Good Morning,

I have started the kiln this fine morning. This is a bisque firing of porcelain snowflakes, beads, pendants and a stoneware bird feeder. The kiln is fired to cone 04.
It will take about 4 to 5 hours to complete.

Last week was a crazy week. We started with about 4 inches of snow on Monday, I was sick with a terrible cold and could not even enjoy the largest snow fall in.. like, oh, I don't even remember how many years it has been since we have seen that much snow. The kids were out of school for two days. They loved the snow. Monday night the temperature was hovering around 12 degrees. Now, today, what a fine morning. The sun is shining and the temperature is going to be in the high 70's. Can you believe that. In one week, our temperatures have spanned 60 degrees. We have gone from winter to early summer time temperatures.
I hope to get some gardening done today as well as the kiln firing. My daughter, being the teenager that she is, wants to go shopping today, we have to see about that one...
Well, back to the kiln. I have some great new designs of snowflakes in there, as well as some new oval hollow pillow beads that I have ordered new sterling prong bails for. In the picture, you will notice that just about everything is laying flat. That is ok since no glaze is in the kiln that would cause things to fuse together. One of my bead trees is in there with pendants hanging. I fire these on nicrome rods to ensure that the holes don't shrink. I will have to hang the pendants in the glaze firing and if I allow the holes to shrink during the bisque firing I would never be able to get them back on the rods.
I have so many bisque fired jewelry components that need to be glazed. I have to get busy glazing. The next time I run the kiln it will be a cone 6 glaze firing. I will get some pictures of the before and after. It really is an amazing transformation.

NADE

I am so excited. I have been invited to the annual conference for the National Assoc. of Developmental Educators (N.A.D.E) held this week at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro NC. They were looking for a few local artists to exhibit during the conference and I was chosen from my etsy website. What a great way to promote my business and sell my finished jewelry to national attendees.

New Flickr set

I have been working hard today adding new items to my website and creating a link at the top header called "Gallery of Sold". This link will take you to my flickr photo set of sold items. This gallery is designed to showcase my designs that may not always be on my website. You can check it out by clicking on this link.

Have a great day

14% off Valentine Day Sale on Etsy

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am having a 14% off selected items in my etsy store this weekend. The sale will run from Friday evening at 10pm thru Sunday evening. Selectied items will reflect sale prices and have Sale in the titles. I hope all will take advantage of the sale.

Remember to check out my website for other great designs from us.

I am continuing to work hard adding new items to etsy and my primary website everyday.

Another Treasury addition on Etsy

It is a great day in the neighborhood,
I have been added to another treasury in etsy.
My moon and stars stained glass necklace. Check it out at the link below.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38259

I am having my first Trunk Show at Orchard House in Summerfield, NC. today.

On Monday Feb. 9th, I will be featured in the Just Jewels showcase on etsy and on Valentine's Day as well. Look for some specials on Valentine's Day.

Must run off to play at the Trunk Show
Tracy

Aroma of Art Fundraiser

Hi,

I just got back from the post office mailing my donation of the pictured stained glass necklace, matching stained glass earrings, pink animal print porcelain earrings and a royal purple porcelain pair of earrings to the Taste Full Beans Coffehouse in Hickory NC. They are hosting their annual Aroma of Art fundraiser. A wonderful etsian found my storefront on etsy and invited me to participate. The fundraiser is a silent auction that will last the month of February. All proceeds will benefit three charities. Check out the links to read more. If you are in the area, stop by and tell them Tracy at TGL Designs sent you. If you manage to get one of my business cards, you will receive a coupon code on the back that you can use at TGL Designs until the end of March.

Oh by the way, it is snowing here...A great sense of excitement is filling the house tonight. The kids are hoping for no school tomorrow. They were out of school today due to black ice early this morning on the roads.

My First Etsy Treasury Feature

I am so excited to have a piece in an etsy treasury. This is my first. Be sure to check out this treasury by clicking on the link below. It will last through Wednesday Jan. 28th.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=40895

Have a great day

Tracy