Berry Extraordinaire Lampwork Beads

Happy Valentines Day.  I got you a beautiful bead photo.  This exquisite little bead is less than 1".  However, the detail is just incredible.
Liliana’s artistic technique emphasizes focused improvisation and a willingness to treat glass as a partner in her process. “Making glass beads is like choreography to me. I conceptualize a bead, and in its creation the glass, the colors, gravity, the flame—just like dancers—build on my vision with their own natural interpretations. I enjoy the surprise.” The glass colors she engages range from the bold and outspoken to the quiet and transcendental. She varies surfaces from smooth and glossy to textured, rich in relief and dynamism. These too encapsulate metaphors of experience, pointing to the shifting realities of day to day human existence.

Originally from Moldova in Eastern Europe, Liliana Cirstea Glenn has lived in Russia, Romania, Alaska, and Iowa. She resides in BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, where she creates contemporary glass art in her home studio.

LIGHT AS AIR, PRETTY AS A PICTURE

This AMAZING dress is by Barbara Poole of  BOSTON, MA.  Barbara is a fiber artist who creates exquisitely crafted handmade fashion accessories from wool, silk and glass beads. She creates amazing one-of-a-kind wearable art.  She uses exciting combinations of wet felt, dry needle felting, beading, sewing and unique fiber art techniques. Her work is always a surprising mix of Inspired elemental colors, earthy textures, and disciplined craft. Barbara's work is available at Bead + Fiber, and on the web at www.bfelt.com and at her Etsy Store at www.barbipoole.etsy.com. Absolutely GORGEOUS !  Thanks, Barbara

Stars & Stripes American Flag Baby Hat with a Message

I wanted to post an american flag here, but instead, I found this adorable hand knitted baby hat made by BUTTERFLY DESIGN of BOSTON, MA. Butterfly Design makes these baby hats for newborns through Large child sizes on circular needles so that the hat will be comfortable. Click on the hat to go to see more.

I would like to take a moment to say how important it is to buy AMERICAN MADE whenever possible. Folks, we are SELLING our future buying imported stuff. We may save a few bucks if we buy at Walmart, but as our jobs evaporate, only to be done by someone who will work for peanuts in a foreign country how can we act surprised when unemployment numbers rise?
I can't help but think that if we ALL got together, and said enough is enough, we won't buy foreign stuff anymore, suddenly factories would be adding on, and American people would need to be hired to man those factories....here....in the good old USA. The government has been selling us out for years, giving big corporations tax loopholes so that not only do they make HUGE profits by taking formerly American jobs overseas, but if they spend the money there, they don't even have to pay taxes on it. So we get to pay more taxes to make up for that. You may think you're saving money buying that cheap china stuff....but are you REALLY ? Every time we open our wallets, we make a choice. Choose AMERICAN !