to ear! I loved the ideas that my fellow Eco friends were posting that I thought I would share them here as well. Who would have thought about recycling envelopes in these ways?!

Idea No. 1:
"Recently, I've come to be the owner of a huge amount of used envelopes and bubble mailers and wanted to share how I got them, in case any of you also have this opportunity."

"My husband went to a local indie type of radio station here in town to do an interview last week. I told him to ask them for bubble mailers while he was there, because I've seen them post on freecycle that they save all envelopes they receive demo CD's in, which get mailed to them every day."

"Sure enough, they showed him boxes full of envelopes. All sizes, shapes, types, you name it. They gave him a garbage bag and told him to have at it. And like a good husband, he took them all and brought them home to me."

"Call your local radio station and ask them if they save their envelopes, and if you can come pick them up! Or better yet, tell your husband to do it for you! Who needs flowers and chocolate when you can have a garbage bag full of bubble mailers instead, right!?"

Jennifer
iwunder.etsy.com


Idea No. 2:

"We've been dumpster diving for a couple of years now at Home Goods. I spoke to the manager about bubble wrap because they throw out bag fulls each day. She said - anytime you want some - just go around to the back and have fun!
Joel and I have brought home SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much of it which we use to wrap all our clipboards, etc that go out.
But wow......... a radio station for bubblewrappers is such an awesome tip!
Thanks a million!"

Debby
Dinner Time Chimes
Buffalo Gal's Soap

Idea No.3:
"<> I also dumpster dive at the post office. I totally go to the trash can by the PO boxes and sift through the trash, people dump their junk mail (usually unopened) all the time. You know all those things you get in the mail asking you for money? They all have a return envelope inside. Yes, I take those. I cover the writing with stickers and whatnot and use them for mailing. And I give them to my husband to use to make his daily bank deposits. Why not, right?"

"And I sometimes find manila envelopes in that trash can as well, or boxes sitting beside the trash can. I try not to be too obvious about it but I am such an envelope fiend it is not even funny. I haven't bought envelopes of any sort in years."

Jennifer
iwunder.etsy.com

...And, ask at your local library! They get lots
of books in bubble mailers.

Eco Etsy is a wonderful group of artists and eco consciouse men and women who are full of awesome tips and merchanidise for sale with the intent on being eco friendly! Check out our Eco Etsy Blog here!

HERITAGE Studio and Gallery is now OPEN!

I have recently been approached by Amy of Heritage Studio and Gallery in Canal Fulton to be a part of their family of artists. The opening reception was held Friday , July 31st and was an absolute success! All of the hard work that both Amy and David (the owners) put into this facility really paid off. The gallery is just beautiful and the event was a lot of fun.

I was so pleased to find that their were 3 other artists from my own Etsy Street Team, CLEVELAND HANDMADE, that were participating. Joining me at Heritage is Chris Zielski of Copper Leaf Studios, Gina DeSantis, and Melissa Muir!What an awesome representation of Cleveland area artists.

Heritage Studios and Gallery is located at:
2381 Locust Street #3
Canal Fulton, Oh. 44614
#330-819-4268

LIVE STRONG ~ Tour De West County July 25th 2009

Tour De West County is an annual family geared fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and to help others liveSTRONG with cancer. This year's event was held July 25th at Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, Pennsylvania.

The event kicks off at 8:30am with a 25 and 50 mile bike tour and several other shorter rides geared towards families with young ones. The rides are followed by a fun family expo including a dunking booth, bike polo, frisbee dogs, and many more demonstrations and attractions. Plenty of food and drink will be available and a silent auction featuring an autographed guitar by Grammy award winning Pat Monahan of Train!

This year's LEbg contribution to the event is an entirely handmade toggle front necklace featuring rare yellow beach glass. The toggle is inscribed with LIVE STRONG.

Other artist's works will be available for bid as well as day spa packages and other items of interest. For more information regarding the annual Tour De West County event please visit the site here.

C TOWN BEAUTIES! Cleveland Revisited

I love living right smack in the middle between three great cities: Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland! I would say that Cleveland is my favorite, though. She has a special place in my heart and I enjoy visiting her on a regular basis. I was taken a bit by surprised, the other day, when I read a post in virtual land regarding Cleveland as a dirty trash pit and the Cuyahoga River fire was specifically mentioned. It is true, Cleveland has had its problems (as well as many other cities) and the lake as well. However, we have come a long long way since that disaster and are continuing to beautify and take care of our beautiful Cleveland and abundant lake!

In fairness, a little history needs to be brought to the fore front. The year was 1969 when the Cuyahoga River, which is a main tributary river flowing through Cleveland, Ohio had caught fire. Industrial pollution that had been dumped into the stream had become so thick that the flame retardant quality of water was overcome. The entire country seemed to turn its noses up at us with jokes about planting grass on the lake to make it a golf course and one-liners about using the mercury saturated fish as thermometers. What was once the most productive fresh water fishing grounds bountiful with sturgeon know was a desolate waste land.

During the 70's groups of environmentalists,government municipalities,industries, and many many caring volunteers began to help Lake Erie and Cleveland come back to life. Those results are evident today with the numerous amount of sport fishing that takes place nearly year round on the lake and rivers. I implore you to come take a look for yourself. The Lake has beautifully clean beaches open to swimming, tasty, clean, fresh fish caught from her waters and served to you from the beautiful city of Cleveland. I love my Cleveland and hope you will come visit her and fall in love with her, too!

This is my Etsy Tribute to my fellow Cleveland Artists who love Cleveland as much as I do! They see the beauty of Cleveland and continue to make efforts to keep her a clean and beautiful place to live.

LEMONADE! LEMONADE! 25 CENTS!

Do you remember when you were a kid and you wanted to build your own lemonade stand, make some lemonade, and make a whole lot of money so you could go to the toy store and buy your favorite toy? After my little girls came to me in wind storm of excitement over their newly discovered and unique idea, the memories came flooding back to me. For me, it was those plastic little hasbro ponies with the big eyes, colorful hair, and pretty little symbols on their rump! Yes! You got it! My Little Pony from the good ole 80's. I am dating myself and I digress a bit but am jerked back to the present with little hands pulling on my shirt and bringing me out of the clouded world of memory.

"Why not?", I thought! So, the girls and I went to my husband (the handy wood crafting guy) to see what he had for scraps to make a lemonade stand! The girls helped put the stand together and even created and painted the designs on it! The older two also helped but don't corner them and ask because they'll never admit it!

So, the final product was ready for its curb side trial. All that was needed to complete the project was the lemonade and a trusty little jar to hold the profits!

Look at how well the girls did! They enjoyed themselves so much and our community was extremely supportive! I'm just glad that our township officials didn't stop by to ask us for our permit! Eeeek!

PULL TOGETHER ERIE! Review of the Erie Yacht Club Benefit for Pennsylvania's Flagship Niagara

What a well attended event to benefit the Niagara! I was excitingly surprised to see the local support of the Brig come together at the Erie Yacht Club on Tuesday evening May the 5th. It was very surreal to see that the tall ship had indeed made it's maiden voyage and docked at the club with its beautiful, "Don't Give Up The Ship!" flag blazing wildly in the wind. How many opportunities to you get to see and touch such an icon of beauty? I was blessed to get the chance to view her at this benefit.

Ever since the PA Historical and Museum Commission decided to cut funding for the Niagara sailing program, volunteers, yachtsmen, sailors, citizens, and people of all walks of life have become concerned that the ship will not sail and her demise would be eminent with time. The Erie Yacht Club is the first to come to her side by offering the, "Pull Together Erie!" benefit and live auction for this unique tall ship.

The local TV stations were present for full coverage as well as many locally known political candidates,socialites,doctors,lawyers,businessmen, and the concerned community. We were all enlightened as to the exact problem that is occurring with funding, what has been done and achieved thus far, and notified of future plans to help raise funding for the brig.

The program was supposed to open with remarks by Mayor Joseph Sinnott who conveniently was not able to attend at a last moment's notice. Being very disappointed I am not surprised since the Mayor is the one who has proposed the 170Mill spending through out the city of Erie without one lick of it going toward the ship! For myself, and I am sure others, this is yet another demonstration of his lack of concern for our local icon. (I wish to say more about this but will hold my tongue!)

What did I learn from the benefit and can share with you?
The US Brig Niagara is a coast guard approved Sailing School Vessel! Plans are in place for students to earn school credit while sailing and working the vessel for a two week period of time. (Makes me wish I were in school again!) Of the one million dollar needs of the brig, $800,000.00 is used for the overall maintenance of the vessel itself. It takes about 30 volunteers (NON PAID) to man the crew of the Niagara. The brig brings in 10's of thousands of dollars in revenue when it travels to other ports with 2 hour long lines of people who are excited to board and tour this historical reminder that, "We have met the enemy and they are ours!". **Of the funds collected only $250,000 more is needed to save this ship!**

This remaining portion of funding will hopefully come from corporations, granting institutions, special events, and caring individuals of the Erie community and across the nation.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT THE FLAGSHIP NIAGARA?
1) Outright Donations: When making outright donations to the ship they are put to work in preparing the ship as an educational and training platform for the people of Erie, as well as representing our city in both American and foreign ports. Pledges for periods of up to three years are welcome.

Securities are also accepted as donations and can be valuable for tax-planning purposed.

As individuals, outright tax deductible donations can be made. Many local corporations have pledged to match these donations such as PNC, General Electric, Mellon Financial Corporation and Exxon-Mobile.

2)Join the Flagship Niagara League.
3)Donate via Facebook.
4)Purchase "KEEP NIAGARA SAILING" tokens at area businesses for personal use or resale.

Companies can support the ship with outright donations and becoming a corporate member.

To Learn More, PLEASE contact the Flagship Niagara League:
Ms. Julie Wagner
150 East Front Street, Suite 100
Erie, Pennsylvania 16507
#814-452-BRIG (2744) Ext.222

Thank you for all who attended this event and to those who have contributed and who will contribute to this cause in the future. The Erie Yacht Club was able to raise over $30,000 from this event!

Let's keep the cause going and, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"
Photos are property of CMS, The US Brig Niagara League, John Baker-ship Photographer, and The Erie Maritime Museum.

ERIE YACHT CLUB Charity Regatta Event To Support THE BRIG NIAGARA!

The Erie Yacht Club will be hosting an evening reception and charity regatta to help support the Brig Niagara. This "PULL TOGETHER ERIE" benefit is set for Tuesday, May 5th, and is open to the public. This "Pull Together" event will be the first of two events to be held by the Yacht Club for the Brig.

PULL TOGETHER ERIE will be an evening cocktail reception that will commence at 6:00 p.m. in the Grill Room of the Erie Yacht Club. The evening will include a cash bar with Hor d'ouerves, a silent auction of Flagship Niagara artwork, and a keynote address from the noted maritime historian and Senior Captain of the Flagship Niagara, Walter Rybka. Local politicians and area business leaders are expected to be on hand. The evening will conclude around 8:30. A suggested donation of $10 per person is strongly encouraged by the organizers.

The first annual FLAGSHIP NIAGARA REGATTA will be held on August 9th. The regatta will actually use the Niagara as the committee boat with the entire EYC racing fleet sailing around the ship that will be docked in the middle of Presque Isle Bay. The Erie Yacht Club has extensive experience conducting charity regattas, some of which have raised funds in excess of $50,000 for the non-profit benefactor for a single day event.

The Erie Yacht Club is proud to be an eager supporter of the Flagship Niagara. Many of us who appreciate the Brig's important part of the community are very grateful to the Erie Yacht Club for its efforts in supporting the ship. I you, as a reader, also want to help support this ship but are unable to attend either of these events, please consider signing a petition that will be sent to Governor Rendell, the members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to help keep the Flagship Niagara sailing and preserve her sailing programs.

BRIG NIAGARA PETITION

For further information on the Erie Yacht Club events please contact the following:

Erie Yacht Club
Mr. Douglas Boldt, Event Chair and EYC Board of Directors
T: 814-602-1554
E: douglas@boldt.us

Flagship Niagara League
Mr. Brian Scott, Board Chair
T: 814-440-4084
E: bscott8@adelphia.net

Presque Isle State Park Spring Clean Up!

Its that time of year again! The sun stays out longer, the leaves start unfolding, and the flower begin to bud. Every year after the harsh storms of winter have passed it leaves quite a large amount of debris and trash on the shores. This year's clean up at Presque Isle State Park will be held April 25th from 9am - 1pm. (Stay longer if you want to!) The Presque Isle staff, The United Way, and Take Pride in America will be hosting the event. Registration will begin at 9:00 am at the Rotary Pavilion. There will be food provided and door prizes at 12:00 pm. Make sure you are prepared for our Erie weather and bring a long the kids! This is a wonderful event to involve kids of all ages and organizations!

Lake Erie Beach Glass and family will be out and about on the beaches of the park a long side other volunteers who care about keeping the beaches clean. If you are local or maybe even live a bit further away, we would love to see you help out. If you spot one of us, make sure you stop and say hi!

Erie's Brig Niagara, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

I was so saddened to see the headliner of The Erie Times News last Wednesday, March 25th that read, "Plans for U.S. Brig Niagara's sailing season could be sunk." The large vessel that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry once sailed during the war of 1812 has been sailing the Erie Bay and visiting ports all over Lake Erie and the Eastern Sea Board for a decade now. That battle turned the tide for the American Naval fleet who ended up winning the war. It's beauty and inspiration as you see it glide by the beaches in full sail is like no other. It takes your breath away. State government cuts threaten the brig's ability to sail and its future.

Many who live in Erie probably remember the brig when it was dry docked and viewable on land. It fell into disrepair and was almost completely lost. The restoration of the brig created excitement and hope. The brig IS a symbol of Erie and the Lake itself. In economically hard times, we need a symbol such as the brig and letting her go would be like giving up.

The brig needs 1 million dollars of funding for upkeep, maintenance, and sailing. It is currently docked at the Erie Maritime Museum, located on Erie's bayfront at 150 E. Front St. When docked, the ship is available for museum visitors to explore. What a wonderful opportunity to see the inside of the ship and to get an idea of what the men under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Perry himself would have experienced while sailing the flagship.

One million dollars seems like a lot of money, I would agree. But, when I saw the very next day's headliner in the paper it didn't seem like such a large amount and I became angry. The headline reads, "Sinnott presents $170M wish list." The mayors wish list from the estimated $170 million stimulus funding does not include the Brig's mere 1 million. Instead the list includes renovations of Tullio Arena, Perry Square, Griswold Park, and a NEW EMTA garage among others. You mean to tell me that in this plan there isn't any room for 1 million to go toward the symbol of Erie?

It is my hope that as many citizens who love the brig as much as I do will become aware and get involved with saving our ship. There is a facebook page dedicated to the cause. Help us save the Brig Niagara. Let your thoughts and feelings be heard. Visit the cause site and remember, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

CLEVELAND HANDMADE~Spring Challenge Winners!

The votes are in and have all been tallied! The winners of the Cleveland Handmade "SPRING CHALLENGE!" are:

FIRST PLACE:
Spring Fling Asymmetrical Earrings by SassyFrass

SECOND PLACE:
Alight by Smashing


and
THIRD PLACE:
Tulips by Photohale


Take a look at these shops and you'll find more awesome home made goodies by fabulous CLEVELAND are artists!

ETSY~CLEVELAND STREET TEAM SPRING CHALLENGE!

Well, I'm a day too late for this one but at least I can post about it! The Cleveland Street Team is a group of local artisans that sell their handmade goods on Etsy. We have grouped together to help support, promote, and interact with each other. I am a proud member of this fabulous group.

This SPRING CHALLENGE was sent out to the members of the team to create something springy and have it voted on by the public. Here is a sampling of what was created. If you would like to take a peek and vote just follow the link here!

Here is a treasury sample full of Cleveland Handmade goodies titled, WEARIN THE GREEN!

Thank you Photohale for creating this beautifully green treasury!

LEbg SERENITY~ Art & More Auction to Benefit Fairview Middle School!

Fairview Middle School's art department is gearing up for it's annual Art & More Auction. This art auction is a fundraiser to help aid and support the arts through hands-on classroom presentations, an annual artist in residence program, student artwork framing, the purchase of fine art prints, and to sponsor the Adopt An Artist program as well as many art-related field trips.

I am very excited and proud to have been asked to participate by submitting one of my own creations. SERENITY is the piece I have created specifically for this auction. It is comprised of a hand cut sterling silver diamond with circular cut out. The feature of the pendant holds a beautiful teal green piece of genuine sea glass found on Great Lake Erie that has been bezeled in the mixed metals of fine silver and copper. Decorative wire swirls accent the piece with a hammered texture. I can't wait to see how the piece is received at the auction which is to be held Friday, March 6, at the Lake Shore Country Club in Fairview, Pennsylvania.

zJayne ™ A Talented & Insiprational Artist & Friend!

Have you ever come across someone that just makes you want to smile all the time? There are some in this world who have such a postive out look on life that it is reflected in their personality through every thing that they do. Their infectious and contagious nature draws you to them and their happiness overwhelms you. These are the kind of people you want as a friend. They inspire you and make you a better person, too.

I have such a friend. Her name is Jayne Pierce aka zJayne! I met Jayne on-line through eBay of all things. We were fellow artists who happen to join a group of artisans specifically creating ACEO (Art Cards Editions & Original) Art work! I was drawn to her art, purchased a few for my own collection, and began asking her questions. She has always been extremely helpful and has become a source of inspiration for me! Let me show you what I mean!



I love the originality that Jayne has put into these copper ACEO art cards! I had to have her do a custom for myself!

Thus, THE SNOW KISS became....

...SNOW KISS!

Her creativity doesn't stop there, either! My favorite form of art that Jayne created are her altered art dolls!


So, another custom was created!

My grandmother Gottsch...

Jayne created three altered art dolls using this original picture. I gave these art dolls to my mother and her two sisters as a unique and special way to remember their mother, my grandmother.

zJayne's altered art dolls have become a signature representation of her art! She is featured in a book: The Vision Board:
The Secret to an Extraordinary Life
by Author Joyce Schwarz
Published by Collins Design (Harper Collins)

Jayne is also widely known in the art community for her desire to help keep the earth green! Take a look at what she can do by recycling old T-shirts!

Jayne says, "zJayne's Shop Announcement
Paper or Plastic? How about neither. It takes as much petroleum to make 14 plastic bags as it does to drive a car one mile. Upcycled T-Shirt Market Grocery Shopping Bags, Pouches, Wristlets, Lunch Sacks, all handmade from reycled tShirts."



You can learn more about zJayne (Jayne Pierce) and view her work through these links:
Jayne's Blog
Jayne's Etsy Shop!
1000 Markets!

THUNDER CAKE & WIRE FORGED HEART PINS!

As many of you who follow my blog already know, I am a home schooling mom. My 5-year old, Jordan chose the book THUNDER CAKE by Patricia Polacco to read for our reading circle. The book was really cute and involved a little girl's fear of thunder storms and a wise grandmother's idea of curing her grand daughter of this fear. The Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives. The list of ingredients is long...and the storm is coming closer all the time! The fearful child has to over come other fears while gathering the ingredients. Collecting eggs from Nellie peck hen and milk from old kick cow are just steps in over coming her fears. The book was a lot of fun and really captivated my children's attention. The enjoyed the book so much that we decided to use the provided recipe in the back and give it a try for ourselves. You might be surprised by some of the ingredients but the outcome was more than a pleasing and delicious cake! The children and me enjoyed a beautiful story, ate delicious cake, and created a new memory I hope they will cherish for all time! Here is the recipe for Thunder Cake if you should so desire to make one for your self!

THUNDER CAKE

Cream together, one at a time:
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated (Blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes

Sift together
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup dry cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Mix dry mixture into creamy mixture.
Bake in two greased and floured 8 1/2-inch round pans at 350Degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
Frost with chocolate butter frosting when cool. Top with strawberries.

While enjoying a second piece of Thunder Cake and while the girls were napping, I decided to flip through my latest Art Jewelry Magazine March 2009 issue. There is a beautiful wire forged heart brooch pin on the cover and the instructions on how to make it on the inside.




My dear Aunt Carol from Omaha, Nebraska has recently found out that she has breast cancer and has been going through a gauntlet of chemo therapy and medications. I've been wanting to send her something special that was different than flowers and something unique. This was perfect! I had all the supplies anyway, so I gathered them up, set it all out, and got to work. The end product is superb! I can't wait to send this little piece of love her way!

Identifying Sea Glass Marbles at the American Toy Marble Museum!

What fun it was to get together with Michael Cohill of the American Toy Marble Museum this past weekend! A man with a passion for marbles meets up with a woman with a passion for Sea Glass marbles!



In the years that I have been collecting sea glass it is always most pleasurable to find out the history of a piece. The mystery that exists when finding a piece of sea glass leads to the excitement of a possible journey. I have many sea glass marbles that I have collected through out the years and was just waiting for the chance to meet someone who would be able to help me identify them.



So, I found Michael Cohill! I can't really give the experiance justice by retelling it. It is something you would have to experiance yourself. But, Michael helped me identify a yellow Akro Agate Co. marble with a cork screw shape inside,
what is called a "Girl Scout" marble due to its green and yellow color, several opaque pieces which he believes were "game piece" marbles, and a highly desireable "chalky"!

Picking this fella's brain was a lot of fun and I am truly hoping that he will be a guest speaker at the next North American Sea Glass Festival that will be held in Erie, Pa. October 17th-18th 2009. He would have an excellant display of marbles, would contribute much knowledge on the area's marble history, and may even have a kids interactive area where they could learn how to shoot marbles! To learn more about the museum, please visit their site here!

Thank you, Michael, for all your help and I look forward to my next visit with you soon!
Jodie~LEbg
Lake Erie Beach Glass

HAPPY ANNIVERSAY 50's Pin Up LEbg Style!

Finding the perfect anniversary gift for my husband always seems to be such a challenge! Most items he ever mentions liking, he ends up purchasing for himself. When you ask him what he would like, or course he will say "Hon, you don't have to get me anything at all!" . So, I've been watching him closely and we both like art deco, the era of the 40's and 50's, and particularly those pin up ads right around WWII. So, I decided that I would get some pictures done of me with a 50's pin up look. That was a lot easier to think of than it was to orchestrate the whole ordeal. Geesh!

So, I called on my good friend Kathy Paton, better known as SMASHING on Etsy. Kathy is a fellow metalsmith artist and photographer. We set up a day and time and I got busy looking for vintage clothing appropriate to the era. I found some AWESOME finds at a local second hand store called The Sassy Peacock. I spent under $80.00 and came home with several beautiful outfits that I know I will wear again. Then, I came across some "kickin" high heeled saddle shoes at a thrift store for only $3.00. I can't believe they fit! All I needed where a few accessories including some beautiful fascinator combs from BORING SYDNEY off of Etsy, and schedule my hair and makeup appointment.

I found a fun and friendly hair stylist at the JC Penny hair salon in Erie by the name of Amanda. We did a mock up hair style and scheduled the "real deal" look for Saturday morning the 10th of January. My friend Nicki, HANDMADE, helped me secure a MAC makeup artist at the Crocker Park Mall in Cleveland.



In the mean time, I was also invited to attend the local Pittsburgh Belly Dancing performance the very same evening as a vendor. Now the day was REALLY jammed pack!

Saturday came and there were snow warnings all over Pa. and Ohio! I had to go, so I set out for my hair appt. first. Amanda did a wonderful job and I traded some jewelry work as part of my tip. Take a look at her beautiful bracelet! :0)




Off to Cleveland for makeup and a photo shoot! The roads were terrible and it took me nearly 3 hours to get to the appt. Now I was late! We finished makeup and I headed over to the photo shoot. By the time we were finished and reviewed some of the pictures it was already 5:30pm. The Belly Dancing Performance was to start at 6:00! Thank you Andrew and Jennifer (husband and sister-in-law) for taking my wares to the show, for setting up, and for manning the table until I got there! I took me 2 1/2 hours to get back home and to the show. What a day! But, it was all worth it because in the end, my pictures turned out really fun and cool and my husband was ecstatic! :0)
I owe a BIG THANK YOU to all of the people who where involved in helping put this together! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Jodie