Hang Dog August

Hello again from the Missouri Ozarks!

I'm featuring one of my very favorite artisans, Mary Ann Varanelli of Best Friends Studios - BestFriendsStudios.etsy.com and www.BESTFRIENDSSTUDIOS.COM. She also has a wonderful blog that features helpful info, entertaining tidbits and fun products for pet lovers at http://bestfriendsstudios.blogspot.com/

Mary Ann is one of those very talented, knowledgeable people that is always ready to help others. When I first started my Etsy shop she not only bought my lampwork dogs to give as gifts, but also gave me invaluable suggestions, information, hints, and praise! I'm sure my early success was largely due to Mary Ann's generosity.

So! What does Mary Ann make? Beautiful 100% wool felt appliquèd Christmas ornaments depicting.....can you guess? Dog Breeds, of course!  Their eyes and noses are glass and she embellishes them with ribbon trim & a felted bead for hanging. They are lightly stuffed with eco-friendly fiberfill. The dimensions are around 4" x 6" making them perfect for the Christmas tree.


Mary Ann's creations have been featured on the Rachel Ray show and in the Dog City gift guide. Please visit her Etsy shop or website. You'll be happy you did!

 ********************

I promised to show you a little more of what I do with my torch. I really love going sea life lampwork beads, like crabs, lobsters, and  sea turtles. Sometimes I'll do sand dollars, star fish, and tropical fish, too!

suzoom.etsy.com

Oh, I don't want to forget my frogs...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47216741/olive-and-lime-green-sea-turtle-lampwork

Gotta love a frog!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48246428/olive-green-frog-lampwork-pendant?ref=v1_other_1

August 2010 - My First Blog Post

Greetings!

My name is Suzanne Weatherman and I live in the Missouri Ozarks in Springfield. I handcraft lampwork beads out of Moretti glass rods. I use a Mini CC torch and I digitally anneal all my beads in a Paragon Bluebird kiln. It's extremely hard for me to believe I'm almost 60 years old because I still feel young. I've been told it shows in my creations!

If you had told me a couple of years ago that I'd have an Etsy shop and be selling my handcrafted lampwork beads online I would have told you that you were crazy! And yet, I do and I am!! Please check out suzoom.etsy.com! Now, doing a Blog!?! That's not only crazy, but out of this world nuts!! And yet, here goes!

My Etsy shop has turned out to be lots of fun! My main focus is on making the different dog and cat breeds come alive in glass! I love doing custom work, and as a result I've become acquainted with many wonderful people who have very special pets.

I also love making sea life, plant life, and various other animals... but I'll save those for a future post!

I plan on featuring at least one of my favorite artists in each of my blog posts. But I haven't figured out how to do that yet so for now I'll say so long.