Beaver Island Jewelry

The Value of Handmade

2012-01-21T16:11:00.002-05:00

Those who make handmade items come across this frequently -- people/potential customers wonder why we charge what we do for our items. I've had people come to my booth and say "gosh that is expensive!" Some will walk away in disgust before I can explain. Now I put photos of me at the torch making a lampwork bead so I can use it for "show and tell" to folks who will listen. Some people think that we can charge a couple dollars for a necklace, like they see in K-Mart or Walmart.

As a glass artisan I first start with raw glass rods. Thereis glass that you can buy for about $5.00 a pound on up. Most of the glass I use runs from $6 a pound to $25 a pound. Right away, you can see that charging $2 for a necklace will not work. Below is a photo of some of my glass. This glass is then melted, with the torch, into a bead. It is sometimes mixed with other colors, silver, gold, or frit (pieces of glass) to make our beads more beautiful.

Then we have costs for our equipment. My kiln cost was probably about $1500 dollars originally. I have to pay for the electricity to run the kiln when I anneal (harden) the glass beads. That is about 8 hours, plus the time during the bead making process. Say you are working in your studio for six hours. The kiln has to be on because the newly formed molten bead has to be put into a hot kiln. I had to also purchase my protective eye equipment (see above) which was probably about $150.

You need mandrels (in jars above, in front of the kiln), and other forming tools. You need a torch ($200 on up) and oxygen. Fuel is required to run the torch--I use natural gas in my Ann Arbor studio and propane in my Beaver Island studio.

Then you need to market your products, after you have cleaned the beads. That takes quite a lot of time and sometimes money to buy ads such as the one below I had in the Ann Arbor Observer. I buy business cards, little handout cards, boxes with Beaver Island Jewelry logo on them, jewelry pouches.

Moo cards - love em!

If you sell jewelry you will then buy findings (hopefully at wholesale prices) so that you can create a special item and then sell it at a show or on-line. You may also put it in your ETSY shop, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.! Oh - and this is after you have carefully photographed the necklace. Gosh, I'm tired just thinking about this process.

Did I forget to mention our time spent creating the bead, fashioning the jewelry? Our time is worth something. One person I know "charges" or accounts for her time as $1 a minute of time taken to make the bead. For example, one of the cupcake beads below probably took me about six minutes. As we get more "famous" we can probably charge more but there is a point where you have to take into account all that went into the product, plus the artisan's time, to come up with a reasonable price. And we are not getting rich following our artistic dreams!

I like to think that I am creating little pieces of art. It may not be a Chihuley installation but it is a small piece of glass sculpture. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece that you will not see in Target or similar stores. So, if you enjoy wearing something that you won't see on other people, you will like artisan created lampwork jewelry!

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Summer vacation on Beaver Island & ETSY

2012-01-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since I've posted on my blog. Guess I've been busy with other things. Spent the summer on Beaver Island (Michigan) so that time went by in a flash!

Spent Tuesdays doing art lessons - some with Lois (foreground). Others with a group of friends.

Spent some time having cocktails with friends! And I learned how to make a good frozen strawberry marquarita.

Lots of time reading or making jewelry on our porch with the pooch and hubby.

Took bog walks with the neighbor.

Garden tour of beautiful gardens on Beaver Island.

Hikes with friends and the dog on the island.

Sold jewelry at Art in the Harbor on Saturdays in July and August.

Gee, that was just a portion of what I did on my summer vacation! In December I went to New Orleans with my husband who had to attend a conference. Guess I'll put those photos in another blog, soon to come.

Lately, I have been trying to sell beads and jewelry on Brown Dog Glass Beads on ETSY. That is the name of my shop under Handmade items. That takes some time as you need to photograph the item, describe and post it, then try to "advertise" it around on social media. There are zillions of cool shops on ETSY so I'm not quite sure how you get noticed. http://www.etsy.com/shop/BrownDogGlassBeads This is the link to my shop. Check it out! And here's a couple items in my shop:

Talk to you later!

GO BACK TO: http://www.BeaverIslandJewelry.com HOME PAGE or http://www.ETSY.com/shop/BrownDogGlassBeads

Bead & Button Day 3

2011-06-11T21:05:00.001-04:00

tomorrow we leave Milwaukee. Sharlyn leaves at 4 am! I leave at 5:30 am! She is flying to Houston and I'm on Lake Express ferry to Muskegon MI.

Bead & Button was fun, we bought lots of things and enjoyed our classes. Saw some friends.

Here are some photos from today.

View from the Hyatt hotel. Milwaukee river is behind the big building.

View from elevator at hotel as I was descending.

This morning view at show..it wasn't very crowded! But it filled up later. Some vendors doing very well, others not.

My "loot" from today.

One of the Mary Hettsmanperger pendants i bought.

Czech beads from Ravens Journey..a favorite place!

So, I had better go pack up!

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Bead & Button Day Two

2011-06-10T22:12:00.001-04:00

This day was mostly spent in a class: Mixing Metals with Mary Hettmansperger. I would take another class from her in a heartbeat. My class worked with silver PMC and copper. We made our silver items and then worked on cutting copper, patina, pounding the metal with patterns.

The following pictures are of her things:

As you can see she makes really cool items that can also work with lamp work.

Next is a photo of my finished pieces. The domed silver item is PMC. sterling silver. I even did weaving with paper PMC!

Then for dinner we had Thai which was excellent. We met our friends Dawn and Annmarie.

No shopping today...but tomorrow I will be back!

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Bead & Button 2011

2011-06-10T09:03:00.001-04:00

Fun trip over to Milwaukee from Muskegon MI on the Lake Express since waves were about 4-5 feet. We were rock and rolling. Luckily I took a dramimene so I was just drowsy .

Inside the Lake Express.

- Then the show opened at 4 pm and we went shopping! Below is Karen Richards "metamorphis".

And Sharon Peters always Funny beads.

I voted for the pink flower necklace above and it won!

People waiting for opening bell for Bead $ Button.

Katie's Credo

2011-04-25T19:54:00.000-04:00

About a week ago we went to a Memorial for my friend Pat O'Connor's wife, Katie Serewicz. She was only 61 years of age. This Memorial was really a celebration of Katie's life with songs, dance and lots of pictures. Katie was Creative Director and one of the founders of The Art Experience (Pontiac, Michigan), art therapist and art teacher. She died on March 15th, 2011 after surviving a ruptured cerebral aneurysm in December of 2009. The Art Experience is a place for special needs art therapy.

On the back of the program handout was a Credo that Katie followed. I thought it worth preserving here on my blog as it is an excellent Credo! A Credo according to Wikipedia is a statement of belief. I had to look up several things so here are my findings.

A "bodhisattvas" is: a person who has attained prajna, or Enlightenment, but who postpones Nirvana in order to help others to attain Enlightenment: individual Bodhisattvas are the subjects of devotion in certain sects and are often represented in painting and sculpture. A couple photos show different bodhisattvas below along with a cave painting at Lascaux.

Here is Katie's Credo:

I believe in the cave paintings at Lascaux
the beauty of the clavicle
the journey of the salmon
I believe in all the gods
I just don't like some of them.
I believe the war is always against
the imagination, is recurring, repetitive and relentless.
I believe in fairies, elves, angles and bodhisattvas,
Santa Claus and
the Tooth Fairy.
I have seen and heard ghosts.
I believe Raven invented the Earth
And so did Coyote.
In archeology lies the clues.
The threshold is numinous and the way in is the way out.
I believe in the alphabets, all of them
and the stories seeping from their letters.
I believe in dance as prayer,
that the heart beat invented rhythm and chant.
Or is it the other way around
I believe in the wisdom of the body.
I believe that art saves lives and love makes it worth living
And that could be the other way around too.

I love this Credo -- Katie's Credo-- and I hope Katie doesn't mind if I follow it too!

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This and That

2011-03-21T10:46:00.001-04:00

I looked back at some of my Italy October 2010 photos and some were missing so I have gone back and re-added the photos. I think when I got a new computer with a different system on it some of the photos were lost. Go figure.

Also, I wanted to show some new photos of the "new" puppy! She is now six months old.

Shopping at Pet Smart

Still little pup

The Chessie smile! Playing at Paw Run dog park.

Getting bigger and favorite giraffe.

A favorite chair until we had to move it out of the room as she started eating it--made a hole!

New dog in town!

At Huron Clinton Metro Park

A Paw Run dog park taking a walk. February 2011.

She is about 5 months above photo.

So she ate the blue chair which we moved out of the room, then put this IKEA chair in its place which she started chewing on so out it went. Now she lays on the floor! She is six months in this photo.

Enough photos of the puppy!

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New Chessie Puppy

2010-11-12T18:05:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, our beloved Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Kelly, died this summer on Beaver Island. We decided our house was too empty without a dog. Well, now we have our hands full with a brand new Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy! She is 8 weeks old and has been with us for 5 days. Above is a video of her chasing her water bowl around. She didn't like it when it got turned over. And then we found out she knew how to bark, sort of!

Her name is Niko - named after a shipwreck near Beaver Island, Michigan.

We'll take this one! This was at the breeder's house and we kind of gravitated towards this little girl.

Her favorite toy is the squeaky frog we got from the Humane Society. She loves it!

These two photos show her little mouth which I think is hilarious! Looks like someone took a stitch and pulled it too tight! I guess it is probably her jowls which she will grow into.

Yes, she gets to lay on the couch but she is being crated. Or she is learning to be crated!

One of her favorite poses. She will run and chase her toys and then all of a sudden stop like this! Or she will fall asleep.

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More about Venice and Aqua Alta

2010-10-27T14:46:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to say some more about the flooding of Venice with high water (aqua alta). There is a building project on going in the lagoon that hopes to correct some of the high water. It is called MOSE. There is an interesting video on YouTube that explains some of this massive project. The Corps of Engineers here in the U.S. would love to be doing this project (my former employer)! And here is a piece from Wikipedia:

The MOSE Project (acronym for Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico — in English, Experimental Electromechanical Module) is a project intended to protect the city of Venice, Italy from floods. The project is an integrated defence system consisting of rows of mobile gates able to isolate the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea when the tide reaches above an established level (110 cm) and up to a maximum of 3 m. Together with other complementary measures such as coastal reinforcement, the raising of quaysides and paving and improvement of the lagoon environment, these barriers will protect the city of Venice from extreme events such as the floods and from morphological degradation. Work on the project has been under way since 2003 at the three lagoon inlets of Lido, Malamocco and Chioggia, the gaps connecting the lagoon with the sea and through which the tide ebbs and flows. The name MOSE is also a play on the Italian name for Moses, Mosè. The project is being executed by engineers at FIAT.^{[citation needed]} The MOSE project continues to encounter vociferous, well-organised, well-informed opposition from many sides.

San Marco Square flooded during high water.

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Rain in Venice

2010-10-25T09:54:00.001-04:00

Sitting outside our cafe this morning (our last full day) we watched the morning traffic of pedestrians and cani. Umbrellas were prevalent.

We walked to the P. Roma to get our bus ticket for the 5 am bus to the airport in the morning. Hopefully it isn't pouring rain for our walk rolling the suitcases tomorrow. It is a short walk with four bridges. This morning Sharlyn heard the aqua Alta high water siren go off.

We boarded the #1 vaporetto down the Grand Canal for our last trip ( in the rain). It was crowded.

See the casket in the boat going for their last ride down the Grand Canal too.

See the cell tower on this government building on the Grand Canal? Got off near San Marco Square and found a mess!

Water over your ankles in many areas, crowds of people pushing and shoving and jabbing with their umbrellas, and the ramps placed. You are suppose to walk on the right and let people pass going the other way. Some of the ramps are narrow and this becomes a test of your endurance!
Police were there to keep things fairly orderly. Some of the smart people had boots so could just wade through the water. We did not have extra room in our suitcases to bring our Bean boots!

This photo shows that most of the main San Marco area was underwater.

Caio from Venice ; I'm flying home tomorrow.

Nancy

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Dominica Marathon in Venice

2010-10-24T12:53:00.002-04:00

Today is a quiet day here in Venice. Lots of church bells this morning. We went to the Tonolo Bakery in the Calle San Pantalon for our caffe. I got a brioche with cream in it versus my usual with jam. This bakery is mentioned in my favorite novels of Venice, the Dona Leon Inspector Brunneti series. Their display of pastries was endless; so much to choose from that I got my usual!

This is my usual brioche with jam.

Along the way to the Giudecca waterway we saw this boat loaded with wine. Sharlyn thought they were the bottles that families have for their personal wine in their homes.

A marathon was going on when we got to the Fondemente along the Giudeca. Ramps had been put up over all the bridges so they didn't have to run up and down steps!

This alpine looking place is the gondola workshop. The workman are from the Dolomite region as they need to be good with wood. New gondolas cost about 35,000 to 50,000 euros. Every 40 days the gondolas need new varnish to protect the hull from wood eating creatures in the lagoon.

Gondolas are always painted black (six coats) because of a 17th century law by the Doge to eliminate competition.

Across the rio from the gondola workshop were painters.

Dogs and more dogs were out enjoying Dominica in Venice.

And we found one of those little boxes/face where people could tattle on their fellow Venetians. Funny thing is there was a little mini me mouth high up the wall too? Looks like the building was an opera house at one time.

Shoes anyone?

Another view of Santa Margherita Square on a weekday.

This is the Campo Santa Margherita where I catch the wifi under "Venice Connected" each day. The old building in the middle has some antennas connected to a light which is probably my wifi source. Last night I talked to my husband on Skype here; worked great!

Caio!

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Traghetto ride

2010-10-23T12:47:00.001-04:00

Today our goal, beside shopping our way to San Marco Square, was to ride a traghetto across the Grand Canal. Only four bridges cross the Grand Canal but traghettis are like shuttles across the canal. So we rode the one at St. Samuelle for 1 euro. Best euro spent here in Venice! It was fun..we didn't stand like locals but sat down. You are down low, right on the water.

This car was at one side of the St. Samuelle stop. Decorative art I guess.

Wanted to show another bead of Vittorio Constatini..his Monarch is impressive. Looks real doesn't it?

And this is for my hubby...it was in an antique shop and appears to be a pocket pharmacy. The one behind was even smaller but had more little bottles.

Medusa mask I believe.

Me and my favorite winged lion!

Sharlyn and a lion.

Caia from Venice!

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Supermarket & Jewish Ghetto in Venice

2010-10-22T13:20:00.001-04:00

This morning was cool and partly cloudy here in lovely Venice. After I washed some clothes by hand (easier) and hung out on our elevated clothes line we took off for Capacinno and then to the Billa Supermarket. What luck but we found how the goods are shipped and loaded into the store!

The semi truck is loaded onto a barge and brought right out front of the supermarket! Following are photos inside the market.

Eggs don't seem to be refrigerated.

These giant cookies are for the feast of St Martin on November 11. This is a shortcrust biscuit baked in the shape of a man on horseback and decorated with colored sweets. Children beating pots and pans do the rounds of the neighborhood singing traditional songs and demanding sweets. Almost sounds like America's Halloween although we have seen Halloween decorations and cookies in some stores too.

The deli section.

These weren't in the supermarket but in a bead/jewelry shop!

The two above photos were in the Jewish Ghetto in the Cannaregio District.
In medieval times Jews were grudgingly allowed to do business in Venice but they were not permitted to live there until 1385. In 1516 the Doge compromised by restricting Jews to a special (undesirable) neighborhood. It was located on an easy to isolate island near the former foundry, or
geto, coining the word "ghetto" for a segregated neighborhood. Bet you didn't know this little factoid!

Gas station for boats on the Fondamente Nuove.

Me at an old water well.

This was an actual bead shop. Not many here.

I bought this little painting in the ghetto which shows gattos and cani racing in the Regatta on the Grand Canal.

Tonight Sharlyn fixed delicious salmon from our fish market in the square. Fresh bread and spinach.

Caia from Venice!

Nancy

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Burano

2010-10-21T12:28:00.001-04:00

Today we had abundant sunshine as the weather report stated while we traipsed to Burano.

Taking the early morning boat to Zacheria stop we had a pretty shot of the Doges Palace.

Took the LN vaporetto from Zacheria stop to Burano. What a beautiful ride, taking about 45 minutes. See the mountains in the background.

A photo from the other day that I wanted to post was a cruise ship passing by Venice. It was very strange and kept coming by, looking like a huge building. Note at the end of the canal.

Burano is a sleepy little village compared to Venice. Today, Thursday, it wasn't too busy. Coming up to the island you get a good view of the San Martino church and the leaning bell tower. It leans 15 degrees the same as Pisa. Isn't it cool?

And then of course there are all the colorful houses. The water was coming over the top of the canals when we got there.

The little bead shop was still there (above).

We stopped in Murano on the way home to visit Roberto at the Carlo Dona shop as Sharlyn wanted some more tools! And we looked at all the beautiful shops again.

Above is some street art on Murano and the UPS boat!

Waiting for the vaporetto home I saw some kayakers! Unusual to see that.

Caio from Venice!
Nancy at Beaver Island Jewelry

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Wednesday

2010-10-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

We are still both sick. I woke up early coughing and I heard Sharlyn coughing. When I woke up again it was 9 am so we decided to postpone our jaunt to Burano. Tomorrow hopefully we will feel a little better and the forecast says "bountiful" sun!

So after breakfast and coffee we took the vaporetto to the Rialto stop.

Grand Canal on a busy weekday morning.

Coming up to the Rialto vaporetto stops on the right.

The two above photos show some art students sketching along the canal and the other photo shows the high water today. It goes to the top of the canal walls and up the stairs.

this cappacino was very pretty!

chicken George hasn't been out much lately ... He has a cold too. But he did come along today and helped me pick a nice Italian leather purse! It was either this one (soft leather under 40 euros) or the handmade one from the leather shop with the Graziano bead for 250 euros!

This is the floor in our kitchen. I love it!

When we can we snap photos of interesting jewelry pieces.

Caio from Venice.......Nancy/Beaver Island Jewelry

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Accademia area

2010-10-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

We are still "under the weather" but have enjoyed walking around neighborhoods today. After our coffee In the Campo we saw a new vendor set up selling clothes of all things. Some very nice sweaters and shirts. Sharlyn bought a lovely cashmere sweater for 35 euros. Then we bought dinner: salmon at the fish market in our Campo.

I wanted to show the washer...small and it took about an hour to wash.

This is the hot water heater which is above the washer. It is on demand hot water.

This unit is on the wall, operated by a remote and is a/c and heat. There is one in each of the two bedrooms and the kitchen. Last night we found out about heat through the radiators so are using those instead. Apparently it is more cost efficient according to Maurizio, our rental agent.

Over the Academia bridge so I could go to the leather artisan shop..still debating on a very unique purse.

We walked all around the Academia neighborhood and Peggy Guggenheim palazzo. It is amazing that this city can support so many little shops. The gate above is in back of the Guggenheim Museum. Peggy was an American heiress who was friend and patron to modern artists. In 1948 she retired to Venice and started one of the best collections anywhere of 20th century art.

Just a cool photo near the Guggenheim.

I believe this is San Giorgio Maggiore on Giudecca. We had cut over from the Guggenheim to Fondamenta Santo Saloni.

This is our rental agent, a very good looking Venetian, Maurizio, who along with his wife rent apartments. They have been very helpful to us and we are happy Rick Steves recommended them! If you go to Venice and would like an apartment check out their website at VeniceRentals.com. Any questions please send me an email.

I am a big fan of Dona Leon's series of books with Inspector Brunnetti so I had to check out where this fictional character lives ( although the place is real). The next couple shots show his building and street. I amazed myself that I found it through all sorts of twisty streets, pontes, shops!

A couple more Venetian scenes.

Bakery.

And a chocolate shop...I did buy a piece of dark chocolate and it is good although not sweet. Should last a while.

Caio from Venice!

Wandering the back streets of Venice

2010-10-18T12:34:00.001-04:00

The other day while at San Marco Square and the Basilica I mentioned the aqua Alta water coming into the church. The top photo shows that but actually it makes the beautiful tile stand out even more. The second photo is the ceiling mosaic at the Basilica, snapped on my way out. I'm lucky I haven't been picked up by the police yet for taking illegal photos.

This morning I woke with a bad cold, runny nose, scratchy throat. A hot shower, some drugs, a couple cappocinos and I felt a little better. Had to visit a little store to buy a box of tissues which I have been clutching all day!

These photos show a stamp shop for my stamp collecting friends.

Sharlyn bundled up this morning having her cappocino. It was quite cool but at least it wasn't raining as forecast. And an early morning shot of our Campo which is feeling like home.

After our friend Bri left for Florence Sharlyn and I just started wandering. We ran into this mask shop where Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman got their masks for the movie "Eyes Wide Shut".

And beautiful shots around every corner:

Murrini butt.

From Acadamia Bridge over the Grand Canal. The vaporetto bus stops at these little "houses".

Here's the Farmacia where I stopped to get some medicine to stem the flow of my runny nose! The postman was stopped outside the door.

Our panni lunches. Top was mine with roast beef, tomatoes and arugula. Delicious! Sharlyn was brave and tried the shredded horse meat! Haven't seen any horses around Venice...maybe this is why.

Next stop was a wonderful leather shop that made their own bags and used Graziano's hollowed, flattened beads! They seemed surprised that I recognized the beads! I am seriously contemplating a specially designed bag that holds your iPad with the purse. What do you think? Spend euros for a beautiful handmade purse?

On the way to La Fenice the opera house.

Le Fenice Opera House..during the 18th century this was one of seven in Venice and one of the most famous European opera houses. For 200 years this continued but in 1996 an arson gutted the theater. But Le Fenice (which means "the Phoenix" strangely enough) has risen from the ashes after 8 years of rebuilding.

Scarves are sold everywhere and they are all beautiful. These were E8 which isn't too bad a price.

Caio from Venice! Hope you are enjoying.....

Nancy
Www.BeaverIslandjewelry.com

Dominica--Sunday in Venice

2010-10-17T11:04:00.001-04:00

Today was a quiet Sunday. I slept in a little bit as I had a scratchy throat and didn't feel too good. Our little bar was closed but we found another one in the Campo open with capacinno and brioches. It was pouring rain and has been off and on all day. And damp cold. My scarf and hat have felt good.

Today I am just putting on a few photos. Here is one showing a public WC.

The photo from yesterday at San Marco Square where folks were walking on the planks shows this guy with two suitcases trying to walk on the planks without knocking off the people coming down the other side!

The above photos show our little street where our apartment door is located.
The last photo was from this morning in the rain.

I am darn glad I bought these cute little slipper things before I came as the beautiful terrazzo floor is cold!

The bridge is right by my apartment and the lovely Terra cotta colored building has a pine tree and a palm tree! Unusual to even see a tree in Venice.

We walked to a little bar to get a panini and these Fanzies. fanzies seem to be sort of like Cheetos but not so cheesy. They were very good I thought.

Caio from Venice!

Nancy

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San Marco Square

2010-10-16T14:03:00.002-04:00

Even though it was Saturday and probably the most touristy day here in Venice, we went to San Marco Square as we had reservations for the Doges Palace Secret Itinerary Tour. But first we lined up for The Basilica. Aqua Alta had happened last night (high water) so part of San Marco Square was flooded and people were walking on the high ramps. We had heard the warning sirens this morning in our apartment but didn't know what it meant.

These photos show the water. Later in the day it dissipated. I am standing by one of the St Mark lions which are everywhere. I love them. People were crowded onto the walkways, some people dragging along 2 suitcases apiece! Apparently they did not read Rick Steves suggestion to pack lightly for Venice!

Of course in the Basilica you cannot take photos but I managed one of the water covering the beautiful floor (see above).
We still had time before our reservation for the tour so we headed for the top of the Camponile tower. See the photos above.

The above four photos are taken from the top of the Camponile; one in each of the four directions. So what you are seeing is Venice from above, including the lagoon. Also you see San Marco Square and the onion domes of the Basilica.

The three of us (above photo): from left Bri, Sharlyn and me! Yes, I still have lots of hair!

Bri and Sharlyn checking out the merchandise.

The Mouth of Truth. I love this guy! He/she is waiting for gossip from the citizens of Venice during the Doges time (1150 - 1550). A complaint or suspicion could be placed here anonymously and the wheels of justice would then go to work.

In the prison. We could not photograph most of the Palace.

from the Bridge of Sighes.

Bridge of sighs.

Me in the Square.

Of course Sharlyn and I are photographing or drawing lots of jewelry ideas!

Every corner is a photo or painting opportunity.

Crowds of folks shopping, on our way to the Rialto Bridge.

The Rialto Bridge.

This is the water fountain in "our" square - Santa Margherita. Note the lady! By the way, the water is excellent.

Interesting fact- Bri is leaving Monday so we calculated our shares of groceries for one week. It was under 100 Euros for the three of us! It has paid off to cook most of our meals in the apartment. Now the charges for cappacino.....that is another matter! And tonight I tried a Proseco ... Yum!

Ciao from Venice, Italy!

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household duty day

2010-10-15T11:22:00.001-04:00

Today we decided to take it easy somewhat. We started the morning doing the wash (my wash) in the tiny machine which took a good hour to wash the clothes. No dryers so I hung my wash on the line outside our window. We are on the second floor.

That's my wash up there!

We also decided to do the dishes in the dishwasher. Somehow we blew the fuse/switch so had to call Maurizio at Venice Rentals to get further information. there was a second fuse box and that did the trick! You cannot have the dishwasher, washing machine and chargers and heating at the same time!

Sharlyn and I decided to visit the Ca' Ressonico to see a 1700's palazzo. There is period furniture and frescos by Tiepolo on two floors. We saw a period bedroom and even a pharmacy ! No photos were to be taken. Ut the guides were busy talking and not watching the museum so.......

A couple of the Tiepolo ceiling frescos above and a view to the Grand Canal from the piano nobile floor.

The two photos above are the Pharmacia!

We also needed groceries so got our veggies fresh at the market stand in our campo and then walked to the Billa supermarket which is quite nice. Since they charge for bags we brought our own. Takes three of us to carry it all..especially when you have wine!

And then into our little refrigerator. Now I know why the Italians, or at least the Venetians are so thin....they walk everywhere, carry everything on their person. I forgot to mention that we stopped along the way for an espresso shot at the bar !

Ciao!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad in the Campo Santa Margherita, Venice, Italy.

Murano day tripping

2010-10-14T14:59:00.002-04:00

Today (Thursday ) we had our leisurely two capacinos in the campo..the same one that I am sitting in now, in the dark with hundreds of students milling about. the University Foscari (?) is in the neighborhood.

Stairs to our apartemento.

Sharlyn working on her computer in our kitchen. she has a Vodaphone USB for her computer. This does not work with my iPad. And the rest of the room which is kind of like a family room.

My bedroom.

Hallway. We have two bathrooms. The apartment had thick windows and shutters that we shut at night and during the day when we were gone.

Us in front of some public art on the Island of Murano.

Some of Davidae Salvatore's beads.

Paolo Cenedese working on his fabulous shells in his shop. I think we spent about an hour with Paolo and his wife as they were so much fun! Did you lamp workers know he has a rock band? He made several off mandrel shells for us as well as an artists paintbrush for me.

Forgot to mention our visit to the Carlo Dona tool shop and Roberto Dona. Of course Sharlyn and I bought tools!!

We enjoyed the people and some of the glass shops on Murano, spending many Euros on the island. I stopped in to see Lucio Bubacco and he seemed to remember me from class two years ago. he was packing up his structures in crates for the SOFA show in Nocember.

After the vaporetto ride to Ferovia, the train station we started walking back home, winding along the canals and small streets. We found a restaurant for dinner since we were hungry and too lazy to cook dinner.

this is a photo of my Gnocchi with mushrooms. OMG it was excellent!

Ciao for this evening from Venice, Italy....Nancy

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Orsoni Mosaic Factory and more

2010-10-13T11:08:00.001-04:00

Today we had an appointment at Orsoni for a tour. Took a very slow vaporetto to Ferovia, the train station and then walked to Orsoni. It helped that I had been 2 years ago with Ophelia.

Great tour and here are some photos.

Glass color library.

even chicken George enjoyed the mosaics. He wanted to stay at the Doumo Orsoni with the women taking a class here.

The foundamenta near Orsoni. There are lots of dogs (canne)... And I love it!

A carnival/mask shop on our travels today.

We went to Vittorio Constatini's shop; enjoyed talking with them and looking at the wonderful tiny glass bugs, butterflies and birds.

Near the Rialto Bridge. Lots of little shops, including some permanent shops directly on the bridge. We found a lovely jewelry shop, La Perla. They were putting together great color combinations of beads, chains, cords.

Ciao for now. I am sitting in our campo outside as I use Venice Connected for the wifi for my little iPad . And it is starting to rain!

Nancy in Venice.

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Venice

2010-10-13T02:21:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was our first full day in Venice. We settled into our apartment and then bought an iMob card which is basically a transit card for the boat. The trip down the Grand Canal was wonderful.

Chicken Geoge (right) came on the trip with us and met a girlfriend! Love on the Grand Canal.

My friends sitting in the Campo Santa Marhgerita drinking cappuccino.

I will just post some photos here!

Santa Marhgerita.

The new bridge over the Grand Canal. Does not fit in with the old style bridges of Venice. It is glass.

At San Marco Square with a big cruise boat coming in.

Sharyln looking at the beautiful jewelry!

Pistachio cookies.

Window displays!

All things are recycled out of Venice. This is the garbage boat in the canal that picks it up. It is all hand-carted to the boats.

Getting ready for trip to Venice Italy

2010-10-08T14:08:00.000-04:00

Come along to Venice, Italy with me! You can watch this blog for photos from my trip to Venice, Murano, and Burano, starting Monday October 11, 2010. Sharlyn Premuda will be traveling with me along with another friend. We will be visiting bead shops, glassmakers, mask shops, the Orsoni smalti/mosaic factory and anything we find interesting. We will probably go to some museums and churches as well.

I will try to place a link on my Facebook page or you can bookmark this site. Since I am traveling with my iPad I am hopefull my blog posting and photo sharing will all work out!

We arrive in Venice Monday morning and will go to our apartment near Santa Margherita campo and then the exploration begins!

Following are some photos of my packing process - I am packing my carry on backpack and suitcase and have laid everything out on the spare room bed for possible inclusion in my suitcase. As you can see, George is overseeing the process!

Of course, not all the stuff on the bed made it into the bag otherwise I would not be able to roll it along in Venice. In Venice there are no cars, you either walk or take the vaporetto (water bus). Even taking the vaporetto you probably have a walk over bridges to your residence.

And the following couple of photos show what I will see when I get to Venice. These photos are from my last trip there two years ago. The first one is the Grand Canal with the second a shot of those picturesque gondolas!

Caio for now! Hopefully my posting works with my iPad.

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Passages

2010-09-14T20:07:00.001-04:00

Why am I having such a hard time with the recent passing of our beloved 12 year old dog? I haven't cried so much in a long time.

Some people have suggested it is because you spend so much time with your pet. Whatever... we miss her curled up at our feet, barking at the deer, greeting her friend Cleo the dog, looking for scraps of food, waiting patiently for coffee foam from our lattes, just following us around the house. I miss the smell of a Chessie; very distinct. I miss petting her and smothering her with kisses.

Kelly would even let her friend Cleo use her comfy bed when she came for a sleepover! Here she is even laying on the brick so her friend can have the bed. What a sweetheart.

She loved Beaver Island and often "helped" me sell beads. Here we are off to work. She was named for Kelly's Point on the island.

My wish is that there is a dog heaven and she is there with the many friends she made thru her life.

We love you and miss you so much Kelly.

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Beaver Island Jewelry: Back to Ann Arbor

2010-09-10T20:56:00.000-04:00

Beaver Island Jewelry: Back to Ann Arbor

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Back to Ann Arbor

2010-09-10T20:54:00.001-04:00

Early this morning I left Beaver Island on the ferry. Paradise Bay was beautiful; hard to leave.

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Trying a post

2010-08-15T14:09:00.001-04:00

This is another test post for posting from my email onto my blog.

Enjoying Beaver Island

2010-08-15T12:51:00.000-04:00

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I am checking to see if my blog will show by doing it on my iPad..in anticipation of doing my blog from Venice in October.

But I don't see how to add photos via the iPad.

Venice in the Spring & Volcano!

2010-04-23T21:27:00.001-04:00

I love this bead that I made and just wanted to showcase it! Will try some more similar to this later.

Right now I should be in Venice, enjoying the cafe lattes, scenic views, nice weather, glass on Murano, lace on Burano, but a volcano happened! One I cannot even pronounce the name to. Our plane to Amsterdam, then Venice was canceled due to the ash cloud so our trip has been postponed until the fall. The deposit on our apartment was thankfully moved to our new time. The only trouble is that we have to wait another six months!! But maybe that is like having two Christmas'. Anticipation.

So, to help me get through I am putting some past photos that I took in Venice on my blog.

Everything coming into or out of Venice is moved by boat and then handcarts. Everything. This shows items coming in to a store, early morning.

Cat mask. Cute isn't she? The mask shops are fun to browse.

A couple scenes of Venice. You justcannot take a good photo in Venice. The first one is off of San Marco Square, the gondolas docked waiting for customers. And a lovely small canal somewhere inside Venice.

This is a photo of the glass pots at the Orsoni Mosaic Factory in Venice. I took a little tour and their cat, Felix, was walking around. This factory makes the little mosaics that go into many of the mosaics around Venice. Here's one:

This was in a shop I passed by, somewhere in Venice. Some clever breadmaker had made the bread into these faces.

This is the secret mail slot in the Doge's Palace where you could "rat out" your neighbor.

Of course, lots of cool, interesting jewelry in the shops. This is a photo I snapped going by a shop.

Well, that was just a "taste" of Venice from my last trip there two years ago. My mind is walking around there right now -- but I am at home.

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Art Fair Saturday and New Things!

2010-04-13T20:39:00.000-04:00

DEXTER PIONEER ARTS FAIR

Saturday, April 17, 2010 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Creekside School

2615 Baker Road

Dexter MI

Visit Beaver Island Jewelry/Nancy Peterson at this show.

Admission $3

Demonstrations

SOME NEW ITEMS:

Above is a frog bottle stopper and agate/lampwork bead on 14 K gold plate necklace.

This bottle stopper insists on being upside down! But it is a little owl.

These two beads are called "vertebra" beads. I love making them. The gold one I have made into a pendant.

This is a necklace with a mixture of beads. We are calling it "Jump thru the Hoop."

Just some of my new things. Come visit Beaver Island Jewelry at the Dexter Art Show this weekend. Money goes toward the Dexter Historical Society.

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New beaded jewelry

2010-03-27T14:28:00.000-04:00

Ruffle earrings. I like these little beaded earrings - in gold shades on sterling wires.

The bunny and pink beads are presently on eBay (under BeaverIslandBeads). The cupcakes were on eBay but did not sell so they are available. I had them listed for $9.99 so if interested tell me now before I raise the price or make them into something!

Love these cupcake beads - formed by hand, torched and then put into a kiln. Two different sets of cupcakes hanging from sterling silver wires.

More new earrings! Set on the left is for folks who love the hoop look. But these have added dangles along with the handmade Petoskey stone look glass beads.

The Red Queen heart earrings have floating metal chips inside the glass beads to add some interest!

Check out Beaver Island Jewelry for further information.

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Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2010:

2010-03-19T13:27:00.001-04:00

Humane Society of Huron Valley: Walk & Wag 2010:

Go to the link above to sponsor me in the upcoming Humane Society of Huron Valley, in Ann Arbor, MI, Walk & Wag, May 22d. Your donations go to a good cause to help animals in this community!

Thank you! Nancy

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Valentine's Day - coming soon!

2010-02-08T10:08:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day is just "around the corner." Have you thought about what to get your sweetie? Or if you just like hearts, jewelry with red, I have a few new items at Beaver Island Jewelry that you might like. Above is an earring set - red Chihuly like discs hanging from sterling silver heart chain. Swarovski crystals on either side of the glass discs to add some sparkle. Only $30.

Glass handmade hearts and sterling hearts hanging from a chain for a lovely necklace! $135 includes a free little box of chocolates before Valentine's Day.

Beads. Frog hanging onto a heart - he's cute I think. Handmade Murano glass. See Frog Bead page. And the off-mandrel purply heart. Love the colors. There is a hole in the top to hang this from a chain or cord. See the Focals page of Beaver Island Jewelry.

Some handmade glass heart bead earrings. These are on sterling silver French Wires so they stay more secure in your ear. $35 on the earring page. And my special "cane" earrings. In the canes I mix lots of colors, then use the cane to make earrings. This takes some time but I love making these cylinder shapes for earrings as they elongate your face. These red cylinders hang from sterling silver wires. $35 on the earring page.

Just made some sweet treats - cupcakes! Handmade lampwork glass cupcakes that is. So that is "0" calories! Will make these into something today and put on my website, Beaver Island Jewelry.

Email me if interested in anything or look at the website.

One other sweet treat is my bracelet that reminds me of my favorite mmmm good candy. Check this out on my Bracelets page.

Did I mention that you will get a free zipper pull (my choice) with any purchase before Valentine's Day?

Please take a look at the Beaver Island Jewelry webpage.

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Martha & Me dinner and other things

2010-01-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

Second in my series of dinners from the Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home cookbook is her dinner of:

Tart Apple Bistro Salad
Hanger Steak with Caramelized Shallots
Oven Baked Shoestring Fries
Carmel Pudding

Here's a photo of my ending product! Looks like a massive serving of potatos - must have been my husband's serving (he love's potatoes!).

First I had to find Hanger Steak so I went to one of our good groceries - Busch's here in Ann Arbor. I asked the meat market person and she had to go in the back to ask another butcher (maybe she wasn't a butcher). Then she took me to the meat area where things are packaged up and found a package called "skirt steak." So I guess that is similar. It reminded me of Flank Steak, probably a less expensive model. Anyway, the hanger steak started out with caramelized shallots. I had not used shallots before but found those at the store and they were quite tasty carmelized prior to cooking the steak in the same pan. I use our big black iron griddle.

The salad - Tart Apple Bistro salad was suppose to have romaine lettuce and frisee but I skipped the frisee. Granny apples were the tart apples. The dressing was delicious and easy to whip up.

Now the next part was hard - oven baked shoestring fries. I was suppose to use a "mandoline" to cut the potatoes into the shoestring shape. But I don't have a mandoline (not the musical intrument) so we just used our box gratter (my husband helped with this chore as I was about to do mashed potatoes instead!). So the shoestrings were not long shoestrings, but were shorter and chunkier. They were baked in the oven and were very good. But my photo does not look like the photo in Dinner at Home cookbook!

I had thought about having company to share this meal with us but decided not to and am kind of glad I didn't. I was in a flurry after trying to get everything completed at one time. And as you'll see the dessert didn't exactly come out as planned.

The dessert was Caramel Pudding. This one used gelatin with the eggs and cream and that part was really delicious. It was the caramel which was problematic. We love creme caramel and this is similar. I guess I must have overcooked the caramel as first, after melting the sugar, then setting it aside as mentioned, it got hard. So I re-melted it and thought that was ok. Well, after putting the caramel over the top of the custard and coming back later, the caramel was hard on top! So even though the custard was very good, my caramel topping was like hard candy!

All in all, it was a good meal. It is always fun to learn some new things in my cooking! And to buy and utilize some ingredients that I usually would not pick. State tune for the next Martha & Me blog!

************************************

And to change things here - last week I worked at the Plymouth, Michigan Ice Festival. My job was with the Puppy Mill Awareness Group to talk about how puppy mills are not good places. Do not buy your dogs/cats from pet stores who get their animals from the puppy mill where they are raised in small cages under poor conditions. This was also in conjunction with the Humane Society of Huron Valley here in Ann Arbor where I volunteer as a dog walker. It was freezing cold (even though it was in the 30's last weekend). After standing around for 2 hours you get kind of chilled but it was interesting to talk to the public about puppy mills and animals. I was chilled the rest of the day! Here are some photos of the ice festival and Rudolph the real dog from a puppy mill who goes around with his owner talking to schoolkids about the subject. Rudolph is blind and deaf so has to use his nose -- thus the name Rudolph.

This is Rudolph the ice sculpture, above. He attracted a lot of attention at the ice festival.

And I took some photos of someone carving a sculpture and a couple animals!

Next blog I will show some of my Valentine's Day beads and jewelry! At the top is my heart with a frog on it -- I think he is cute.
Check out my web site for more.
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Nancy & Martha

2010-01-16T11:42:00.001-05:00

In December I went to Las Vegas with my husband for his conference. While there I went to a book signing of Martha Stewart's new cookbook: Dinner at Home.

After standing in line for three hours (thank goodness it was Las Vegas and not Ann Arbor in December!) I made it in to get an autograph on the cookbook. We were told she would not pose for photos with us nor personalize the signature. But she was very gracious and chatted with everybody. She was very nice and pretty; much nicer looking than on TV! Above, she is talking to TV cameras in Las Vegas before she started signing books.

In the photos above, Martha Stewart is signing books. We could go to the "Photograph Area" and take a picture. And I also show the line that went on and on outside the Williams Sonoma shop where the book signing took place. Since I was in the front of the line I had my book signed and even had gone to lunch and then come out to see the line continuing!

The photo above is of the appetizer set that I made for Ms. Stewart with lampwork glass beads. I used a color that I call "Martha Stewart Green" (hey, I watch a lot of the Martha Stewart Show!!). You could not give your present directly to her so I don't even know if she received it! But I put it in a Beaver Island Jewelry box and bag and put my business card with it. I had to give my present to someone before I got my cookbook signed. I suppose she receives lots of gifts.

So, I got my autographed copy of Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home and went back to Michigan clutching my copy. Later in the month we watched the movie Julie & Julia where Julie went through the Julia Child French Cooking Cookbook and made all the dishes. Ahhhh Haaaaa! I decided I should try making the menus in my new Martha cookbook! (Much to my husband's delight!). Winters are long and dark here in Michigan!!

The cookbook is nicely sectioned into seasons and has complete menus. Since it was winter, I started off with the Winter section. Each menu is complete. It has an entree, salad and desert. The first menu in the Winter Section consisted of:

Creamy Oyster Soup

Crisp Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Celery Root and Walnut Salad,

Pear and Dried Cherry Baked Custard.

The salad called for celery root which I had never heard of nor seen. It was lucky that my grocery store had it marked as such! Here it is in it's raw form and then the salad.

My husband did not care for the Celery Root Salad although I thought it was good and the dog enjoyed some raw celery root. The sandwiches were great, the oyster soup good and the custard very good. My husband gave my menu a "8 out of 10" on his scale!

That was my first Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home menu attempt. More later as I try other menus! Don't know if I will get through the whole book but that is my goal.

Please visit my website at Beaver Island Jewelry to see lampworked appetizer sets such as shown here in my blog along with other lampwork bead items.

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Advertising and Shops

2010-01-14T13:15:00.000-05:00

I have been advertising in the Ann Arbor Observer lately (Ann Arbor, Michigan); February will be my second time. Since I am not well known in Ann Arbor I thought I should advertise somewhere. I have always enjoyed reading the Ann Arbor Observer and the ads are cool. Our newspaper, the Ann Arbor News, went out of business this past year so I thought about the local monthly paper, the Ann Arbor Observer. It is quite expensive to advertise I am finding out and we'll see about results - I should give it some time. So, if you have seen my ad in the Ann Arbor Observer please let me know what you think!

I am more well known as a beadmaker/jewelry designer on Beaver Island. For several years I have been advertising in the Beaver Beacon on Beaver Island. This is also a monthly paper. And I have items for sale at Livingstone Studio on Beaver Island, seasonally. I know people see my ads because they remark upon them to me when they see me on the island.

For several months I have also had items for sale at The Side Door Gallery which is in the Dexter Picture Frame Gallery, on Main Street, in Dexter, Michigan. The Bier Gallery south of Charlevoix, Michigan, also carries some of my jewelry.

Since I am a one person operation it is hard to know how many shops I should try to get to carry my jewelry. How busy do I want to be? Other than my jewelry/lampwork business right now I am retired.

Kind of rambling thoughts today!

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Simple Lampwork Necklaces

2010-01-02T11:14:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!  My goal this year is to keep my blog updated more frequently!

Today I just wanted to show some simple necklaces. Some people don't want a lot of "doodads" on their necklaces or just want a nice necklace to wear with a t-shirt. I like to wear some type of necklace with my casual t-shirts so will show some ideas here.

This photo shows one of my Treasure Necklaces which are made in different colors. This one is black/ivory and turquoise. There are two charms hanging from the leather cord along with various shapes of beads. It is great for wearing with a turtleneck or something similar. See my website for more Treasure Necklaces.

This is a lampwork leaf strung on a seed bead necklace. Very simple but classy I think! I make different leaves that I can put on a seed bead necklace or you can buy a leaf and string your own. Even on a "fairy ribbon" it looks nice.

This is a lampwork starfish that is hung from a Chinese Cord. These cords are colorful alternatives for hanging nice focal beads. I love the starfish - you can see him on my website. You could also dangle some more beads or charms here also.

These are what I call "Ripple" beads - they are lampwork circles in various colors and they look great hanging on "fairy ribbons" which come in different colors. As you can see they are very cute and colorful. Or the circles can be subdued in browns and ivorys.

This bead is attached to a silver chain by a stamped silver piece. This piece is sold but it shows what can be done very easily with a nice focal bead, especially in this flat style.

Lastly I wanted to show a lampwork bead "stack". I just put some beads together that are various shapes and colors and hung from a leather cord. Fun to wear and watch the comments come in when you wear it!

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Venice

2009-11-05T17:09:00.011-05:00

Coming soon - Venice 2010!

To get in the mood I've been looking at my Venice pictures from 2 years ago. Stay tuned for more photos later.

A gondola on the Grand Canal.

Here's how the "streets" look.

Everything comes into Venice via boat and in the early morning they bring in the goods and unload with handcarts.

This was a shot thru a window at their pizza offerings that day. Yum!

A typical canal and bridge.

Another canal but this one seemed to be a "parking" area for gondolas.

I stayed on the island of Murano so took the vaporetto back and forth. Some days it was quite foggy.

The famous Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal.

St. Marks Square.

Love those gondolas!

I never did find out what this statue was for - it was near Venice, in the lagoon, on my trip from Murano to Fondamente Nuove.

This guy was in the Doge's Palace and was for people to put information into - kind of a post office for tip offs!

Love the mask shops!

Some baker was quite clever making these breads into faces.

This was a police boat on the Grand Canal.

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New Humane Society of Huron Valley

2009-10-29T14:30:00.007-04:00

Welcome to the brand new Humane Society of Huron Valley. This is a certified green building. Today I volunteer dog walked and just wanted to get some photos in of the new building. There are still things being done in the building but the animals are moved in.

Wall art at the Humane Society in Ann Arbor MI.

New lobby has a gathering area.

Construction still around but this shows a corner of the new building.

This is the new entrance. The bricks will eventually be engraved with messages.

And the cats are very happy in their nice new play rooms!

And the dogs have beautiful spacious kennels with windows they can push to go outside. there is radient heat outside when it is cold.

One of the wings for the dogs.

Kitten condos.

More cats. There are several rooms with cats, kittens and cats in play areas. There are also rooms where the public can take a cat or a dog and visit and see if they get along with their family.

The new lobby at the entrance.

These lights are kind of cool.

Some nice hanging lights over the front desk.

A Murano glass globe light in the lobby.

Another shot of the new lobby.

One of the puppies available for adoption. We were giving "puppy love" this morning.

There are pathways in the woods - still under construction.

Kind of foggy this morning but this shows the outside of one of the dog wings.

Another shot from outside showing dogs walking with the volunteers on the path.

The old and the new. This is the old 1950's dog kennel wing with the new one next to it. The old Humane Society of Huron Valley building will be taken down and made into the new parking lot for the new building.

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Walk iin the Woods on Beaver Island

2009-10-06T09:46:00.007-04:00

Recently I took a walk in the woods on a trail near the township campground on Beaver Island. It was late in the afternoon so the light was interesting.

The maples were starting to turn.

I love the moss that grows in the path. Always have to reach down and "pet" it!

Some of the ferns in the woods.

The trail with the late afternoon shadows.

A spot of light on the Maple leaves.

The ferns were starting to turn colors and die off.

Light hitting the bark of a pine tree.

A look into the woods.

The trail comes out onto Hanigan's Road.

The light was hitting our sign.

This is the lane to our cabin.

And at the cabin there were two of my curly Life is Good girls!!

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Sunrises on Beaver Island

2009-09-28T12:14:00.007-04:00

SOME OF MY SHOTS OF BEAUTIFUL SUNRISES HERE ON BEAVER ISLAND.

Venus and the moon are in this shot but don't know if you can see it.

Misty sunrise.

This is a series of sunrise shots (these are all from my deck) over Lake Michigan. I just kept clicking as the sun rose.

The water produces the nice colors I guess.

This is a sunset shot with the lake in beautiful pinks and blues.

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Beaver Island Marathon 2009 etc.

2009-09-22T14:19:00.003-04:00

Paid en Oggs road on Beaver Island. This photo kind of shows what it is like with the trees and the "opening" at the end of the road, in the sun.

Our cabin from the beach.

My kayak waiting for some use!

Sunset clouds.

Butterfly bush at friend's house.

Labor Day weekend was the first Beaver Island marathon. Attached here is an article about the race. It was a gorgeous day and the runners seemed to like the island although they couldn't find any McDonald's to eat at!!

See this article about the marathon recently held on Beaver Island.

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Celtic Festival on Beaver Island

2009-09-20T13:08:00.004-04:00

On a beautiful fall day, the Celtic Festival was held on lovely Beaver Island, Michigan. Some of us artisans also had booths alongside the field. Here's a view of some of the booths with the Whiskey Point Lighthouse in the background.

This is a view thru my tent/booth to the Traverse Drum and Bugle Corps. Men in kilts!

Great sounds and right in front of my booth!

Here they come!

The ladies in front were doing dancing steps.

The games were held in the field - caber tossing (telephone poles!!), stones, "lamb" tossing (filled bags), hammer throws.

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Visitors to Beaver Island

2009-08-26T12:32:00.008-04:00

We had visitors to Beaver Island in July and I wanted to show here what we usually show people who come to visit. These folks - Steve and Char - came from Illinois and I think they enjoyed the visit plus got some good relaxation in! Here's our dog doing her relaxing on the porch.

Cary likes to spend his time reading in this little nook on the porch, overlooking Lake Michigan.

Museum Week started during the time we had Steve and Char as visitors. We went to the Music on the Porch and loved this picture of the dog just drooling to get a lick of the little visitor's ice cream cones!!

Music on the Porch. Most of us were bundled in jackets as it was cold for July!

A view of Lake Michigan from East Side Drive on the south end of the island. Gorgeous huh!

Steve and Char visiting Iron Ore Bay.
Me and Cary at Iron Ore Bay.

It's about 30 miles across to the mainland - Charlevoix is over there someplace!

This gull was enjoying the day at Iron Ore Bay.

Our van -- it has been a good Beaver Island car but lately has had problems. Guess it needs a new computer--so do I!

Another fantastic view of Lake Michigan.

We stopped at the south end lighthouse. This lighthouse is great because you can go up the spiral staircase to the light at the top. During our visit there were folks in the keeper's house and they gave us a little tour.

Here's the lighthouse and the keeper's houses. There are actually two houses for keepers.

Ahhhh - relaxing on Beaver Island!

Fresh eggs from the farm around the corner from our house. Good eggs! Cary became the "eggman" and rode the scooter over to pick up the eggs.

A view of the other Beaver Island lighthouse - Whiskey Point which is by "town." Very picturesque.

Nancy and Cary

One of the most charming places to visit in town is the Toy Museum. Lots of antique toys around the shop and inside is a variable child's delight of little toy thingees. Not very expensive; just fun for the kiddies! And fun for adults too.

In the yard at the Toy Museum.

Not everybody enjoys looking at the toys! So they wait outside!

Sometimes the husbands need to be jailed. This is the old jail at the Museum. Seemed appropriate.....

Let us out!!

Touring the island with Steve and Char.

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Livingstone Studio's Meet the Artists

2009-07-26T13:42:00.004-04:00

BEAVER ISLAND JEWELRY will be at Livingstone Studio's Meet the Artists on Saturday, August 1st. Noon to 4 p.m. Come visit me there!

Here's a map of Beaver Island. Livingstone Studio is on the way to the Whiskey Point Lighthouse at the end of Paradise Bay.

Had to put this little garden thing on my blog as I love her! Got her at Livingstone Studio and she now sits in my garden. Cool!

Some funky earrings!

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Summer days on Beaver Island, Michigan

2009-07-12T14:04:00.003-04:00

I should be sitting in these chairs relaxing but no! Have been busy doing stuff. Saturday was Art in the Harbor here on Beaver Island. It was gorgeous day although breezy. Things kept blowing over. But a nice day to gaze over Paradise Bay while waiting for customers! Kind of slow but hey who can complain when you are overlooking Paradise Bay!!

The Pitcher's Thistles are blooming on the beach. These two photos show the interesting Pitcher's Thistles. They are a protected (federal I believe) species.

Soon I will show some photos of a typical day on Beaver Island but haven't loaded up the photos yet! Tomorrow I have a lampwork lesson with a student here on Beaver Island. Should be fun but I have to go and clean up the studio!

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Old views of Beaver Island

2009-07-08T13:16:00.003-04:00

These are some old postcards of Beaver Island that my husband found. This one is McDonough Cabins. I don't know where this is or was.

The King Strang hotel - when it was a hotel. It is a condominium now but is still here.

And the Shamrock Bar & Grill which is still here! Looks like it is in the 1950's.

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Beaver Island Electric Car Show

2009-07-01T12:51:00.005-04:00

Love these little bouquets on the beach - Hairy Puccoon.
Cary very relaxed on his vacation! Having breakfast at the Paradise Bay Coffee Shop last Sunday.

Here's some of the cars at the Electric Car Show. This is a Zenn and this is the one I want! There are about 7-8 electric outlets around the island for folks to plug into it and recharge. We already have quite a few electric cars soundlessly moving around the island.

Even electric trucks are available!

Another Zenn electric car.

Price tag for one of the Zenns - plus it looks like there is a rebate available.

Cary looking at the Zenn.
This electric car has seats for six! It is like a bus!!

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Heat Wave on Beaver Island

2009-06-23T14:24:00.004-04:00

This shows some of the erosion on the beach from the high water. There is a little ledge . Sorry the photos aren't in line but I don't know how to do that. They all appear at the top of the page!

My dog laying in my sandy garden.

Some of the flowers blooming on the island right now - the Hairy Puccoon. They grow in the sand, on the dunes and are very pretty in their bright yellow color.

Here's a photo of our beach on Sand Bay - the water is up about 1 foot so there isn't as much beach left!!

My husband is here for a couple weeks which is good as we had scooter problems. It was on a solar trickle charger all winter which kept the battery charged up but something else needed repair so I was glad Cary was here to help! After some consultation with some of the folks in town he figured out what was wrong and fixed it. It then was fine to take me for a ride up the road and back.

Today it is in the 80's on the island and kind of humid. The day is absolutely gorgeous with blue skys. Most people here don't have air conditioning but the Community Center where we do our computer work has a/c so it is a beautiful place to be situated at the moment! We really need rain - there hasn't been rain here for a few weeks.

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Beaver Island Michigan

2009-06-20T13:44:00.004-04:00

The Beach on Sand Bay from last year. This year the water is up to the grass line -- it is up about a foot.

What you see when you arrive on the ferry to the island.

Greetings from the Emerald Isle! I am on Beaver Island for the summer. Working (making glass bead jewelry) and playing!

I just got here June 17th and found the lilacs just blooming. Plant time is about a month behind Ann Arbor where everything was blooming. They must have had little rain here as it appears to be quite dry. Yesterday I thought it was going to rain and storm but the storms went right around the island.

Now I need to unpack my boxes of stuff that I brought from Ann Arbor and organize things. But the power of Beaver Island has taken over and I am in "rest" mode. Even the dog seems to like just laying around or looking out the window at Lake Michigan!

I believe that Art in the Harbor starts up next weekend June 27th. Several artists get together in town to sell our creations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come visit if you are on the island! And of course you can see my jewelry at Livingstone Studio on the island also. Bier Gallery (south of Charlevoix about 6 miles in red schoolhouse) has several frog/turtle related items. Check them out too!

Next blog I'll get some photos!

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Trip to Italy - Murano - The Island of Glass

2009-03-28T13:03:00.002-04:00

This was just published but because I saved it as a draft it came out under March 17, 2009. So scroll down a couple articles and you'll see the Murano article!

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The Annual Dexter Pioneer Arts Fair

2009-03-20T12:00:00.009-04:00

Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the annual Dexter (MI) Arts Fair. It is being held at a new venue - the Atrium of the United Methodist Church at 7643 Huron River Drive, Dexter, Michigan. Beaver Island Jewelry will be there with beaded necklaces, bracelets, glass buttons, Pandora beads, bottle stoppers, etc. We will show how to do the Japanese braiding Kumihimo. This site is "around the corner" from the Dexter Cidar Mill if you know that area.

50 vendors will be demonstrating and selling their art. This is a nice show and it is fun to see how people do fly tying, make bamboo fishing rods, knit, spin yard from their own sheep, rug hook, etc.

Dexter show last year 2008. That is my Kumihimo loom in the foreground.

Dog bead and then some examples of beaded jewelry.

COME VISIT THE DEXTER PIONEER ARTS FAIR - SPONSORED BY THE DEXTER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

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Fitness - getting lean

2009-03-17T12:52:00.004-04:00

I have been trying to get fit this winter season. Here are some great tips by Shaun Hadsell, owner of Fitness Together here in Ann Arbor. I know this isn't glass bead/jewelry related but we all want to be fit. These tips work!

******************************************************************************

10 Commandments Of Get Lean In 12

There are many other tricks that can potentially double and even triple the results of this information BUT, follow these steps consistently and you can program your metabolism to become a fat burning machine.
1. Thou Shall Lift Weights.
Sounds simple, but resistance training is the number one way to burn more fat and calories. It has a two fold effect. First, by producing more lean muscle tissue, your body will burn more calories at rest even while lying on the couch.
Second, research shows that when done correctly, a weight training workout (a personal trainer can show you an effective yet efficient weight training workout) can speed up your metabolism up to 12 hours longer than a “normal” cardiovascular session!

2. Thou Shall Be a Grazer Not a Binger.
You must eat five to six meals a day! People who eat only 1 to 3 meals a day are programming their bodies to be fat storing machines! By eating frequently, with smaller portions, you give your body a constant supply of nutrients throughout the day while managing your blood sugar.
Eating five to six meals a day is the easiest way to skyrocket your metabolism and energy levels to reprogram your body’s ability to metabolize calories and fat. There are dozens of studies and tons of research showing that eating five to six meals a day will possibly allow your body to burn more fat, have more energy and mental clarity, lower bad cholesterol, control your appetite, and manage your blood sugar.
Enough said. Eat five to six small meals a day, period!

3. Thou Shall Combine Lean Protein and Fibrous Carbs in Every Meal.
That’s right! Combining carbohydrates (the fibrous kind) with protein allows your body to be in a fat burning environment all day long.
As long as portion sizes are managed correctly, insulin levels will stay stable allowing your body to potentially use body fat as fuel.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, research shows that out of 50 million people who start on “diets” (such as low carb) each year, 47.5 million regain all or more of the weight they lost dieting.
Bottom line, for long term vitality, health, and energy, learn to balance your meals with protein and clean quality carbohydrates.

4. Thou Shall Detoxify Consistently & Drink an Adequate Amount of Water Everyday.
We brush our teeth and wash our hair everyday, why don’t we do the same for our cellular health?Because we lack education and awareness of environmental toxins. Many of the toxins we eat, drink, and breath on a daily basis are invisible. Out of site, out of mind.
What many people don’t understand the power of detoxifying and removing heavy metals can have on their over all health. In fact, doctors now know that 85% or more of all disease and disease states are linked to toxins.
Detoxifying with a scientifically proven mineral can increase mental clarity, balance pH, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and potentially prevent many diseases or illnesses later in life.
Also, water works in synergy with detoxifying and plays a major role in our health. Many people overlook this simple yet essential component.
Water is responsible for the delivery and transport of all processes that take place in the body (fat burning, recovery, digestion, etc…). Without adequate water, our body’s ability to burn fat will come to a screeching halt.
Not only will healthy hydration possibly help your body burn more fat, it can also give you more energy, boost your immune system and provide a ton of other benefits. Make sure to drink 8 to 12 eight ounce glasses of water or more per day.

5. Thou Shall Eat More “Clean” Protein.
Eating more protein will curb your cravings for refined carbohydrates and in return you will have more energy and allow your body to reach its fat metabolizing potential.
Protein also provides the building blocks of muscle and provides our body with essential nutrients needed for hormones, enzymes, antibodies, and neurotransmitters.
Also, consuming more protein has a greater thermic effect allowing your body to consistently burn more calories.
In other words your body burns more calories digesting a chicken breast than it burns digesting carbohydrates or fat, so eat more “clean” protein.

6. Thou Shall Do Cardio First Thing After Waking Up.
Not only is this a great way to start your day, it will rev up your metabolism to be a fat burning furnace.
In fact, the right type of cardiovascular training (to learn an efficient yet effective progressive cardio routine, will not only burn 142% more calories than normal cardio, your metabolism may be increased for up to 48 hours after!
You could actually speed up your metabolism for a full two days after a cardio session if done correctly. And cut your workout time down significantly at the same time.

7. Thou Shall Avoid All “Dirty” Carbohydrates.
We have to avoid refined carbohydrates especially the white ones. The only way to live a healthy lifestyle is to eat balanced meals with clean fibrous carbohydrates, clean proteins, and small amounts of friendly fats.
Our bodies do continuously need carbohydrates for fuel for our brains, body, and muscles. However, if we continue to consume refined white or sugary carbs, we will program our bodies to store more fat, have less energy, and increase our risk of getting type II diabetes.
We must eat the right type of carbohydrates! By avoiding “dirty” carbs, as I like to call them, and eating “clean” carbs we will continuously have more energy and allow our bodies to readily access fat as fuel for the long term.
Seek guidance from a fitness expert who walks their talk in order to get information on reliable sources of nutrition.

8. Thou Shall Get More Rest and Consume Liquid Vitamins.Working out and eating “clean” foods are only the stimuli for your goals. The results occur while you rest.When you train hard and eat “clean” foods you put stress on your body that causes you to need more rest, and also deplete you of nutrients needed to recover.
Strong research also shows you body will absorb op to 98% of a liquid vitamin product while only absorbing up to 20% of vitamins in pill or capsule forms.
By getting enough sleep for recuperation and taking a scientifically proven liquid multi-vitamin with anti-oxidants to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients, you will allow your body to fill in the missing gap of the nutrition and fat loss equation.

9. Thou Shall Consume 30 Grams Of Fiber Daily and Avoid Starchy Carbs My Last 2 Meals Of The Day.
The key to having consistent energy and keeping your body in a fat burning environment is balancing your meals.
Early in the day, carbs are used for energy for the brain and body, but when you eat carbs later in the evening after your metabolism has slowed, you need less energy for daily activities such as your family, career, and workouts. Your body is less likely to use these unwanted carbohydrates and as a result you can possibly store them as ugly body fat.
Try avoiding carbs for your last 1 or 2 meals of the day and making it mostly “clean” protein with small amounts of vegetables and friendly fats.

10. Thou Shall Be Consistent Not Perfect.Let’s face it. If you follow these steps consistently, you will burn more fat, A LOT MORE!
But, we are all human and we will fall off probably more than once a week. The key to achieving great results is knowing that when you do fall off, you get right back on track instead of giving up completely.
Giving yourself a “free day” or “dirty day” once a week is an awesome way to reward your hard work and stay on course throughout the week. This gives you something to focus on during the week and is also a fantastic “calorie shock” for your body.
I have found over the years that accountability with consistency, not perfection of the basics described here, will give your body the programming it needs to be in a fat burning environment “naturally” all day, every day!
Do you overlook these basics or think they are too difficult to actually follow?
I know the majority of these things are very basic and simple, but I think that is half the problem with getting results from our efforts is that we overcomplicate what is really very simple!

Currently, 75% of Americans are exercising. Yet, 65% of Americans are considered overweight. Well, if 75% of Americans are exercising and 65% are overweight, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out current exercise programs in this country are NOT working!
I know that the number one reason people don’t exercise is because they don’t have time and the second reason is because they don’t have accountability to see any results to keep them motivated. Get Lean In 12 takes the guess work out of both of these problems.
Remember; “Nothing tastes as good, as being in great shape feels!” & “Half of getting what you want out of life is understanding what you have to give up to get it!

Shaun HadsallCreator of Get Lean In 12
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Murano Italy - The Island of Glass

2009-03-17T07:32:00.020-04:00

MURANO, ITALY - THE ISLAND OF GLASS

Nancy Peterson

Beaver Island Jewelry

Last year I was offered an opportunity to take a glassmaking class from a master artisan, Lucio Bubucco, on the island of Murano, Italy, which is the “heart” of glassmaking. I thought about it for about a day and then decided what an opportunity to work with the maestro of glass control and expand my horizons, both professionally and personally. The class consisted of 8 other American beadmakers from around the country. As many of you know, I am a glass beadmaker, creating flameworked beads from a rod of glass that comes from Murano, Italy and then selling the beads individually or designing them into jewelry which I sell on my website, http://www.beaverislandjewelry.com/, or at Livingstone Studio, http://www.livingstonestudio.com/.

Murano is a group of islands lying about .6 of a mile off the northern side of the island of Venice. Several interesting islands hide in the shallow Venetian lagoon which is part of the Adriatic Sea. The shallow waters and treacherous sandbars made Venezia safe from attack by land or water; no city wall was needed!

Lampwork Primer

First, will be a short primer on the art of making flameworked beads. Glass rods that I use are called “soft glass” as they contain high soda content and have a bright color palette. They are in the form of about 13 inch rods of glass which are then melted with a focused source of heat: a torch flame. Most of my glass rods actually come from the Moretti factory on the island of Murano, through an American supplier. Glass can then be formed into any composition. It is a process of both science and art. Everything is done to a bead while it is molten hot; no poking with your fingers! A variety of metal tools are utilized to poke, form, or pull the molten glass to create your little piece of art. After a bead is formed, either on the mandrel, or off the mandrel, it goes into a kiln set at 940 degrees for annealing or hardening. This temperature is ramped down over about 6 hours. Here you can see me making a bead with my kiln in the background. Notice that there is a ventilation system to draw the fumes outside and I have on didyium glasses so I can see the work without the flare from the soda glass. This process of making glass beads with a flame is called lampwork. The “lamp” is a gas-fed flame that is used to soften and model canes of colored glass into articles of various kinds. In the 15th century, the flame was supplied by oil lamps and was permitted in Venice after furnace glassmakers were banned to Murano.

History of Glassmaking in Venice and Murano

The earliest evidence of glassmaking in Venice is from AD 982. Fragments of Murano-made glass date from the 13th century. In 1291 the demolition of all glass kilns in Venice was ordered due to the risk of fire with all the wood buildings. From then on, Murano was the main center of glass manufacture in the Venetian Empire. Being on a separate island protected the buildings of Venice plus the secrets of glassmaking. Originally mosaic glass was made on Murano, developing then to glass vases, goblets, sculptures and beads. The glass of Murano from the 19th and 20th centuries was embellished with filigree and adventurine, dragons, swans, serpents, storks and flowers, in a distinctive style. At the end of this series I will list some good references on Murano Glass and the island of Murano.

Lucio Bubacco Class

My class was six days long with Lucio Bubacco who makes artistic compositions of glass – not beads but whole structures which can sell upwards of $1500. As his website (www.luciobubacco.com) says: Lucio Bubacco's sensuous works combine the anatomic perfection of Greek sculpture with the Byzantine gothic architecture of his native Venice. Seductive themes, metamorphosis and transformation, forms emerging from the void, echo themes from our mythological past when sexuality was spiritual, not political. Lucio is really a glass maestro. He only uses a rod of glass, a marver and the torch and people and figures just dance out of the flame! It is amazing and inspiring to watch him work. Here’s a photo of a mermaid he made in our class and a glass structure that he had for sale:

Some more photos from class:

Making a centaur.

A speciality - the ladies.

A little froggy that was suppose to go home with me--but he must have been lost in the studio!

Lucio working at his bench.

Leaf lady: Lucio made this in about 10 minutes. I bought it at the end of class.

Me working in class.

A Glimpse into Life in Murano

Everything goes by water in Murano and Venice; it reminded me of Beaver Island. Most people who visit Venice only go over to Murano for a few hours, with their eye on the clock and the timetable for the vaporettos back to Venice. I was living on Murano for about three weeks, with a little side trip to Florence and Tuscany, which gave me a glimpse into the rhythm of Murano (yes, I will go back!). There is an invisible side of Murano with furnaces that the public cannot visit, the people that you usually don’t meet and some little shops that you may not have time to visit. Glassmaking on Murano is more than a job; it is a passion that absorbs the glassmaker’s lives.

Early in the morning my roommate and I got up in our ground floor apartment, opened the window to the canal and made some café latte in our little gas percolator. We did have a washing machine (tiny) but no dryer (that is a clothesline outside). On Sunday walking around I saw lots of laundry hanging outside to dry. Of course, there are no vehicles. You walk everywhere or take a boat or ride a bicycle. The vaporreto is the means of transportation everywhere – from different parts of Murano to Venice or to the airport or other islands such as Burano. The locals have a pass that allows them to hop on any boat. We usually bought a one way ticket for 6.50 euro or a 12 or 24-hour pass such as on the weekend.

Fresh vegetables are sold from a boat and in Venice I saw the fish market boat! There is a very nice grocery store (actually two) on Murano, called “The Coop”. We fixed a lot of fresh pasta, very delicious sweet sausage, cheeses, fresh bread, and of course, wine! In the morning I would see unloading of cargo, the DHL boat, the dump boat, the veggie man along with people waiting for the vaporetto.

Everything closed up on Murano about 7 p.m. The trattorias or restaurants take turns being open on the island in the evening. One night we stumbled upon the one open restaurant where we enjoyed some wine, café and sweets. Walking around at night you could hear and see the furnaces charging their furnaces for the next day’s glassmaking. A few people would be out walking their dogs. Speaking about dogs, you had to be careful about where you stepped on the cobblestone walks as the dogs had no grass to do their duties. Italians seem to love their dogs and it is a very dog-friendly country. Dogs were on the trains, in stores, in the trattorias, on the boats, in the airport, everywhere!

Following are some photos showing life in Murano, Italy. Next time I will show you some of the special access we received behind the scenes of glass furnaces, mosaic makers and others.

The dog at our lunch restaurant. Foggy morn in Murano.

Our caffe pot. Delivery via boats.

The dump boat. See blue "street art - Murano Glass" in the background.

Glass abacus street art on Murano.

Here's the bus!

The Faro lighthouse

Maximillon glass vases.

Murano doorway.

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Acqua Alta in Venice

2008-12-03T09:14:00.006-05:00

If you love Venice like I do you are probably interested in the Acqua Alta (high water) taking place right now. The water is at record levels and is flooding San Marco Square and other spots around Venice. I have put some photos here from my trip to Venice last April - it was wet but the water wasn't wading deep as it is today. At the bottom of this blog is a link to a great slideshow of photos from Venice of the high water/acqua alta taking place right now--December 1, 2, 2008.

April 2008 - walkways were up but it was not flooded. San Marco Square.

Doges Palace to the right.

Rialto Bridge April 2008.

San Marco Square. Note the restaurant behind the pigeons. In the slideshow you'll see their chairs floating!

Doges Palace April 2008.

Acqua Alta in Venice slideshow. Go to this article to see a great slideshow of Venice underwater. It is sad to see the treasures underwater. This slideshow has some great photos - I like the one where the gondoliers are sitting at tables in the water! Probably having their coffee!! Hopefully this doesn't happen for quite some time.

If you love Venice as much as I do you will also be hoping that they get the floodgates installed sometime soon.

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Fall Colors on Beaver Island

2008-10-09T14:00:00.006-04:00

Some fall photos from around my cabin on Beaver Island. The trees are turning a lovely shades of yellow and orange!
Majestic pine against the blue sky.
A maple tree tucked in the pines.

And amongst a deadfall grows a little cottonwood tree!

The ferns have turned yellows and brown.
Our sign has been put away.
The lovely Birch tree.

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Lake Michigan Lighthouses

2008-10-07T12:54:00.011-04:00

On Sunday, October 5, 2008 my husband and I took a Lighthouse Tour from the air of the Lake Michigan lighthouses around Beaver Island, Michigan and the Straits of Mackinaw. Our friends had flown up from Ann Arbor to visit us on the island and go to the Bite of Beaver Island. Before they left we got our great air tour!
Garden Island to right and Beaver Island to left. You can see Paradise Bay as it "hooks" into Beaver Island.
High Island with ship in background.

Hog Island in foreground, Garden to right and Beaver Island to left.
Fisherman heading north to the Upper Penninsula from Beaver Island.
Grays Reef Lighthouse

Mackinac Bridge with Mackinaw Island in background.
St Helena Island Lighthouse.
St. Helena
St. Helena Lighthouse closeup.
White Shoal Lighthouse

The Bonanza plane we flew in on this Lighthouse trip.
Near Brevort in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. The colors are getting pretty.

Lansing Shoal Lighthouse

Skilagalee Lighthouse
Skilagalee Lighthouse
The bombed out Waugoshance Point lighthouse.
White Shoals Lighthouse again.
Beaver Island archipelago - nice to see the upper islands.

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Huron Valley Humane Society Groundbreaking - Ann Arbor MI

2008-09-26T10:32:00.007-04:00

The Huron Valley Humane Society in Ann Arbor MI had a groundbreaking for the new shelter on September 23, 2008. These are some photos from the groundbreaking ceremony with the dog digging the hole! That was the cute part. Plus there were lots of dogs mingling with the guests.

These two dogs above came to the shelter as a pair of siblings. Their owner died on the golf course and the neighbors had to rescue the dogs as no one else was home. So the shelter hopes to adopt the two dogs together. They are older dogs and and were very nice.

Here's the young pit bull who had the honor of digging the hole. She did a great job and kept digging so all the photographers could get good photos!

Behind the director they were tearing down trees for the new shelter. The work has started and is taking place behind the old shelter. The old shelter will be torn down to make the parking when the new shelter is complete. Since the old shelter is 1950 vintage -- we really really need a new, modern shelter. The animals won't be so distressed in the new shelter.

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Sunrises

2008-09-19T20:31:00.004-04:00

Some sunrise photos that I took over August and September 2008 on Beaver Island, Michigan. This is Lake Michigan that you see.

From my window.
This is a sunset.
Another sunset. The light was very interesting!

A little moisture over Lake Michigan for this sunrise.

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Fall on Beaver Island

2008-09-09T15:23:00.002-04:00

Some photos from Beaver Island - September 2008. Gas is still $5.49 a gallon here!

Sunrise over Lake Michigan.

The Niagra sails down Lake Michigan.

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Still on Beaver Island - new photos

2008-08-18T13:53:00.005-04:00

A windy day on Lake Michigan here on Beaver Island.

Sunrise
Sunrise through my window.

CMU Art Show 2008 - at Central Michigan University Bio Station on Beaver Island. Artists gathered for 2 weeks of painting and this was their showing.
Beach flowers
Buckeye tree
Sunflowers
Let sleeping dogs lie....

More art show! These were the winners of the show.

Bill admiring the paintings.

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Summer on the island

2008-08-06T11:18:00.003-04:00

Some nice photos from Beaver Island, Michigan.

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Beaver Island Historical Society Art Show and other things

2008-07-28T12:16:00.004-04:00

Beaver Island Historical Society Art Show took place for three days in the Christian Church fellowship Hall. I had my own little room -- which I shared with an antique quilt!

A shot of the show in progress.
Cary would come to visit on the moped!

One morning when I went out to walk the dog I saw that the spiders had been busy around my driveway.

Gentian flower
This was a night shot of the fireworks in the harbor during 4th of July. This was taken from my front porch over the water, quite a ways a way!

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Yankee Lady B17 Bomber Visits Beaver Island

2008-07-21T11:38:00.007-04:00

Rachel directing the B 17 bomber to the landing pad at the Municipal Airport on Beaver Island, Michigan.

The B 17 bomber coming in.

The bombadier nose.
The tailgunner area.
Tova in her bomber jacket!

Landing the B17 bomber.

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Beaver Island Jewelry Shows

2008-07-16T11:32:00.005-04:00

Art in the Harbor on Beaver Island every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is on the main street, next door to Shipwreck Shirts, across the street from Whimsy.
My little table of Beaver Island Jewelry.

My table to left of tent.

Beaver Island glass "charms" to hang from a necklace.
My glass shells!
New spirals.

Shows of Beaver Island Jewelry this summer:

Art in the Harbor, Beaver Island, every Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Museum Week Art Show at BI Christian Church fellowship hall, July 23 - 25, 2008 (Wednesday thru Friday).

Livingstone Studio artists show, Saturday, August 2, 2008. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And Claudia Schmidt, the folk singer, will be there in the afternoon!

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4th of July on Beaver Island

2008-07-08T16:24:00.009-04:00

4th of July on Beaver Island is a special event! There is always a parade down our main road. This photo shows the vets who have turned around and the parade comes back through the town!! Deja vu all over again!
Lloyd my neighbor in his army jeep.
The island's fire brigade.
Thousands of people came for this event!! Never seen so many folks on the island at one time.

Don't worry - it will turn around and come back again....

Lots of electric cars in the parade.

My friends HelenGrace and Dick who I watched the parade with on the Museum porch.

Kids and dogs....
CMU Bio Station is about the only float that stuck to the theme of the parade: island treasures.

They throw candy from the vehicles and sometimes spray water! The kids scramble for the treats.

Island Airways did a flyover and then came back and did it again with the missing man manuever.

And here was the beaver from Beaver Boat tique.

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