So many changes in a year!

There are many things to look back upon over a years time.  The love I have for glass and the desire I have to keep persuing my new career has taken me much further than I ever expected over the past year.  BeadUnique has changed and I have learned so much from each experience I've had along my way.

It has taken me time and many trials to see how I really want to present my glass sculptured art and beads.  Just as important is how I want my business to be and what direction to follow.  This has been tough for me and I've learned lessons along the way that I'm thankful for. Over the past few months things have been great and things have fallen right into place on this glass journey of mine.

I haven't been the best blogger or business women lately, but I now see the light. I can stop and breathe for a moment to organize my thoughts, my schedule and make the big plans for this business of mine.  It's all a work in progress, but I am determined and so excited!  Upcoming events, announcements, etsy update, and new items will be posted very soon. This love of creating in glass is much more than a hobby for me and I truly appreciate those that admire, appreciate, and support me in this dream! 

MiAppa

After the busy holiday season and time to recoup, I am back!  Over the past few months I've been concentrating more on improving my art form and less on selling.  Trying to find the perfect organization and home for my work has been a top priority for me as well.  My timing couldn't be any more perfect than to find a new art organization joining our Huntington community, MiAppa, that will open April 29th in Heritage Station.

I became a member of MiAppa and am so excited to be part of this wonderful organization!  MiAppa is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping Appalachian artisans promote and improve their skills.  MiAppa began in Portsmouth, OH and have big plans for the future.  They plan on opening up at least 6 more locations within the year!  Being involved with an organization that provides me great opportunities and helps me to grow as an artist is a fantastic opportunity that I couldn't pass by.

Friday, April 29th MiAppa will have the grand opening from 10-6pm.  The art center is located in Heritage Station in the boutiques located behind the visitors bureau.  My art and jewelry can be found there every day after opening.  Regular hours are 10-6pm Mon thru Sat.  I will announce more about the opening and my regular hours when I will be at the boutique within the next few days.  I hope you will come check out MiAppa and all the great changes that are happening at Heritage Station!

I love snowmen, one for your bracelet

I love making snowmen, so I thought I'd see how they went on a charm bracelet. 

The problem with this is gravity and the way the hole has to go through the man

 makes it difficult to make him balance and actually look like a snowman.   

The first one I made is mine! Today I wore him around (no stoppers) and he pretty much stayed in place.  With stoppers he doesnt flip at all. 

So I say, this project was a success!

More snowmen large whole beads are on their way!  

   Order yours today for $15/each and choose your hat and scarf colors.

Please specify which bracelet system you have.

Thanks for looking!  -Kari-



My neglected blog

It's been way too long since my last post!  I can't believe how quickly time passes by.  It seems facebook is the way to go and there aren't as many blog followers as I wished, so the blog has been the last thing on my list of things to do.

Today is my torching birthday!  It's been one year since I purchased my torch and started this adventure.  I love it now just as much, if not more, than I did before!  I often have a hard time being proud of my accomplishments, but as I got ready for my last show I realized how much I have grown over the year.  I will admit that I am proud of my work and the fact I can call myself an artist and business owner.

I just wanted to post a few of my new favorite glass creations.                  

                                                                                          

   

The beginning of my Halloween Series

Yesterday was my first batch of Halloween beads and I thought I would share. I had so much fun making these, I can't wait to make more!  Please remember that this was my first attempt at any of these. The first of my alien abduction series was fun, I cant wait to make more.  Elvira hair on fire was inspired my another artists pic that I found while trying to find some insperation. I wish I could find it again to give her/him the credit for the idea, I loved her and just had to make one of my own. Any ideas or suggestions or wants please let me know.

Thanks for looking, Kari

Opportunities are a blessing

Last week was fantastic! I have been so blessed to live in a city that sees the benefits in supporting their local artists. CAFE  http://cafehuntington.com/articles/fourth-presenter-kari-newman/ is a community based group that hosts a dinner once a month and donates the funds raised to the artist of choice. I was the chosen one and I am so thankful for the opportunities they have given me! I met so many people with valuable feedback, connections and ideas. I cannot wait to get more involved in the artist community in Huntington...not to mention spend my well needed award on proper ventilation, art organizations and additional classes. I truly appreciate this and it couldn't have came at a better time!



It's going to be busy around here for awhile... finishing my studio, sending items for the gallery at Brazee Street in Cincy, getting jury pieces ready for a few organizations, taking classes, not to mention the family and life itself.  I will do my best to post, but most important I'm going to get things done first!

Brazee Street Studios in Cincinatti

We are just now returning from our family vacation of camping, canoeing, museum and amusement park visiting. We had a great time even though this was our budget vacation. The last day of vacation we had an opportunity to visit a new school of glass in Cincinnati for their open studio night. This was a great family night and I met so many wonderful and inviting people. The downtown area of Oakley has special events going on for the entire family on the last Friday of every month. Chris took the kids to an awesome toy store, they saw stilt walkers, a magician and street performers. I missed most of it because I was asked by the owner of the SOG to torch! I felt so privileged to be able to work in such a great place and to be able to demonstrate to others the art of lampworking. I can't wait to visit again! I can only dream that one day Huntington will have an area and events like this.