DD 2012 Spring/Summer Show Schedule

I am getting very excited for the upcoming show season. My first show is the Hessler Street Fair near downtown Cleveland, OH on May 19 & 20, noon to dusk. This will be my fifth year at this show and I absolutely love doing it. 

After Hessler comes the Berea MayFest on May 26th from 10 to 5 at Coe Lake in Berea, OH. 

Then another favorite of mine, the Clifton Arts & Music Festival on June 16th from 10 to 6. The fest is located on Clifton Blvd. in Lakewood, OH between W 117th and W 112th.

Wildwood Fine Arts Festival in Mentor, OH June 24th from 10:30 to 5 at the Wildwood Cultural Center. This is a first time for me at this show, I look forward to a great day.

Another first for me is the Waterloo Arts Fest on June 30th from 11 to 7 in Cleveland's east side neighborhood of Collinwood.

Only one show in July, Willoughby Artsfest on the 21st from 10 to 5 in downtown Willoughby, OH.

Please follow my blog, FaceBook or my website www.debysdesigns.net for my show schedule.


Catch ya later,
Deby

Ever Evolving, Just Love the New Pieces

I have been very busy working on all of the new techniques I learned with Tanya Veit of AAE Glass (aaeglass.com) this past January. I did take a couple weeks off to have me knee replaced, rehab went well needed to get back to the "cave" asap. 

Of the 5 new techniques I at first loved the "Picasso" style pieces, they look a bit like stained glass. Small pieces of dichroic glass fused, etched, shaped, fire polished and mounted on a decorative bail.

However, I have really grown to enjoy making the layered scenery pieces. These are very time consuming but well worth the effort. The process is four layers which requires; 5 firings, cut, shaped, fire polished and the addition of a decal, the finished product is amazing.

Next blog I will discuss the other techniques. I am finding it difficult to go back to the way I fired pieces before. I am really excited to see how well they sell at the shows.

Stay Tuned,
Deby

Preparing for Shows

Since I have decided or rather told to have knee replacement surgery the push for me to get new pieces made is even stronger. This weekend I started 15 pieces with 2 different processes; 6 Picasso style, 5 scenery pieces and 4 etched dichro. These should be done later this week. The Picasso and the etched pieces will be done tomorrow, the scene pieces have at least one more trip to the kiln.

My surgery is scheduled for March 20th and my first show is Hessler Street Fair exactly 2 month later. I'm hoping to be able to negotiate the stairs 2 weeks after surgery so I can get back to the cave. I won't be able to go back to work for at least 4 weeks. We moved my office downstairs so hopefully I'll get the thumbs up to go back by late April.

So that's what I'm up to now, preparing for Hessler and my knee surgery.

Stay tuned for new pictures as mom gets them done!

Stay Happy,
Deby

Deby's Designs Fused Glass Art - 2012 is My Year

I have started the year on a new quest for better and more artistic pieces. I took a class in January with Tanya Viet of AAE Glass ( aaeglass.com ) in Cape Coral Florida which has proven to be the jump start I needed. I have purchased a tile saw and upgraded my kiln to a programmable style and I love it. Everything I have done in the past was just practice for what I am starting to develop now. I look at glass differently and have discovered that there are endless possibilities to what I can create, my imagination and designs are limitless.

So now with my new enthusiasm for my art I will be blogging and bragging more so indulge me it will be a fun and fascinating journey.  

Here is a couple of pics of what I am doing:

Picasso Etched Dichroic Pendant

Scenery in Glass

Etched Dichroic Tree Pendant

Fusible Paint Heart Pendant

 New items posted weekly, please enjoy - I do!
Deby

Deby's Designs 2.0

I have reinvented myself so many times it should be 100.0 instead of 2.0. I was going to just sell my wears through my website but figured more is more and decided to keep Etsy going, it is a great site. So without further delay here is the new and improved Etsy site:

I am offering a 10% discount as well as free shipping throughout the month of March. If you see something you like let me know my shows are fast approaching and it may not be available later!

Also the website debysdesigns.net is fully stocked and ready to go thanks to my moms hours and hours of dedication to perfection. Let us know what you think we are pretty proud of what we have done over the winter. We have added a new line of wedding jewelry and I do custom pieces upon request just drop an  email to debysdesigns@hotmail.com.

I am finally learning how to wire wrap my pendants, been yapping about it for at least a year and tomorrow is the day! Watch for Etsy and FaceBook updates.

All My Best,
Deby

Happy Holiday's from Deby's Designs

It has been a while since I sent a blog - busy, busy, busy. With getting ready for the holidays and taking care of family, time just gets away from me. Santa Mom came through with an awesome grinder that I can't wait to play with, new designs to come. My plan is to include wire wrapping with my glass cabs/pendants to add a special touch to make them even more unique.

I want to thank my friends for their support and continued interest in my jewelry, it means a lot to me. A special thanks to my mom for all that she does for me and that is A LOT. I wouldn't have my website or Etsy shop without her, LOVE YOU TONS MOM!

Speaking of websites, I have decided to do away with Etsy and ArtFire and go strictly with my own online store through my website; debysdesigns.net. It isn't set up yet but will be soon, I'll keep you posted.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season and a fantastic 2011!!!

All the Best!
Deby



Lots of stuff for Rocky River Arts Fest

I've been making beaded beauties for the show tomorrow, have found a new love in the base metals. Big fan of antique brass and copper, earrings using chain are the best yet! I would show a picture, but you need to see them in person. Here is where we'll be tomorrow from 10-5:

Come see me!
Deby

Stocking the Shops - What Sells?

I wish I could answer the question "what do people want?" I think jewelry is a purely impulsive purchase and you have to get the right person at the right time. No one goes into a store looking for a glass pendant with a gold cat or dragonfly, it has to catch their attention and make them WANT it. Since I have shops in vacation spots I need to send pieces with like themes that will make people remember where they were when they bought it. So I am working on pieces with fish, starfish, birds, palm trees, turtles, etc. anything that says
BUY me and you will remember the fun time you had on your vacation.

I am also designsing a dynamite piece that may not be the pendant that just anyone will buy, but will get me and my on-line shops noticed. Stay tuned, it should be coming soon and it will be AWESOME!


Deby

I just can't stop buying glass and decals!!

Every time I place an order for glass or decals ( www.delphiglass.com ) with my supplier out of Michigan I say this is the last order and guess what... it's not. I am in love with "shiny" things so I guess jewelry was a good thing for me to get into. I have been asked to create a couple special order items so of course I had to order more stuff and of course there is a minimum order - oh well it could be worse. I figure I quit drinking and smoking, this is my new addiction!!! My only regret is that I didn't get into this sooner, what an awesome thing to take a few pieces of glass and create a piece of art that someone actually wants to buy. It is sometimes tough for me to part with many of the pieces I create, I have been known to sell a pendant that I am wearing, there are only 2 I will NEVER part with.

I also design beaded jewelry, that is actually where I got my start. When I was a teenager I taught myself macrame' and made necklaces and bracelets for my friends and did a couple shows in my home town of Saline, MI. I even did the hanging plant holders that were so popular in the 70's. :o)

OK that's enough rambling for one day. Now I want to go to the "glass cave" (my studio) and create, but I already have too much for my tables as it is - such a dilemma.

Peace,
Deby

Interest in Deby's Designs is Rising!!

Even though a show may not go as well as hoped there are always contacts to make. At just about every show I have done someone has approached me for another show or to sell in their shop. This past weekend was no exception, actually I got one of each! Vanity Lab ( http://www.vanitylab.com/ ) in Westlake, OH has shown an interest in selling my items in their salon, I have a meeting on Monday. And in the fall Grand Pacific Junction ( grandpacificjunction.com ) in Olmsted Falls is planning a Shop Hop the first weekend in October. I am hoping to be set up in Odd Fellas Cafe on Columbia Rd. for this event, more info to follow.

I also just got the nod for the 21st Annual Basket of Treasurers ( http://www.westlakejuniorwomensclub.com/ ) craft show on November 13th in Westlake, OH at the Westlake High School from 9:30-4.

Since I have so many pet related items I am planning on doing the Brooklyn Animal Shelter ( http://www.brooklynshelter.org/ ) event located at the Brooklyn High School in Brooklyn, OH on December 4th.

Still working on my "Expressive Glass" line, last night I made butterflies and lady bugs!

Make it a Great Day!
Deby

Heritage Days will be a HOT one in more ways than one I hope!

Deby's Designs *** Heritage Days in Olmsted Falls, OH ( grandpacificjunction.com ) will be my last 2 day show of the year glad it's close to home. It starts Saturday 10-5 and winds up Sunday 11-5, they have LOTS going on. I'll be in the mood for deals, I'll give you $5 off your second piece purchase.

I know all of you pet lovers will enjoy seeing and hopefully buying all of the cute things I have made recently.

Come See Me,
Deby